Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam

Branch: U.S. Navy (Navy-led joint base)
Location: Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
Installation Type: Joint Base
Status: Active

Overview

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) was established in 2010 through the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, merging the former Naval Station Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base into a single joint installation on the southern shore of Oahu. The base is home to Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT) and serves as the primary naval homeport in the Pacific and the principal Air Force installation in Hawaii. Its strategic location in the central Pacific makes it a critical hub for power projection, logistics, and command and control across the Indo-Pacific region.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide installation support to joint, combined, and interagency forces operating across the Indo-Pacific; serve as the headquarters for U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Air Forces.
Major Units:
Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT)
Commander, U.S. Third Fleet
Commander, Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH)
Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) — Hickam side
15th Wing, U.S. Air Force (Hickam Field)
Multiple surface combatants, submarines, and auxiliaries homeported at Pearl Harbor
Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet — numerous Los Angeles- and Virginia-class submarines
USS Missouri (BB-63) memorial (adjacent — not active Navy)
Tenant Units:
Defense Intelligence Agency — Pacific
National Security Agency Hawaii
U.S. Army Hawaii (Fort Shafter, nearby)
Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC)
Coast Guard Sector Honolulu
Multiple fleet support commands

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Honolulu, approximately 10 miles (16 km) to the east
Nearest Commercial Airport: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), co-located with Hickam Field side of the joint base — approximately 2 miles
Gate Access: Multiple gates for Navy and Air Force sides with varying hours; valid CAC, military ID, or visitor pass required; visitors must be sponsored by an authorized ID cardholder; Makalapa Gate, Nimitz Gate, and Halawa Gate are primary access points; 100% ID check in effect; no unescorted civilian vehicle access without prior coordination

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 40,000 (Navy and Air Force combined)
Family Members: Approximately 35,000 – 40,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 16,000 – 20,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 100,000+ (including contractors and retirees using facilities)

Key Facilities

Medical: Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) — a major military medical center located adjacent to the base in Moanalua; serves all branches; full-service inpatient and specialty care. Naval Health Clinic Pearl Harbor provides primary and specialty outpatient care.
Commissary: Yes — full-size commissary on the Pearl Harbor side; one of the higher-volume commissaries in the Pacific due to population size
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Navy Exchange Pearl Harbor (main store plus specialty shops, food court, auto port); Air Force Exchange (AAFES) on Hickam side; both large facilities serving a large joint population
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers on both sides of the joint base; Olympic-size pools; MWR offers a wide range of programs including outdoor recreation, boat rentals, ITT tours, golf courses (Mamala Bay Golf Course), bowling, and beach access
Schools: DoDEA schools on base — Aliamanu Middle School and Mokulele Elementary (Pearl Harbor side); Red Hill Elementary; Hickam Elementary (Hickam side); multiple DoDEA options in the region; off-base Hawaii public schools also available
Childcare: Child Development Centers (CDCs) on both sides of the base; demand is high and waitlists are common — enroll as early as possible, ideally upon receipt of orders
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base offers routine wellness care, vaccinations, health certificates, and some surgical services
Legal Assistance / JAG: Region Legal Service Office Hawaii — located on the Pearl Harbor side; legal assistance by appointment; also handles powers of attorney, wills, notarizations, and military justice

Housing

On-Base Housing: Managed by Hunt Companies (privatized housing); housing areas include Halsey Terrace, McGrew Point, Catlin Park, Radford Terrace, and Hickam Communities; mix of single-family homes and duplexes; some historic housing in the Hickam area
Average Wait Time: Waits can range from a few weeks to several months depending on rank and family size; high demand due to large population
Off-Base Housing: Honolulu and surrounding areas (Pearl City, Aiea, Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Mililani, Kailua); average rent for a 2-3 bedroom unit ranges from approximately $2,500 – $4,500+ per month; Hawaii is one of the most expensive housing markets in the United States
BAH Rate Reference: Check current Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website. Note: Hawaii uses BAH rates (not OHA) but is designated OCONUS for certain purposes — verify applicable allowance with your finance office.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Sponsors are assigned through the gaining command; contact your command’s sponsor coordinator upon receipt of orders; Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Pearl Harbor coordinates sponsorship assistance
In-Processing: Report to the Joint Personnel Processing Center (JPPC) or gaining command; in-processing covers base access, housing, medical enrollment, vehicle registration, and newcomer orientation (Aloha Days orientation is offered by the FFSC)
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP office coordinated through the FFSC and Naval Health Clinic Pearl Harbor; enrollment is mandatory prior to PCS; Hawaii has good special education resources in the DoDEA and Hawaii public school systems; early coordination is recommended

