Scott Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Belleville, Illinois
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Scott Air Force Base is located approximately 12 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri, in the greater Metro-East Illinois area near Belleville. One of the most geographically central Air Force installations in the United States, Scott AFB is home to U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) – the combatant command responsible for all global deployment and sustainment of U.S. military forces – and Air Mobility Command (AMC), the major command that operates the Air Force’s airlift and aerial refueling missions. Scott AFB is one of the most “Pentagon-like” remote duty stations given the concentration of high-level headquarters and the proximity to a major metropolitan area.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Host U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) and Air Mobility Command (AMC); provide C2 of global military transportation and logistical support; operate AMC-assigned tanker and airlift aircraft.
Major Units: 375th Air Mobility Wing (host wing, C-40C, C-21A); U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) – unified combatant command; Air Mobility Command (AMC) – major command HQ; Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Midwest
Tenant Units: Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC); Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS); Air Force Network Integration Center; 126th Air Refueling Wing (IL ANG, KC-135); numerous joint staff and defense agency organizations

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: St. Louis, MO (population approximately 2.8 million metro) – approximately 12-15 miles west; Belleville, IL – immediately adjacent
Nearest Commercial Airport: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) – approximately 25 miles west across the Mississippi River
Gate Access: Main gate on Scott Drive; east gate; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; USTRANSCOM and DISA areas require separate access

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 7,500
Family Members: Approximately 10,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 14,000 (large joint/defense agency civilian workforce)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 31,500

Key Facilities

Medical: 375th Medical Group; primary care, dental, behavioral health; specialty referrals to Barnes-Jewish Hospital (Washington University Medical Center, one of the nation’s top hospitals, in St. Louis) or Memorial Hospital in Belleville; excellent medical access given St. Louis proximity
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base; one of the better-stocked base commissaries given population size
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES exchange and facilities; substantial main exchange
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; outdoor pool; golf course (Granite City Golf Course); bowling; auto skills; St. Louis metro provides world-class recreation, sports, arts, and dining; Cardinals baseball; Blues hockey; Gateway Arch National Park
Schools: Belleville Township High School Districts (201 and 205), O’Fallon Township High School District 203, and various elementary districts serve military families; no DoDEA schools; O’Fallon and Shiloh area schools are popular with Scott AFB families and are well-regarded
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists common; register early
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office, 375th Air Mobility Wing; appointment-based

Housing

On-Post Housing: Privatized housing on base; managed by Balfour Beatty Communities; mix of family housing types; condition generally good; on-base housing is popular but demand is high given headquarters community
Average Wait Time: Can be 60-120 days given demand; apply immediately upon receipt of orders
Off-Post Housing: Belleville, O’Fallon (IL), Shiloh, Swansea, Fairview Heights, and Mascoutah are popular communities for military families; average rent approximately $1,300-$1,900/month for 3-bedroom home; Metro-East Illinois is affordable compared to Missouri side of St. Louis; Illinois state income tax applies (no specific military exemption from state income tax in Illinois for residents)
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; 375th AMW, USTRANSCOM, and AMC headquarters all have sponsorship programs; joint assignment to USTRANSCOM/AMC staff is a common career-broadening opportunity
In-Processing: 375th Wing in-processing; typically 2-3 days; joint staff in-processing for USTRANSCOM/AMC personnel is more extensive
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Airman and Family Readiness Center; enrollment required; St. Louis provides outstanding specialist access including St. Louis Children’s Hospital (Washington University), Barnes-Jewish, and SSM Health

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid continental; hot humid summers (average high 91F/33C in July); cold winters (average low 21F/-6C in January); occasional ice storms and significant snowfall; spring thunderstorms; tornadoes possible (St. Louis area is in the central U.S. tornado risk zone)
Cost of Living: Low to moderate; Metro-East Illinois (the Illinois suburbs of St. Louis) is among the most affordable major-metro adjacent areas in the Midwest; St. Louis metro is generally affordable compared to coastal cities
Nearby Attractions: Gateway Arch National Park and Museum (St. Louis, 15 miles); Busch Stadium (Cardinals baseball); Enterprise Center (Blues hockey); St. Louis Zoo (free admission, world-class); Missouri Botanical Garden; City Museum; Six Flags St. Louis; Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site (Collinsville, 10 miles – UNESCO World Heritage Site); Mark Twain’s Hannibal, MO (2 hours north)
Spouse Employment: St. Louis metro offers extensive employment in healthcare (BJC HealthCare/Washington University, SSM Health, Mercy Health), defense contracting, technology (Boeing Defense, Centene, Emerson Electric), financial services, and education; one of the best employment markets among CONUS Air Force bases given the major metro proximity; A&FRC assists

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.scott.af.mil
Main Installation Phone: (618) 256-1110
MWR Website: https://www.scottmfrc.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), Scott AFB; (618) 256-4211; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

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