Keesler Air Force Base

Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, is an Air Education and Training Command installation where “the 81st Training Wing’s mission is to train, develop and inspire warfighters”, and the 81st Training Group “is responsible for nearly 500 training courses both locally, at detachments and satellite locations”, according to the Keesler MilitaryINSTALLATIONS page. The major units list includes the 333rd, 334th, 335th, 336th and 338th Training Squadrons, the 403rd Wing and the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. The overview says training has been Keesler’s primary mission since 1941.

Arrival and check-in

“Tyer House, where you check in for lodging, is the 24-hour arrival point”, the Keesler overview says. If you arrive after duty hours or on a weekend or holiday, Tyer House is the official check-in point, per the check-in page; permanent party personnel check in through their assigned unit, and PCSing personnel should discuss in-processing with their sponsor. The Visitors Center (Pass & Registration) at 1 Tingle St. is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.: 228-377-3844. The installation’s main number is 228-376-8728.

Non-prior service technical training students arrive by plane or bus from Lackland Air Force Base and in-process at the Student Personnel Center in the Levitow Building; the first few days are filled with briefings and appointments, and the page warns that “Family members will not be able to spend much time together.” Concurrent travel is approved for non-prior service airmen whose course length is 20 weeks or more. Before moving family, check with the 81 LRS/TMO office (228-377-1263) and the student finance office (228-377-2770) on the reimbursement and entitlements you may be eligible for.

Hurricane season and base rules

The installation page warns about the Gulf Coast hurricane season and says: “It is mandatory for base housing residents to either evacuate to another location or go to an identified shelter when so directed.” The same page states that cell phone use while driving on base is strictly prohibited, that housing residents must register weapons with 81 SFS upon arrival, and that dorm residents must secure all weapons in the base armory.

Housing: Hunt Housing Communities

“Hunt Housing Communities offers privatized housing at Keesler Air Force Base”, and “All 1028 units will be either 3 or 4 bedroom, single family and duplex units with attached garages”, per the housing page. Housing Flight: 228-376-8610; Hunt Housing: 228-374-5336 or 844-224-5162.

Single members in the grade of E-4 and below with less than three years in service report to the Consolidated Dormitory Management Office and live in the dormitories; the office is by Gate 3 at 200 Larcher Blvd., Building 4904, Room 127 (228-377-1730). For off-base renters, the housing office runs a “rental partnership program” with “many complexes in the community offering financial benefits (including waived security deposit and application fees) for AD members.” Temporary lodging at the Inns of Keesler can be reserved at 228-377-4900.

Medical care

“The Keesler Medical Group operates one of the largest Air Force medical facilities”, providing care for “more than 22,000 enrollees, including almost 4,500 active-duty members”, the health care page says; the Keesler Medical Center opened its Family Birthing Center unit in 2007. Base Hospital Information and Appointments, 301 Fisher Street: 228-376-2273. For immediate emergency assistance, dial 911 or call Security Forces at 228-377-3040, according to the emergency assistance page.

Schools for Keesler housing residents

“School bus transportation is provided by Biloxi Schools for all children residing in Keesler housing attending a Biloxi public school beyond one mile from the housing area”, the education page says. For school zone and assignment information, on-base residents can call the Biloxi school superintendent’s office at 228-374-1810; the School Liaison Officer is reached at 228-376-8728. The Military and Family Readiness Center has a School Guide listing local schools.

Getting there

Travelers from Gulfport-Biloxi Airport, New Orleans and points west take I-10 East to I-110 South, and travelers from Mobile and points east take I-10 West to I-110 South, the overview says. New Orleans is about an hour west and Mobile about an hour east; “There are no shuttle services from the New Orleans Airport; taxi fares are $200 or more.”

Before you arrive

Give your sponsor your arrival time, plan on Tyer House if you arrive after hours, confirm your course length before moving family as a technical training student, and know the hurricane evacuation rule if you will live in base housing.