Hanscom Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Bedford, Massachusetts
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Hanscom Air Force Base is located in Bedford, Massachusetts, approximately 17 miles northwest of Boston, and serves as the headquarters of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence and Networks (C3I&N) Directorate and the Electronic Systems Center. Unlike typical operational combat air force bases, Hanscom functions primarily as an acquisition and research and development center, where the Air Force and Space Force develop, procure, and sustain advanced command and control, battle management, and communications systems. Hanscom is closely associated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory, which occupies an adjacent site and performs much of the technical research supporting Hanscom programs.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Develop, acquire, deploy, and sustain command and control, battle management, and communications systems for the U.S. Air Force, Space Force, and joint warfighters worldwide.
Major Units: Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) / C3I&N Directorate (program executive office functions); 66th Air Base Group (installation host); Electronic Systems Center legacy programs
Tenant Units: MIT Lincoln Laboratory (adjacent, not on base but closely affiliated); Defense Contract Management Agency; Air Force Research Laboratory detachments; Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) liaison; various defense contractor program offices

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Boston, MA – approximately 17 miles east; Lowell, MA – approximately 10 miles north; Cambridge (MIT/Harvard) – approximately 15 miles southeast
Nearest Commercial Airport: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) – approximately 20 miles; Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) NH – approximately 35 miles
Gate Access: Main gate on Hartwell Avenue; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; heavy civilian contractor workforce means substantial visitor access traffic

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 3,000
Family Members: Approximately 4,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 10,000+ (government civilians and defense contractors combined; this is primarily an acquisition/research installation)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 18,000+ (including large contractor presence)

Key Facilities

Medical: 66th Medical Squadron Clinic; primary care and preventive medicine; referrals to extensive Boston-area civilian hospitals; Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and other world-class medical centers accessible
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES exchange and facilities
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; outdoor recreation; proximity to Boston and the Charles River for running and cycling; Concord, Lexington, and other historic sites nearby; excellent quality of life in the Boston metro area despite high cost
Schools: Bedford Public Schools, Lexington Public Schools, and other area districts (all excellent); no DoDEA schools; Boston metro area public schools are generally strong; private school options extensive
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists very common – register as early as possible; Boston-area civilian childcare extremely expensive; on-base CDC is highly valued
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; appointments required
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office, 66th Air Base Group; appointment-based

Housing

On-Post Housing: Limited privatized housing on base; most personnel live off-post in the Boston metro area; on-post housing is highly sought due to Boston area housing costs
Average Wait Time: Long waits for on-post housing; most families rent or purchase off-post
Off-Post Housing: Boston metro area is among the most expensive housing markets in the U.S.; average rent for 3-bedroom in Bedford, Lexington, Concord area approximately $2,800-$4,500/month; suburban communities like Billerica, Burlington, Chelmsford offer somewhat lower costs; BAH reflects Boston area costs
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); Hanscom BAH rate is among the highest in the Air Force reflecting Boston area housing costs

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining organization; 66th Air Base Group sponsorship available; many program office sponsors from within the acquisition community
In-Processing: 66th Air Base Group in-processing; typically 2-3 days; Boston area housing search strongly recommended before arrival
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Airman and Family Readiness Center; enrollment required; Boston area has the best medical specialists in the world – excellent assignment for EFMP families

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid continental; hot humid summers (average high 82F/28C in July); cold snowy winters (average low 18F/-8C in January); spring and fall are beautiful; Nor’easters can bring heavy snow; 4 distinct seasons
Cost of Living: Very high relative to national average; Boston metro is one of the most expensive areas in the country; housing, childcare, and taxes are significant expenses; BAH is enhanced to reflect this
Nearby Attractions: Boston (17 miles, world-class city with Freedom Trail, Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins); Lexington and Concord (Revolutionary War sites, walking distance); Cape Cod (90 minutes); White Mountains, NH (2 hours); skiing at New Hampshire and Vermont mountains (2-3 hours); excellent dining, arts, and cultural institutions
Spouse Employment: Outstanding employment opportunities in the Boston metro area; technology, biotech/pharma, finance, education, healthcare, and government contracting all strong; MIT, Harvard, numerous other universities; federal civilian employment at Hanscom itself; A&FRC assists

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.hanscom.af.mil
Main Installation Phone: (781) 225-1110
MWR Website: Verify current URL at https://www.hanscom.af.mil
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), Hanscom AFB; (781) 225-6709; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.hanscom.af.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/hanscom-air-force-base; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HanscomAirForce_Base