The complete Travis Air Force Base guide

Jessica Evans
Updated onDec 12, 2022 11:29 PM PST
6 minute read
Aircraft at Travis Air Force Base

(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Karla Parra)

SUMMARY

Count yourself lucky if you’re heading to Travis AFB! Located in sunny California, this fantastic AF base is located about three…

Count yourself lucky if you’re heading to Travis AFB! Located in sunny California, this fantastic AF base is located about three miles from the central business district of Fairfield, California. Known as the "Gateway to the Pacific," not only are great California destinations within reach, but you'll also get access to a Space-A terminal. Hello flights to Hawaii! In fact, Travis AFB handles more cargo in its airport than any other CONUS military air terminal. More than 7,200 Airmen call the bae home and over 4,200 Reserve personnel are stationed there, too!

Even more exciting, you'll find a vibrant and dynamic military community outside the base gates. That's because plenty of retirees have chosen to make Fairfield, California their permanent home. So you won't need to worry about finding your people, exploring the surrounding area, or making Travis AFB CA feel like home.

Travis Air Force Base Location

Travis Air Force Base is located in Northern California, 3 miles east of Fairfield and about halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento (about 60 miles northeast of San Francisco and 43 miles southwest of Sacramento).

Crowds of people showed up to watch jaw-dropping aerial displays, inspect military aircraft up close, talk with various members of Team Travis to learn about life in the U.S. Air Force, listen to the Air Mobility Band of the Golden West and spend time with friends and family at Travis AFB during the Thunder Over Solano Air Show, 3-4 May 2014. The air show showcased demonstrations from the U.S. Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Golden Knights. (Released - U.S. Air Force Photograph/Heide Couch)

Directions: 

Heading in from the cold? Take I-5 S to I-505 which will intersect with I-80 in Vacaville, just north of Travis.

Driving from Southern California? Take 1-5 N to I-680 N to I-80 E, then take the Air Base Parkway and follow the signs for Travis AFB.

Making the trek from the east? Take I-80 W to the Air Base Parkway, then follow signs for Travis AFB

Coming from San Francisco? Take I-80 E to the Air Base Parkway, then follow signs for Travis AFB.

Transportation: 

Flying to the closest airports: Sacramento International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Oakland International Airport, Stockton Metropolitan Airport

Stockton Metropolitan Airport (70.7 miles): served solely by Allegiant Airlines and has two routes - to and from Las Vegas, NV, and Phoenix, AZ. 

Oakland International Airport (61 miles): served by all major airlines with destinations all over the country and internationally.

Sacramento International Airport (47.2 miles): closest international airport, served by all major airlines with destinations all over the country and internationally. 

San Francisco International Airport (64 miles): served by all major airlines with destinations all over the country and internationally. 

Driving: Driving means you’ll have a car to take day trips to San Francisco, Sacramento, and the surrounding areas. If you’re driving across the country, prepare for a long ride. 

A KC-10 Extender is photographed at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., May 7, 2015. The KC-10 plays a key role in the mobilization of U.S. military assets, taking part in overseas operations far from home. These aircraft performed airlift and aerial refueling during the 1986 bombing of Libya (Operation Eldorado Canyon), the 1990-91 Gulf War with Iraq (Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm), the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia (Operation Allied Force), War in Afghanistan (Operations Enduring Freedom), and Iraq War (Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn). The KC-10 is expected to serve until 2043. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Heide Couch/Released)

Contacts at Travis AFB

Air Quality Program Manager: (707) 424-5103

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment: (707) 423-2348

Arthur J. Sachsel Dental Clinic: (707) 423-7000

Base Operator: (707) 424-1110

Chaplain (After Hours) Command Post: (707) 424-5517

Chaplain (Duty Hours): (707) 424-3217

Civilian Personnel Office: (707) 424-3067

Commander Action Line: (707) 424-3333

David Grant USAF Medical Center Medical Appointments: (707) 423-3000

Equal Opportunity Office: (707) 424-1697

Health Promotion Clinic: (707) 423-5080

Housing Office: (707) 437-4571

Information, Tickets, Travel: (707) 424-5659

Inspector General: (707) 424-2224

Legal Assistance: (707) 424-3251

Lodging Reservations: (707) 424-8000

Mental Health Clinic: (707) 423-5174

Military Family Life Counselors: 424-395-9624, 510-480-8993

Noise Complaints: (707) 424-2011

Outdoor Recreation: (707) 424-0969

Public Affairs Office: (707) 424-2011

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office: (707) 424-1098; 24/7 Helpline (707) 424-7272

Space Available Information: (707) 424-1854

Tours and other Community Support: (707) 424-2011

Travis Air Museum: (707) 424-5605

Victim Advocate On-Call: (707) 232-5109 

Mission and Units 

U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Joseph Palke, left, and Christopher Tyrrell, both 60th Maintenance Squadron wheel and tire team members, prepare to dissemble wheel bearings at the wheel and tire shop at Travis Air Force Base, California, July 14, 2022. The 60th MXS wheel and tire shop conducts wheel and tire maintenance services and inspections for the C-17 Globemaster III and C-5M Super Galaxy. The 60th MXS also supplies completed wheel assemblies for the Pacific Air Forces region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch)

Travis AFB’s mission is simple. Their goal is to rapidly project American power anytime, anywhere. That’s pretty bad-ass as far as a mission statement goes. Speaking of missions, here’s how powerful mission names are selected. 

