Joint Base Charleston

Branch: U.S. Air Force (Lead Service); U.S. Navy (co-located)
Location: Berkeley County and Charleston County, South Carolina
Installation Type: Joint Base
Status: Active

Overview

Joint Base Charleston (JB Charleston) was established in 2010 under the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) directive, combining Charleston Air Force Base (established 1942) and Naval Weapons Station Charleston (established 1941) under Air Force leadership. Located in the greater Charleston, South Carolina metropolitan area, the joint base spans two distinct sites: the Air Base (formerly Charleston AFB) near North Charleston, and the Weapons Station (formerly NWS Charleston) approximately 20 miles north in Goose Creek. JB Charleston is a major strategic airlift hub and one of the most operationally active Air Mobility Command bases in the Air Force, while the Weapons Station supports submarine and logistics operations for the Navy.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide global strategic airlift supporting Department of Defense requirements, and support Navy weapons station and submarine logistics operations across the joint base footprint.
Major Units (Air Base — Air Force):
628th Air Base Wing (host wing) — installation management and support
437th Airlift Wing — active duty C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlift
315th Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve) — reserve C-17 operations; one of the largest reserve wings in the Air Force
Air Mobility Command (AMC) — tenant element
Major Units (Weapons Station — Navy):
Naval Support Activity (NSA) Charleston — manages the Weapons Station footprint
Naval Weapons Station Charleston — ordnance storage, handling, and logistics
Submarine Base New London detachment / submarine support functions
Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) — nuclear power school for Navy, Navy Reserve, and DoD personnel; one of the largest training commands at any military installation in the Southeast
Tenant Units:
South Carolina Air National Guard — 169th Fighter Wing (F-16s), McEntire Joint National Guard Base (nearby but associated)
Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers elements

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Charleston, South Carolina — Air Base is approximately 7 miles from downtown Charleston; Weapons Station is approximately 24 miles north in Goose Creek
Nearest Commercial Airport: Charleston International Airport (CHS) — immediately adjacent to the Air Base (shared airfield)
Gate Access: Air Base main gate on North Rhett Avenue, North Charleston. Weapons Station accessed via Red Bank Road, Goose Creek. Valid CAC or military ID required. Visitor passes issued at respective Visitor Control Centers. RealID-compliant identification required for civilian access. Due to shared civilian airport operations at the Air Base, security procedures and vehicle inspections are routinely enforced.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 7,500-9,000 (Air Force and Navy combined across both sites)
Family Members: Approximately 12,000-15,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 5,000-7,000 (including NNPTC civilian staff)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 27,000-35,000 (including contractors and Naval Nuclear Power Training students)

Key Facilities

Medical: 628th Medical Group — primary care, dental, mental health, and preventive services at the Air Base; Naval Health Clinic Charleston at the Weapons Station provides primary and specialty care for Navy personnel; complex referrals sent to Naval Hospital Beaufort or Tricare-authorized civilian providers
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary at the Air Base; satellite commissary/shoppette at the Weapons Station
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Base Exchange (BX) at the Air Base; Navy Exchange (NEX) at the Weapons Station; both offer retail, food, and services
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers at both the Air Base and Weapons Station; outdoor recreation facilities, marina, swimming pools, bowling, golf course access, MWR programming; proximity to Charleston Harbor and Atlantic coast beaches enhances recreation options
Schools: Berkeley County School District and Charleston County School District serve base families depending on residence location; no DoDEA schools on JB Charleston; multiple strong public and private school options in the greater Charleston area
Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) at the Air Base — waitlists common; CDC at the Weapons Station; School Age Programs and Family Child Care (FCC) networks available at both sites
Veterinary Services: JB Charleston Veterinary Treatment Facility (Air Base) — routine wellness, vaccinations, and preventive care for active duty family pets and military working dogs; Navy Weapons Station may have a satellite veterinary service
Legal Assistance / JAG: 628th Air Base Wing Judge Advocate — legal assistance by appointment at the Air Base; walk-in powers of attorney and notary during duty hours; Navy JAG services available for Navy personnel at the Weapons Station

Housing

On-Base Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities (Air Base) and Lincoln Military Housing (Weapons Station) — combined approximately 2,000+ family housing units across both sites; neighborhoods vary by rank; ongoing renovation and new construction projects
Average Wait Time: Varies by site and bedroom requirement; typically 0-6 months; demand is moderate to high
Off-Base Housing: North Charleston, Goose Creek, Summerville, Hanahan, and Ladson are popular communities; average rent for a 3-bedroom home ranges from approximately $1,400-$2,200/month; the Charleston metro market has seen significant growth and price increases in recent years
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Request a sponsor through the gaining unit’s orderly room or first sergeant; for Navy personnel, coordinate with gaining command’s administrative office at the Weapons Station; A&FRC and Fleet and Family Support Center can assist
In-Processing: Air Force personnel report to the 628th ABW in-processing center at the Air Base; Navy personnel report to NSA Charleston in-processing; plan for 3-5 duty days; bring all PCS orders, records, and documentation
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through the 628th Medical Group (Air Force) and Naval Health Clinic (Navy); enrollment required before PCS orders are finalized; Charleston metro area offers good special needs resources; contact respective EFMP coordinators

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical — hot, humid summers (90s F with high humidity), mild winters; hurricane risk June through November; beautiful springs and falls; average of 215 sunny days per year
Cost of Living: Moderate relative to the national average; Charleston metro has experienced above-average growth driving housing costs up; overall still lower than most major coastal cities; no state income tax disadvantage (South Carolina has income tax); groceries and everyday expenses are reasonable
Nearby Attractions: Historic downtown Charleston (restaurants, culture, architecture), Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island beaches (approximately 20 minutes), Kiawah Island, Fort Sumter National Monument, Magnolia Plantation, Middleton Place, Folly Beach, ACE Basin wildlife area; world-class culinary scene in Charleston
Spouse Employment: Good employment market in the greater Charleston area; healthcare, technology, aerospace (Boeing), tourism, and government contracting are major sectors; Charleston is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the Southeast

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.jbcharleston.jb.mil/
Main Installation Phone: (843) 963-1110 (Air Base); (843) 764-7631 (Weapons Station)
MWR Website: https://jbcharlestonmwr.com/
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) — JB Charleston Air Base; (843) 963-2967; Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) at Naval Weapons Station — (843) 794-7430

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: jbcharleston.jb.mil, militaryinstallations.dod.mil, navy.mil/local/nsa-charleston, mybaseguide.com/charleston