Shaw Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Sumter, South Carolina
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Shaw Air Force Base is located approximately 9 miles west of Sumter, South Carolina, in the Sumter County area of the South Carolina Midlands. Home of the 20th Fighter Wing and the headquarters of Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT), Shaw AFB is the Air Force’s largest F-16 base and a critical hub for Air Force operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Shaw AFB is named for First Lieutenant Ervin David Shaw, one of the earliest American aviators to be killed in combat in World War I. The base plays a significant role in the Middle East air operations and hosts numerous headquarters staff from AFCENT.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Conduct multi-role fighter operations with the F-16CM/DM Fighting Falcon; serve as the air component headquarters for U.S. Central Command (AFCENT); train F-16 pilots and crews; maintain readiness for global deployment.
Major Units: 20th Fighter Wing (host wing, F-16C/D Block 50); Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) headquarters; 20th Operations Group; 55th Fighter Squadron; 77th Fighter Squadron; 79th Fighter Squadron
Tenant Units: Air Force Reserve 315th Airlift Wing (at Charleston AFB but Shaw-associated for AFCENT support); Shaw AFB hosts significant permanent party for AFCENT J-staff; Army prepositioned equipment elements

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Sumter, SC (population approximately 40,000) approximately 9 miles east; Columbia, SC – approximately 45 miles west; Florence, SC – approximately 50 miles northeast
Nearest Commercial Airport: Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) – approximately 50 miles west; Florence Regional Airport (FLO) – approximately 55 miles northeast; Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) – approximately 120 miles north
Gate Access: Main gate on Shaw Drive; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; AFCENT headquarters areas require separate access

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 7,000
Family Members: Approximately 9,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 3,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 19,000

Key Facilities

Medical: 20th Medical Group Clinic; primary care, dental, behavioral health, and flight medicine; specialty referrals to Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in Sumter or Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Columbia (45 miles); Columbia provides good specialist access
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES exchange and facilities
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; outdoor pool; golf course (Eagle Links Golf Course); bowling; auto skills; Columbia metro offers university (University of South Carolina) amenities; Myrtle Beach (90 miles) and Charleston (130 miles) are popular weekend destinations
Schools: Sumter County School District and Sumter School District serve military families; no DoDEA schools; Sumter schools are adequate though military families sometimes choose private schools; Lakewood High School area near base; Columbia suburban schools an option for some families willing to commute
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; appointment-based

Housing

On-Post Housing: Privatized housing on base; managed by Balfour Beatty Communities; multiple family housing neighborhoods; condition generally good; on-base living is popular among families
Average Wait Time: 30-60 days typical; Sumter area off-post housing is affordable and available
Off-Post Housing: Sumter city, Dalzell, and communities along US-76 and US-521 corridors are popular; average rent approximately $1,100-$1,700/month for 3-bedroom home; South Carolina Midlands is very affordable; no state income tax on military pay in South Carolina
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; 20th Fighter Wing sponsorship program; AFCENT staff assignments have separate sponsorship through the headquarters
In-Processing: 20th Wing in-processing; typically 2-3 days; AFCENT staff in-processing is more extensive given joint headquarters requirements; SCI clearance required for most AFCENT billets
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Airman and Family Readiness Center; enrollment required; Sumter specialist availability is moderate; Columbia (45 miles) provides better specialist access including Prisma Health and USC School of Medicine

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical; hot humid summers (average high 93F/34C in July); mild winters (average low 34F/1C in January); occasional winter ice storms; spring is beautiful; hurricane risk from Atlantic storms; summer thunderstorms frequent
Cost of Living: Very low; Sumter and the South Carolina Midlands are among the most affordable areas in the Southeast; excellent value for families
Nearby Attractions: Myrtle Beach Grand Strand (90 miles east) – excellent beaches and entertainment; Charleston historic district and beaches (130 miles southeast); Columbia cultural amenities – University of South Carolina, Riverbanks Zoo, South Carolina State Museum; Congaree National Park (60 miles); NASCAR racing at Darlington Raceway (50 miles); Hilton Head Island (130 miles)
Spouse Employment: Sumter employment is limited; healthcare (Prisma Health Tuomey) and education (Sumter School District, Central Carolina Technical College) are primary employers; Columbia (45 miles) provides broader employment including University of South Carolina, state government, and BCBS South Carolina; remote work common; A&FRC assists

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.shaw.af.mil
Main Installation Phone: (803) 895-1110
MWR Website: https://www.thebestfss.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), Shaw AFB; (803) 895-1364; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.shaw.af.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/shaw-air-force-base; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ShawAirForce_Base, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law