PHOTOS
(click images to enlarge) |
Edwards Air Force Base Control Tower. |
A C-17 takes off from Edwards Air Force Base. |
Edwards Open House and Air Show 2006 |
|
RESOURCES |
Edwards Air Force Base Military Loans
Military Loans are available 24/7, worldwide on
the Net. Click here to
apply online. |
Edwards Air Force Base Real Estate
Military For Sale By Owner (FSOB)
- List real estate or find real estate near Edwards Air
Force Base
and other U.S. Military bases. FREE!
Click here |
Edwards Air Force Base Military Singles
Find a friend near Edwards and other
military communities.
Click here |
|
|
|
Military Bases
> Edwards Air Force Base |
Space Shuttle Atlantis arrives at Edwards Air Force Base. |
|
Orders to Edwards AFB? See:
Plan My Move Booklet
for Edwards AFB (PDF) |
Edwards
AFB, in the western portion of the Mojave Desert, is 100 miles
northeast of Los Angeles and is ideally located for shopping,
sightseeing and recreational activities. The county in which
the Edwards community is located is Kern County, CA. The
entire Antelope Valley is Edwards home community - from Rosamond
to California City to Boron, Lancaster, Palmdale and Acton -
giving Edwards a wide range of off-base activities from the Poppy
Festival to Willow Springs' auto racing to the Lancaster Jethawks minor league baseball team. The base operator's phone
number is 661-277-1110 or DSN 312-527-1110.
History
Edwards Air Force Base occupies territory once explored by
Spanish colonists and settled by pioneer homesteaders. The
military base began as a stark and remote bombing range in
1933 and went on to become a major bomber training base in
World War II. The Air Force Flight Test Center originated
during the darkest days of the war, and has since achieved
more major milestones in flight than anywhere else in the
world. Aircraft ranging from the Bell XP-59 Airacomet, to the
Bell X-1, to the NASA Space Shuttle and to the B-2 Bomber were
first developed, tested and finalized for production at
Edwards. This proud history continues with the testing of the
Joint Strike Fighter X-35A, Airborne Laser Weapons and the
Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Programs.
Mission
The Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base,
California, is the Air Force Materiel Command center of
excellence for conducting and supporting research,
development, and test and evaluation of aerospace systems from
concept to combat. It operates the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot
School and is home to NASA's Dryden Research Center and
considerable test activity conducted by America's commercial
aerospace industry. From the development of the country's
first jet aircraft to the Air Force's newest fighter, the F-22
Raptor, the test forces at Edwards have played a role in the
development of virtually every aircraft to enter the Air Force
inventory since World War II. The two major organizations
supported by the center are the 412th Test Wing and the 95th
Air Base Wing. The 412th Test Wing manages the center's flight
operations programs and functions. In doing so, it manages all
engineering support for manned and unmanned aerospace vehicle
test programs. The 412th Test Wing also programs, develops,
operates and maintains engineering technical services and
facilities which conduct and support testing, as well as
operates and manages logistic support. The test wing's
support-side counterpart, the 95th Air Base Wing, led by the
installation commander, runs Edwards like a small town,
delivering a quality of life that makes the base a great place
to live and work. Without the air base wing, the Flight Test
Center could not succeed in helping to keep our Air Force the
world's finest.
Population Served
There are 10,000 Active Duty Military, Family Members, and
over 8,000 Military Retirees, Civilian Employees and Reserve
Components at Edwards AFB.
Base Transportation
Currently, there is no base transportation on this
installation.
Sponsorship
Newcomers to Edwards are encouraged to take advantage of the
sponsor program within their respective organizations. If you
have orders to Edwards and do not have a sponsor, call your
gaining orderly room or the Military Personnel Flight at (661)
277-2276 or DSN 312-527-2276. Sponsors will provide
Sponsorship Packages, answers to questions, airport arrival
arrangements, and orient you to the base and surrounding
communities. The base lodging facility is your after-duty hour
arrival point. If you arrive during duty hours, please report
to your new unit for check-in.
Newcomers can forward mail to the general delivery address.
The address is: Your Name, General Delivery, PSC Box 1998,
Edwards AFB, CA 93524.
Temporary Quarters
Contact the Edwards' High Desert Inn, Manzanita Way (Bldg.
5602),(661) 275-7666 or DSN 312-525-7666, as far in advance as
possible to arrange for temporary quarters. The Inn is open 24
hours a day, seven days a week. For members who have families
and who have not been assigned permanent housing, there are
two and four-bedroom apartment-type quarters. There is a very
limited amount of four-bedroom units. The units have cooking
facilities, a queen-size bed and a twin-size bed in the
bedrooms, and a couch that converts into a double bed and a
chair that converts into a single bed in the living room. For
families with pets, there are four designated pet units. Cost
ranges from $29 to $48.50 per night, depending on type of
authorized quarters requested. Note, local hotels may be
expensive. Pets are allowed in some hotels. Junior Enlisted
Personnel, please work closely with your sponsor and First
Sergeant to arrange for a dorm room to be ready when you
arrive.
Relocation Assistance
The Airman and Family Readiness Center (AFRC) is waiting to
assist you with its newly equipped computer room, Resource
Library, and Job Search Center. Military personnel are
required to attend the base Desert Warrior Orientation
Program. All new Spouses are asked to attend the base New
Spouse Welcome Program held at the AFRC the first Wednesday of
each month. Family Services loan small household goods for
inbound and outbound personnel.
Twenty hours of free childcare per child is available through
the Air Force Aid Society to parents of all ranks who are
PCSing to Edwards. The childcare is available within 60 days
of arrival and is provided by Family Childcare Program
providers. Parents may apply for childcare by bringing a copy
of their orders and a valid ID to the Airman and Family
Readiness Center at 550 S. Bailey Ave. Call the Airman and
Family Readiness Center at (661) 277-0723 or DSN 312-527-0723.
Critical Installation Information
Arrival at Los Angeles International Airport
If you are traveling to California by commercial air to Los
Angeles International Airport (LAX), you have two means of
transportation to Edwards AFB. One is to have your sponsor
pick you up at LAX. Another is to take the Antelope Express
(shuttle) that will drop you off at either the Ramada Inn, in
Palmdale, 1-800-272-6232, 300 West Palmdale Boulevard, CA
93551, or the Comfort Inn, in Lancaster, 1825 W. Ave, J-12,
Lancaster, CA 93534. Making a reservation for the Antelope
Express (shuttle) prior to your arrival is highly recommended
to guarantee a seat on the van or bus. Make reservations by
calling (661) 945-2529.
Upon your arrival at LAX, proceed to the baggage claim area. A
schedule of the Antelope Express can be found at the Ground
Transportation Service area. The Antelope Express Van picks up
new arrivals underneath the hanging green "BUSES & LONG
DISTANCE VANS" sign on the center island in front of each
terminal. Cost from LAX is $42 one way. You will be reimbursed
when you file your Travel Voucher.
Pets
A maximum of three animals per household are allowed while
residing on Edwards. All animals must be registered within 10
working days of arrival by presenting a current rabies
certificate or scheduling vaccinations at the Edwards
Veterinary Treatment Facility. |
|
|
|
|
Edwards Air Force Base
