Naval Air Station Fallon Base Guide
Naval Air Station Fallon is a remote assignment or “isolated duty” station for Navy members. Located in Churchill County, NAS Fallon is part of the Fallon, Nevada community and is nearly 70 miles from Reno. NAS Fallon employs some 5 thousand military and civilian workers.
Naval Air Station Fallon History
NAS Fallon’s origin story starts during World War Two; it was part of an ambitious project by the Civil Aviation Administration and the Army Air Corps began.
Part of something known at the time as the Western Defense Program, NAS Fallon was one of four airfields located in Nevada designed to help “repel an expected Japanese attack on the west coast.”
NAS Fallon served as a Navy training facility and briefly changed hands with another federal agency. Later, when the base was back in the hands of the Department of Defense, NAS Fallon was busy in the Vietnam era as a layover en route to the theater of operations.
The base was redesignated as Naval Air Station Fallon in 1972, operating one sole permanent Strike Fighter Squadron deactivated in the mid-90s.
But NAS Fallon became the home of the Navy’s famed Navy Fighter Weapons School, also known as TOPGUN. The Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center also began operations at NAS Fallon.
Today NAS Fallon’s mission is to support carrier air wings before they deploy; the base also supports training events such as joint military training and multinational military exercises.
Related: Active Duty Benefits Guide
NAS Fallon Surrounding Area
NAS Fallon is a considered remote duty assignment; the DoD advises that “limited local medical services available,” so it is crucial to do remote duty screenings and make plans for contingencies if medical services above and beyond what’s locally available are required.
NAS Fallon offers much for outdoors enthusiasts, but unlike other parts of the country, this outdoor fun is in a high desert climate. The desert has much to offer; Grimes Point is an archaeological site offering views of Native American rock art and petroglyphs.
Lake Lahontan and Lake Tahoe are good for boating, waterskiing, and fishing. Lake Tahoe is the better-known venue and gets more traffic than Lake Lahontan, which some may use as an alternative if Tahoe is too crowded that day.n
Frey Distillery in Fallon offers locally produced gin and vodka; this destination operates on very limited hours so you’ll want to plan ahead to visit.
There are plenty of other places to go in Fallon, including the Churchill County Museum, the Oats Park Art Center, and close to the base, the Stockman’s Casino and Top Gun Skate Center are waiting to be explored.
Related: VA Life Insurance Overview
NAS Fallon Mission and Units
The DoD describes NAS Fallon and the Fallon Range Training Complex as “integrated strike warfare training facilities” with a mission to support deployments and multinational operations.
Important missions and units here include:
- Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center
- Fighter Squadron Composite 13
- Fleet Readiness Center
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
- Fallon Range Training Complex
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
In-Processing and Check-In at NAS Fallon
If you are traveling to NAS Fallon on PCS orders, check in at the NAS Fallon Administration Office, Building 350, when you arrive. If your travel brings you here after regular duty hours, call the NAS Fallon Command Duty Officer at 775-426-8257.
All new arrivals should hand-carry the following for check-in and inprocessing:
- Orders with endorsements;
- Current address/phone number;
- Spouse next-of-kin name, address, and zip code.
- Completed Travel Voucher;
- Current address/phone number;
- Spouse’s next-of-kin name and contact information
NAS Fallon Child Care
NAS Fallon has one Child Development Center for children ages six weeks to five years old. High demand means waiting lists will apply for newcomers. Care options include the following:
- Full-time care for children ages 6 weeks to five years.
- Drop-in services may be available for all ages.
- Respite care may be available through Fleet and Family Services or Base Chaplain
School-Age Care is another option at NAS Fallon. It’s offered to children ages 5-12 (grades K-12). The program has before-school and after-school programs. School Age Care also includes winter break activities, spring break activities, and summer activities programs.
School-Age Care options are for active duty military and NAF Employees, DOD civilian personnel, and civilian contractors.
Related: Military Child Care Basics
Housing at NAS Fallon
NAS Fallon offers more than 200 family housing units; on-base housing is limited here, and waiting lists may apply. You must submit an on-base housing application package that includes copies of your orders, information about your reporting date, and other crucial information.
The DoD advises married or single parents and family members to consider saving up to “$5,000.00 in cash and/or travelers checks for start-up expenses, including rental and security deposits, utility deposits, and other initial costs.”
The expenses related to serving here are unique compared to other assignments due to the remote duty status of those who work here.
