Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Dayton, Ohio
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is located northeast of Dayton, Ohio, spanning Greene and Montgomery counties. One of the largest and most diverse Air Force installations in the United States, Wright-Patterson is the birthplace of aviation – the site where Orville and Wilbur Wright conducted much of their earliest powered flight research. Home to Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) headquarters and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Wright-Patterson is the Air Force’s center for science, technology, and acquisition. The National Museum of the United States Air Force – the world’s largest military aviation museum – is located on the base. Wright-Patterson employs over 30,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Host Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) headquarters; conduct aerospace research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) through the Air Force Research Laboratory; manage Air Force acquisition programs.
Major Units: Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) – major command headquarters; Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) – primary AF science and technology laboratory; 88th Air Base Wing (installation host); Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC)
Tenant Units: National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC); Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT – accredited graduate school); Defense Acquisition University (DAU); National Museum of the United States Air Force; Army Medical Center of Excellence (ARL) elements; Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Dayton, OH (population approximately 140,000; metro approximately 800,000) – immediately adjacent; Columbus, OH – approximately 70 miles east; Cincinnati, OH – approximately 60 miles southwest
Nearest Commercial Airport: Dayton International Airport (DAY) – approximately 8 miles northwest of base
Gate Access: Multiple gates including Area A gate (headquarters), Area B gate (research), Area C gate (medical); CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at respective Visitor Control Centers; classified research areas require additional access authorization

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 8,000
Family Members: Approximately 10,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 22,000 (one of the largest civilian workforces of any AF installation)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 30,000+

Key Facilities

Medical: Wright-Patterson Medical Center (WPMC) – full-service military hospital; inpatient and outpatient services; comprehensive specialty care; pediatrics; behavioral health; trauma care; one of the most capable military medical facilities in the CONUS interior; associated with Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base; large and well-stocked given population size
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES main exchange and facilities; substantial main exchange with multiple facilities
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; indoor and outdoor pools; golf courses (two 18-hole courses – Prairie Trace and Falcon); bowling; auto skills; National Museum of the United States Air Force (free admission); Dayton metro offers extensive cultural, sports (Dayton Flyers), and entertainment amenities
Schools: Fairborn City Schools, Beavercreek City Schools, and other Greene/Montgomery County districts serve military families; no DoDEA schools; Beavercreek and Fairborn area schools are popular with Wright-Patterson families and generally well-regarded; Fairborn has a long history of serving military families
Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers on base (Area A and Area B); waitlists common; register early
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office, 88th Air Base Wing; appointment-based

Housing

On-Post Housing: Privatized housing on base; managed by Hunt Military Communities; extensive mix of family housing neighborhoods across multiple areas; condition generally good to excellent
Average Wait Time: 30-60 days typical; Dayton metro off-post housing is plentiful and affordable
Off-Post Housing: Fairborn, Beavercreek, Xenia, Huber Heights, and Yellow Springs are popular military family communities; Beavercreek is especially popular for school quality and proximity; average rent approximately $1,200-$1,800/month for 3-bedroom home; Dayton area is very affordable; Ohio state income tax applies (no specific military exemption for Ohio residents)
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; 88th ABW, AFMC, AFRL, and AFLCMC all have sponsorship programs; AFIT students have academic sponsorship
In-Processing: 88th Wing in-processing; typically 2-3 days; AFRL, NASIC, and acquisition personnel have additional security and program in-processing requirements; AFIT students have separate academic enrollment
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Airman and Family Readiness Center; enrollment required; Wright-Patterson Medical Center and the Dayton-Columbus-Cincinnati triangle offer outstanding specialist access including Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus, 70 miles) and Cincinnati Children’s (60 miles)

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid continental; hot summers (average high 85F/29C in July); cold winters (average low 21F/-6C in January); significant snowfall November through March; spring thunderstorms; four distinct seasons; Dayton is known for unpredictable weather
Cost of Living: Very low; Dayton is one of the most affordable mid-size cities in the United States; excellent housing value across all areas near the base
Nearby Attractions: National Museum of the United States Air Force (free, world’s largest military aviation museum, on base); Wright Brothers National Memorial and Carillon Historical Park (Dayton); Huffman Prairie Flying Field; Kings Island amusement park (40 miles south); Hocking Hills State Park (2 hours east); Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (70 miles); Cincinnati cultural amenities (60 miles); Indianapolis (120 miles)
Spouse Employment: Dayton metro offers excellent employment in defense contracting (largest defense research cluster outside the DC area), healthcare (Premier Health, Kettering Health, Dayton Children’s), education (University of Dayton, Wright State University, Central State University), technology, and manufacturing; one of the best employment markets for military spouses at a non-coastal Air Force base; A&FRC assists

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.wpafb.af.mil
Main Installation Phone: (937) 257-1110
MWR Website: https://wrightpattfss.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), Wright-Patterson AFB; (937) 257-6693; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

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