Location
Columbus Air Force Base is located in Columbus, Mississippi, and is home to the 14th Flying Training Wing, Air Education and Training Command (AETC). Located in Lowndes County, Columbus is considered a low-cost military town and is home to many retirees. Many popular travel spots such as New Orleans, Louisiana; Memphis, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; and the Gulf Coast are within 350 miles driving distance from Columbus.
History
The installation’s history began June 26, 1941 with the War Department’s approval to establish an Army Air Field for the Columbus area. Initially, the base was a training facility for fighters and bombers. The Columbus flying school received its first aircraft–nine Lockheed AT-10s and twenty-one AT-8s–in early 1942. Twenty-five cadets arrived at Columbus in February 1942. A total of 7,766 students came to Columbus for pilot training during World War II. When the war ended in 1945, the base strength had reached a peak of 2,300 enlisted men, 300 officers, and an average of 250 pilot cadets per class. Columbus was void of activity for four years until communist troops violated South Korea’s borders and fighting broke out in 1950. To handle increased pilot requirements for the Korean War, Air Training Command activated Columbus AFB on December 20, 1950, to be used as a station for a contract flying school. On April 1, 1955, HQ USAF transferred Columbus AFB from ATC control to Strategic Air Command (SAC) and Second Air Force. After 14 years as a SAC base, on July 1, 1969, HQ USAF transferred Columbus back to Air Training Command and to its original mission of training pilots.
Mission
“Produce Pilots, Advance Airmen, Feed the Fight.” The 14th Flying Training Wing, under the Air Education Training Command (AETC), is responsible for an intensive 52-week Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) program.
Population Served
Columbus AFB currently serves more than 11,500 personnel, including 1,467 active duty military members, an area populace of more than 10,033 personnel from the Reserves, other branches of service, Geographically Separated Units, family members, DoD civilians, contractors, and retirees.
Base Transportation
Currently, there is no base transportation on this installation other than the Base taxi for official use.
Sponsorship
If you do not currently have a sponsor, please call the Individualized Newcomer Treatment and Orientation (INTRO) manager at DSN 312-742-2626 or 662-434-2626, so that a sponsor can be assigned to assist you. For those spouses desiring a sponsor, a spouse-to-spouse sponsorship program is available by simply contacting the sponsor’s gaining unit. It is very important to keep the active duty member’s sponsor informed of any changes and/or concerns.
Upon your arrival to Columbus AFB, contact our 24-hour arrival point located in Building 956 Magnolia Inn DSN 312-742-2548 or 662-434-2548 for assistance in contacting your sponsor or obtaining general information about the base.
Temporary Quarters
Incoming personnel can contact the Magnolia Inn at DSN 312-742-2548 or 662-434-2548 in advance to make arrangements for their first nights stay at Columbus AFB.
Relocation Assistance
The base Newcomer’s Orientation, to include Medical Right Start, is held every three weeks from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Columbus Club. This program is mandatory for active duty personnel and DoD civilians. The Columbus Club is in bldg 944 located across the street from the Hunt Housing and the Child Development Center (CDC). Spouses are encouraged to attend. For more information contact Customer Service at DSN 312-742-2626 or 662-434-2626 or the Airman and Family Readiness Center at DSN 312-742-2790 or 662-434-2790. The orientation will afford you an opportunity to address many relocation questions.
Our loan closet has household items to tide you over prior to the arrival of your household shipment. Items such as pots/pans, dishes, futons, silverware, ironing boards/irons and baby items are available for your use at the Outdoor Recreation Services, building 152 (DSN 312-742-2507 or 662-434-2507). In addition, a variety of relocation assistance information can be obtained by visiting or calling the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Building 1114, at DSN 312-742-2790 or 662-434-2790.
Critical Installation Information
Under the “Childcare for PCS” program, active duty Air Force families are eligible to receive 20 hours of free childcare within 60 days of PCSing, regardless of the sponsor’s rank. To utilize this program, bring a copy of your orders to the Airman and Family Readiness Center (building 1114). Child care services at Columbus AFB may be limited.
Passports and Visas
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 742-1110 (662) 434-7322
Base Education Center 662-434-2565 DSN: 742-2565
Base Veterinarian Clinic 662 434-2281 DSN: 742-2281
Child Development Center 662-434-2479 DSN: 742-2479
Columbus AFB Youth Center 662-434-2504 DSN: 742-2504
Dental Clinic 662 434-2250 DSN: 742-2250
Family Day Care (FDC) 662-434-2479 DSN: 742-2479
Home Schooling Point of Contact 662 328-3901 /662 356-4944 / 662 243-7601
Housing Office 662-434-2840 F DSN: 742-2840
Medical Clinic, Central Appointment 662-434-CARE DSN: 742-CARE
Temporary Lodging Facility – Magnolia Inn 601-434-2548 DSN: 742-2548
Youth Center 662-434-2504 DSN: 742-2504