JOINT BASE CHARLESTON
JOINT BASES
North Charleston, SC
United States
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON
JOINT BASES
North Charleston, SC
United States
Joint Base Charleston
Base Essentials
Home of C-17 Globemaster airlift and the Navy Weapons Station in the Charleston, SC metro — a joint installation in one of the South's most livable cities with beaches, history, and strong military infrastructure.
Base Details
Type
Joint Base
Branch
JOINT BASES
Command
AMC
Status
Active
Est.
2010
Acres
6,000
Active Duty
7,000
Civilian
6,000
Population
800,000
Economic Impact
$3.5 billion
Joint Base Charleston History
Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina was established in 2010 by combining Charleston Air Force Base and Naval Weapons Station Charleston. It is home to the 628th Air Base Wing and the 437th Airlift Wing, operating C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. The base serves as a major strategic airlift and sealift hub, leveraging both its airfield and access to the port of Charleston. JB Charleston is one of the key nodes in the military's global mobility network.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
437th Airlift Wing
—
—
628th Air Base Wing
—
—
Naval Weapons Station
—
—
Historic Timeline
1942
Charleston Army Air Base Established
1966
C-141 Starlifter Arrives; Primary Airlift Mission
2010
Naval Weapons Station Combined to Form Joint Base
—
View Key Moments
(3)
1942
Charleston Army Air Base Established
Charleston Army Air Base opened in 1942 as a WWII transport and logistics hub on the South Carolina coast, supporting troop and cargo movements to Europe and the Pacific. It became Charleston AFB in 1948 and grew into a major Military Airlift Command installation.
1966
C-141 Starlifter Arrives; Primary Airlift Mission
Charleston AFB received C-141 Starlifter jets in 1966, establishing it as a primary strategic airlift installation during the Vietnam War. The base has since hosted C-17 Globemaster IIIs and serves as one of Air Mobility Command's most active airlift hubs.
2010
Naval Weapons Station Combined to Form Joint Base
Charleston AFB and Naval Weapons Station Charleston were merged in 2010 under the BRAC process to form Joint Base Charleston. The combined installation is one of the largest employers in South Carolina and supports both Air Force airlift and Navy submarine and surface ship logistics.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Joint Base Charleston.
Joint Base Charleston Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Joint Base Charleston.
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 Joint Base Charleston.
Information
See the World's First Successful Combat Sub at Friends of the Hunley
Read
Information
Frankie's Fun Park in Charleston Is a Must-Visit Amusement Experience
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Information
Good Times and Great Spirits Await You At Firefly Distillery
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Information
The USS Yorktown Is About To Cause Another Water Pollution Problem
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Information
Camp in Style at the Joint Base Charleston RV Park
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Joint Base Charleston.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
628th Force Support Squadron — Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC)
Phone
(843) 963-3070Hours
Mon–Fri, 0730–1630
In-Processing
Personnel arriving at Joint Base Charleston report to their unit's Commander Support Staff during duty hours with their PCS package. JB Charleston is a joint installation hosting Air Force and Army elements; confirm branch-specific reporting requirements with your gaining unit before arrival. After-hours arrivals report to the Carolina Inn lodging facility, the 24/7 arrival point.
All permanent-party members attend the mandatory Charleston Right Start Newcomer's Orientation covering the 437th Airlift Wing's C-17 mission, JB Charleston's joint mission environment, base services, and the Charleston, SC community. The A&FRC at (843) 963-3070 coordinates relocation assistance and school liaison.
JB Charleston is home to the 437th Airlift Wing (C-17 Globemaster III) and the 315th Airlift Wing (Reserve). Located adjacent to North Charleston, it offers some of the best quality of life in the Air Force — within 30 minutes of historic downtown Charleston, beaches, and a booming job market.
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Open PCS Entitlements Estimator
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
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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 Joint Base Charleston.
On-post family housing at JB Charleston is managed by Balfour Beatty Communities. The Carolina Forest and Charwood Communities neighborhoods offer 2–5 bedroom homes on the Air Force side. Given JB Charleston's location adjacent to North Charleston, many families choose off-post housing throughout the greater Charleston area. JB Charleston is located in North Charles…
Local Market
$1,900/mo
rent
/
$420,000
avg. home
2026 BAH Calculator
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Cost of Living Around Joint Base Charleston
100
At National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Joint Base Charleston.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison Officer
5
High Schools
View schools
Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
JB Charleston covers both the Air Base (North Charleston) and the Weapons Station (Goose Creek). Most families live in North Charleston, Summerville, Goose Creek, or Hanahan — each with a different balance of commute time, school quality, and cost of living.
Summerville / Dorchester County
Suburban
The most sought-after option for JBC families — Summerville has excellent schools, newer subdivisions like Cane Bay and Nexton, and a charming historic downtown. Commute is 25–35 min to either gate.
Commute: 25–35 min
Schools: Dorchester District 2
Families with kids
Retirees
Pet owners
Top-ranked schools, fast-growing community, lots of new construction
Goose Creek / Hanahan
Suburban
Closest to the Weapons Station gate — Goose Creek and Hanahan offer affordable housing with Berkeley County or North Charleston schools. Great pick for single members or dual military who want a short drive to both gates.
Commute: 10–20 min
Schools: Berkeley County Schools / Charleston County
Single service members
Dual military
Budget-friendly
Short commute to Weapons Station, affordable, established neighborhoods
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Joint Base Charleston.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully exempt
Retirement Pay
Fully exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
Yes
Military Pay Details
South Carolina fully exempts active duty military pay from South Carolina income tax for South Carolina legal residents.…
Spouse Income Tax
Under MSRRA, military spouses may maintain their legal domicile outside South Carolina for South Carolina income tax pur…
Vehicle Registration
South Carolina charges a 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) on vehicle purchases, capped at $500. Military members…
Property Tax
South Carolina property taxes are set at the county level. Legal resident homeowners receive a favorable 4% assessment r…
Pet Policies at Joint Base Charleston
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Joint Base Charleston.
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 Joint Base Charleston.
Commissary
2
Charleston AFB Commissary
Exchange
BX
Mon–Sat 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sun 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Medical
2
628th Medical Group Clinic — Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Joint Base Charleston.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Dorchester Gate (Main Gate) is the primary visitor access gate, open Mon–Fri 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Sat–Sun 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM. See the Gates section for the full schedule of all 5 gates and their access requirements.
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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 Joint Base Charleston.
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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 Joint Base Charleston.
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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.