There are three major units at Travis Air Force Base, as well as multiple partner organizations. Travis AFB is also home to the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, which is the only active Air Force Band west of the Rockies. 

The host unit at Travis AFB, the 60th Air Mobility Wing is the largest air mobility organization in terms of personnel in the Air Force. Uniquely, it has a versatile all-jet fleet of C-5M Super Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft and KC-10 Extender refueling aircraft. Additionally, the 60th AMW is responsible for strategic airlift and air refueling missions circling the globe. 

The 349th AMW is the largest associate wing in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. It is now the only Air Force Reserve unit that flies three major weapons systems--and has an aeromedical mission.

A Joint Commission-accredited teaching hospital, David Grant USAF Medical Center is the Air Force Medical Service's flagship medical treatment facility in the United States, providing a full spectrum of healthcare and patient-centered treatment to a prime service area population of more than 130,000 TRICARE eligible patients.

Travis AFB History

Travis Air Force Base welcome card from 1972. (Wikipedia)

The year 1942 saw the initial building phase of the Travis Air Force, which was originally named Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base and was once the practice runway for aircraft takeoffs and landings. During WWII, the base was major support for the Pacific War Zone, and has continued to be a key logistics hub, passenger terminal, medical center, and strategic airlift facility.

Then, in 1951, the base was officially named after Brigadier General Robert F. Travis, who was unfortunately killed during a military plane crash along with 10 other crew members.

The installation is always quick to help with humanitarian missions, too. In fact, its known for its assistance. Travis deployed personnel to provide assistance after both Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, spearheaded the U.S. humanitarian response to the massive Haitian earthquake in 2010., and supported FEMA during their response to Hurricane Sandy.

Things to Do Around Travis AFB

Hotels

Hilton Garden Inn Fairfield (7.5 miles)

Hampton Inn and Suites Suisun City Waterfront (6.9 miles)

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Suisun City (7.0 miles)

Restaurants

There are lots of restaurants on base! Here are a few that are off base also.

Trattoria Martone (4.4 miles): Italian

Texas Roadhouse (6.3 miles): Texas-themed steak house

Hot Stone Korean Kitchen (5.4 miles): Korean

Travis Air Force Base celebrates the arrival of its first C-17, the "Spirit of Solano." It's the first of 13 C-17s that Travis AFB will recieve, adding its tactical capabilities to Travis' mission - the strategic airlift of the C-5 and the aerial refueling of the KC-10. (Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matt McGovern)

Activities

Travis Air Force Base Air Show can't be missed! This annual event is one of the largest aviation events on the West Coast. The air show includes everything from World War II-era fighters and bombers to the Air Force’s current inventory of fighters, bombers, and transports, and features aerial demonstrations by the Air Force Thunderbirds.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area (55.3 miles): Take a day trip out to Golden Gate Park, where you can go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic, or learn about the history of California’s indigenous cultures, Spanish colonialism, the Mexican Republic, US military expansion, and the growth of San Francisco.

Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco (53.3 miles): Heading into San Francisco is the perfect day trip! Consider spending the day along Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can experience shopping, great restaurants, and even visit the Maritime National Historic Park.

Travis Air Force Base Housing

There are several housing options available for service members stationed at Travis 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 Travis 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 3 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 3 years of service and above can live in the local community.

Privatized Travis Air Force Base Housing is managed by Balfour Beatty. This private company owns and operates seven neighborhoods on and near the base. Some neighborhoods are also open to other residents, including DoD personnel. Open floor plans, fenced-in backyards, and other perks wait for you in a Balfour Beatty home! 

Schools near Travis Air Force Base 

Make sure you contact the School Liaison Officer as soon as you receive orders to Travis AFB. Mil kids in the Travis AFB footprint are assigned to the Travis Unified School District. Nearly 5,00 students are enrolled. The school district has 5 elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. Six out of the 8 schools in the district are “California Distinguished Schools.” Visit the school district page for more information. 

From left to right, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Deprey, 9th Air Refueling Squadron instructor pilot, Airman 1st Class Robert Carswell, 9th ARS flight engineer, and Maj. Joseph Rush, 821st Contingency Response Group instructor pilot, take off in a KC-10 Extender at Travis Air Force Base, California, July 4, 2022. The training flight provided an opportunity for aircrew to maintain proficiency and included a fly-over supporting two fourth of July parades. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch)

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Travis AFB in?

Travis AFB is in Solano County, CA.

Does Travis AFB have drones?

Travis AFB does not have drones. If you're into drones - check out this drone light show!

Is Travis AFB a good base?

Yes, Travis AFB is a great base!

What is Travis AFB known for?

Travis AFB is hosts the largest air mobility organization and the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, which is the only active Air Force Band west of the Rockies.

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