Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska is in Bellevue approximately 10 miles from downtown Omaha. The base features many important Air Force organizations including the 55 Wing, which is said to be the largest Wing in Air Combat Command.
The base also hosts some critical associate units; US Strategic Command Headquarters, the Air Force Weather Agency, and the Omaha operating location of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service all call Offutt AFB home.
Find information about Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PSCing personnel, and inprocessing.
Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska Mission & Units
The Offutt 55th Wing mission statement includes the following, “Global information and electronic warfare dominance…Any time. Any place”, and the mission includes surveillance, intel, reconnaissance; electronic attack; plus command and control activities. Offutt AFB includes the following units:
- 170th Group, Nebraska Air National Guard
- 170th Operations Support Squadron
- 20th Intelligence Squadron
- 238th Combat Training Squadron, Nebraska Air National Guard
- 338th Combat Training Squadron
- 343d Reconnaissance Squadron
- 343d Recruiting Squadron
- 373 TRS, Det 11
- 38th Reconnaissance Squadron
- 45th Reconnaissance Squadron
- 55th Wing
- 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- 55th Civil Engineering Squadron
- 55th Communications Group
- 55th Communications Squadron
- 55th Force Support Squadron
- 55th Logistics Readiness Squadron
- 55th Maintenance Group
- 55th Maintenance Squadron
- 55th Medical Group
- 55th Medical Operations Squadron
- 55th Medical Support Squadron
- 55th Mission Support Group
- 55th Operations Group
- 55th Operations Support Squadron
- 55th Security Forces Squadron
- 55th Strategic Communications Squadron
- 595 Strategic Comm Sq AF GSC
- 595th Command and Control Group (CACG)
- 625th Strategic Operations Squadron (AFSPC)
- 960 Network Warfare Flight
- 97th Intelligence Squadron
- Air Force Legal Operations Agency Office of the Area Defense Council
- C2 Systems Flight
- Language Learning Center
- Navy Operational Support Center Omaha
- Offutt Communication Support Element
- US Strategic Command
Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska History
Like many other Air Force bases, Offutt started out as an Army installation; the construction of Fort Crook from 1894 to 1896 is the start of the base’s history; some of the pre-1900s structures built for use at Fort Crook are still in use today as part of Offutt AFB.
The first aviation to take place at Fort Crook was by the Army’s 61st Balloon Company-the first air unit to command the post, according to the Offutt AFB official site. In 1921, enough work was done to accommodate aircraft landings and takeoffs, and in 1924 the airfield was designated Offutt Field, named after 1st Lt. Jarvis Offutt.
Offutt was killed in action flying missions with the Royal Air Force in France during World War One. He is said to be the City of Omaha’s first WW1 casualty.
World War Two: Offutt Makes A Major Contribution
The Army Air Corps decided Fort Crook should be the location of a new aircraft construction plant for bombers; the plant would hit its’ full-scale production output in 1942, building more than 500 B-29 Superfortress bombers, more than 1500 B-26 Marauders, and most notably, the two aircraft responsible for flying atomic bomb missions over Japan.
The B-29s known as Bock’s Car and the Enola Gay were products of the Fort Crook bomber factory.
At or near the war’s end, the entire facility including both the airfield and Fort Crook as a whole would be redesignated as Offutt Field; a year and a half later the facility became part of the new Department of the Air Force. In 1948, the base was selected, partly due to its’ remote location, to be the headquarters of the Air Force atomic strike mission.
Offutt During The Cold War
Offutt Air Force Base would be an important part of the Cold War in the 1950s and 1960s; alert bombers and air refueling missions were based from there in support of the U.S. ICBM mission as well as “worldwide strategic reconnaissance” according to the base’s official site.
The base would play a key role thanks to several developments including the airborne command post “Looking Glass” mission in the 1960s, the establishment of the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff, plus the Air Force Global Weather Center.
