Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Guide
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is five miles from Goldsboro, North Carolina. This base hosts the 4th Fighter Wing, flying F-15E Strike Eagles. The base is in the southeast section of Goldsboro, N.C., in the middle of Wayne County, and supports more than 6 thousand active-duty troops. You can learn more about the base, the surrounding area, local schools, and housing below.
Seymour Johnson AFB Surrounding Area
Seymour Johnson AFB is closest to the town of Goldsboro for fun and recreation, especially golf. Those interested in golfing in the area should explore Three Eagles Golf Course, Walnut Creek Country Club, or the Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course.
Outside of golf there is plenty to enjoy off base. The adventurous will want to visit the Canoe at Cliffs of Neuse State Park or explore the ample trails while ATV riding at Busco Beach, swimming or even camping. A short drive away is Raleigh, a hub for the arts and home to museums such as the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
Inprocessing and Check-In
New arrivals should report to their gaining unit’s admin section during normal duty hours. In-processing happens at the Military Personnel Section each week.
That process takes about an hour if all documentation is ready, including AF Form 220, Basic Allowance for Subsistence form, and duty information. In addition to orders, bring any relevant identification, including a passport and documents that can facilitate the process, such as power of attorney, medical records, orders, etc.
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Commissary
The Seymour Johnson Air Force Base commissary is located at:
1310 Edwards Street
Goldsboro, NC 27531
984-294-3001
Seymour AFB Housing
Military housing at Seymour Johnson AFB is privatized and run in a public/private partnership with the base. All new arrivals have the option to rent or buy housing in the local community, but before signing any housing agreements, a visit to the HMO for guidance is required.
Wait lists may apply for on-base housing; call (919) 722-0362 to learn what current waiting list times may apply and how soon you can register.
Related: Basic Allowance for Housing Calculator
Seymour Johnson AFB PCS and TDY Lodging
Local temporary lodgings can be arranged at the sizable Southern Pines Inn, featuring five buildings and more than 160 rooms. Call (919) 722-0385 to make reservations considering the rooms are available first come, first serve, reservations should be made in advance when possible.
If there is no on-base temporary lodging available, obtain a certificate of non-availability from the Southern Pines Inn to arrange for off-base lodging expenses. Those who arrive at the base on TDY orders should check with their unit to see what additional procedures may be required for temporary lodging depending on the nature of the TDY.
Child Care
Seymour Johnson AFB has a Child Development Center which offers daycare for children of military personnel, ages six weeks to five years old. Levels of care include full-time hourly care up to 50 hours per week and limited, space-available hourly care.
- If coming to Seymour Johnson AFB on PCS orders, during house hunting and in-processing you may be eligible for seven days of child care for free or for a fee, but reservations are required.
- There is also a Family Child Care alternative on-base in private homes. FCC is regulated, monitored, and only employs approved caregivers.
- In general, FCC care is offered for children up to 12 years of age. Drop-in care is possible with reservations in advance depending on space.
Call (919) 722-7194 for more information on FCC care options.
Transportation
The usual transportation services and ride-sharing options may be available at both major airports closest to the base. The Seymour Johnson AFB official site says that for PCSing new arrivals, the servicemember’s sponsor should arrange transportation or make plans with new arrivals in advance.
- The nearest airport, Kinston Jetport, is in Kinston, N.C., 28 miles east of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
- The Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located about 70 miles west of the base, which is a far stretch for a taxi ride.
- Whichever the ground transportation choice, when arriving at the base, all military and dependents should have current, unexpired ID for entry and access to temporary lodging facilities.
- Due to the distance from the airport, taxi service may be expensive, so check ahead of time for bus availability or make arrangements for transportation through your sponsor.
Vehicle Registration At Seymour Johnson AFB
Privately owned vehicles are not required to register on base or get a base decal. However, all vehicles are subject to ID checks and searches.
All privately owned vehicles operating on base must carry the minimum required insurance and safety equipment. State registration requirements change, so ask your gaining unit what current North Carolina vehicle registration requirements are for military members before you arrive.
