Hanscom Air Force Base is a non-flying base mainly located in Bedford, Massachusetts. However, the base branches out to the neighboring towns of Lincoln, Concord, and Lexington. The Hanscom Air Force Base houses the 66th Air Base Group. The base is part of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, which manages the Air Force’s weapon systems.
The Massachusetts area has a wide range of temperatures. In the winter, temperatures can drop to around 15 degrees Fahrenheit, while summer temperatures can reach up to the 80’s or 90’s. The spring and summer climate bring the risks of tick bites in the woodland areas. The closest airport is Hanscom Field, which is next to the base and is civilian run.
Quick Facts
| Coordinates | 42° 28' 07.92" N 71° 17' 27.24" W |
|---|---|
| City | Bedford, MA 1731 |
| Phone | 781-225-2765 |
| DSN | 845-2765 |
History
Hanscom Air Force Base was created in 1942 when Massachusetts leased Hanscom Field to the American Air Forces. The base is named for Laurence G. Hanscom. This Massachusetts native was an aviation enthusiast, state reporter, and pilot. He died during an aircraft accident, while he was lobbying for the Hanscom Fields's existence. For the reason Hanscom ABF was named after him.
An interesting fact in Hanscom's history is when a B-25 bomber took off at Hanscom Air Field in 1945. This bomber would later crash into the Empire State Building.
After World War II, Hanscom housed many innovative technologies and systems such as Semi-Automatic Ground Environment. This system was an air defense system to helped manage air traffic. The Electronic System Division was introduced to the base in 1961, in order to help manage the new electronic systems being brought into the base. During the 1980’s, Hanscom Air Force Base underwent several additions that improved the efficiency of the base’s Electronic System Division. The Electronic System Center at Hanscom Air Force base became part of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center in 2012 and has remained apart of it since.
Housing on Hanscom Air Force Base
Housing at Hanscom AFB is privatized. The Housing Management Office does oversee some dorms for unaccompanied airman. There are no dining facilities on the base, but kitchen facilities are available to single airmen. The dorms are single rooms with a shared bathroom.
Schooling Near Hanscom
Hanscom Base offers two schools for children who live on the base. These schools are the Hanscom Primary School and the Hanscom Middle School. These schools are included in the Lincoln School District. High-school students go to Bedford High School which is located off the base. The Middlesex Community College is the closest Higher Education option.
Base Services
The base has an outpatient medical facility called the 66th Medical Squadron’s Medical Treatment Facility. However, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center and Emerson Hospital are close emergency hospitals. The base also has an Airman and Family Readiness Center, a Support Services Squadron, Commissaries, Exchange Systems, and the Hanscom Federal Union. Additionally, the base offers a Youth Program for children in kindergarten through high school and a child care program for children under 5 years old.
Things To Do
The Bedford, Concord, and Lexington area has many exciting activities. These activities include historical sites such as the famous Walden Pond Reservation, Buckman Tavern, The Minute-Man National Park, the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, the North Bridge, and the Lexington Greens. This area also has hiking and outdoor sites such as the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and Battle Road Trail. For shopping and family activities there is the Burlington Mall and the Altitude Trampoline Park.