FAIRCHILD AFB
AIR FORCE
Airway Heights, WA
United States
FAIRCHILD AFB
AIR FORCE
Airway Heights, WA
United States
Fairchild AFB
Base Essentials
Home of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing and Air Force SERE School near Spokane, WA — a diverse mission posting with access to the Inland Northwest's exceptional outdoor recreation and Spokane's growing mid-size city.
Base Details
Type
Air Force Base
Branch
AIR FORCE
Command
AMC
Status
Active
Est.
1942
Acres
4,500
Active Duty
6,000
Civilian
1,500
Population
580,000
Economic Impact
$1 billion
Fairchild AFB History
Named AfterGeneral Muir Stephen Fairchild
Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane, Washington, was established in 1942 as a training and staging base. Named after General Muir S. Fairchild, it became a Strategic Air Command bomber and tanker base during the Cold War. Today it is home to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, operating the KC-135 Stratotanker, and is the Air Force's center of excellence for Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) training. Fairchild is slated to receive KC-46 Pegasus tankers as the Air Force modernizes its aerial refueling fleet.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
92nd Air Refueling Wing
—
—
336th Training Group (SERE)
—
—
Historic Timeline
1942
Established as Spokane Army Air Depot
1994
B-52 Airshow Crash Leads to Safety Reforms
2009
Air Force SERE School Consolidates at Fairchild
—
View Key Moments
(3)
1942
Established as Spokane Army Air Depot
The installation opened in 1942 as a repair and maintenance depot for Army Air Forces aircraft in the Pacific Northwest. It was redesignated Fairchild Air Force Base in 1950 in honor of General Muir S. Fairchild, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, who died that year.
1994
B-52 Airshow Crash Leads to Safety Reforms
On June 24, 1994, a B-52 crashed during an airshow practice at Fairchild, killing all four crew members. The accident, attributed to command climate failures, led to significant Air Force reforms in safety culture and crew resource management training.
2009
Air Force SERE School Consolidates at Fairchild
Fairchild became the consolidated home of the Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) school, training all Air Force personnel in POW resistance and survival techniques. The school uses the surrounding wilderness of eastern Washington for realistic field training.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Fairchild AFB.
Fairchild AFB Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Fairchild AFB.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Fairchild AFB.
Entertainment Old
The Spokane Indians’ Newest Mascot is a KC-135 Stratotanker
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29 of the Best Restaurants Near Fairchild AFB
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19 Of the Best Things to Do Around Fairchild AFB
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Fairchild AFB Housing: 4 On-Base Options
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Fairchild AFB: In-Depth Welcome Center
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Fairchild AFB.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
92nd Force Support Squadron — Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC)
Phone
(509) 247-2246Hours
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 0800–1600; Thu: 0800–1200
In-Processing
Inbound military personnel receive unit-specific reporting procedures from their sponsor and, if arriving after hours, report to their CSS the following duty day. Members bring their records packet, Basic Training/Tech School certificates (for first-duty enlisted), and three copies of PCS orders. In-processing with the Military Personnel Section (MPS) is available Mon–Fri, 0730–1500, walk-in only.
All personnel attend the mandatory Right Start newcomer orientation held at the Education Center (Building 2380, Room 102/104). First-duty-station enlisted and officers report at 0700; all others at 0745. Space is limited and sign-up is required through the M&FRC at (509) 247-2246. The 92nd ARW also hosts the 141st Air Refueling Wing (ANG).
Fairchild AFB is home to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing (KC-135) and is located near Spokane, WA — one of the Pacific Northwest's most affordable and livable cities with outstanding outdoor recreation. The M&FRC provides area orientation and school liaison services.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Fairchild AFB.
On-post family housing at Fairchild AFB is managed by Balfour Beatty Communities. The on-post neighborhoods offer 2–4 bedroom homes convenient to the installation; many families also choose off-post housing in the Spokane area given the city's scale and amenities. Fairchild AFB is located 12 miles west of Spokane, Washington — eastern Washington's major city with a…
Local Market
$1,700/mo
rent
/
$380,000
avg. home
2026 BAH Calculator
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Cost of Living Around Fairchild AFB
90
10% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Fairchild AFB.
School Liaison Officer
Airman and Family Readiness Center – School Liaison
1
Middle Schools
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3
High Schools
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Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Fairchild AFB is located west of Spokane, Washington, in the Inland Northwest. The 92nd Air Refueling Wing calls Fairchild home. Spokane is a vibrant mid-sized city with excellent outdoor recreation access to Spokane River, eastern Washington wine country, and the nearby Selkirk and Bitterroot mountain ranges. Idaho's Coeur d'Alene is 35 minutes east.
Airway Heights
Small Town
A small city that grew up around Fairchild, Airway Heights is the most convenient off-post community with easy gate access along US-2. Medical Lake School District serves some areas; Airway Heights falls in Cheney School District boundaries depending on location. Housing is affordable and inventory is plentiful. The commute is minimal and the community has most essential services.
Commute: 8 min
Schools: Cheney School District
Single service members
Budget-friendly
Families with kids
Dual military
Shortest commute to Fairchild, very affordable housing, growing retail base, daily necessities covered
Spokane Valley
Suburban
The eastern Spokane suburb of Spokane Valley is 25 minutes from Fairchild and offers excellent Central Valley School District and East Valley School District schools, abundant shopping along Sprague Avenue and the Valley Mall corridor, and established residential neighborhoods. Many NCO and officer families settle here for the school quality and full city amenities while avoiding downtown Spokane traffic.
Commute: 25 min
Schools: Central Valley School District
Families with kids
Dual military
Retirees
Excellent school districts, full suburban amenities, Centennial Trail access, Liberty Lake recreation nearby
Cheney
Small Town
Home of Eastern Washington University, Cheney is a college town 15 minutes southwest of Fairchild served by the well-regarded Cheney School District. The EWU campus brings cultural programming and a more diverse community character. Housing is affordable, and the college-town atmosphere appeals to families who want a more vibrant social environment than Airway Heights offers. Turnover is frequent due to student population, meaning rentals are available.
Commute: 18 min
Schools: Cheney School District
Single service members
Families with kids
Budget-friendly
Outdoorsy types
EWU campus and events, Cheney schools, affordable housing, college-town atmosphere, Fish Lake access
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Fairchild AFB.
State Income Tax
None
Military Pay
No state income tax
Retirement Pay
No state income tax
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
Washington State has no state income tax on wages or salaries. All military pay and retirement income are fully exempt.…
Spouse Income Tax
Washington has no state income tax. Military spouses living in Washington are not subject to Washington income tax.
Vehicle Registration
Washington charges vehicle excise tax (based on vehicle value) as part of registration. Military members may maintain th…
Property Tax
No state income tax. Washington property taxes are set at the county level with moderate rates. Pierce County (JBLM) and…
Pet Policies at Fairchild AFB
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Fairchild AFB.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
8
Prohibited Animals
4
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Fairchild AFB.
Commissary
1
Fairchild AFB Commissary
Exchange
BX
Mon–Sun 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Tue–Sat 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Medical
1
92nd Medical Group Clinic — Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fairchild AFB.
01
Are the base gates open 24 hours?
All 3 gates at Fairchild AFB operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Access levels vary by gate — some are restricted to military and DoD ID holders only.
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02
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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03
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for Fairchild AFB.
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04
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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05
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near Fairchild AFB.
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.