Hanscom Air Force Base

Established:1942
Base Type: Air Force

About

Overview Hanscom AFB

Although owned by the Department of National Defense and listed under the operation of the US Air Force, Hanscom AFB is primarily a non-flying air force base in Massachusetts.

Its primary role is to acquire critical warfighting systems for the Air Force to provide connectivity for and in between warfighters.

This connectivity includes such systems as radar, communication and intelligence, command and operations centers, network infrastructure and cyber defense. This coordination helps service personnel prevail in battle and return home safely.

The base was named after Laurence G. Hanscom, a pilot, an aviation enthusiast, and a State House reporter. He was lobbying for the establishment of an airfield in Bedford in 1941. It was during that time that he perished in a plane crash in Massachusetts,

The base was established in 1941 and was operational in 1942.

Where is Hanscom Air Force Base?

The Hanscom Air Force Base address is in Middlesex County,  mainly in Bedford, Massachusetts, with some areas extending into the nearby towns of Lincoln, Concord, and Lexington and zip code 01731.  It is about 20 miles northwest of Boston MA

Hanscom AFB Map

The facility is close to Hanscom Field, a civilian airport operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority for public use, providing civilian aviation and charter service.

Hanscom AFB Role and Operations

Hanscom Air Force Base is the part of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), which has headquarters in Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

The AFLCMC is in charge of the management of Air Force weapon systems from their inception to retirement.  It is one of the six centers under Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC).

The Hanscom AFB  is the headquarters of the 66th Air Base Group (66 ABG).  The 66th Air Force Group is  composed of the following:

• 66th Force Support Squadron which offers Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs;
• 66th Medical Squadron  – clinics, pharmacy and ancillary, administrative services;
• 66th Security Forces Squadron

The 66th Air Base Group aims to secure, support and sustain more than 10,000 active-duty, Reserve and National Guard personnel. It also supports the Department of Defense civilians, contractors, and 130,000 retired military and spouses living in the six-state New England and New York area.

Hanscom also houses the three Air Force Program Executive Offices (PEOs),  which are responsible for Command, Communication, Control, and Intelligence; Battle Management, and Nuclear Command, Control and Communications.

In addition, Hanscom AFB is also home to the Massachusetts National Guard, the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Hanscom Air Force Base Housing

The Hanscom AFB housing is a privatized, military-assisted housing with access to amenities in the base.

Gate and Hours

Gate Hours
The Hartwell Gate is located off of Hanscom drive which is adjacent to the Yankee Divison Highway between Lexington and Concord.
Vandenberg Gate
Mon-Fri: 0530-2200
Weekends: 0600-1800
Hartwell Gate: 24/7
(Source: https://www.dodhousingnetwork.com/air-force/hanscom-afb/gates)

Quick Reference

Chapel
76 Arnold Street
(781) 225-5501
(781) 225-6960 (After Hours)

Dining Facility
Minuteman Commons
Bldg 1425
(781) 225-6501

Education and Training Center
29 Chenault St, Bldg 1728
(781) 225-5942

Equal Opportunity
Bldg 1240 Rms 304, 305, 306, 404
(781) 225-6397

Family Advocacy
90 Vandenberg Drive, Bldg 1900
(781) 225-6385
(781) 225-6789

Military & Family Readiness
Kirtland St, Bldg 1240
(781) 225-2765

Public Affairs
http://www.hanscom.af.mil/ContactUs/

Fire Emergency Service
Air Force Aid Society
20 Kirtland Street
(781) 225-2765

Finance Office
20 Schilling Circle
(781) 225-1210

Housing
Housing Management Office
101 Northbridge Rd
(781) 225-5638

Legal
20 Schilling Circle, Bldg 1305
(781) 225-1410

Post Office
20 Kirtland Street, Bldg 1218
(781) 377-4222

Base Surroundings

Museum of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Ave., Avenue of the Arts,
Boston, MA 02115
(671) 267-9300

Boston Public Garden
69 Beacon St,
Boston, MA 02108
(671) 723-8144

New England Aquarium
1 Central Wharf,
Boston, MA 02110
(671) 973-5200

USS Constitution
Bldg 5, Charlestown Navy Yard,
Boston, MA 02129
(671) 242-5671

The Paul Revere House
19 North Sq,
Boston, MA 02113
(671) 523-2338

John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library
Columbia Point,
Boston, MA 02125
(671) 514-1600