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Naval Air Station Key West Base Guide

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Naval Air Station Key West supports 20,000 or more members of various military branches, including the Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard. This premier facility provides the equipment, hangars, training, and personnel for combat fighters, Naval ships and underwater military missions.

The site is essential to support security and development of top-notch missions along the U.S. coast and beyond.  Learn more about Naval Air Station Key Wes,t including base contact information, housing, education and info on the surrounding area below.

NAS Key West History

Due to the easy access by sea, the Key West area has been home to naval travelers and fleets as far back as the 1800s, when the base here was founded to address big problems with piracy.

It was originally the Spanish governor of Havana who petitioned to found a base there. The area was a main shipping hub and attracted pirates from all over, including famous pirates like Black Beard.

When the Civil War broke out, NAS Key West prevented supplies from coming in to support the Confederacy and were also the only port in the south that was not captured and utilized by the Confederates.

NAS Key West would play an important part in World War I, which was essential in developing naval aviation anti-submarine warfare. Seaplanes also called this site home during World War II, where it supported and staffed submarines and aircraft.

Just 20 years later, NAS Key West’s strength was needed during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis to show a united front against all threats. The site was commended by President Kennedy, thanking service members and the community for its role in ensuring national security.

Today, the presence of the Navy continues to reduce threats to help provide safe travel for merchant traffic and for all who pass through.

NAS Key West Surrounding Area

Located in the Florida Keys archipelago, Key West is a popular attraction for people worldwide and home to the southernmost point of the United States.

The area is known for its crystal-clear waters and beaches. It is a regular cruise ship stop and past home to President Truman and Ernest Hemingway and a vacation destination for families and celebrities. Some of the most visited sites are as follows:

• Dry Tortugas National Park
• Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
• Truman White House
• Overseas Highway
• Southernmost Point
• U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum
• Mallory Square
• Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

NAS Key West Mission and Units

Naval Station Key West’s focus is on “operational national security”, providing support for the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. Important missions and units include but are not limited to:

• Aviation Supply Detachment (ASD)
• Fleet Readiness Center Det. Key West
• Joint Interagency Task Force South
• Naval Branch Medical Clinic
• Navy Munitions Command Det Key West
• Special Forces Underwater Operations School
• United States Coast Guard Sector Key West
• Strike Fighter Squadron 106 Gladiators
• Fighter Squadron Composite 111 Sundowners

In-Processing and Check-In

All new arrivals are directed to check in with their gaining unit unless otherwise instructed. The command recommends not bringing family members when checking in, according to DoD literature. It may be best to “wait until housing is secured” and have your family join you after. Contact your sponsor for specific check-in procedures and other details you’ll need to know on arrival.

NAS Key West Child Care

The Child Development Center in NAS Key West is in building V-4187, offering care to families for children from six weeks old to school age. Full-time and part-time care is available. For those interested in enrolling in Pre-Kindergarten, pursue opportunities for enrollment through the local public school.

To register, provide immunization records, income verification (used to determine payment rates) and documentation of recent medical evaluation. The wait list can be a few months long, so make sure to begin the process in advance.

NAS Key West Housing

Balfour Beatty Communities LLC is the partner for NAS Key West privatized housing. The area houses both military and civilian families depending on availability of lodging. To apply or be placed on the waiting list, fill out the housing application form or DD form 1746 and have accompanying documents ready like birth certificate, copies of identification and copies of orders.

Balfour Beatty Communities can be reached at (305) 292-5590.

There is limited single service member housing available at Naval Air Station Key West. The Department for Unaccompanied Personnel Housing is reachable for details at (305) 293-4127. If visiting the department in person, go to 800 Sigsbee Rd, Building V 4059 in Key West for more information, floor plans and to make arrangements.

Related: Basic Allowance for Housing Calculator

PCS and TDY Lodging

Temporary Lodging for Naval Air Station Key West is offered at MWR Navy Gateways Vacation Rentals and can be secured up to a year in advance for a stretch of up to 14 days. This site does not allow pets. For those coming into the area with pets, The Navy Lodge is the best choice to reserve.

Due to high demand in the area, make reservations as far in advance as possible if arriving with family. Those who do not make arrangements in advance may have a difficult time finding a place with enough occupancy for groups, especially during peak travel season. If the two prior listings have no vacancy, try Navy Gateway Inn & Suites for availability.

