The complete base guide to Mountain Home Air Force Base

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. 

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. 

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.  

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.

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. 

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.  

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

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. 

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. 

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

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! 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.