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Beale Air Force Base Guide

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Kena Sosa & Michelle Nati

Located near Marysville, California, Beale Air Force Base supports American intelligence and reconnaissance operations. If you’re PCSing to Beale, you’ll find all the essential details you need for a successful move.

The installation dates back to 1942, when Beale opened as an Army infantry training ground known as Camp Beale. By 1948, the Air Force took over and turned Beale into a hub for spy planes and bombardier and navigator training. The Beale Bombing and Gunnery Range for aviation engineer training was reactivated in 1951.

Air Training Command, Air Combat Command, Aviation Engineer Force, Strategic Air Command, and Continental Air Command all operated the base at various points in its history.

In the 1960s, the base was home to the now-retired SR-71 Blackbird, and a decade later, the U-2 Dragonlady arrived to supplement its mission. Today, the U-2 Dragon Lady and Global Hawk drones are the stars of the show, with T-38 Talons and KC-135 tankers in support.

Beale Air Force Base Guide

    • Location: Yuba County, California
    • Zip Code: 95903
    • Branch: U.S. Air Force:
  • Main Mission/Notable units: High-altitude intel and global surveillance via U-2 Dragon Lady and Global Hawk drones / 9th Reconnaissance Wing
  • Main Operator: 530-634-3000
  • Population: ~ 700 active duty members, ~ 3700 family members, ~ 77 civilians, ~ 500 contractors, ~ 600 reservists and ~ 230 guardsmen
  • Official Website: Beale Air Force Base

Arriving at Beale Air Force Base Check-In & In-Processing

If you get to Beale during normal duty hours, head straight to your squadron’s Commander Support Staff (CSS). They’ll book your slot at the Recce Town Welcome Center, which is tucked inside the Community Center. This is where you’ll handle the one-on-one in-processing with the money folks, medical admin, and the readiness team. Your sponsor should accompany you.

If you happen to pull in after hours, your 24/7 go-to is the Gold Country Inn at 5786 A St. You’ll find it right between the dorms, and there are signs posted around base to help you find it.

Key Documents to Hand-Carry:

  • PCS Orders
  • Travel Receipts
  • School Records
  • Household Goods Inventory
  • Personal Records

Newcomer’s Briefing

All inbound personnel are typically required to attend a mandatory Newcomer’s Briefing or orientation, also known as Wing Right Start. Your CSS will get you signed up.. If the mission allows, have your sponsor go with you and bring your spouse or family along so they can also get the lay of the land.

Beale Air Force Base Housing & Lodging

On-Base Housing

Housing on Beale Air Force is privatized and managed by Balfour Beatty Communities. On-base living consists of single-family homes and townhomes across several distinct neighborhoods. It is critical to contact the Military Housing Office (MHO) as soon as you receive your orders to get on the waitlist.

  • Military Housing Office (MHO): 530-634-2731
  • Privatized Housing Partner: Beale AFB Homes / 530-788-9500

Off-Base Housing: Best Neighborhoods & Cities

Many service members and families live in the surrounding communities.

  • Marysville: Located about 10 miles west of the base, Marysville offers the shortest commute. This area is a main hub for local shopping, dining, and rentals, making it a practical choice if you want to stay close to the Beale line without living on the installation.
  • Wheatland: If you’re looking for a small-town vibe, Wheatland is about 15 miles from base. Most families here are either military or work in agriculture, and it’s home to the local high school attended by many on-base students.
  • Lincoln: For those who don’t mind a longer drive in exchange for more suburban amenities and highly-rated schools, Lincoln is a popular choice. Located about 21 minutes south of Beale, it offers a wider variety of modern housing and big-box shopping.

Temporary Lodging (TLF) & On-Base Inn

The on-base inn is the Gold Country Inn. Reservations should be made as far in advance as possible, especially during peak PCS season. Pet-friendly units are limited; be sure to request one if needed.

  • Reservations: 530-634-2953

Beale Air Force Base BAH, Cost of Living, and Allowances

Your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is based on your rank, dependent status, and the base’s zip code. The cost of living in Yuba County, California, is higher than the national average.

-> See the 2026 BAH Rates for Beale Air Force Base, 95903 [bah_calculator_V2]

Schools & Child Care Near Beale Air Force Base

Local School Districts

Beale has an on-base elementary option, Lone Tree School, which covers Kindergarten through 5th grade. There’s also the Wheatland Charter Academy on the same campus, which offers a Montessori-blend style for K–5. Both are non-DoDEA schools. Your primary school district is the Wheatland Independent School District.

If you live further out, Marysville Joint Unified, the Plumas Lake Elementary School District, or Western Placer Unified are also options.

The School Liaison Office (SLO) is your primary resource for all questions regarding school registration, transfers, and local education options.

  • School Liaison Office: 530-634-3539

Child Development Centers (CDC)

Beale Air Force Base offers one Child Development Center (CDC) for full-day and hourly care, serving children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. All registration is managed through the central MilitaryChildCare.com website. Family Child Care (FCC) homes are also available.

Beale Air Force Base Directory

  • Base Operator: 530-634-3000
  • Housing Office (MHO): 530-634-2731
  • Privatized Housing: 530-788-9500
  • Temporary Lodging (Inn): 530-634-2953
  • In-Processing/Welcome Center: 530-634-2953
  • School Liaison Office:530-634-3539
  • CDC Registration: MilitaryChildCare.com
  • Medical Clinic / TRICARE: 530-634-2941
  • Public Affairs Office: 530-634-8887

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Beale Air Force Base

What is Beale Air Force Base famous for?

Beale is known as the home of the Air Force’s spy planes. It famously hosted the supersonic SR-71 Blackbird and currently operates the U-2 Dragon Lady and Global Hawk drone fleet for high-altitude reconnaissance.