NAS Key West Commissary

811 Sigsbee Rd
Bldg. V4111
Key West, FL 33040
(305) 293-4405

The commissary at Naval Air Station Key West participates in the YES! Program, offering discounts and savings to shoppers. The Nutrition Guide Program also labels foods so customers can make healthy choices. With a day’s notice, fruit and vegetable trays can be ordered that feed from 4-6, 8-11 and 12-16 people. Only service members can shop at the commissary with a valid military ID.

NAS Key West Transportation

The nearest airport to the region is the Key West International Airport. The Key West International Airport has taxi, rideshare, and Greyhound Bus service from the airport to various destinations.

If driving from Florida City, use I-95 south to US1, following signs for Boca Chica Field at NAS. On base, there is no transportation for regular use, so a personal vehicle can be essential.

Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License

NAS Key West requires that all vehicles on base be registered at the Visitor Center at the main gate during regular business hours. To register a vehicle, bring the vehicle title, proof of insurance, government ID card, and valid driver’s license. Motorcycle drivers must provide the same documentation plus pass a motorcycle safety course and proof of status of the course. They must also wear protective gear at all times, including a helmet.

Schools

Young learners in the Florida Keys area attend Monroe County School District campuses. There are no DoD schools in the area. Service members’ children typically attend Lower Keys schools according to their address. Key West is home to a few public schools, but the on base school for elementary students is located on Sigsbee Annex Base.

Most students will attend the school they live closest to, most often Sigsbee Charter School. There is a Montessori school in the area as well, along with the private school options: Mary Immaculate School and Grace Lutheran School.

Colleges and Universities

Naval Air Station Key West, in collaboration with the College of the Florida Keys and Saint Leo University, offers two-year programs and bachelor’s degree programs for service members. At Saint Leo University, students can study Liberal Arts, Business, Computer Information Systems, and Human Resources. At the College of the Florida Keys, higher learners can graduate with a two or four-year degree or recreational and continuing education classes, including language classes.

Related: Ultimate GI Bill Guide

Contacts

804 Sigsbee Road
Bldg. V4058, Sigsbee Park
Key West, FL 33040 9037
(305) 293-4408

• Barracks/Single Service Member Housing (305) 293-4467
• Child Development Center (305) 293-4498
• Hospital/Medical Facility (305) 293-4600
• Housing Office (305) 293-4466
• ID/CAC Card Processing (305) 293-2571
• School Liaison (305) 293-4442
• Temporary Lodging (305) 292-7556
• Welcome/Visitor Center (305) 293-2806
• Youth Programs/Centers (305) 293-4437

Related: Ultimate Military Benefits Guide

Military Bases in Florida

The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs estimates there are more than a million and a half veterans living in the state. Florida has the third largest veteran population in the nation, second only to California and Texas. This state has more than 20 military bases, with Pensacola, Florida being recognized by some as the “cradle of Navy aviation.”

If you are traveling to Florida on PCS orders, look up the BAH in your new duty location using our BAH Calculator. You can also find veterans benefits offered in Florida.

Air Force Bases in Florida

• Eglin Air Force Base
• Hurlburt Field
• MacDill Air Force Base
• Tyndall Air Force Base
• Arnold Air Force Base

Space Force Bases in Florida

• Patrick Space Force Base

Did you know? The State of Florida offers qualifying members of the Florida National Guard a program called Educational Dollars for Duty. This program pays public tuition in state-supported Florida colleges “for the period of the Guard member’s service,” according to the official site. You can use the program to earn a Technical Certificate, Associate’s, Baccalaureate, or Master’s Degree.

Navy Bases in Florida

• Naval Air Station Jacksonville
• Naval Air Station Key West
• Naval Air Station Pensacola
• Naval Air Station Whiting Field
• Naval Station Mayport
• Naval Support Activity Orlando
• Naval Support Activity Panama City

Army Bases in Florida

• USSOUTHCOM/U.S. Army Garrison-Miami
• USAREC, Jacksonville Battalion
• USAREC, Miami Battalion
• USAREC, Tampa Battalion

Coast Guard Bases in Florida

• USCG Base Miami Beach

Get more info on VA benefits for veterans, retirees, separating service members, spouses, dependents, and disabled veterans. Learn more about the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon program, monthly housing allowances, VA loans, and TRICARE.

