MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE: IN-DEPTH WELCOME CENTER

Introduction 

Welcome to McConnell Air Force Base, located 10 miles out from the center of Wichita, Kansas. The total population of McConnell AFB is about 5,600 military personnel and their families sitting on 4.1 square miles. With a location about 3 hours north of Oklahoma City and west of Kansas City, Wichita is a regional center of business and entertainment, and the city continues to grow. We hope this guide helps you get settled in your new base and helps take some of the stress out of moving. 1. Where Is McConnell Air Force Base? 2. Google Map View 3. Getting There – Directions to the Base 4. Entering McConnell Air Force Base and Amenities

• Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel
• McConnell Air Force Base Visitor Center
• McConnell Air Force Base Gate Hours
• McConnell Air Force Base DEERS Office
• McConnell Air Force Base Commissary
• McConnell Air Force Base BX
• McConnell Air Force Base Barber Shops
• McConnell Air Force Base Post Office
• McConnell Air Force Base Finance Office
• McConnell Air Force Base Legal Office
• McConnell Air Force Base Library
• McConnell Air Force Base Hotels

5. Where Should I Live Near McConnell Air Force Base? 6. What Schools are Near McConnell Air Force Base? 7. What’s the Weather Like in McConnell Air Force Base? 8. Things to Do Near McConnell Air Force Base

Where Is McConnell Air Force Base?

McConnell Air Force Base Welcome & Visitors Center 52802 Kansas St. Bldg. 169 McConnell AFB, KS 67221

Phone:

1 (316) 759-6100

Hours: 

• Monday-Friday:

  0600-1945

• Saturday-Sunday:

  0800-1545

• Holidays:

  Closed

McConnell AFB Map

McConnell AFB Directions

Driving Directions

From Kansas City, Missouri

1. Take I-70 E
2. Keep right at the fork, continue on US-71 S and follow signs for I-670 W/I-35 S/Joplin/Wichita
3. Take exit 2L for Interstate 670 W toward Interstate 35 S/Wichita
4. Merge onto I-670 W
5. Merge onto I-70 W
6. Continue on I-470 W, follow signs for Interstate 335 S/South Topeka/Wichita
7. Continue onto I-335 S
8. Continue onto I-35
9. Turn right onto US-400 W/US-54 W/E Kellogg Ave
10. Take the exit toward Kansas Turnpike/I-35/Rock
11. Merge onto E Kellogg Dr N
12. Turn left onto S Rock Rd
13. Turn right onto Kansas St
14. Enter through the McConnell AFB Main Gate

From Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

1. Take I-40 E
2. Continue on I-35 N/I-40 E
3. Continue on I-35 N/US-62 E, follow signs for Tulsa/Wichita
4. Continue to follow I-35 N
5. Keep right to stay on I-35 N, follow signs for I-44 E/Wichita/Tulsa
6. Take exit 45 toward KS-15/Wichita K-15
7. Continue toward S Turnpike Dr
8. Keep left at the fork to continue toward S Turnpike Dr
9. Turn left onto S Turnpike Dr
10. Turn right onto E 31st St S
11. Turn left onto Oliver
12. Turn right onto George Washington Blvd
13. Continue straight
14. Continue onto Salina Dr
15. Turn left onto Kansas St
16. Enter through McConnell AFB Main Gate

From Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport

1. Head south on Eisenhower Airport Pkwy
2. Take the Harry St/Learjet Way exit
3. Turn left onto W Harry St
4. Turn left onto the ramp to US-400/Airport/US-54/c
5. Merge onto Eisenhower Airport Pkwy
6. Turn right onto W Kellogg Dr
7. Take the ramp onto US-400 E/US-54 E
8. Merge onto US-400 E/US-54 E
9. Take the exit toward Woodlawn
10. Merge onto E Kellogg Dr
11. Turn right onto S Woodlawn St
12. Turn left onto E Pawnee St
13. Turn right onto S Rock Rd
14. Turn right onto Kansas St
15. Enter McConnell AFB through the main gate

Greyhound Bus Station in Wichita, Kansas

1. Head south on Topeka St toward E English St
2. Turn left to merge onto US-400 E/US-54 E
3. Merge onto US-400 E/US-54 E
4. Take the exit toward Woodlawn
5. Merge onto E Kellogg Dr
6. Turn right onto S Woodlawn St
7. Turn left onto E Pawnee St
8. Turn right onto S Rock Rd
9. Turn right onto Kansas St
10. Enter through McConnell AFB main gate

