Travis Air Force Base in California is located in Solano County in Northern California. It is halfway between Sacramento and San Francisco. The Travis AFB official site states it is home to the largest airlift operations in the Air Force; it is home to the 60th Air Mobility Wing which is said to be the largest in the Air Force Air Mobility Command.
Travis has earned the nickname, “The Gateway To The Pacific”, handling more cargo and passengers than likely any other stateside military operation. In 2018, the base turned 75 years old. More than ten thousand military members and approximately three thousand civilians work at Travis.
Find information about Travis Air Force Base, California, including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PSCing personnel, and inprocessing.
Travis Air Force Base, California Mission & Units
Falling under Air Mobility Command, Travis Air Force Base’s primary mission is global airlift. The base’s 75 year history includes air operations from the earliest days when it was run as an Army airfield (see below).
Important Units At Travis AFB
- 15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron
- 21st Airlift Squadron
- 22nd Airlift Squadron
- 301st Airlift Squadron (Reserve)
- 312th Airlift Squadron (Reserve)
- 321 Air Mobility Operations Squadron
- 349 Aeromed Evacuation Squadron (Reserve)
- 349 Medical Squadron (Reserve)
- 349th Aerospace Medical Squadron (Reserve)
- 349th Aerospace Staging Squadron (Reserve)
- 349th Air Mobility Operations Squadron (Reserve)
- 349th Air Mobility Wing (Reserve)
- 349th Force Support Squadron
- 349th Logistical Readiness Squadron
- 349th Maintenance Group
- 349th Medical Group
- 349th Mission Support Group
- 349th Operations Group
- 45th Aerial Port Squadron (Reserve)
- 55TH Aerial Port Squadron (Reserve)
- 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron
- 60th Aerial Port Squadron
- 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
- 60th Air Mobility Wing
- 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- 60th Maintenance Group
- 60th Medical Group
- 60th Mission Support Group
- 60th Operations Group
- 60th Surgical Operations Squadron
- 621 Air Mobility Advisory Group
- 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- 6th Air Refueling Squadron
- 70 Air Refueling Squadron (Reserve)
- 749 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (Reserve)
- 79 Air Refueling Squadron (Reserve)
- 821st Contingency Response Group
- 821st Contingency Response Support Squadron (CRSS)
- 82nd Aerial Port Squadron (Reserve)
- 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- 945 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (Reserve)
- 9th Air Refueling Squadron
- Air Force Band of the Golden West
- VQ-3
Travis Air Force Base, California History
What we know today as Travis Air Force Base started out as an airfield with a handful of shacks; originally it was called Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base, named after new nearby agricultural centers.
The base had been planned in the wake of the Pearl Harbor attack that pulled the United States into World War Two; the base served as a training base for Army and Navy fighter aircraft and there was even a mockup of a Navy aircraft carrier used to mock landings and takeoffs.
Travis would fall under the then-brand new Air Transport Command and officially opened in June 1943 to service and transport aircraft from California into combat operations. By the war’s end, Travis was operating as the largest aerial port on the West Coast.
In 1949 the base was assigned to Strategic Air Command, part of the relatively new United States Air Force. Travis would be home to B-29 bombers as well as the B-52 and B-36. At this time the base increased to its’ present size of well over six thousand acres.
In the 1990s, Travis would take on several more aircraft missions thanks to becoming part of Air Mobility Command in 1992. Travis is said to be the only wing to fly both the C-5 Galaxy and the C-141 Starlifter.
In 2006, the base would also take on the C-17 Globemaster III. Today, Travis Air Force Base has one of the largest military cargo and passenger transport missions in the Department of Defense.