North Carolina State law requires you to have sufficient liability insurance and a valid driver’s license to operate a vehicle in conjunction with abiding by the following safety rules:
- Seatbelt use
- Child safety seats
- Motorcycle operation
- The use of cell phones while driving
Seatbelt use is required at all times. Children under eight years old or 80 pounds must have proper seating within the vehicle. Motorcycle drivers should use an approved DOT helmet and footwear that protects the ankles in addition to turning on their headlights during the day and night for safety purposes.
Schools
Wayne County Public Schools serves students living on and off base at Seymour Johnson AFB.
- As a district, Wayne County Public Schools has 13 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, and 9 high schools. It should be noted that Wayne Co Public Schools has many military resources and is a military-friendly Purple Star School District.
- Based on location, military families at Seymour Johnson AFB who choose to live on base will send their children to Meadow Lane Elementary School, Greenwood Middle School, and Eastern Wayne High School as appropriate.
- To register, make an appointment and bring proof of residence, an official birth certificate, and immunization records. Call the Seymour Johnson AFB School Liaison Office at (919) 722-5810 for help.
Seymour Johnson Education Services Office
The Watkins-Das Learning Center provides various education programs ranging from high school completion to master’s degrees. Central Michigan University, Embry Riddle University, Fayetteville State University, Mount Olive College, and Wayne Community College offer degree programs on base.
Wayne Community College is close to the base and offers many degrees and continuing education classes.
The University of Mount Olive: The University of Mount Olive has a campus on-site at Seymour Johnson AFB, making accessibility easy and convenient. Details on the Community College of the Air Force, commissioning programs, the GI Bill, and tuition assistance and guidance through the Base Education Services Office are available. Contact them at (919) 722-5800.
Related: Ultimate GI Bill Guide
Seymour Johnson AFB Contacts
Seymor Johnson AFB
1300 Vermont Garrison St. Building 3801
4 FSS/FSFR
Seymour Johnson AFB, NC 27531
- 919-722-1123
- 919-722-1124
- DSN 919-722-1123
Important Phone Numbers
- Commissary – (919) 722-0319
- Community Center – (919) 722-0334
- Customer Service – (919) 722-5126
- Customer Service (Supply) – (919) 722-5225
- Education Office – (919) 722-5800
- Family Support – (919) 722-1123
- Fire Department – (919) 722-4109
- Health and Wellness Center – (919) 722-0407
- Housing – (919) 722-0364
- Housing Maintenance – (919) 736-7021
- Life Skills (Mental Health) – (919) 722-1883
- Security Police – (919) 722-1211
Related: Ultimate Military Benefits Guide
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base History
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is five miles from Goldsboro, North Carolina. This Air Force base was named for a Navy test pilot who died in an air crash in 1941, Seymour Johnson, a Goldsboro native and naval aviator hero. The field was activated in June 1942 and deactivated in May 1946.
In 1943, the base began operating the Provisional Overseas Replacement Training Center, preparing troops for overseas deployment and establishing Army Air Corps training. Its importance did not go unnoticed.
That spurred the community leaders to rally behind the campaign to reactivate the base in 1956. Since then, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base became active as a tactical air command base and has been an active air combat command base since the Air Force’s reorganization in June 1992.
Today, the 4th Fighter Wing operates as the host at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, training pilots and crews on F-15E Strike Eagle operations.
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Mission & Units
Seymour Johnson AFB is home to the 4th Fighter Wing, F-15 Eagle aircrew members, and the 916th Air Refueling Wing. The 916th Air Refueling Wing conducts air-to-air refueling missions and aeromedical evacuations, transports, passengers, and cargo.
The base is served by almost 7,000 military and civilians. Seymour Johnson has the Air Force’s only F-15E Formal Training Units. Major units at Seymour Johnson AFB include:
- 4th Fighter Wing
- 4th Maintenance Group
- 4th Medical Group
- 4th Mission Support Group
- 4th Mission Support Group
- 4th Operations Group
- 916th Air Refueling Wing
About the author
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.
