Hanscom AFB
Hanscom AFB Relocation Information
Welcome to Hanscom AFB
Snow covers the P-40 static display at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., Jan. 20. The aircraft, which is actually a model, honors the first combat aircraft based at Hanscom AFB during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jerry Saslav)
Hanscom Air Force Base is a non-flying, acquisition-focused installation under Air Force Materiel Command in Bedford, MA.
The base is home to the 66th Air Base Group and falls under AFMC (Air Force Materiel Command). Hanscom AFB specializes in C3I&N (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, and Networks) and cyber systems, which are essential for military operations.
The Hanscom AFB website says, “We acquire critical warfighting systems for the Air Force and our sister services. These systems provide the connectivity for and between our warfighters with items such as radar, communication and intelligence systems, command and operations centers and network infrastructure and cyber defense.”
Established in 1942, Hanscom Air Force Base served as a test and development site for electronic and radar technologies. It later hosted Air Defense Command missions and the development of electronic systems, and the base played a major role in the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) air defense network.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hanscom AFB
1. What is the size of Hanscom AFB?
For an Air Force base, Hanscom is on the smaller side, covering approximately 845 acres. It supports more than 10,000 active duty, Reserve, National Guard military personnel, Department of Defense civilians, contractors, and other affiliated personnel.
2. What cities and towns are near Hanscom AFB?
The base itself is within Bedford, MA. Nearby, Lexington, Lincoln, Concord, and Burlington, MA are within minutes of the base. The cities of Cambridge and Boston are a short commute away by metro.
3. Is Hanscom AFB open to the public?
Public access to the base itself is controlled, but the adjacent general aviation airport, Hanscom Field, is open to the public for aviation use and related services.
4. What is the zip code for Hanscom AFB?
The zip code for Hanscom AFB is 01731.
5. What is the BAH for Hanscom AFB?
The BAH for Hanscom AFB ranges from $3,984 for E-1 to $4,983 for E-9 with dependents, and from $4,230 for O-1 to $6,192 for O-7 with dependents. See the BAH section for more info.
6. How can I find lodging or housing near Hanscom AFB?
Hanscom AFB does not have lodging facilities, explore nearby hotels and rentals for short-term stays. The off-base housing section offers homes for rent or sale in popular nearby communities.
Base Location and Information
Hanscom AFB Address
10 Kirtland Street
Building 1240
Hanscom AFB, MA 01731
Hanscom AFB is in Bedford, MA, and it is near Lexington, Lincoln, Concord, and Burlington, MA. Bedford is considered quiet and residential with suburban neighborhoods and sought-after schools.
The area is packed with historic charm and still offers convenient amenities. There are nature trails and parks, but it is also a commuter-friendly area to nearby larger cities like Cambridge and Boston.
Nearby Bases
Arrival Lodging
There is no on-base temporary lodging facility at Hanscom AFB. Service members can obtain a Non-Availability letter (Non-A) to handle reimbursement when using civilian hotels/motels at per diem rates.
Hanscom AFB Housing
The base offers privatized family housing through Hanscom Family Housing, managed by Hunt Military Communities. Families and eligible DoD personnel can lease homes on base under a civilian lease agreement. The housing website page for Hanscom AFB says, “Community features such as playgrounds, basketball court, dog runs, and Community Center are just some of the amenities you will find.”
Hanscon AFB Military Housing Office Address
101 Northbridge Road
Hanscom AFB, MA 10731
Hanscom AFB Off-Base Housing
Photo by Durrace from Getty Images via Canva.com
For service members looking to live off base, Bedford and Lexington offer the shortest commutes to sought-after neighborhoods and schools. In Lexington, Meriam Hill has historic homes and walkability to the Lexington Center. Turning Mill/Middle Ridge is wooded and offers plenty of outdoor recreation, and Peacock Farm is a community of homes with mid-century charm. Other popular areas for military families include::
- Concord (historic, suburban feel)
- Waltham (more affordable, commuter-friendly)
- Arlington (close to Boston, walkable)
Base Search
City Search
Hanscom AFB BAH
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S.-based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed service members compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Hanscom AFB is in Hanscom Field, MA. Sample Hanscom AFB BAH rates for zip code 01731:
- E-1 with dependents: $3,984
- E-1 without dependents: $3,012
- E-9 with dependents: $4,983
- E-9 without dependents: $4,329
- O-1 with dependents: $4,230
- O-1 without dependents: $3,780
- O-7 with dependents: $6,192
- O-7 without dependents: $4,839
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Area Weather and Climate
Hanscom AFB is located in eastern Massachusetts, about 15 miles northwest of Boston. The area has a humid climate, with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and often below freezing with heavy winds and snow. Spring has cool temperatures and rainy weather, and frost can still appear even in April.
Summers are warm and humid, with the highs being in the mid-80s. There can be occasional thunderstorms and heatwaves. Fall is a mild time of year, and the area is known for its classic New England foliage.
Hanscom AFB Area Schools
Hanscom AFB offers on-base public schools serving grades K-8 at Lincoln Public Schools: Hanscom Primary and Hanscom Middle. The on-base schools also serve local Lincoln area students. Off base, the closest school system is Bedford Public Schools, serving grades PreK-12.
For families considering private education, Private School Review is a helpful resource for researching local options. Those interested in homeschooling should adhere to the regulations outlined on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website. For guidance or questions, families can contact the Hanscom AFB School Liaison.
10 Kirtland Street, Bldg. 1240
Hanscom AFB 01731
Office Contact: (781) 225-1482
Support for Military and Families
Hanscom AFB offers support for service members and their families through its Military and Family Readiness program. For the family, there is a Child Development Center (CDC), family and school-aged child care, a school liaison, and youth programs. On base, there are activities like golf, bowling, and other sports. There’s a full-bar tavern with pool tables, holiday parties, darts, trivia, tabletop knights, and karaoke. Recreational facilities, such as a pool and a fitness center, are also on base.
Things to Do Near Hanscom AFB
- Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge offers trails, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and scenic walking paths along marshlands and meadows in Bedford, MA.
- The Battle Green in Lexington, MA, is where the famous "shot heard ‘round the world" was fired in 1775. The area is rich in Revolutionary War history.
- Lexington Depot & Visitor Center provides information on local history, maps, and guides.
- Minute Man National Historical Park has extensive sites and trails in Concord, MA, commemorating the opening of the American Revolution.
- Concord Museum displays colonial and local history exhibits, including Revolutionary and literary artifacts.
- Minuteman Bikeway is a long paved path perfect for cycling or walking that links the Bedford and Lexington areas to Cambridge.
More Area Info
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Base Address:
1 Grenier St, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731
Hanscom AFB
,
01731-2012