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA Status: Hawaii is a U.S. state; no SOFA applies. Personnel are subject to all applicable U.S. federal, state, and local laws. However, JBPHH is designated OCONUS for certain military pay and allowance purposes — confirm applicable entitlements with your finance office.
Host Nation Rules: Hawaii state and Honolulu county laws apply off base; note that Hawaii has strict environmental laws, restrictions on certain invasive species, and regulations on ocean and reef activities. Fireworks are heavily regulated. Littering carries significant fines.
Curfew Policy: No military-wide curfew for Hawaii; individual commands may have unit-level liberty policies. Oahu county has a juvenile curfew (for minors under 16) in certain areas.
Ration Card / Customs: No ration card program applicable in Hawaii; standard commissary and exchange shopping privileges apply based on military ID status.
Vehicle Registration & Licensing: Vehicles must be registered in Hawaii (or maintain valid home-state registration for a limited period); Hawaii driver’s license may be required for extended assignments — check with the Hawaii DMV; vehicle shipment from CONUS is authorized; vehicle import from foreign countries requires compliance with EPA and DOT standards plus Hawaii agricultural inspection.
Language & Culture: English is the primary language; Hawaiian and Pidgin (Hawaii Creole English) are also spoken locally. Hawaiian culture is rich and should be respected — avoid walking on sacred sites, be mindful of cultural protocols at heiau (temples), and show respect for the ocean and land (aina). The military has a long history in Hawaii and community relations are important.
Currency & Banking: U.S. Dollar (USD). All major banks, Navy Federal Credit Union, USAA, and Armed Forces Bank have on-base and off-base presence throughout Oahu.
Travel Restrictions: No formal inter-island or intra-state travel restrictions for military personnel; travel to foreign countries follows normal leave and command notification procedures; travel to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands requires federal permits.
Mail: Standard U.S. postal addresses apply (not APO/FPO); U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, and UPS all serve Oahu; deliveries from CONUS typically take 3-7 days via priority or ground.
Pets: Hawaii has very strict agricultural quarantine rules designed to maintain its rabies-free status. Dogs and cats entering Hawaii from CONUS must meet the 5-Day-Or-Less quarantine program requirements — this requires microchip, two rabies vaccinations, OIE-FAVN rabies antibody blood test with results 30+ days after final rabies vaccine, and waiting period of at least 90 days after the blood test. If all documentation is in order, animals may qualify for direct airport release or a 5-day quarantine. Failure to meet requirements results in 120-day quarantine at the Animal Quarantine Station. Begin the process 4-6 months before PCS. Some breeds may face airline restrictions. Contact the Hawaii Department of Agriculture for current requirements.

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round (average 75-85 degrees F); northeast trade winds keep humidity comfortable; distinct wet (November-March) and dry (April-October) seasons; occasional heavy rain and flooding in winter months; minimal hurricane risk compared to Atlantic basin
Cost of Living: Hawaii is one of the most expensive states in the U.S.; groceries, gas, housing, and utilities are significantly above mainland averages. OHA/BAH rates and COLA help offset costs, but the high cost of living remains a significant factor for many families.
Nearby Attractions: Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head (approximately 10 miles); USS Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor National Memorial (on or adjacent to base); Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve for snorkeling; North Shore surfing (Waimea Bay, Banzai Pipeline); Polynesian Cultural Center; hiking trails throughout Oahu (Koko Head, Ka’au Crater, Manoa Falls)
Spouse Employment: Hawaii has a moderate job market; federal civilian positions on base are competitive but available; the Hawaii private sector is driven by tourism and military contracting; the Hawaii Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) and FFSC offer employment resources; professional licensing for certain occupations (nursing, teaching, law) may require Hawaii-specific licensure

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrh/installations/jointbasepearlharborhickam.html
Main Installation Phone: DSN 315-471-7110 / Commercial: +1-808-471-7110
MWR Website: https://www.navymwrhawaii.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Pearl Harbor — located on the Pearl Harbor side; commercial +1-808-473-4222; also Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) on the Hickam side for Air Force families

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: CNIC official website (cnic.navy.mil), Commander Navy Region Hawaii (cnrh.navy.mil), Hawaii Department of Agriculture quarantine information, NavyMWR Hawaii, Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam official publications. Note: Web search and fetch tools were unavailable during research — all information drawn from training knowledge current through August 2025. Verify all details at official sources before PCS travel., Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law