SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE: IN-DEPTH WELCOME CENTER

Introduction

Welcome to Sheppard Air Force Base! Sheppard Air Force Base is the largest and most diversified training base in Air Education and Training Command. Sheppard Air Force Base is home to the 82nd Training Wing, which provides specialized field and technical training for officers, Airmen, civilians of all military branches, and other Department of Defense agencies, as well as foreign nationals. Sheppard Air Force Base is responsible for training over 60,000 Airmen and personnel from other branches each year. Over 20,000 permanent party, airmen in training, and support personnel are on Sheppard AFB during a normal duty day. The 82d Training Wing's training programs are administered by the 82d, 782d, and 982d Training Groups. Major base support is provided by the 82d Mission Support Group and the 82d Medical Group. The 80th Flying Training Wing is the home of the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program (ENJJPT), the free world's only internationally manned and managed undergraduate pilot training program. Technical training is provided in the major academic areas of aircraft maintenance, civil engineering, electronics, fuels, telecommunications. The major command is the Air Education and Training Command (AETC). For more information about the base, including a full list of units at Sheppard Air Force Base, visit the base’s website. Continue reading for our in-depth guide on Sheppard Air Force Base so you can get to know your new base and its surrounding community. 1. Where Is Sheppard Air Force Base? 2. Google Map View 3. Getting There – Directions to the Base 4. Entering Sheppard Air Force Base and Amenities

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

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

Where is Sheppard Air Force Base?

Missile Gate Visitor Center 1810 J Ave Sheppard AFB, TX 76311

Phone:

1 (940) 676-2511

Sheppard AFB Map

Sheppard AFB Directions

Sheppard Air Force Base is located five miles north of the central business district of Wichita Falls, in Wichita County, Texas. The base is about 130 miles between Dallas and Oklahoma City. Wichita Falls is only 15 miles from the Oklahoma border and the Red River.

Wichita Falls Municipal Airport

The closest airport is the Wichita Falls Municipal Airport, located two miles from the main gate.

Driving Directions

From Wichita Municipal Airport

All highways leading to the base are well marked.

1. The main gate is on State Hwy 240, off I-44 (U.S. Hwys 287 and 281).
2. The Missile Road exit off I-44 may also be used to arrive at the base.
3. If driving from DFW Airport, Highway 287 North will take you all the way to Wichita Falls.

Directions by Bus

If arriving by bus, you will get off at the Greyhound: Bus Stop - Wichita Falls Travel Center located at 306 Scott Street. Sheppard is located less than 10 minutes from the bus terminal.

1. Take Scott Street to TX-240.
2. The main gate is on TX-240 (Burkburnett Rd and Sheppard Access).

Sheppard Air Force Base Transportation Office

Getting ready for a PCS move and in need of some help? Contact the Sheppard Air Force Base Household Goods/Transportation Office to get started.

Sheppard Air Force Base Household Goods/Transportation Office

426 5th Avenue Building #402 Sheppard Air Force Base, TX, 76311

Phone:

1 (940) 676-2457/ 676-5499

Sheppard Air Force Base Transportation Office Hours

• Monday – Friday:

  0800-1630

Entering Sheppard Air Force Base and Amenities

Persons are required to have a DoD or Federal-issued identification card or a Sheppard AFB issued pass. Click here for more information on base entry requirements at Sheppard Air Force Base.

Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel

Permanent Party members who arrive during duty hours (Mon-Fri, 0800 to 1630), should report to their Commander's Support Staff. All personnel must be in compliance with Air Force Instruction 36-2903 Dress and Appearance of Air Force Personnel. Permanent Party members who arrive after duty hours should report to the Sheppard Inn, Bldg 1600, Ave J, and contact their appropriate squadrons or sponsor for inprocessing instructions. For more information on checking in, visit the Sheppard Air Force Base Newcomers website.

Sheppard Air Force Base Visitor Center

The Visitor Control Center issues temporary vehicle passes and can provide directions and information on the base. For more information on base access and the visitor control center, call (940) 676-7441 or (940) 676-2066.

Missile Gate Visitor Center

Missile Road Gate, Bldg 1405 Sheppard AFB, TX 76311

Phone:

1 (940) 676-7441/676-2066.

Sheppard Air Force Base Visitor Control Center Hours

• Monday through Friday:

  0630 to 1630.

Sheppard AFB DEERS

For information on making an appointment, visit the Sheppard Air Force Base ID Card Office Website.

Sheppard Air Force Base DEERS and ID Card Office

426 5th Ave Bldg. 402 Room 108/154 Sheppard AFB, TX 76311

Phone:

1 (940) 676-4314

Sheppard Air Force Base DEERS Office and ID Card Office Hours

• Monday through Friday:

  0930 to 1530.

Sheppard Air Force Base Gate Hours

• Grant Gate (Main Gate):

  J Avenue, close for renovations.

• Missile Road Gate:

  Missile Gate, open 24/7.

• Hospital Gate:

  6-8 am, inbound only; 3-5 pm outbound only.

Sheppard AFB Commissary

130 Community Center Dr Bldg 120 Sheppard AFB, TX 76311

Phone:

1 (940) 676-2901, ex. 2999

Sheppard Air Force Base Commissary Hours

• Sunday:

  1100 - 1800.

• Monday:

  Closed.

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday:

  0900 - 2000.

• Friday:

  1000 - 2000.

• Saturday:

  0800 - 1800.

