The complete Tyndall Air Force Base guide
(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody R. Miller/Released)
SUMMARY
Are you ready for sun and fun? If you’re heading to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, then you’re in for a treat! Tyndall AFB is located southeast of Panama City and is surrounded by water in all directions. The base has been around since 1941, when it was used as a gunnery range. It was named for Florida native Lt. Frank Tyndall, a WWI veteran and Silver Star recipient. Plenty of famous people have cycled through Tyndall, including Hollywood actor Clark Gable.
Read on to find out just what to expect when you call Tyndall AFB home.
Tyndall Air Force Base Location
Tyndall Air Force Base is located in Bay County, 12 miles east of Panama City, on the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida Panhandle.
Directions
Tyndall Air Force Base can be reached by car only from US Highway 98.
You can get to HWY-98 using the following routes.
Heading in from the north? Take US-231S to HWY-98
Making the trek from the east? Take I-10W to FL-12W, then take FL-20W to FL-22W to HWY-98
Coming from the west? Take I-10E to US-331S to HWY-98
Transportation
Flying to the closest airports: Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (34.4 miles) - The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is served by 4 major airlines to and from multiple locations.
Driving: Driving would allow you to visit Panama City and other nearby beaches. Tyndall AFB is along the Gulf of Mexico, so prepare for a long drive!
Contacts at Tyndall Air Force Base
Airman & Family Readiness Center: (850) 283-4204
Base Exchange: (850) 286-5826
Base Information: (850) 283-4204
Chaplain: (850) 283-3397
Civilian Personnel Office:
Command Post: (850) 283-2155
Commissary: (850) 283-4825
Equal Opportunity Office: (850) 283-4319
Housing Office: (850) 283-2737
Inspector General: (850) 283-3242
Legal Assistance: (850) 283-4681
Lodging Reservations: (850) 283-4211
Medical and Dental: (850) 283-2778
Military Personnel Flight Customer Service: (850) 283-2276
Outdoor Recreation: (850) 283-2255
Public Affairs Office: (850) 283-3333
Safety Office: (850) 283-3200
Welcome Center: (850) 283-9927
Mission and Units
Develop resourceful and resilient Airmen trained to project unrivaled combat airpower on behalf of the United States of America.
Tyndall Air Force Base is home to the 325th Fighter Wing, whose primary mission is to develop resourceful and resilient Airmen trained to project unrivaled combat air power on behalf of the United States of America. Also at Tyndall is the 325th Operations Group, the 325th Maintenance Group, the 325th Medical Group, and the 325th Mission Support Group.
Tyndall AFB has multiple tenant units, including the 1st Air Force (AFNORTH), the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, the 44th Fighter Group, the 823rd RED HORSE/Detachment 1, the Airey NCO Academy, the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, and the 337th Air Control Squadron.
In 2018, Tyndall Air Force Base sustained a direct hit from Hurricane Michael. Construction is underway to rebuild the base and shape it into the Air Force’s first 21st Century “Installation of the Future.” Tyndall is on the road to becoming fully operational and plans to welcome F-35 Lightning II aircraft beginning September 2023.
Tyndall AFB History
Construction began on Tyndall Field in April 1941, and on December 7, 1941, the first of 2,000 troops arrived to begin preparing for the first aerial gunnery class.
In 1991, as the base entered its 50th year, Tyndall underwent reorganization and the 325th Fighter Wing (FW) became the installation host.
Tyndall AFB was selected as the center for training the Air Force's newest F-22 Raptor and received its first aircraft in 2004. Then in July 2010, the Air Force announced that Tyndall would receive a combat-coded, operational F-22 squadron by Spring 2013, which would be designated the 8th Fighter Squadron.
In 2018, Tyndall AFB was one of many communities in northwest Florida that experienced a devastating hurricane. Recovery has been slow in the region, but the DoD is committed to not giving up.
On Oct. 1, 2012, the 325th Fighter Wing transitioned to Air Combat Command and the Ninth Air Force. The wing remains committed to its goal to "Train and Project Unrivaled Combat Power."
Things to Do Around Tyndall AFB
Hotels
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Panama City-Tyndall (5.8 miles)
Comfort Suites Panama City near Tyndall AFB (5.5 miles)
Days Inn by Wyndham Panama City/Callaway (6.7 miles)
Restaurants
Royal Thai Cuisine (2.9 miles) - Thai
Rodeo’s Steak Pit & Seafood (3.8 miles) - Surf’n Turf
Pizzaria Napoli (2.8 miles) - Pizza + Pasta
Activities
Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum (19.1 miles) is a museum full of oddities and bizarre random facts, both true and illusions. It’s a great day trip for you and your family!
Coconut Creek Family Fun Park (19 miles) is an amusement park with two mini-golf courses and a huge maze to take on with your family.
ZooWorld Zoological and Botanical Conservatory (18.2 miles) has exotic animals you can spend time with, like a lemur you can pet and alligators you can feed.
Tyndall Air Force Base Housing
There are several housing options available for service members stationed at Tyndall AFB. These include living on the installation, using privatized housing, or renting on the local economy.
Contact the Military Housing Office as soon as you receive orders to find out about current wait times and what might be available for you when you PCS. When you in-process at Tyndall Air Force Base, you’ll need to visit the MHO to receive counseling and guidance on obtaining housing.
Unaccompanied housing is offered for unaccompanied Airmen in the ranks of E-1 to E-3 and E-4 with less than three years of service. Each airman is provided a private sleeping room, furnishings, bed linens and supplies required for comfortable living. Unaccompanied Airmen in the rank of E-4 with greater than three years of service and above can live in the local community.
Privatized Tyndall Air Force Base Housing is managed by Balfour Beatty. This private company owns and operates five distinct neighborhoods on and near the base. Some neighborhoods are for enlisted service members only; others are for officers only. When you call a Balfour Beatty residence home, you’ll enjoy open floor plans, fenced-in backyards and other perks!
Schools Near Tyndall Air Force Base
Bay District Schools are available to milkids who call Tyndall AFB home. There are several schools in this district, including 18 elementary schools, six middle schools, and five high schools. Bay District services nearly 30,000 students annually. Contact the School Liaison Officer on base for more information, including registration requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tyndall AFB have a beach?
Yes! The Beacon Beach Nature Trail is right on base with a gorgeous walk on a white sand beach. There are also multiple beaches nearby, including Crooked Island Beach, which is just 14 miles away.
What planes fly out of Tyndall AFB?
Tyndall AFB houses F-22 Raptors.
How far is Tyndall AFB from Panama City Beach?
Tyndall AFB is 19.4 miles from Panama City Beach (about 30 minutes).
Can single airmen live off base?
On-base housing is provided for Unaccompanied Airmen in the ranks of E-1 to E-3 and E-4 with less than three years of service. Unaccompanied Airmen with the rank of E-4 with three years of service or more will move into housing in the local community.
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