HOMESTEAD ARB
AIR FORCE
Homestead, FL
United States
HOMESTEAD ARB
AIR FORCE
Homestead, FL
United States
Homestead ARB
Base Essentials
Welcome to Homestead Air Reserve Base located in Miami–Dade County, Florida. Homestead Air Reserve Base, formerly Homestead AFB, was first built in 1942 and today serves approximately 1,600 active duty service members, 1,200 reservists, and 325 civilians. We hope this guide assists you as you get settled in at your new posting and helps remove some of the stress of moving. Where Is Homestead Air Reserve Base? Homestead ARB Map Getting There – Directions to the Base Entering Homestead Air Reserve Base and Amenities Check-In Procedures for Incoming Personnel Homestead ARB Visitor Control Center...
Base Details
Type
Air Force Base
Branch
AIR FORCE
Command
AFRC
Status
Reserve/Partial
Est.
1942
Acres
2,900
Active Duty
—
Civilian
—
Population
2,700,000
Economic Impact
—
Homestead ARB History
Homestead Air Reserve Base south of Miami, Florida, was established in 1942 and served as a major tactical fighter base during the Cold War, playing a key role during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Hurricane Andrew devastated the base in 1992, leading to its realignment from an active-duty installation to an Air Force Reserve Base. Today it is home to the 482nd Fighter Wing flying the F-16, and it serves as a staging point for counter-narcotics operations and humanitarian assistance in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
482nd Fighter Wing (AFRC)
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Historic Timeline
1942
Established as Homestead Army Air Field
1992
Hurricane Andrew Devastates the Base
1994
Rebuilt as Air Force Reserve Base
—
View Key Moments
(3)
1942
Established as Homestead Army Air Field
Homestead Army Air Field opened in 1942 as a WWII training base in south Florida, later becoming Homestead AFB and a Cold War tactical fighter installation with F-4 and F-106 aircraft.
1992
Hurricane Andrew Devastates the Base
Hurricane Andrew made landfall on August 24, 1992, and destroyed approximately 75% of the installation's facilities, rendering Homestead AFB non-operational. The storm caused $450 million in damage and resulted in the decision not to rebuild as an active-duty base.
1994
Rebuilt as Air Force Reserve Base
Homestead was reactivated in 1994 as Homestead Air Reserve Base, with the 482nd Fighter Wing assuming the installation's flying mission. The rebuild transformed it from an active-duty base into one of the Air Force Reserve's primary fighter installations.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Homestead ARB.
Homestead ARB Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Homestead ARB.
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 Homestead ARB.
Information
24 of the Best Things To Do in Homestead Near the Base
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Information
Homestead Air Reserve Base (Formerly AFB): In-Depth Welcome Center
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Information
Homestead Schools Near Base: Day Care - High School
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Information
22 of the Best Homestead Restaurants Near Base
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Military News
Malmstrom AFB PCB Levels Raise Cancer Risk for Missileers
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Homestead ARB.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
482nd Force Support Squadron — Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC)
Phone
(786) 415-7329Hours
Mon–Fri, 0800–1600
In-Processing
Homestead ARB is a Reserve installation with unique considerations for inbound personnel. Those arriving during duty hours report to their unit's CSS. The A&FRC serves as a one-stop information and referral center for active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian personnel assigned to the 482nd Fighter Wing.
The base has no dormitories for unaccompanied single airmen, no BX or Commissary, and no on-base TLF. Members must arrange off-base accommodations and should have approximately $5,000 available as most landlords in the area require first and last month's rent plus a security deposit. The Right Start orientation is coordinated through the A&FRC.
Personnel should contact TRICARE South at 1-800-444-5445 upon arrival to enroll. Given Homestead's Reserve status, coordinate with the Newcomer Training Flight (NTF) at (786) 415-7336 for scheduling around drill weekends and traditional reservist schedules.
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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 Homestead ARB.
On-Base Housing
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Cost of Living Around Homestead ARB
120
20% Above National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Homestead ARB.
School Liaison Officer
Coming soon
Elementary Schools
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Middle Schools
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High Schools
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Colleges & Universities
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Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Popular Neighborhood
Suburban
Families
Short Commute
Neighborhood details coming soon
Nearby Community
Urban
Singles
Nightlife
Neighborhood details coming soon
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Homestead ARB.
State Income Tax
Military Pay
Retirement Pay
Vehicle Tax
Vehicle Registration
Coming soon
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Property Tax
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Spouse Income Tax
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Combat Zone
Coming soon
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Pet Policies at Homestead ARB
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Homestead ARB.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
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Prohibited Animals
—
Dog Parks
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Boarding & Kennels
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Pet Guidance
Coming soon
Coming soon
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Homestead ARB.
Commissary
Coming soon
Exchange
Coming soon
Medical
Coming soon
Childcare & Youth
Coming soon
MWR & Recreation
Coming soon
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Homestead ARB.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Westover Gate (Main Gate) is the main visitor access gate and is open 24 hours a day. Other gates are restricted to military and DoD ID holders — see the Gates section for full schedules.
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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 Homestead ARB.
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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 Homestead ARB.
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Question
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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.