Edwards AFB is at the cutting edge of aviation technology, developing, testing and evaluating the newest weapon systems and aircraft to ensure reliability for America’s war-fighters. Edwards is the test-bed for today’s premiere aerospace technology programs including the Global Hawk, Hypersonic flight, and of course the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Location
Welcome to Edwards Air Force Base and the Air Force Flight Test Center! 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.
View Larger Map
History
Edwards Air Force Base occupies territory once explored by Spanish colonists and settled by pioneer homesteaders. The military base began as a 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 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
Edwards AFB’s total force is around 14,000 (military, DoD Civilians, Contractors, Retirees, and Family Members).
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 yet have a sponsor, call your gaining unit or the Military Personnel Section at (661) 277-2518 or DSN 527-2518 or call the Airman & Family Readiness Center at: (661) 277-0230; DSN 527-0230 or (661) 277-0723; DSN 527-0723.
Temporary Quarters
High Desert Inn
602 Honts Drive, Bldg. 5602
(561) 275-ROOM or DSN 252-ROOM
The Edwards High Desert Inn has various lodging accommodations for military members, their families, authorized civilian DoD, and contract personnel. For families awaiting permanent housing, there are two-bedroom and three-bedroom temporary lodging facilities. Cost is $41.50 per night.
Relocation Assistance
The Military Family Housing (MFH) Office welcomes written or telephone inquiries regarding both on- and off-base housing. For written inquiries please include the member’s rank, arrival date, number of family members with their ages and gender and send to Military Family Office, 95 ABW/CEAC, 402 S. Forbes Ave., Edwards AFB, CA. 93524-1800 or call (661) 277-4506 or DSN 527-4506 or visit http://www.housing.af.mil/edwards/.
Contact Information
The base operator’s phone number is 661-277-1110 or DSN 312-527-1110.