Location
Fairchild Air Force Base is located approximately 16 miles from the city of Spokane, which has a population of more than 208,000. Spokane is the second-largest city in Washington, offering a variety of amenities that are easily accessible to base residents.
History
Since 1942, Fairchild Air Force Base has been a key part of our nation’s defense strategy—from WWII repair depot, to Strategic Air Command bomber wing during the Cold War, to Air Mobility Command air refueling wing during Operation Iraqi Freedom and beyond. Today, Fairchild’s aircraft and personnel are the backbone of the Air Force’s tanker fleet on the West Coast.
Fairchild’s location, 12 miles west of Spokane, resulted from a competition with the cities of Seattle and Everett in western Washington. The War Department chose Spokane for several reasons: better weather conditions, its location 300 miles from the coast and the Cascades Mountain range providing a natural barrier against possible Japanese attack.
Mission
The 92nd Air Refueling Wing is the host unit to Team Fairchild comprised of the 141st Air Refueling Wing, the 336th Training Group and other tenant organizations. Team Fairchild encompasses more than 5,100 active-duty, Air National Guard, tenant unit members and civilian employees. Another major tenant organization is the Armed Forces Reserve Center, that opened in April 10, comprising approximately 850 Army Guard and Reserve personnel assigned to 18 units with various missions.
Fairchild is the largest employer in Eastern Washington State. The base’s total population exceeds 8,600 with approximately 17,000 retirees in the area representing an annual payroll of $221 million. This brings Fairchild’s annual economic impact on the community to approximately $427 million, constituting 13 percent of the local economy.
Population Served
The 92d Air Refueling Wing is the host unit to Team Fairchild comprised of the 141st Air Refueling Wing, the 336th Training Group and other tenant organizations. Team Fairchild encompasses more than 5,100 active-duty, Air National Guard, tenant unit members and civilian employees. Another major tenant organization is the Armed Forces Reserve Center, that opened in April 10, comprising approximately 850 Army Guard and Reserve personnel assigned to 18 units with various missions.
Fairchild is the largest employer in Eastern Washington State. The base’s total population exceeds 8,600 with approximately 17,000 retirees in the area representing an annual payroll of $221 million. This brings Fairchild’s annual economic impact on the community to approximately $427 million, constituting 13 percent of the local economy.
Base Transportation
Currently, there is no base transportation on this installation.
Sponsorship
Prior to departing your current base or training school, all personnel should be assigned a sponsor. The sponsor provides information and answers any questions about the base, area and your unit, as well as assisting you with your in-processing appointments. For assistance regarding sponsor assignment, contact your gaining unit or call the Fairchild Air Force Base Airman Family & Readiness Center at (509) 247-2246. In-processing is done Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Walk-ins only, appointments not available). In-processing must be accomplished prior to PDTY. You will need to bring your CAC id card and PCS order (with amendments) and your sealed folder from MPS to Customer Service at MPS. You will be provided with a base in-processing checklist and will be scheduled for orientation.
As part of in-processing, attendance is required at the Right Start newcomer orientation and healthy start; these programs focuses on welcoming personnel and their spouses, making the experience a positive one.
If you arrive on base after duty hours, report-in will be the next day. Civilian personnel will report to the Civilian Personnel Office at the MPF. Check with your sponsor for additional instructions.
Temporary Quarters
The 24-hour arrival point is the Lodging Office on base. It is located at 300 N. Short St., and lodging reservations can be made by calling (509) 244-2290, (509) 247-5519 or DSN (312) 657-5519.
There are two facilities for lodging on base; the Fairchild Inn, located on the main base and used by TDY, PCS and Space A, and the Survival Inn, located at the USAF Survival School (for survival students only). Lodging consists of 283 guest rooms and 42 Temporary Lodging Facilities, 17 of which are pet friendly. Personnel unable to secure space in pet-friendly lodging can kennel their animal at Tanker Tails or stay off base. Tanker Tails is a cat and dog kennel located at 9 Sports Range. Call (509) 247-4699 for more information. If there are no reservations available, lodging personnel can assist with finding off-base temporary housing.
