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Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Guide

Kena Sosa & Michelle Nati

Located in Tucson, Arizona, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base has a history dating back more than 100 years. It started out as the Tucson Municipal Airport, the first municipally owned airfield in the U.S. During World War II, the base became a training ground for heavy bomber crews, specifically those flying the B-24 Liberator and B-29 Superfortress.

After the war, Tucson’s dry, alkaline soil and low humidity made it possible to store aircraft at DM AFB without them rusting away. This led to the creation of the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) (aka, “the Boneyard”), the largest aircraft storage and preservation facility in the world.

Over the years, DM has hosted everything from U-2 spy planes during the Cold War to its most famous current resident, the A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog). Today, the 355th Wing acts as the host unit, focusing on close air support and combat search and rescue. If you’re PCS-ing to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, you’ll find everything you need to get started in this military base guide.

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

• • Location: Tuscon, Arizona
  • Zip Code: 85707
  • Branch: U.S. Air Force

• Main Mission / Notable units: Aircraft storage / 355th Wing (host unit)
• Main Operator: 520-228-1110
• Population:  ~46,000 total population, ~11,000 total force Airmen, ~5,800 dependents, ~29,000 retirees
• Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

Tucson, Arizona, is the second-largest city in the state, with more than half a million residents as of the 2020 U.S. Census.

• There are “incorporated suburbs” in the Tucson area, including Oro Valley and Marana.
• The state features many amazing outdoor adventure opportunities like the Sonoran Desert, Tucson Botanical Garden, Colossal Cave Mountain Park, and Kartchner Caverns State Park.
• There is extensive historic preservation here: the Hotel Congress was built in 1919, the Art Deco Fox Theatre in 1929, and the historic Pima County Courthouse in 1928.
• There is a lot of early and mid-20th-century Americana on display here.
• Kitt Peak National Observatory and the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory are very popular among visitors and locals alike.
• You’ll discover Spanish and Tohono O’odham cultures at the Mission San Xavier del Bac, and you can see hundreds of aircraft on display at the Pima Air & Space Museum.

Davis-Monthan 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 Tucson, Arizona is lower than the national average.

-> See the 2026 BAH Rates for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, 85708

Arriving at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base: Check-In & In-Processing

If you arrive at the base during normal duty hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), go straight to your unit to check in. Your unit’s Commander’s Support Staff (CSS) will get you scheduled for an appointment at the Davis-Monthan Welcome Center (DMWC), located on the first floor of Building 3200.

This appointment typically takes place within 72 business hours of your arrival and serves as a one-stop shop to handle Finance, TMO, and Medical.  This process is mandatory for all active-duty personnel under the 355 WG and those assigned to tenant units.

If your squadron doesn’t have a CSS, the Military Personnel Flight (MPF) customer service section handles the scheduling, usually working through your unit secretary or Program Coordinator. It’s highly recommended to bring your spouse and children along, as the center is set up to accommodate families.

Newcomer’s Briefing

All Airmen must attend Right Start Orientation held at the Landing Community Center for  briefings from the Wing Commander and Command Chief, along with updates from departments like Public Affairs, Equal Opportunity, Wing Safety, and Public Health. You will also receive briefings from Legal, the Chapel, the Office of Special Investigations (OSI), and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) team.

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Housing & Lodging

On-Base Housing

Housing on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is privatized and managed by Soaring Heights Communities. On-base living consists of single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes across several distinct neighborhoods.

• Military Housing Office (MHO): 520-745-5024
• Privatized Housing Partner: Soaring Heights Communities | 888-226-8601

Off-Base Housing: Best Neighborhoods & Cities

Many service members and families live in the surrounding communities.

• Rita Ranch: Located just southeast of the base, this area offers the shortest commute (about 13 miles) and a wide variety of newer single-family homes.
• Vail: A popular choice for those seeking a more suburban, quiet feel with mountain views, located approximately 25 miles from the base.
• Oro Valley: Known for its upscale neighborhoods and incredible hiking trails near the Catalina Mountains, this area is also about a 25-mile commute.

Temporary Lodging (TLF) & On-Base Inn

The on-base inn is the Inn at Davis-Monthan. 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: 520-228-3309

Schools & Child Care Near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

On-Base Schools

Borman Elementary (K-5) is located on base and is part of the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD), alongside the Sonoran Science Academy (6-12).

Local School Districts

There are a number of TUSD schools off-base. Palo Verde High School and Roberts Naylor K-8 are the designated neighborhood schools that serve the DM community. Families at Davis-Monthan use a mix of public, private, charter, and homeschooling throughout the Tucson area. Since Arizona is an open-enrollment state, you have the flexibility to apply to any school you want, provided they have the space, even if it’s outside the immediate base neighborhood.

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

• School Liaison Office: 520-228-6040

Child Development Centers (CDC)

[Base Name] offers several Child Development Centers (CDCs) for full-day, part-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.

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Contacts

• Base Operator: 520-228-1110
• Housing Office (MHO): 520-745-5024
• Privatized Housing: 888-226-8601
• Temporary Lodging (Inn): 520-228-3309
• In-Processing/Welcome Center: 520-228-0135
• School Liaison Office:  520-228-6040
• CDC Registration: MilitaryChildCare.com
• Medical Clinic / TRICARE: 520-228-2778 / 520-228-2919
• Public Affairs Office: 520-228-3406

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

What is Davis-Monthan Air Force Base famous for?