VA Centers in Florida

The Villages VA Clinic

8900 Southeast 165th Mulberry Lane
The Villages, FL 32162-5884
352-674-5000
Mental health: 352-674-5166 x305166

Ocala VA Clinic

4826 Southwest 49th Road
Ocala, FL 34474-6299
352-369-3320
Mental health: 352-547-1583

Tavares VA Clinic

1390 East Burleigh Boulevard
Tavares, FL 32778-4305
352-253-2900
Mental health: 352-235-2900

Lecanto VA Clinic

2804 West Marc Knighton Court
Suite A
Lecanto, FL 34461
352-746-8000

Clermont VA Clinic

3200 Citrus Tower Boulevard
Clermont, FL 34711-7012
352-536-8200
Mental health: 352-536-8200

Brooksville VA Clinic

14540 Cortez Boulevard
Suite 108
Brooksville, FL 34613-6001
352-597-8287
Mental health: 352-597-8287 x4140

Medical View Lane VA Clinic

6938 Medical View Lane
Daughterly Road Professional Center
Building 7, Suite 7
Zephyrhills, FL 33542-6848
813-780-2550

Zephyrhills VA Clinic

37827 Eiland Boulevard
Zephyrhills, FL 33542-1857
813-780-2550
Mental health: 813-780-2550 x3119

Gainesville VA Clinic

5469 SW 34th Street
Gainesville, FL 32608-5032
352-548-6000

Gainesville 1 VA Clinic

5465 SW 34th Street
Gainesville, FL 32608-5032
352-384-3560

Lake Baldwin VA Clinic

5201 Raymond Street
Orlando, FL 32803-8208
407-646-5500
Mental health: 407-646-5400

Gainesville Sixty-Fourth Street 3 VA Clinic

5571 Southwest 64th Street
Gainesville, FL 32608-9608
352-337-4900

Gainesville Sixty-Fourth Street 2 VA Clinic

5533 Southwest 64th Street
Gainesville, FL 32608-9608
352-271-5967

Gainesville Sixty-Fourth Street 1 VA Clinic

5415 Southwest 64th Street
Gainesville, FL 32608-9605
352-338-4900 x161200

Gainesville VA Domiciliary

1604 Southeast 3rd Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32641-7346
352-548-1800

Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

1601 Southwest Archer Road
Gainesville, FL 32608-1135
352-376-1611
Mental health: 352-384-3560

Palatka VA Clinic

400 North State Road 19
Suite 48
Palatka, FL 32177-2449
386-329-8800
Mental health: 386-329-8800

Gainesville Ninety-Eighth Street VA Clinic

3401 Northwest 98th Street
Gainesville, FL 32606-5010
352-376-1611 x137090

Kissimmee VA Clinic

701 Union Street
Kissimmee, FL 34741-5007
407-518-5004
Mental health: 407-518-5004

New Port Richey VA Clinic

7900 Little Road
New Port Richey, FL 34654-5405
877-741-3400
Mental health: 727-869-4100 x4350

Deer Park VA Clinic

5138 Deer Park Boulevard
Suites 101 and 102
New Port Richey, FL 34653-7027
727-372-1481

VA Vet Centers In Florida

Ocala Vet Center

3300 Southwest 34th Avenue
Suite 140
Ocala, FL 34474
352-237-1947

Clermont Vet Center

1655 East Highway 50
Suite 102
Clermont, FL 34711
352-536-6701

Gainesville Vet Center

105 NW 75th Street
Suite 2
Gainesville, FL 32607
352-331-1408

Orlando Vet Center

5575 South Semoran Boulevard
Suite 30
Orlando, FL 32822
407-857-2800

Pasco County Vet Center

5139 Deer Park Drive
New Port Richey, FL 34653
727-372-1854

Other Military Bases in the Continental United States

• Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona
• Luke Air Force Base, Arizona
• Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas
• Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
• Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia

Look up the BAH in your new duty location by searching for your zip code’s housing allowance using our BAH Calculator. You can also review our complete list of Military Bases by State.