Relocation Assistance
Balfour-Beatty Communities is the residential community at Fairchild Air Force Base. It consists of almost 800 homes with various neighborhoods. Renovations and new construction are ongoing, with upgrades and improvements occurring within each neighborhood. Contact Balfour-Beatty Communities at (509) 244-6500.
For single or unaccompanied enlisted members, dormitories are available. Contact the Housing Office at (509) 247-2341 or DSN (312) 657-2341. Personnel should get in touch with housing as soon as possible after receiving orders, by either calling directly or through sponsors.
There is housing available for families requiring special needs, with modifications also available for unoccupied units. Individuals with special needs may move into the next uncommitted unit in the proper grade. Contact Balfour-Beatty Communities for more information.
Wait time for housing can vary from a week to three months. Pet restrictions apply for families seeking housing in the Balfour-Beatty Communities, with a maximum of two pets (dogs or cats) per family and breed restrictions.
There are also off-base rentals, apartments and houses available. Spokane County has a good variety of housing, with communities such as Airway Heights, Cheney, Medical Lake and Spokane all nearby. Military members must check with the Housing Referral Office prior to seeking off-base accommodations.
Critical Installation Information
Living in Eastern Washington means enjoying four seasons with temperate and usually mild weather. Summer temperatures range from the mid 60s upwards into the 80s. Winter may bring rain, fog or snow. December is the coldest month, with an average overnight temperature of 21.6 F and August is the warmest, with day time temperatures averaging 82.6 F.
Preparing for a personal property move can be daunting. Get a jump on things by sorting through keepsakes, having yard sales or donating items as soon as you are notified of your upcoming PCS. The majority of personal property shipments are now done utilizing the Defense Personal Property System (DPS). Any member moving will need to register for a DPS account. This can be done by going to the http://www.move. mil website, which you can also access via the AF Portal. The majority of members will be able to “self-counsel” in DPS, or come to the personal property office and utilize the cyber café set up to assist members with a “proctored self-counseling”.
If you are relocating with pets, visit your veterinarian prior to leaving and make sure they are up-to-date on all vaccinations. Obtain a health certificate if your vet recommends it, and discuss any potential hazards or concerns in regards to travel. If you choose to ship your pet to Fairchild, find out the specific restrictions and regulations that apply to the airline you choose, as well as cost. Pet travel costs are not reimbursed but can be tax-deductible.
You must have a valid driver’s license and sufficient insurance coverage to legally drive a vehicle in Washington state. In addition to automobiles, this includes motorcycles, RVs, trailers and boats. You must also register your vehicle. More information is available at http://www.dol.wa.gov.
Personal firearms must be registered within three days of arrival at the base at the 92nd Security Forces Squadron Armory and stored there if necessary. Dorm residents may not keep firearms in the dorms at any time, nor may privately owned weapons be carried on a person or in a vehicle. Personnel inhabiting military housing are authorized to keep their firearms in their homes, provided they are unloaded and kept in a locked container.
Frequently Called Numbers On Base
Base Operator DSN: 657-1110 (509) 247-1212
Billeting Office Fairchild Inn (509) 247-5519 DSN 657-2290
Child Development Center (509) 247-2403
Clinic Appointments (509) 247-2361 DSN: 657-2361
Education Center (509) 247-2348 DSN: 657-2348
FAFB Housing Management (509) 247-2341 DSN: DSN 657-2341
Family Home Day Care (509) 329-3677
Health and Wellness Center (HAWC) (509) 247-5590
Housing Referral Office (509) 247-2341 DSN 657-2341
Lodging Office (509)244-2290 DSN: 657-2290
TRICARE Service Center 1 800 404-2042 / (509) 244-0732
Washington Homeschool 425-251-0439