Travis Air Force Base Contacts
Main Base Contact Information
Travis AFB
351 Travis Ave
Bldg. 660
Travis AFB, CA 94535
- Phone 707-424-2486
- Phone (DSN) 312-837-2486
- Fax 707-424-4187
- Fax (DSN) 312-837-4187
Important Travis AFB Phone Numbers
- Dorms/Single Service Member Housing 707-424-0160, (DSN) 312- 837-0160
- Beneficiary Counseling Assistance Coordinators 707-423-3472, (DSN) 312-799-3472/7921
- Child Development Center I 707-424-0341, (DSN) 312-837-0341
- Child Development Center II, 707-424-5400, (DSN) 312-837-5400
- Child Development Center III, 707-424-0644, (DSN) 312-837-0644
- Airman and Family Readiness Center 707-424-2486, (DSN) 312-837-2486
- David Grant Medical Center 707-423-7007, (DSN) 312-799-7007
- Deployment Support 707-424-2486, (DSN) 312-837-2486
- Airman and Family Readiness Center – EFMP Family Support 707-424-2486, (DSN) 707-424-2486
- Air Force Aid Society 707-424-2486, (DSN) 312-837-2486
- Family Advocacy Program 707- 423-5168 / 707-424-4911 (Emergency), (DSN) 312-799-5168
- 60 FSS/FSFR 707-424-2486, (DSN) 312-837-2486
- Family Child Care (FCC) 707-424-4596, (DSN) 312-837-4596
- Military Pay 707-424-2251, (DSN) 312-837-2251
- Fitness Center (Base Gym) 707-424-2008, (DSN) 312-837-2008
- Household Goods/Transportation Office (outbound) 707-424-2411, (DSN) 312-837-2411
- Travis Housing Office 707-424-1746, (DSN) 312-837-1746
- Housing Referral Office/Housing Privatization 866-971-1719
- Military Personnel Flight 707-424-8483, (DSN) 312-837-7654
- Legal Office 707-424-3251, (DSN) 312-837-3251
- MWR Outdoor Recreation & Information, Ticket, and Tours 707-424-0969, (DSN) 312-837-0969
- Military Personnel Flight 707-424-8483, (DSN) 312-837-7654
- Relocation Assistance 707-424-2486, (DSN) 312-837-2486
- School Liaison Office/Community Schools 707-424-2486, (DSN) 312-837-2486
- Temporary Lodging/Billeting (707) 424-8000, (DSN) (312) 837-8000
- Visitors Center 707-424-1462 opt #3, (DSN) 312-837-7198
Travis Air Force Base Surrounding Area
There are a variety of communities near Travis Air Force Base including:
- Vacaville, CA
- Fairfield, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Berkeley, CA
- Richmond, CA
- Oakland, CA
The major cities (San Francisco, Oakland, etc.) feature major league sports, performing arts venues, museums, and cultural centers. The area Travis is located directly in, Fairfield, features farmers’ markets, wine tasting and tours, hiking and other outdoors activities at Rockville Hills Regional Park, and two local golf courses.
The Solano Town Center offers shopping and dining, and cinema. There is also the Western Railway Museum and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Fairfield is also home to the Jelly Belly Factory and the Anheuser-Busch Brewery.
Travis Air Force Base Inprocessing and Check-In
New arrivals reporting during normal duty hours should check in with the gaining command’s Unit Customer Support Section with all hand-carried records, orders, erc. Those who arrive after duty hours are directed to check in at the 24 hour arrival point at the Westwind Inn Lodging Office.
Every Thursday Travis AFB holds its’ mandatory newcomer’s orientation starting at 7AM. This is required for all new arrivals within 60 days of reporting to Travis AFB. Those who need permissive TDY orders for house hunting in the area should apply via the gaining unit, but prior to being approved for house hunting TDY orders the new arrival must complete Sections One through Four of the Travis AFB in-processing checklist requirements.
Travis Air Force Base Services
Health Care
The Travis Air Force Base community is served by the David Grant Medical Center, which features more than 3,500 rooms, and serving more than 400 thousand patients per year. The facility includes post-graduate training operations in medicine, dentistry, nursing and health care administration.
This facility is said to be the United States Air Force’s largest stateside medical center. Services include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Aeromedical Staging Facility
- Allergy & Immunizations
- Audiology
- Brace Shop
- Cardiology
- Chiropractic
- Clinical Investigation Facility
- Dental
- Dermatology
- Diabetes
- Diagnostic
- Imaging (X-Ray)
- Ear, Nose & Throat
- Endocrinology
- Emergency Department
- Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
- Family Advocacy
- Family Health
- Flight Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- General Surgery
- Health Promotions
- Heart, Lung & Vascular
- Hemodialysis
- Hyperbaric Medicine
- Infectious Disease
- Internal Medicine
- Mental Health
- Nephrology & Hemodialysis
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Nuclear Medicine
Appointments for care a primary care manager does not provide (the Travis official site statest this may include “urgent, routine, preventative, mental health, and specialty care” will require a Primary Care Manager referral. Registered users may book appointments via the TOL Secure Web Portal, otherwise contact the main appointment line at (707) 423-3000.
Child Care
Travis AFB provides three Child Development Centers (CDCs) accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The three centers are:
- Child Development Center I – Located in Buildings 664 and 665. Accommodates 273 children, ages 6 weeks through kindergarten.
