Mountain Home Air Force Base (MHAFB) in southwestern Idaho is a wonderful place to call home! It’s even its name. All jokes aside, this Air Force installation is home to the 366th Fighter Wing. The 366th reports to Air Combat Command and has earned the nickname “Gunfighters.” These days the 366th includes the F-15E Strike Eagles. It’s the ideal next duty station for both single Airmen and families. Idaho might not be your first choice for where you want to live, but its wide open skies and close-to-nature lifestyle will grow on you.
Overview
This remote duty station is home to a lot more than you might expect. It sits on about 7,500 square miles of high desert and is home to nearly 3,200 active duty Airmen. That’s not to mention the nearly 4,000 dependents and over 10,000 retirees.
Weather-wise, Mountain Home AFB is about 3,000 feet above sea level. So that means the weather is sort of all over the place. Highs in the summer can range between 85-100F and lows are anywhere from 45-60. Winter highs are in the mid-forties but the lows are in the mid-twenties. So! Bring all your weather gear, including cold weather snow gear.
Mountain Home Air Force Base Location
This Air Force installation is located in Elmore County. It’s on a high desert plateau between two mountain ranges. Boise is about 50 miles away and Twin Falls is about 100 miles away.
Directions
No matter where you’re coming from in the country, you’ll need to navigate yourself to Idaho I-84.
From the west, first take Exit 95 toward Mountain Home/Fairfield onto American Legion. Then, continue down American Legion (about 2 miles) to a one-way left turn onto Main Street. Turn on Main Street, which turns into ID-67 for approximately 10 miles to the front gate of MHAFB.
Coming from the east, take Exit 90 toward Mountain Home/Bruneau onto ID-51. Then continue on ID-51 for about 7 miles through the town of Mountain Home. ID-51 will turn into ID-67; continue for approximately 10 miles to the front gate of MHAFB.
Transportation
It’s no surprise that the only airport nearby is Boise Airport, and that’s about 60 miles from base. You’ll need to arrange airport to base transportation ahead of time. There’s no public transport available! If your sponsor doesn’t show, call Command Post and they can help you figure something out.
Gates and Hours
MHAFB has two gates.
Grand View Gate is open 24/7.
The Main Gate is currently closed. However, the Visitor Control Center is still open.
Contacts at Mountain Home Air Force Base
366 Medical Group (877) 988-9378
AAFES (208) 832-4353
Air Force Services (208) 828-6081
Barber Shop (208) 832-7191
Base Chapel (208) 828-6417
Base Exchange Service Station/Shoppette (208) 832-4660
Bowling Alley (208) 828-6329
Child Development Center (208) 828-2443
Class VI (208) 832-4660
Command Post at (208) 828-5800
Commissary – Mountain Home AFB (208) 828-2163
Community Activity Center (208) 828-2246
Convenience Store (208) 832-4660
Dental Clinic (208) 828-7900
Dining (208) 828-6420
DoD Safe Helpline – Sexual Assault (877) 995-5247
Education Center (208) 828-6363
Exchange (208) 832-4353
Express (208) 828-6921
Fitness Center (208) 828-2381
Gas Station (208) 832-4660
Housing Office (208) 828-2781
Installation Address (208) 828-2458
Library (208) 828-2326
Lodging (208) 828-5152
MWR (208) 828-6080
Operator (208) 828-2110
Optometry Clinic (208) 828-7900
Outdoor Recreation (208) 834-2723
Package Store (208) 828-4459
Police (208) 828-2256
Public Affairs Office (208) 828-6800
Sagebrush Hotel (208) 828-5200
School Liaison Office (208) 828-2458
SDO/SDNCO (208) 828-2071
Snack Bar (208) 828-6546
Space Available Flights (208) 828-4841
Traffic Management Office (TMO) Household Goods (208) 828-1466
Unaccompanied Housing Office (208) 828-2244
Visitor Center (208) 828-6022
Visitor Control Center (208) 828-6022
Mission and Units
The host wing at MHAFB is the 366th Fighter Wing. This also includes the 366th’s Maintenance Group, Medial Group, Mission Support Group, and the Operations Group.
The 366th’s mission is to “develop and deploy combat-ready Airmen, take care of Gunfighters and protect and enhance our resources.” This is achieved via the firepower of the F-15C Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft.
Speaking of F-15s, check out the Silent Eagle, a stealth version of the F-15.
Mountain Home AFB History
What started as an Army Airfield in 1943 is now home to a tactical fighter wing. As a B-24 Liberator training center during WWII, the Army Airfield trained the 470th, the 490th, and the 494th Bombardment Groups. Training included mock combat exercises, as this was the final training stop before deployment.
However, by 1945, the base became inactive. Then, it opened in 1948 as the home of the 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Group. Notably, a Mountain Home aircraft obtained evidence of the first Soviet nuclear test in 1949. Unfortunately just a year later, the base closed once again.
By 1953, the 5th SRG moved to another installation and MHAFB aligned with Strategic Air Command. During the late 1950s and 1960s, Mountain Home housed Titan I intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Then, in the 1970s, Mountain Home shifted to a tactical fighter wing base and the 366th came to stay.
Things to Do Around Mountain Home Air Force Base
Hotels
Given its isolated footprint, it should come as no surprise that there aren’t a ton of hotels near the installation. Because of that, you’ll want to reserve rooms far in advance!
Best Western Foothills Inn (208) 587-8477
Hampton Inn & Suites Mountain Home (208) 587-7300
Sagebrush Inn (208) 828-5200
Thunderbird Motel (208) 587-2783
Food Scene
Idaho’s state fruit is the huckleberry so be sure to add that to your pancakes, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and everything else. The late summer fruit is sweet and tart all at once. It makes an excellent parfait topper, too. If you’re looking for heartier fare, the state is known for Basque-inspired food. Start with croquetas and then once you get your bearings, try minea. Minea is beef tongue served in a tomato-based sauce. Of course, paella is a classic crowd favorite, too. To wash down that minea, sip on some ice wine. That’s wine that’s created from frozen grapes!
Activities
It might seem like a really remote location, but once you peel back the layers, you’re going to love Idaho. Lean on recommendations from the Outdoor Adventure Program to link you to whitewater rafting and snowmobiling outings! The Force Support Squadron should be your first stop when you’re planning an Idaho adventure.
If you need a dose of the city, head to nearby Boise for the day.
Mountain Home AFB Housing
Call the Housing Office as soon as you have orders to learn about current housing wait times.
Balfour Beatty Communities owns and manages privatized housing on base. Housing is issued based on rank and family size. Community amenities feature splash parks, playgrounds, and more.
If you chose to live off-base, Mountain Home, Idaho is a small town of about 15,000 people. Gran View has about 500 people. Boise is the closest major city but it’s an hour away.
Single Airmen ranks E1-E3 and E4 with less than three years of service live in the barracks. Call the Unaccompanied Housing Office for more information.
Schools Near Mountain Home Air Force Base
Elementary-age mil-kids benefit from attending school on base! Most students attend school in the Mountain Home School District. Depending on where you choose to live, your kids might attend Pine Schools. Of course, private and homeschool options are available. Call the School Liaison Officer for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Mountain Home AFB in?
MHAFB is located in Elmore County.
Are civilians allowed on Mountain Home AFB?
Non-DOD ID card holders are allowed on base with a sponsor and a government issued ID.
Is Mountain Home AFB a good base?
That’s a tough question but as far as installations go, there’s a lot to do at the base and every new duty station is a chance to learn more about our country.
What is the biggest military base in Idaho?
Mountain Home isn’t just the biggest military base in Idaho, it’s also the only DoD installation in the entire state.