Further expansion and improvements included the construction of the 55th Wing Special Operations building in 1986 and the establishment of the Bennie L. Davis Aircraft Maintenance Complex. A Strategic Air Command (SAC) underground command post opened at 1989. But three years later, SAC would be no more and Offutt would move into a new chapter of Air Force history.
Offutt Becomes Part Of Air Combat Command
In 1992, Offutt AFB became part of Air Combat Command (ACC) after SAC was disbanded. The base became the host base for United States Strategic Command headquarters and five years later played an important role in the combining of Air Weather Service HQ at Scott AFB in Illinois and the Offutt Air Force Global Weather Center. This merging of the Air Force weather missions resulted in Air Force Weather Agency, said to be “the largest computerized weather facility in the world”.
The base had humble beginnings as Fort Crook, serving only approximately 500 soldiers at the time; today more than seven thousand military members stationed there serve a global mission with far-reaching abilities to project American airpower and surveillance.
Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska Contacts
Main Base Contact Information
Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Visitor Control Center/SAC Gate
478 Butler Boulevard
Offutt AFB, NE 68113
- (402) 294-1110
- DSN: 271-1110
Important Offutt AFB Telephone Numbers
- Emergency – 911
- Suicide Prevention Hotline – (800) 273-8255
- Civilian Personnel – (402) 294-3020
- Military Personnel and ID Cards – (402) 294-2374
- Base Operator – (402) 294-1110
- 55th Medical Group – (402) 294-7311
- Child Development Center 1 – (402) 294-2203
- Child Development Center 2 – (402) 232-2526
- Family Child Care – (402) 294-9017
- Airman and Family Readiness – (402) 294-4329
- Wounded Warriors Family Support – (402) 502-7557
- Finance (Military Pay) – (402) 294-3300
- Legal Office – (402) 294-3732
- Health Clinic – (402) 232-2273
- Bellevue Medical Center – (402) 763-3000
- Air Force Inns – (402) 294-3671
- Airman Leadership School – (402) 294-7770
- Education Center – (402) 294-5716
- Exchange – (402) 291-9100
- Commissary – (402) 294-6783
Offutt Air Force Base Surrounding Area
Skiing, hiking, shopping, and tourist attractions are in the Omaha/Offutt AFB area including the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, the Joslyn Art Museum, the Holland Performing Arts Center, and the Fun-Plex Water Park.
Lovers of the great outdoors should explore the Mount Crescent Ski Area and the Fontenelle Forest. Those looking to explore higher education in this remote location have a choice of several colleges including:
- University of Nebraska
- Bellevue University
- University of Nebraska Omaha
- Creighton University
- Metropolitan Community College
- Iowa Western
There are also historic tours of Omaha, and Joslyn Castle, the historic estate of entrepreneur George Joslyn. The local area has several annual events, including:
- Omaha Film Festival
- Omaha Jazz and Blues Festival
- Summer Arts Festival
- Omaha Beer Fest
- Red Sky Music Festival
- Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival
Offutt Air Force Base Inprocessing and Check-In
All new arrivals are directed to check in with their gaining units, where they will be scheduled for an Offutt AFB Right Start appointment. Those arriving after normal duty hours should check-in to the Offutt Inns Reception Office in the Malmstrom Inn, 906 SAC Blvd.
Offutt Air Force Base Services
Health Care
Ehrling-Bergquist Clinic serves the Offutt AFB community on a priority basis as follows:
#1. Active duty military
#2. Family members of active duty miitary
#3. Retired military and family members enrolled in TRICARE Prime next and TRICARE for Life retirees on a space-available basis.
This clinic primarily offers medical services for eligible beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Prime. All others are on a space-available basis. Services available from the clinic include:
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT)
- Audiology
- Bioenvironmental Engineering
- Cancer Screenings
- Chiropractic Clinic
- Dental
- Dermatology
- Ear, Nose and Throat
- Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
- Family Advocacy
- Family Health Clinic
- Family Medicine Residency Clinic
- Flight and Operational Medicine (FOMC)
- General Surgery
- Health Promotion
- Immunization Clinic
- Internal Medicine
- Laboratory
- Mental Health
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Orthopedic/Podiatry
- Women’s Health (OB/GYN)
There is no emergency room, but an Acute Care Clinic is offered by appointment only. The closest emergency room is at Bellevue Medical Center Hospital, located at 25th St and Highway 370 in Bellevue.