Related: Military Housing Allowances Calculator
PCS and TDY Lodging
Navy Gateway Inns & Suites provides temporary lodging at NAS Fallon. Space is limited; if you travel here on orders, it’s best to make reservations as far in advance as possible.
Space available lodging facilities may not be offered to those on orders or those traveling for leisure.
If you cannot get a room on the base, you must obtain a statement of non-availability from the lodging office, or your temporary lodging expenses may not be reimbursed when you file your travel voucher. Make reservations at the Navy Gateway Inn & Suites at 1-877-628-9233 or DSN 312-890-3199.
Transportation
It’s best to coordinate your arrival at NAS Fallon with your sponsor. The nearest airport is the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, more than 50 miles from the base. If you need to hire a taxi or rideshare, expect to pay $100 or more for transport to the base.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
Expect to register your privately owned vehicle before using it on NAS Fallon. You will need an unexpired license, proof of insurance, and your vehicle’s title. The DoD advises those PCSing to NAS Fallon that they may be required to register their vehicles and apply for an in-state license within a few months of relocating to NAS Fallon
Schools
There are no DoD schools on board NAS Fallon. Churchill County has only a single school district but features a handful of public schools. Oasis Academy is the public Charter option for grades K-12 in Fallon.
According to the DoD, “Students are enrolled based on space availability. Students will then be placed on the waitlist and chosen via lottery if there are spaces available with multiple persons on that grade waitlist.” Lyon County School District operates Dayton, Fernley, Silver Springs, and Yerington schools.
To register a child as a new student, you must provide proof of residency, age, and immunization records. Required immunizations include:
To register a child in one of these schools, parents will need to provide proof of residency, age, and provide immunization records. Required immunizations include:
- Diphtheria
- Hepatitis B
- Pertussis (children ages six and under)
- Measles
- Mumps(children ages six and under)
- Rubella
- Polio
- Tetanus
Nevada state law requires a child to be five years of age on or before December 2nd to start kindergarten.
To begin first grade, Nevada state law requires the child to be six years of age at the beginning of school. Contact the NAS Fallon School Liaison Officer at (775) 426-3333
Colleges and Universities
Two colleges are operating in the area; one on base and one in the community. Vincennes University offers classes onboard NAS Fallon. In the city of Fallon, Western Nevada College offers undergraduate programs and has an active Veteran Center.
Contacts
Naval Air Station Fallon
4755 Pasture Road
Fallon, NV 89496-5000
- 775-426-3333
- DSN 890-3333
Important Numbers at NAS Fallon
- Barracks/Single Service Member Housing – (775) 428-3003
- Casualty Assistance Officer – (775) 240-7014
- Hospital/Medical Treatment Facility – (775) 426-3100
- Law Enforcement – (775) 423-2111
- Emergency – 911
- Personnel Support Office – (775) 426-2647
- Base Operator – (775) 426-3000
- Suicide Prevention Hotline – (800) 273 8255
- Child Development Center – (775) 423-5808
- Child Development Homes – (775) 423-0220
- Customer Service Detachment – (775) 426-2808
- DEERS – (775) 426-2808
- Educational Services Office – (775) 426-2838
- Fleet and Family Support Center – (775) 426-3333
- Housing Gate – (775) 426-3989
- Main Gate – (775) 426-2469
- Housing, Lincoln Military – (775) 423-9569
- Housing Service Center – (775) 426-2809
- ID Cards – (775) 426-2808
- Legal Office – (775) 426-2711
- Naval Branch Health Clinic Fallon – (775) 426-3125
- Navy Gateway Inns & Suites – (775) 428-3003
- Navy Lodge – (775) 426-2818
- Pass and Decal – (775) 426-2399
- School Liaison – (775) 426-3333
- Transportation Office (Inbound) – (775) 426-2933
- Unaccompanied Housing – (775) 426-2788
- EFMP Enrollment, Naval Branch Health Clinic – (775) 426-3111
- Family Advocacy Coordinator – (775) 426-3333
- New Parent Support Program – (775) 426-3333
- Victim Advocate Services, Fleet and Family Support Services – (775) 426-3333
- Government Housing and Referral – (775) 426-2809
- Billeting Office/Gateway Inn & Suites – (775) 428-3003
- ID/CAC Card Processing/DEERS Enrollment – (775) 426-2808
Related: Ultimate Guide to GI Bill Benefits
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