- Child Development Center II – Located in Building 668. Accommodates 273 children, ages 6 weeks through 5 years and also offers a part-day preschool program.
- Child Development Center III – Located in Building 7690. Accommodates 105 children, ages 6 months through 5 years.
The Travis CDCs feature “developmental and educational care for infants, toddlers, and preschool children. Preschool classes are offered for children three and four years of age” according to the official site. These services are available on a first-come, first served basis and there may be a waiting list. Call 707-424-4585 to discuss programs, waiting list issues, and availability.
On base, in-home family child care is also an option; these are run in private homes on base and are fully accredited. Call 707-424-4596 to learn more about this on-base child care option.
Household Goods
PCSing military members and families are directed to track and manage their household goods shipments via Move.mil, the Defense Personal Property System.
Dependent and Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, Or New Issue
The Travis AFB Military Personnel Flight (MPF) has an appointment-only ID card issuing system with only a few exceptions permitting walk-in service. Those exceptions are limited to pin resets, blocked CACs and lost or stolen CACs. Schedule an appointment at the official site or contact the MPF by phone at 707-424-8483.
Travis Air Force Base Schools
Most of the Travis AFB population with school age children (kindergarten through 12th grade) will be served by one of three school districts.
Travis Unified School District operates two on-base elementary schools on base: Scandia Elementary and Travis Elementary, attendance at each depends on where the family resides on-base.
Older children will attend either Golden West Middle School and Vanden High School, located just outside Travis AFB and accessible without driving off-base. There are other elementary schools in this district nearby; Center Elementary, Foxboro and Cambridge.
Other nearby school districts include Vacaville Unified School District (three high schools, one kindergarten through eighth grade school, two middle schools, and ten elementary schools) plus Fairfield/Suisun Unified School District. Fairfield offers three high schools, five middle schools and several elementary schools.
Those active duty military families assigned to Travis AFB who live off-base outside the Travis School District (Travis USD) boundaries are permitted to enroll children in the Travis USD on a space available basis.
School bus service in the area is limited; Travis USD is the only local district offering a fee-based bus service for general education students. Contact the Travis AFB School Liaison Officer for more information at 707-424-2486 or DSN 312-837-2486.
Travis Air Force Base Housing
Housing at Travis AFB has been privatized and is operated by Travis Homes/Balfour Beatty Communities. Rent is paid for privatized on-base housing similar to arrangements in the local community.
There is a waiting list and military families must wait until they have PCS orders to sign up. Whether new arrivals plan to live on or off-base, they are urged to contact the Travis AFB Housing Management Office to help locate a new home.
Unaccompanied military members ranks E1-E4 with less than three years of military service are provided unaccompanied on-base military housing, but all others are required to live off-base. Once those eligible to live on base have PCS orders, they must have their military sponsor contact the Unaccompanied Housing Office to begin making arrangements.
Travis Air Force Base PCS and TDY Lodging
Temporary lodging at Travis AFB in California is handled by the Westwind Inn (Bldg. 402 at 570 Travis Avenue). These facilities may up to five family members members plus one additional family member who is an infant.
Anyone traveling on Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders or house-hunters with Permissive TDY orders can start a reservation request three months in advance of the arrival date. Reservations are offered first-come, first served. Military orders are required at the time of registration. Make reservations at 707-424-8000, DSN 312-837-8000.
Travis Air Force Base Transportation
At the time of this writing, base transportation is unavailable.
Travis Air Force Base Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
All privately owned vehicles (POVs) operated on Travis AFB are expected to be compliant with California state law regarding insurance, emissions, and other requirements. All POVs must be registered with the service member’s orderly room and to do so the following paperwork is required:
- Current military I.D. card;
- Current vehicle registration;
- Current driver’s license from any state;
- A smog certificate.
There are special registration requirements for motorcycles-they must be registered Motorcycle registration is processed at the 60 Security Forces Squadron Pass and ID desk (located in Bldg 381). Documentation required for motorcycles includes:
- AMW Form 32 (obtained via the service member’s Squadron Motorcycle Safety representative);
- Current driver’s license;
- Proof of insurance;
- Motorcycle card from required on-base safety class;
- Current vehicle registration;
- ID card.
Regulations for smog checks include any vehicle operated at Travis AFB no matter where that vehicle is registered. This applies for both in-state registration and out-of-state registered vehicles alike.