Davis-Monthan is famous for its “Boneyard” (AMARG), the planet’s largest military aircraft storage facility. It is also the primary training and operational hub for the A-10 Thunderbolt II (aka, the Warthog).

What is the zip code for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base?

The main zip code for the base is 85707; however, 85708 covers parts of the base.

Can civilians visit Davis-Monthan Air Force Base?

Yes, civilians can visit, but guests must be sponsored by someone with a DoD ID card, and the process must be done in person at the Craycroft Visitor Control Center. All visitors 18 and older need a REAL ID-compliant license or passport and must pass a background check. If they are driving, they’ll also need to provide a physical copy of their vehicle registration and proof of insurance.

What is the closest major airport to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base?

The closest major airport is Tucson International Airport (TUS), located approximately 7 to 9 miles away in Tucson, Arizona.

Related: VA Life Insurance Overview

Colleges and Universities

If you are interested in taking classes on base, you have multiple options. At press time these are the current schools offering classes on the installation but check with the base Education office or Installation Education Center to learn what may be available when you apply.

• Pima Community College (PCC) offers traditional semesters featuring daytime and nighttime options, plus the ability to take accelerated classes. This college has six campuses to choose from as well as on-base. PCC’s on-base office also offers Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) testing by appointment.
• Park University also has a campus at Davis-Monthan, offering three associate degrees and ten bachelor’s degrees.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is said to be the “only accredited, aviation-oriented university in the world” according to the DoD. Embry-Riddle has traditional residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona but also in Tucson, Arizona. They offer accelerated classes and offer credit for military experience and training.

Related: Military Tuition Assistance Guide

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base History

Davis-Monthan AFB is named after two people who died in aviation-related accidents: 1st Lieutenant Samuel H. Davis was killed on December 22, 1921, and 2nd Lieutenant Oscar Monthan was killed on March 27, 1924.

The installation we know today as Davis-Monthan Air Force Base opened in 1924 with none other than Charles Lindbergh leading the opening ceremonies. When it was known as Army Air Base, Tucson, Arizona, the base trained B-17 and B-24 crews, with the addition of the B-29 Superfortress training program in 1944.

The 355th Fighter Group flew its first combat mission during World War Two in the skies over Belgium and later served as escorts for night-time bombing raids on Berlin. In 1947 the Air Force became a separate branch of service; many former Army Air Force operations were rebranded as Air Force missions.

The base was redesignated Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and since then, Davis-Monthan has been a part of nearly every major Air Force mission, including Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Noble Eagle.

Related: DoD Priority Placement Program for Military Spouses

Air Force Bases in Arizona

• Luke AFB

Army Bases In Arizona

• Fort Huachuca
• USAREC, Phoenix Battalion
• Yuma Proving Ground

Marine Corps Bases in Arizona

• Marine Corps Air Station Yuma

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.

Did you know? The State of Arizona offers tuition assistance to veterans and dependents of those wounded or killed in the line of duty. According to the Arizona Department of Veteran Services, “Veterans and surviving dependents eligible for the Tuition Waiver scholarship have tuition expenses waived for credits needed to obtain an undergraduate degree in any course of study.”

Learn more about Arizona veteran benefits

VA Facilities in Arizona

Are you a veteran or retiree looking for VA facilities in the State of Arizona? The following list includes addresses and contact numbers for VA healthcare clinics, vet centers, and VA National Cemeteries in the state.

VA Health Clinics In Arizona

Payson VA Clinic

903 East Highway 260
Suite 2
Payson, AZ 85541-4972
928-363-1081

Anthem VA Clinic

41810 North Venture Drive
Building B
Anthem, AZ 85086-3169
623-249-2300
Mental health: 928-776-6071

Cottonwood VA Clinic

501 South Willard Street
Cottonwood, AZ 86326-8120
928-649-1532
Mental health: 928-776-6071

Northeast Phoenix VA Clinic

11390 East Via Linda Road
Suite 105
Scottsdale, AZ 85259-4075
480-579-2200
Mental health: 480-579-2205

Thunderbird VA Clinic

9424 North 25th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85021-2714
602-633-6900
Mental health: 602-633-6900

Carl T. Hayden Veterans’ Administration Medical Center

650 East Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012-1839
602-277-5551
Mental health: 602-222-2752 x2752

Phoenix Midtown VA Clinic

5040 North 15th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85015-3328
602-234-7080

Phoenix VA Clinic

1500 East Thomas Road
Community Resource & Referral Center (CRRC)
Suite 106
Phoenix, AZ 85014-5748
602-248-6040

VA Benefits Sites in Arizona

VetSuccess on Campus at Arizona State University

301 E. Orange St
Memorial Student Union, Lower Level, Room 75
Tempe, AZ 85287
480-727-5627

Phoenix VA Regional Benefit Office

3333 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85012
800-827-1000

Pre-Discharge Site, Luke Air Force Base

7282 N 137th Avenue
Luke Air Force Base, 56 MSS/DFB Building 1113
AZ 85309
800-827-1212

VA Vet Centers in Arizona

Phoenix Vet Center

4020 North 20th Street
Suite 110
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-640-2981

VA National Cemeteries in Arizona

National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona

23029 N Cave Creek Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85024
480-513-3600

Other Military Bases in the Continental United States:

• Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas
• Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
• Los Angeles Air Force Base, California
• Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California
• MacDill Air Force Base, Florida

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.