Introduction

Welcome to Shaw Air Force Base, located just west of Sumter, South Carolina. Shaw AFB ranks as one of the oldest Air Force installations and is home to the largest combat F-16 wing. Shaw AFB is home to more than 5,400 military personnel and includes over 11,000 family members. Sitting on 3,466 acres, Shaw AFB is home to many tenant units including Headquarters Ninth Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central. We hope this guide helps you get settled in your new posting and helps take some of the stress out of moving. 1. Where Is Shaw Air Force Base? 2. Google Map View 3. Getting There – Directions to the Base 4. Entering Shaw Air Force Base and Amenities

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

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

COVID-19 Notice

Due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, many businesses, venues, and parks may be temporarily closed or operating under restricted hours. Therefore, a place we mention here may not currently be open or available for the time being.

Where Is Shaw Air Force Base?

Shaw Air Force Base Welcome & Visitors Center

1000 Building, 9 Shaw Dr. Shaw AFB, SC 29152

Phone

: 1 (803) 895-5359

Hours:

• Monday-Friday

  : 0730-1630

• Saturday-Sunday

  : Closed

Shaw AFB Map

Directions to Shaw Air Force Base

Driving Directions

From Columbia, South Carolina

1. Take US-378 E/US-76 E/Devine St
2. Continue to follow US-378 E/US-76 E
3. Take the exit toward Shaw Air Force Base
4. Merge onto Shaw Dr
5. Enter through Shaw AFB Main Gate

From Charlotte, North Carolina

1. Take I-277 S
2. Take exit 1B for I-77 S/US-21 S toward Columbia
3. Keep left at the fork to continue toward I-77 S/US-21 S
4. Continue to follow I-77 S
5. Take exit 16A to merge onto I-20 E toward Florence
6. Take exit 82 for Spears Creek Church Rd toward Pontiac
7. Turn right onto Spears Creek Church Rd
8. Turn left onto SC-12 E
9. Slight right onto S-40-268/Screaming Eagle Rd
10. Turn right onto US-601 S
11. Turn left onto the ramp to Sumter
12. Merge onto US-378 E/US-76 E
13. Take the exit toward Shaw Air Force Base
14. Merge onto Shaw Dr
15. Enter Shaw AFB through Main Gate

From Jim Hamilton - LB Owens Airport

1. Turn right onto Jim Hamilton Blvd
2. Turn right onto S Ott Rd
3. Turn left onto Plowden Rd
4. Plowden Rd turns slightly right and becomes S Beltline Blvd
5. Turn left onto SC-768 E/Shop Rd
6. Turn left onto SC-768 E/Pineview Rd
7. Turn right onto US-378 E/US-76 E
8. Take the exit toward Shaw Air Force Base
9. Merge onto Shaw Dr
10. Enter Shaw AFB through Main Gate

Greyhound Bus Station in Camden, South Carolina

1. Turn right onto Wall St
2. Turn left at the 1st cross street onto Century Blvd
3. Turn left at the 1st cross street onto US-521 S
4. Slight right onto SC-261 E
5. Turn left onto US-378 E/US-76 E
6. Take the exit toward Shaw Air Force Base
7. Merge onto Shaw Dr
8. Enter Shaw AFB through Main Gate

Amtrak Station in Columbia, South Carolina

1. Head west toward Pulaski St
2. Turn right onto Pulaski St
3. Turn left onto College St
4. Turn left onto Huger St
5. Turn left onto Blossom St
6. Turn right onto SC-48 E/Assembly St
7. Continue onto George Rogers Blvd
8. Turn left onto Shop Rd
9. Turn left onto SC-768 E/Pineview Rd
10. Turn right onto US-378 E/US-76 E
11. Take the exit toward Shaw Air Force Base
12. Merge onto Shaw Dr
13. Enter Shaw AFB through Main Gate

Flights To Shaw AFB

You will be flying through Jim Hamilton - LB Owens Airport in Columbia, South Carolina. You can catch Taxi and transportation services like Lyft and Uber here at this airport that serves downtown Columbia.

Shaw AFB Transportation Office

Shaw AFB Household Goods/Transportation Office

504 Shaw Drive Shaw AFB, SC 29152

Phone

: 1 (803) 895-8613

Hours

:

• Monday-Friday

  : 0800-1500

• Saturday/Sunday

  : Closed

• Federal Holidays

  : Closed

Entering Shaw 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 Main Gate off of Shaw Dr.

Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel

Normal duty hours at Shaw AFB are from 0800 to 1630 Monday through Friday. All arrivals in that time frame should report directly to your commanding officer’s support staff. For all arrivals during non-duty hours, you must report to the 24-hour base lodging office at 464 Myers St. 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. You must be in uniform to in-process.

Shaw AFB Visitor Center

Shaw Air Force Base Welcome & Visitors Center

1000 Building, 9 Shaw Dr. Shaw AFB, SC 29152

Phone

: 1 (803) 895-5359

Hours

:

• Monday-Friday

  : 0730-1630

• Saturday-Sunday

  : Closed

Shaw AFB DEERS Office

Shaw AFB ID Card & DEERS Office

504 Shaw Dr, Rm. 1080 Bldg 1118. Shaw AFB, SC 29152

Phone:

1 (803) 895-1596

Shaw AFB ID Card & DEERS Office Hours

• Monday-Friday

  : 0800 - 1500

• Saturday/Sunday

  : Closed

• Federal Holidays

  : Closed

Shaw AFB Gate Hours

Shaw Air Force Base has four gates. The main gate is off of Shaw Dr. that will lead you right through the Visitor’s Center.