What is the zip code for Beale Air Force Base?

The main zip code for the base and on-base housing is 95903.

Can civilians visit Beale Air Force Base?

Yes, but they need a sponsor with a DoD ID and a REAL ID or passport to get a pass at the Visitor Control Center, located at the Schneider Gate.

What is the closest major airport to Beale Air Force Base?

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is the closest major hub, located about 45 miles (roughly an hour’s drive) south of the base.

Related: Ultimate Military Benefits Guide

Beale Air Force Base History

What we know today as Beale Air Force Base started as Camp Beale, which opened in October 1942, as an Army training site for infantry and armored divisions.

Post-war, Camp Beale was transferred to the newly-founded United States Air Force, and Air Force bomber and navigator training operations began in earnest. In 1951, the Beale Bombing and Gunnery Range became an important aspect of the training operations there.

In 1948, the camp was transferred from the Army to the Air Force. The Air Force conducted bombardier and navigator training at Beale and, in 1951, reactivated the Beale Bombing and Gunnery Range for aviation engineer training.

The base has operated under the jurisdiction of multiple major commands, including Air Training Command, Continental Air Command, Aviation Engineer Force, Strategic Air Command, and Air Combat Command.

The 1960s saw Beal become home to the supersonic SR-71 spy plane, with another aircraft, the U-2 Dragon Lady, arriving to supplement the mission in the mid-1970s.

The SR-71 was retired in the 1990s, but the U2 and an unmanned drone program called Global Hawk continued the aerial surveillance mission there. Today, the U2 still flies missions and receives support from Beale AFB, in addition to missions flown by T-38 Talons and KC-135 tankers.

Related: Financial Planning for Military and Veterans

Mission and Units

The Beale AFB mission is focused on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. It’s also about delivering “combat power in support of national objectives” through a “total force partnership” among active-duty military, Reservists, and National Guard units.

Beale AFB is home to “the nation’s only fleet of Dragonlady U-2 aircraft, and employs more than 3300 active duty members. The base supports 5000 family members, over 1000 civilians, 3000 contractors, plus a regular contingent of Guard and Reserve members.

Major units and missions at Beale AFB have included, but are not limited to:

  • 12th Reconnaissance Squadron
  • 13th Intelligence Squadron
  • 1st Reconnaissance Squadron
  • 306th Intelligence Squadron
  • 427th Reconnaissance Squadron
  • 489th Reconnaissance Squadron
  • 48th Intelligence Squadron
  • 548th Intelligence Group
  • 548th Operations Support Squadron
  • 7th Space Warning Squadron
  • 940 Wing
  • 99th Reconnaissance Squadron
  • 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
  • 9th Civil Engineering Squadron
  • 9th Communications Squadron
  • 9th Force Support Squadron
  • 9th Intelligence Squadron
  • 9th Logistics Readiness Squadron
  • 9th Maintenance Group
  • 9th Maintenance Operations Squadron
  • 9th Maintenance Squadron
  • 9th Medical Group
  • 9th Mission Support Group
  • 9th Munitions Squadron
  • 9th Physiological Support Squadron
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing
  • 9th Security Forces Squadron

California Military Bases

The State of California provides a large number of veteran benefit programs. The state also provides veteran service officers across a wide range of California counties; these officers can help you file claims for VA benefits, compensation, and housing.  You can also look up veteran benefits in the State of California.

Air Force Bases in California 

Did you know? The State of California offers military family members a benefit known as the California College Fee Waivers Program for Veterans’ Dependents. It waives tuition and mandatory fees for classes at any California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus. The payment is limited to tuition and fees and does not cover books or lodging.

Defense Logistics Agency Centers in California

Space Force Bases in California

Army Bases in California

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.

Marine Corps Bases in California

Navy Bases in California

Reserve and National Guard Bases in California

Did you know? The State of California has been helping veterans and families obtain affordable home loans for 100 years. CalVets offers 30-year fixed-rate mortgages for veterans and their families through a network of participating lenders. This California state government program is just one of the many options for veterans who live in Orange County or anywhere else in the state.

Department of Veterans Affairs Locations In California

The Department of Veterans Affairs facility locator on the VA official site does NOT list all VA facilities in the state at press time. What follows is the VA’s current list of facilities based on the locator found on the VA official site:

VA Clinics In California

Oakhurst VA Clinic

40597 Westlake Drive
Oakhurst, CA 93644-9024
559-683-5300
Mental health: 559-683-5300

Fresno VA Medical Center

2615 East Clinton Avenue
Fresno, CA 93703-2223
559-225-6100
Mental health: 559-228-5336

VA Benefits Centers

VA Regional Benefit Satellite Office at Fresno

855 M. Street
Suites 150 and 155
Fresno, CA 93721
559-443-1491

Pre-Discharge Site at Naval Airstation Lemoore

937 W Franklin Ave
Lemoore, CA 93246
800-827-1000

VA Cemeteries

Big Sandy Rancheria Veterans Cemetery

37387 Auberry Mission Rd.
Auberry, CA 93602
559-374-0066

VA Vet Centers

Fresno Vet Center

1320 East Shaw Avenue
Suite 125
Fresno, CA 93710
559-487-5660

Other Military Bases in the Continental United States:

Please review our complete list of Military Bases by State.

 

About the author

Kena Sosa

Website

Kena Sosa is an award-winning author, filmmaker and percussionist. She
earned her BA from OLLU and her MBEGT from SMU. She published two
award-winning children’s books. Kena has written for CBS/DFW Local and
Multicultural Review Magazine. She was the Guest Editor for the Fall/Winter
2023 ChildArt Magazine issue. Kena has written for Recon Media since 2023.

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