Child Care
Offutt AFB is served by two Child Development Centers (CDC) offering full-time care for children 6 weeks through five years old on a space available basis. Hourly care is provided for children 12 months to 10 years of age.
This care requires reservations, space is limited. Parents may also qualify for Extended Duty Care and the Give Parents a Break program depending on circumstances. Offutt CDCs are closed on weekends and holidays. Contact them at 402-232-2526.
Offutt CDCs have a waitlist, contact the CDC to learn more about current wait times and requirements.
Childcare is also provided on-base by those in private residences via the Family ChildCare Program. You can search for Offutt providers via Military ChildCare.com.
Household Goods
New arrivals to Offutt may track and manage their household goods shipments via the Defense Personal Property System at Move.mil, and the Offutt Household Goods and Inbound Transportation Office is available for further assistance at 1-800-771-1819.
Dependent and Retiree ID Card Services
The Offutt AFB Military Personnel Flight (MPF) accepts appointments for military and civilian ID card services, DEERS updates, and passports; call them at 402-294-8979, or manage some ID card services online at the MPF official site. Walk-in appointments are managed on a first-come, first served basis. You can also schedule an MPF appointment via RAPIDS.
Offutt Air Force Base Schools
Most school-age military dependent children living on-base attend a public school in the Bellevue Public School district, said to be the fifth largest school district in Nebraska. There are approximately 15 elementary schools in this district, plus three middle schools and two high schools. Six other school districts in the area are also available depending on the location of the home. Those districts include:
- Papillion/LaVista School District
- Omaha Public Schools
- Plattsmouth Community Schools
- Ralston Public Schools
- South Sarpy School District
- Millard Public Schools
Some families choose to live farther away from the base and may need to use one of the school districts listed above.
Offutt AFB Housing
All new arrivals are directed to contact the Offutt Housing Management Office upon arrival and prior to entering any commitment or contract to secure housing. On-base housing is privatized and operated by America First Communities.
Military families have the option of living in on-base privatized housing or in the local community. For more information on on-base housing, the Rising View website can supply all the information needed to make an informed choice about on-base housing.
On-base housing requires rent payments in the form of an authorized allotment of BAH funds paid to the property manager. The Offutt AFB official site urges military families to contact the Offutt Housing Management Office as soon as it is known that the family or individual is aware of a PCS move. Contact them at (402) 294-6242 or DSN 271-6242.
Unaccompanied service members in the ranks of E-1 to E-3 and E-4 with less than three years of military service are provided on-base unaccompanied housing; amenities include a private sleeping room, furnishings, bed linens and supplies. Arrangements may vary depending on the location of the facility.
Unaccompanied E-4s or higher (with more than three years of service) are directed to locate housing in the local community.
Offutt AFB PCS and TDY Lodging
Air Force Inns provides temporary lodging at Offutt AFB. Advance reservations at Offutt Inns as far out as 120 days in advance are possible and Offutt Inns allows reservations to be made prior to receiving Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders.
However, all reservations must be re-confirmed three days before arrival. Make reservations at (402) 294-3671 or DSN 271-3671. Active Duty members PCSing to Offutt with fewer than two dependents “will not be fully reimbursed for the cost of a TLF unit” according to the Offutt AFB official site.
Offutt AFB Transportation
Availability dependent on mission requirements, manning, and other issues, the base offers a base shuttle bus Monday through Friday (no service available on holidays or weekends). During “productivity days” and base military exercises the bus route operates “as mission permits”.
Offutt AFB Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
Offutt AFB does not require registration of privately owned vehicles. Drivers should be prepared for a 100% ID check policy and have all state-required insurance, licensing, and decals. Proof of insurance, a current drivers’ license, and other paperwork may be required at entry or exit from the base.