Location
Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West is located on Boca Chica Key, Monroe county, Florida. It is the second to last major island in the Florida Keys. NAS Key West has several annexes through out Monroe county as well as Key West itself. Key West is the southernmost city in the continental United States. It is 1.5 miles wide and 4 miles long, it sits 93 miles north of Cuba, 153 miles southwest of Miami and 24.5 degrees above the equator. Emerald colored waters where the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean meet below the 42 bridges of the Overseas Highway make the three-hour drive between Miami and Key West especially beautiful.
History
The U.S. Navy’s presence in Key West dates back to 1823, when a Naval Base was established to stop piracy in this area. The lower Keys were home to many wealthy shipping merchants whose fleets operated from these waters. This drew the interest of pirates such as Black Beard and Captain Jon Kidd, who used the Keys as a base from which to prey on shipping lanes.
Mission
Naval Air Station Key West’s national security mission supports operational and readiness requirements for Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, National Guard units, federal agencies, and allied forces.
Population Served
NAS Key West community consists of service members and their families from the Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard, as well as civilian employees, foreign dignitaries and retirees.
Base Transportation
Currently, there is no base transportation on this installation.
Sponsorship
In Key West sponsors are assigned by each command. If you have not been assigned a sponsor, go to the sponsorship website to request one. If after requesting a sponsor you have not been contacted, please contact your command.
For change of address for incoming military personnel contact your receiving command (Admin Dept) and inform them that you will be forwarding your mail and will pick it up upon your check-in. Though this is only a temporary measure, you will be responsible for establishing a permanent change of address through the US Post Office as part of your check-in procedures.
Temporary Quarters
Be sure to make temporary lodging reservations early. During the winter season, November through April, Key West receives many visitors and it is very important to make your reservations ahead of time. Contact the Key West Navy Lodge at 800-628-9466 or MWR Vacation Rentals at 305-293-5000 once you know your arrival date. It is very important to inform the reservation desk that you are on orders so you can book the dates well in advance. If you are PCSing to the area, you may stay in the MWR vacation rentals and may have your pets with you, additionally the Navy Lodge has several rooms that are pet friendly so book early. Boarding of pets off base is very limited.
Relocation Assistance
The Fleet & Family Support Center can help you prepare for your PCS move stateside or overseas, retiring, or separating from active duty. The Center offers a variety of services that can help you manage the financial aspects of your move, help you get settled in your new community and provide extensive information about Key West. The FFSC offers a newcomers brief called Welcome to Key West monthly as well as a Spouse Orientation provided to incoming and new military spouses once a quarter.
Lending Locker items, mostly kitchen items, are available to active duty service members on PCS orders. Families may use these items while they wait for their household goods to arrive or after they have been shipped for a period of up to 30 days.
For more information on the Relocation Assistance Program or to enroll in any of the workshops call 305-293-4408.
Critical Installation Information
Check-ins must stop at the Quarter Deck Bldg A-324 located on Boca Chica Field.
The command recommends not bringing family members when checking in. They suggest you wait until housing is secured. The waiting list for two and four bedroom quarters fluctuates between two to six weeks. Receiving household goods may take up to ten days after notification of delivery address. Plan financially for the six weeks temporary lodging expenses ($50-$175 per day), or more if you board your pet. Balfour Beatty Communities has restrictions on pets allowed in the housing units. Only two pets are allowed. Exotic pets are not permitted-only dogs, cats, birds, or fish. The following dog breeds are considered aggressive and are not permitted: Akita, American Bull Dog, Chow, Doberman, Pit Bull, and Rotweiller.
Geo- and Bachelor Quarters are furnished EXCEPT for a television. Plan to permanently store your household goods at origin versus shipment, while staying in Key West. Limited storage facilities are costly in the local community.
Have one month’s BAH available in preparation for securing a place to live, whether it’s on base or out in town.
The months of June through November are hurricane season. While traveling, keep in contact with your sponsor or your command. Watch the Weather Channel for storm updates and be prepared to leave if a mandatory evacuation occurs.
Summer white uniform is authorized year round in Key West. Certain activities, however, require specified uniforms, so a complete inventory is a must.
Be aware that NAS Key West does not have a Cost of Living Allowance when calculating your pay change.
Please know all Navy personnel and their families who accept orders to Naval Air Station Key West are required to go thru the Overseas Screening Process.
Frequently Called Numbers on Base
Child Development Center 305-293-4498 DSN: 483-4498
Child Development Home 305-293-4442 DSN: 483-4442
Christian Home Educators of the Lower Keys (CHELK) 305-294-8815
Dental Services 800-759-8888 #1644952
Family Child Care Programs 305-293-4442 DSN: 305-483-4442
Fleet and Family Support Center 305-293-4408 DSN: 483-4408
Housing Management Assistant 305-293-4417/4418 DSN: 483-4417/4418
Housing Welcome Center 305-293-4417/4418 DSN: 483-4417
Key West Navy Lodge 305-292-7556 /800-628-9466
Morale, Welfare and Recreation Facilities 888-539-7697 DSN: 483-2112
Naval Branch Health Clinic – Appointments 305-293-4605
Naval Branch Health Clinic – Dental Services 305-293-4611, x1362 or x1363 DSN: 483-4600, x1362 or x1363
Naval Branch Health Clinic – Exceptional Family Member Program Coordinator 305-293-4600 x333 DSN: 483-4600 x333
Navy Branch Health Clinic 305-293-4611 x362 DSN: 483-4611 x362
Navy Lodge Reservations 800-628-9466
School Age Care Program (SAC) 305-293-4437 DSN: 483-4437
TRICARE Office Naval Branch Medical Clinic Key West 305-295-0293
Visitor Quarters 305-293-2013 or 293-2085 DSN: 483-2013 or 483-2085