• Shaw Dr - Main Gate

  : Open 24/7

• Frierson (School) Gate

  : Only open during teacher work days / Closed all holidays. Mon-Fri 0630-1630

• 441 Gate

  : Mon-Fri 0600-2200

• Sumter (East) Gate

  : Mon-Fri 0600-1800

Shaw AFB Commissary

531 Shaw Drive Sumter, SC 29152

Phone

: 1 (803) 895-1281

Shaw AFB Commissary Hours

• Monday

  : Closed

• Tuesday-Friday

  : 1000 - 1900

• Saturday

  : 1000 - 1800

• Sunday

  : 1100 - 1700

Shaw AFB BX

Shaw AFB Exchange

370 Rhodes Ave. Bldg. 1403 Sumter, SC 29152

Phone

: 1 (803) 666-3050

Shaw AFB Exchange Hours

• Monday

  : Closed

• Tuesday-Saturday

  : 0900 - 1800

• Sunday

  : 1100 - 1700

Shaw AFB Barber Shops

370 Rhodes Ave. Shaw AFB, SC 29152

Phone

: 1 (803) 666-4773

Shaw AFB Barber Shop Hours

• Monday-Friday

  : 0830 - 1830

• Saturday

  : 0830 - 1800

• Sunday

  : 1100 - 1700

Shaw AFB Post Office

510 Nelson Ave. Shaw AFB, SC 29152

Phone

: 1 (803) 666-2153

Shaw AFB Post Office Hours

• Monday-Friday

  : 0900 - 0400

• Saturday

  : 1000 - 1200

• Sunday

  : Closed

Shaw AFB Finance

524 Stuart Avenue Shaw AFB, SC 29152

Phone

: 1 (803) 895-1252

Shaw AFB Finance Office Hours

• Monday-Friday

  : 0730 - 1630

• Saturday-Sunday

  : Closed

Shaw AFB Legal Office

504 Shaw Drive Shaw AFB, SC 29152

Phone

: 1 (803) 895-1560

Shaw AFB Legal Office Hours

• Monday

  : 0900 - 1000

• Wednesday

  : 1300 - 1400

• Saturday-Sunday

  : Closed

Notaries and Power of Attorney

:

• Mon-Fri

  : 0800 - 1500

Shaw AFB Library

400 Shaw Drive Shaw AFB, SC 29152

Phone

: 1 (803) 895-4518

Shaw AFB Library Hours

• Monday-Friday

  : 0900 - 1900

• Saturday

  : 1000 - 1800

• Sunday

  : Closed

Shaw AFB Hotels

Shaw AFB has many hotel selections within Sumter, South Carolina. We’ve selected a few for you to consider if you or family members need a stay at one of the hotels near the base. 1. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Sumter 2645 Broad St. Sumter, SC 29150

Phone

: 1 (803) 469-6000 2. Tru by Hilton Sumter 2607 Broad St. Sumter, SC 29150

Phone

: 1 (803) 469-9800 3. Candlewood Suites Sumter 2541 Broad St. Sumter, SC 29150

Phone

: 1 (803) 469-4000 4. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sumter 2490 Broad St. Sumter, SC 29150

Phone

: 1 (803) 469-4444 5. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Sumter, SC 2491 Broad St. Sumter, SC 29150

Phone

: 1 (803) 469-6666

Where Should I Live Near Shaw AFB?

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.

Major Cities Near Shaw Air Force Base

Shaw Air Force Base is just west of Sumter and 40 miles away from Columbia, the state capital. There’s a wide variety of homes and places to live in and around Sumter, ranging from older ranch-style homes to modern apartments.

Best Places to Live Near Shaw Air Force Base

Sumter

Sumter is located right up against the Pocotaligo River, surrounded by agricultural land and rolling terrain. It’s a smaller city that allows for a small-town feel while having the amenities of a larger city. The cost of living is reasonable, and it's centrally located in South Carolina, giving you quick and easy access to anywhere nearby.

Columbia

For those willing to commute, Columbia is about 40 minutes or so away from the base. The capital of South Carolina is a larger city and has all the amenities of a big city that you would expect. There’s plenty of history in Columbia as well, with historic buildings scattered throughout the area. Downtown is clean and attractive and provides ample entertainment and outings for the whole family.

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

Shaw AFB Schools

There are no schools on base at Shaw AFB. However, schools serving Shaw Air Force Base are a part of the Sumter County School District. Where your student-age children will go will be based on your location. There are a few elementary schools near the base and three high schools. Bus transportation is provided for students. Find more local school information at The Best Shaw Air Force Base Schools: Daycare – High School.

Shaw AFB Weather

The weather around Shaw Air Force Base in the Sumter area has what you would expect from a city in the south. Prepare for hot and muggy summers with plenty of most air. Winters, on the other hand, are short and mild. Rarely does the temperature dip below 25 degrees or soar above 97 degrees. Hurricane season runs from June to November so remember to always be prepared just in case and have multiple ways to receive severe weather updates.

Things to Do Near Shaw AFB

Your central location in the state provides a perfect place to do a multitude of different activities. You are close to the Smoky Mountains but two hours away from the Atlantic and a beach day. Downtown Sumter has entertainment from opera houses and museums to parks. And if you run out of things to do in Sumter, you are less than an hour away from the state capital, Columbia.

Suggested Read:

24 Of the Best Things to Do Near Shaw AFB

Hot Tip: Connect with military-trusted businesses and deals exclusively for Shaw 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 Shaw Air Force Base. We hope you find your next adventure here around the base, whether in the downtown area of Sumter or the many other spots outside the city.  

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