Location
Hanscom AFB is in Middlesex County, MA, and touches the towns of Bedford, Concord, Lincoln and Lexington – the birthplace of America. Hanscom is approximately 20 miles northwest of Boston, MA; 25 miles south of Nashua, New Hampshire; and 85 miles from Portland, Maine. Hanscom is about 4 hours from New York City. This is one of the top three areas in the country for cost of living. Utilities, housing, car insurance and other associated living costs will probably be higher than you are used to. Please prepare financially for your move here. The base operator’s phone number is 781-225-1110/DSN 312-845-1110.
History
LG Hanscom Field was built in 1941, and served originally as a training base for P-40 Warhawk pilots bound for North Africa. The base soon took on the air defense of Boston as an additional mission. By the 1950’s, the Army Air Force and MIT were coordinating early computer and electronics research. The base’s operational mission diminished, while its role in the development of air defense systems grew. Today acquisitions excellence is Hanscom’s primary mission.. Hanscom is currently an Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) for AFMC, comprising the Battle Management and C3I&N Directorates and the 66th Air Base Group.
Mission
Hanscom AFB manages the development and acquisition of electronic command and control systems. These systems gather and analyze information of potentially hostile forces, enabling commanders to make quick decisions and rapidly pass them on to their forces. Hanscom helps to direct the muscle of America’s air-power to the right target at the right time.
Population Served
Hanscom AFB provides operating support and quality of life, medical, civil engineering, personnel, logistics, safety, security and all other services to the Battle Management and C3I&N Directorates in the AFLCMC, MIT Lincoln Labs, and other tenant groups. Hanscom supports service members and families from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. We have almost an equal number of officers and enlisted personnel. Hanscom serves 125,000 people in a seven state region with over 300 GSU’s.
Base Transportation
There is a base shuttle that brings employees to various base buildings for official business. It runs by appointment and more information can be obtained by calling Transportation at 781-225-5830. Shuttle to and from the airport can also be arranged at the same number.
Hanscom employees interested in carpooling have several options. The Ride Matching program, run by the Environmental office, pairs employees with similar work schedules to facilitate carpooling. Vanpools are also available for larger commuter groups.
Additionally, employees using public transportation may qualify for the Transportation Incentive Program, a Department of Defense program that provides financial incentives to employees to encourage commuting by mass transportation. For interested carpooling or TIP, call 781-225-6143.
Sponsorship
You may request a sponsor through your current Military or DoD Civilian Personnel Relocation Section. If time is getting short, contact our Sponsor Section at DSN 312-845-1343, 781-225-1343. Your sponsor may be extremely helpful by contacting you to determine specific needs, sending a package of base information, researching questions for you, referring you to appropriate base agencies, picking you up at the airport and showing you around the base once you arrive. If you do not connect with your sponsor, the Base Lodging facility is your after-duty hours arrival point. If you arrive during duty hours, head to your unit for check-in.
Temporary Quarters
Please call as far as possible to make reservations at the Temporary Lodging Facility, 781-225-4444 or DSN 312-845-4444. Central AF reservations number is: 1-888-AF-LODGE. There are 8 pet-friendly rooms in the TLF. Please call in advance to reserve. Local hotels are very expensive. Junior enlisted personnel should work closely with their sponsor to ensure a dorm room is ready on their arrival.
Relocation Assistance
Stop by the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 1218, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for a personal welcome, extensive area information, personal invitation to all arrival events, and loan locker items to borrow while you are awaiting your household goods. Use the lending library, computers, phones, fax and more in the Resource Center. Attend an Installation Commander’s Welcome (other service personnel and all spouses encouraged to attend), held monthly, depending on numbers of arriving personnel, on Monday mornings, from 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The mandatory Medical Squadron Welcome for Military is held from 11:45 – 1:00 p.m. on the same day/same location as the Installation Commander’s Welcome. The Family Welcome offers similar information for spouses with small children unable to attend the Installation Commander’s Welcome. The T and City Orientation is training for new families to navigate the local public transportation system into Boston; held monthly, April – September from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Contact the A&FRC for upcoming dates for all welcome activities.
Critical Installation Information
Ensure member and/or dependents have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing. Member and/or dependents are not allowed to final out-process without the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents. Members electing the accompanied tour will not be permitted to out-process without having the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.
These actions are necessary to prevent unforeseen hardships to the military members and their families. Therefore, as a last reiteration, it is essential, members do not out-process without having the appropriate passports/visas for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.
Frequently Called Numbers on Base
Base Operator DSN: 478-4441 (781) 377-4441
66 Medical Group (781) 377-4703/ 1-888-628-9633 (appt’s)
American Eagle Family Housing (781) 861-5062
Arrival Information and Services (781) 377 – 4222
Base Housing Office (781) 377 – 4590 DSN 478 – 4590
Base Temporary Lodging Office (781) 377 – 2112/ (781)377-2044 DSN: 478 – 2112
Child Development Center (781) 377 – 1279 DSN: DSN 478 – 1279
Dental Appointments 781-377- 2680 DSN: DSN 478 – 2680
FAMCAMP (781) 377 – 4670 /(781) 377-5316 DSN: 478 – 4670
Family Child Care (781) 377 – 1695 DSN: 478 – 1695
Hanscom AFB Middle School Phone: (781) 274- – 7720
Hanscom Child Development Center : (781) 377-7166
Hanscom Primary School
Health and Wellness Center (HAWC) (781) 377-6560 DSN: 478-6560
Housing Referral Office (Del-Jen Corp.) (781) 377 – 4590 DSN: 478 – 3785
Lodging Office 781-377-2112/888-AF-LODGE / (781) 377 – 2753 DSN: 478 – 2753 (781) 274-7721 Fax: (781) 274-7721
School Age Child Care Hanscom (781) 377 – 2858 DSN: DSN 478 – 2858
TRICARE Service Center/Health Benefits Advisor 781-377-4186/781-377-2120
Youth Center : (781) 377 – 3739 DSN: 478 – 3739