Amtrak Station in Newton, Kansas

1. Head south on N Main St toward W 4th St
2. Turn left onto E 1st St
3. At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto the I-135 S/US-81 W/US-50 W ramp
4. Merge onto I-135 S/US-50 W/US-81 S
5. Continue to follow I-135 S/US-81 S
6. Continue on I-135 S
7. Take exit 3B toward Pawnee
8. Turn left onto E Pawnee St
9. Keep left to stay on E Pawnee St
10. Turn right onto S Rock Rd
11. Turn right onto Kansas St
12. Enter through McConnell AFB main gate

Flights To McConnell AFB

You’ll be flying through Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport that’s just a quick drive from the other side of the city. You’ll find flights here from most major cities across the country.

McConnell AFB Transportation Office

McConnell AFB Household Goods/Transportation Office

57798 Leavenworth Building 795 McConnell AFB, KS 67221

Phone:

1 (316) 759-5915

Hours:

• Monday-Friday: 0830-1430
• Saturday/Sunday: Closed
• Federal Holidays: Closed

Entering McConnell Air Force Base and Amenities

All drivers on base must have a valid military ID, veterans or retiree ID, a valid driver’s license, and a valid driver’s insurance card. All visitors must stop by the Visitor Control Center through the McConnell Main Gate off Kansas Street.

Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel

For all military personnel arriving during duty hours, contact your unit or squadron of assignment immediately. Your Commander Support Staff (CSS) will in-process you from there and schedule you for your mandatory in-processing and Newcomer’s Welcoming/Orientation briefings. You will need these items for your appointment: IDA worksheet, orders and mandates, envelope from your losing base, any graduation certificates that apply and all travel receipts. And remember, if you are bringing any dependents with you, bring all legal documentation that applies.

McConnell Air Force Base Visitors Center

52802 Kansas St. Bldg. 169 McConnell AFB, KS 67221 Phone: 1 (316) 759-6100

Hours: 

• Monday-Friday:

  0600-1945

• Saturday-Sunday:

  0800-1545

• Holidays:

  Closed

McConnell AFB Gate Hours

McConnell Air Force Base has three gates. The main gate is through Kansas Street that will lead you right to the Visitor’s Control Center.

• Main Gate:

  Open 24/7

• Family House Gate:

  Open 24/7

• West Gate:

  Monday-Friday 0600-1800

McConnell AFB DEERS Office

McConnell AFB ID Card & DEERS Office

53476 Wichita St. Bldg. 412 McConnell AFB, KS 67221

Phone:

1 (316) 759-3737

Hours: 

• Monday-Friday:

  0800 - 1530

• Saturday-Sunday:

  Closed

• Federal holidays:

  Closed

McConnell AFB Commissary 

53327 Derby Court Bldg. 313 McConnell Air Force Base, KS 67221

Phone:

1 (316) 759-5621

McConnell AFB Commissary Hours:

• Monday:

  Closed

• Tuesday-Saturday:

  0900 - 1900

• Sunday:

  1000 - 1800

McConnell AFB Exchange

53328 Derby St. Bldg. 352 McConnell AFB, KS 67221

Phone:

1 (316) 685-0231

McConnell AFB Exchange Hours:

• Monday-Saturday:

  0930 - 1800

• Sunday:

  Closed

McConnell AFB Barber Shop

53328 Derby St. Bldg. 352 McConnell AFB, KS 67221

Phone:

1 (316) 686-2128

McConnell AFB Barber Shop Hours:

• Monday-Friday:

  0800 - 1700

• Saturday:

  0900 - 1700

• Sunday:

  Closed

McConnell AFB Post Office

Bldg. 524 McConnell AFB, KS 67221

Phone:

1 (316) 759-1735

McConnell AFB Post Office Hours:

• Monday-Friday:

  1000 - 1700

• Saturday:

  Closed

• Sunday:

  Closed

McConnell AFB Finance 

53147 Kansas St. Bldg. 732, Suite 105 McConnell AFB, KS 67221

Phone:

1 (316) 759-6020

McConnell AFB Finance Office Hours:

• Monday-Friday:

  0730-1630

• Saturday-Sunday:

  Closed

McConnell AFB Legal Office 

53285 Pratt Court Bldg. 810, Suite 109 McConnell AFB, KS 67221

Phone:

1 (316) 759-3590

McConnell AFB Legal Office Hours:

• Monday-Friday:

  0830 - 1530

• Saturday-Sunday:

  Closed

McConnell AFB Library

53476 Wichita St. Bldg. 412 McConnell AFB, KS 67221

Phone:

1 (316) 759-4207

McConnell AFB Library Hours:

• Monday-Thursday:

  0900 - 1700

• Friday:

  0900 - 1600

• Saturday-Sunday:

  Closed

Hotels Near McConnell AFB

McConnell AFB has many hotel selections within Wichita. We’ve selected a few for you to consider if you or your family members need a stay at one of the hotels near the base.

1. Candlewood Suites Wichita East

5211 E. Kellogg Dr. Wichita, KS 67218

Phone:

1 (316) 685-2233

2. Red Roof PLUS+ Wichita East

7335 E. Kellogg Dr. Wichita, KS 67207

Phone:

1 (316) 685-1281

3. Holiday Inn Wichita East I-35

549 S. Rock Rd. Wichita, KS 67207

Phone:

1 (316) 686-7131

4. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott

333 S. Webb Rd. Wichita, KS 67207

Phone:

1 (316) 685-3777

5. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson

333 S. Webb Rd. Wichita, KS 67207

Phone:

1 (316) 685-0333

Where To Live Near McConnell Air Force Base

If you’re considering living on base, check out the available on-base housing options. Otherwise, read on to find out more about living off base.

Cities Near McConnell Air Force Base

Wichita is the largest city in Kansas, due to the larger part of the Kansas City metropolitan area being in Missouri. The area surrounding McConnell Air Force Base has plenty of neighborhoods and communities that have good relations with the military personnel from the base.

Best Places to Live Near McConnell Air Force Base

Wichita

Wichita, is your most immediate and obvious choice to live near McConnell AFB. The city has a population of 366,000 people with a growing downtown area that has become a cultural entertainment center.

Park City

For a smaller town feel, you should consider Park City, Kansas. The population here is just 5,800 people, and the city itself is only 14 miles out of Wichita. Its more rural, peaceful community is perfect for any military personnel looking for that kind of city to live in.

Hot Tip: Look for McConnell Air Force Base homes and apartments for rent or sale, and find BAH, PCS, TLA & ETS military housing information at AHRN.com.

McConnell AFB Schools

McConnell Air Force Base has no public schools on base itself. The base is located, however, within the Derby Unified School District. For students on base, Wineteer Elementary is adjacent to the base housing. Middle school and high school students who live on base are bused to Derby Middle School and High School. For students living off base, be sure to look up the local school district based on your location. Bus transportation is provided by the school district.

McConnell AFB Weather

At McConnell Air Force Base, you can expect summers to be hot, humid and wet. The winters can get very cold and tend to be windy and dry. Summers can see temperatures hit the mid 90s while Winter can see it get into the mid 20s so be sure to prepare for both extremes. Spring can also see severe weather, including tornadoes, so be sure to have a severe weather radio handy.

Things to Do Near McConnell AFB

Wichita has all of the major amenities that you would expect in a major city. There are plenty of gardens, parks and outdoor activities, including the River Bike Path that goes for 10 miles along the Arkansas River on paved trails. You can take a step back in time in the Old Cowtown Museum, which allows you to feel like you are in the Old West. This replica of an 1870s town has 54 historic buildings with authentic artifacts contained within. And don’t forget the downtown area with plenty of restaurants and shops to choose from.

Suggested Reads: 23 Of the Best Things to Do Near McConnell AFB and 22 of the Best Restaurants Near McConnell AFB 

Hot Tip: Connect with military-trusted businesses and deals exclusively for McConnell Air Force Base at MyBaseGuide.

Conclusion 

Relocating can be a stressful experience, but we hope this guide has given you a clearer picture of the area surrounding McConnell Air Force Base. We hope that you find your next adventure here around the base, whether in the downtown area of Wichita or the many museums and historical spots around town.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.