Sitting in Wichita County, Texas, Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB) provides military personnel with air/flight education and training. Being minutes apart allows Sheppard AFB and Wichita Falls Airport to share the same runway.
Quick Facts
| Coordinates | 33° 59' 10.69" N 98° 29' 40.59" W |
|---|---|
| City | Wichita Falls, TX 76311 |
| Phone | 940-676-4358 |
| DSN | 736-4358 |
History
Sheppard AFB began as Sheppard Field which sat on 300 acres of land that belonged to a cattle farmer who sold the land to the Army for one dollar. Sheppard AFB was opened in the fall of 1941 as a U.S. Army Air Corps training facility. During the time that the Army Air Corps transitioned to become the Army Air Forces, Sheppard welcomed its first class of aircraft mechanics who would undergo training and graduate in early 1942.
During World War II, Sheppard AFB was known as Sheppard Field and provided soldiers with basic military training, basic flight training and advanced pilot training. At the end of World War II, Sheppard Field was 46,340 people strong because the base was used as a separation center for troops who were coming back home.
In the summer of 1946, Sheppard Field was deactivated; a year later, control of Sheppard was transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was utilized by the Texas National Guard. In 1948, Sheppard was reactivated and renamed to Sheppard Air Force Base. During the Korean War, Sheppard AFB was home to Greek and Turkish airmen who were trained as aircraft mechanics.
Facts
- Sheppard AFB is named after Morris Sheppard, a former Senator and Congressman from Texas.
- Sheppard is the largest base for Air Education and Training Command.
- Sheppard is also the only base in the U.S. that trains military personnel in both technical and flying training.
- Sheppard boasts the world's only flight training program that is manned by people from various countries, not just the U.S.
Housing / Lodging
The Sheppard AFB Housing Management Office (HMO) is ready to assist you with all of your housing needs and questions. Sheppard AFB requires new residents to visit the HMO before signing a lease or housing contract.
You can reach Sheppard AFB's HMO at (940) 676-1840 or [email protected]. The HMO is also on Facebook: Sheppard AFB Housing Office.
You'll be able to choose between privatized and unaccompanied housing. Privatized housing (940-613-0709) is managed by Balfour Beatty Communities who created Sheppard AFB Homes, a tool where you can look at available homes online.
For those seeking unaccompanied housing, you can call 940-676-1674 (enlisted) or 940-676- 3648 (officers) or email [email protected]. Sheppard AFB unaccompanied housing can also be found on Facebook: Sheppard Dormitories.
Sheppard AFB Housing Office: 310 H Avenue, Bldg 373, Sheppard AFB, TX 76311.
Schools
School Liaison Officer: (940) 676-4358
Sheppard falls under two districts: Wichita Falls Independent School District (WFISD) and Burkburnett Independent School District (BISD).
WFISD includes four early childhood schools, 16 elementary schools, three middle schools and three high schools while BISD is made up of one high school, one middle school and three elementary schools.
WFISD: (940) 235-1000
BISD: (940) 569-3326
Force Support Squadron
Sheppard AFB's Force Support Squadron offers up events for servicemen and women and their families. You can choose from outdoor and indoor recreation, movie nights, a fitness center and much more.