Sheppard AFB BX

Sheppard Air Force Base Exchange 220 Community Center Drive Bldg. 239 Wichita Falls, TX 76311

Phone:

1 (940) 855-4318

Sheppard AFB BX Hours

• Monday through Friday:

  1000 - 1800

• Saturday:

  1000 - 1800

• Sunday:

  1000 - 1700

Barber Shops Sheppard AFB

Main Exchange Barber Shop 220 Community Center Drive Bldg. 740 Wichita Falls, TX 76311

Phone:

1 (940) 386-9040

Main Exchange Barber Shop Hours

• Monday through Friday:

  0900 to 1700.

• Saturday:

  0900 to 1600.

• Sunday:

  Closed.

Mini Mall Barber Shop

740 Avenue H Sheppard AFB, TX 76311

Phone:

1 (940) 855-2281

Mini Mall Barber Shop Hours

• Monday through Friday:

  1000 to 1800.

• Saturday:

  1000 - 1700

• Sunday:

  1100 - 1700

Sheppard AFB Post Office

527 Avenue I Sheppard AFB, TX 76311

Phone:

1 (800) 275-8777

Sheppard Air Force Base Post Office Hours

• Monday through Friday:

  0900 to 1600.

• Saturday:

  0900-1400

• Sunday:

  Closed.

Sheppard AFB Finance

26 5th Avenue Building #402 Sheppard Air Force Base, TX, 76311rt

Phone:

1 (913) 684-2852

Sheppard Air Force Base Financial Office Hours

• Monday - Friday:

  0900 -1600

Sheppard AFB Legal Office

317 F Avenue Building 315 Sheppard AFB, TX 76311

Phone:

1 (940) 676-4262

Sheppard Air Force Base Office Hours

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday:

  0830 - 1630

• Tuesday:

  0830 - 1430; closed the third Tuesday of every month

Sheppard AFB Library

619 4th Avenue Building 430 Sheppard AFB, TX 76311

Phone:

1 (940) 676-6152/676-1342/676-4136

Sheppard Air Force Base’s Library Hours

• Monday - Friday:

  0900 to 1800.

• Saturday - Sunday:

  1000 to 1800.

Sheppard AFB Hotels

There are several hotels near Sheppard Air Force Base, so you’re sure to find one to fit your budget. For a full list of military lodges and affiliated resorts in the area, visit the Department of Defense Lodging website.

1. Sheppard Air Force Base Inn

Sheppard AFB 400 J. Ave. Bldg. 1600 Wichita Falls, Texas, 76311

Phone:

1 (940) 676-2707

Hot Tip: Download MyBaseGuide's Sheppard Air Force Base Base Military Relocation Guide for information about hotels nearby.

Where Should I Live Near Sheppard Air Force Base?

Cities Near Sheppard Air Force Base

While many military family members call base housing their home, others choose to live in nearby communities. The neighboring communities of Iowa Park and Burkburnett in Texas, as well as Lawton, Oklahoma are the closest to Sheppard Air Force Base. The cost of living near Sheppard Air Force Base is lower than the national average, so area rental housing and real estate prices are reasonable.

Best Places to Live Near Sheppard Air Force Base

Iowa Park

The city of Iowa Park, Texas, is about 10 miles from Sheppard Air Force Base. It’s a small town with a population of about 6,400 people. Local attractions include the Iowa Park Swimming Pool, a full-size pool with diving boards, and the nearby Nature Center, which features many species of native plant and a free-flying butterfly garden. The center is dedicated to the preservation of fragile species.

Burkburnett

The city of Burkburnett, Texas offers a short commute to Sheppard Air Force Base. Burkburnett is home to approximately 11,000 people. The city has a number of attractions, including a local water park, golf course, train depot, six different parks, two casinos, and Lake Arrowhead State Park. It is also close to the Nature Center mentioned earlier.

Lawton

Lawton, Oklahoma is 80 miles from Oklahoma City, and 49 miles (or just under an hour depending on traffic) from Sheppard Air Force Base. The city is home to about 91,000 people. Nearby attractions include the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center, the Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum, two casinos, an aquarium, and a local water park.

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

Sheppard AFB Schools

There are many options for your child’s education near Sheppard Air Force Base. Both Texas and Oklahoma offer traditional public schools, as well as public charter schools and private schools. For younger children, there are a variety of local daycares and child care programs on and off base. Children in grade school who live on base may attend Sheppard Elementary School. Otherwise, they’ll attend one of the schools in Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, City View, or the Iowa Park Independent School Districts. Those looking for more information should contact the Sheppard Air Force Base commercially at 940-676-6774 or DSN at 312-736-6774.

Sheppard AFB Weather

Sheppard Air Force Base enjoys all four seasons. In the winter, average highs are in the 50s and 60s and average lows are around 30 degrees. In the summer, temperatures can reach the high 80s and low 90s, with average lows in the 60s and 70s. Sheppard Air Force Base gets about 29 inches of rain and about 4 inches of snow annually. April through October is tornado season, though tornadoes can occur at any time. For more information on tornado preparation and safety, visit the Ready.gov website.

Sheppard AFB Things to Do

Sheppard Air Force Base and the surrounding region are home to many historical sites, museums, theaters, great restaurants, and shopping districts. On base, there are a multitude of recreational opportunities, including bowling, golfing, hunting, shooting, swimming, and more. The base’s location provides easy access to several nearby cities and towns, so there’s no shortage of things to do off-base. Get out and explore!

Suggested Reads:

17 Of the Best Sheppard AFB Things to Do and 25 of the Best Sheppard AFB Restaurants

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

Conclusion

Moving to a new base is always challenging, but Sheppard Air Force Base’s location means you’ll always have things to do when you get there. Head to local hangouts, explore the nearby cities and towns and discover other area gems to experience everything this region and base have to offer during your time here.  

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

 

Last Updated:

10/20/2021