NAS WHITING FIELD
NAVY
Milton, FL
United States
NAS WHITING FIELD
NAVY
Milton, FL
United States
NAS Whiting Field
Base Essentials
Home of primary helicopter and fixed-wing flight training near Milton, FL — the first flight experience for most Navy and Marine Corps aviators, with Florida Panhandle beach access and affordable housing.
Base Details
Type
Naval Station
Branch
NAVY
Command
CNIC
Status
Active
Est.
1943
Acres
4,200
Active Duty
2,500
Civilian
1,500
Population
500,000
Economic Impact
$500 million
NAS Whiting Field History
Named AfterCaptain Kenneth Whiting (USN)
Naval Air Station Whiting Field near Milton, Florida, was established in 1943 and is the busiest air station in the Navy training command. It conducts primary and advanced helicopter flight training for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard student aviators. Whiting Field's outlying landing fields and favorable weather support an extremely high volume of training flights. It produces the bulk of the military's rotary-wing aviators.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
Training Air Wing 5
—
—
Historic Timeline
1943
Naval Air Station Whiting Field Established
1960
Designated Primary Helicopter Training Base
—
View Key Moments
(2)
1943
Naval Air Station Whiting Field Established
NAS Whiting Field was established in 1943 near Milton, Florida, as a primary flight training base during WWII, named for Captain Kenneth Whiting, a pioneer of U.S. naval aviation and aircraft carrier development. The installation has trained naval aviators continuously since its founding.
1960
Designated Primary Helicopter Training Base
NAS Whiting Field was designated as the Navy's primary helicopter pilot training installation in the 1960s, consolidating rotary-wing training for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard at one location. Today, more than half of all U.S. military helicopter pilots receive their initial training at Whiting Field.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for NAS Whiting Field.
NAS Whiting Field Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for NAS Whiting Field.
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 NAS Whiting Field.
Information
NAS Whiting Field: In-Depth Welcome Center
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19 of the Best Things To Do in North Florida Near NAS Whiting Field
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15 of the Best Florida Restaurants Near NAS Whiting Field
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Florida Schools Near NAS Whiting Field: Day Care - High School
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NAS Whiting Field Base Housing: On-Base Options
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to NAS Whiting Field.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
NAS Whiting Field — Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC)
Phone
(850) 623-7462Hours
Mon–Fri, 0730–1630
In-Processing
Sailors and Marines arriving at NAS Whiting Field report to their gaining command during duty hours. The command administrative office initiates check-in and coordinates in-processing appointments. The FFSC at (850) 623-7462 coordinates the mandatory Newcomers Orientation and provides welcome packets for the Milton/Pensacola, Florida area.
In-processing covers PSD for pay and records, medical enrollment at the Branch Medical Clinic, housing, and base orientation. NAS Whiting Field is the Navy's busiest and largest pilot training installation — home to primary flight training squadrons flying the TH-57 Sea Ranger and T-6B Texan II. The installation produces more naval aviators and flight officers than any other base.
NAS Whiting Field is located in Milton, Florida — in the Florida Panhandle about 20 miles north of Pensacola. The area offers beautiful Gulf Coast beaches, low cost of living, and access to the greater Pensacola metro area's amenities. The climate is warm most of the year, with hot humid summers.
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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 NAS Whiting Field.
On-post family housing at NAS Whiting Field is managed through the Navy's MHPI program. The on-post residential community offers homes convenient to the helicopter and fixed-wing training facilities. Many families choose off-post housing in the surrounding Milton and Pensacola metro area given the city's range of options. NAS Whiting Field is located near Milton, Fl…
Local Market
$1,600/mo
rent
/
$340,000
avg. home
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Cost of Living Around NAS Whiting Field
90
10% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near NAS Whiting Field.
School Liaison Officer
Coming soon
2
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
NAS Whiting Field is a primary naval aviation training base north of Milton in Santa Rosa County, Florida. The base is less well-known than Pensacola NAS but shares the exceptional Emerald Coast lifestyle. Pensacola is 25 miles west, and the white-sand beaches of Navarre and Pensacola Beach are within easy reach. Santa Rosa County has some of Florida's best public schools.
Milton
Small Town
Santa Rosa County's seat and the most convenient community to NAS Whiting Field, Milton has a charming historic downtown on Blackwater Bay, Blackwater River State Park access for tubing and kayaking, and Santa Rosa County Schools — among Florida's top-rated districts. The commute to Whiting Field is minimal at 10 minutes via US-90. Housing is very affordable by Florida Gulf Coast standards.
Commute: 10 min
Schools: Santa Rosa County School District
Families with kids
Outdoorsy types
Retirees
Budget-friendly
Top Florida school district, Blackwater River tubing and kayaking, historic Bagdad Village, affordable Panhandle housing
Pace
Suburban
A growing unincorporated community southwest of Milton in Santa Rosa County, Pace has newer developments and is extremely popular with Navy and Air Force families (given proximity to both Whiting and Pensacola NAS) who want newer construction in the same excellent Santa Rosa County school system. The commute to Whiting Field runs about 15 minutes on US-90.
Commute: 15 min
Schools: Santa Rosa County School District
Families with kids
Dual military
Retirees
Pet owners
Top-rated schools, fastest-growing near Whiting Field, newer construction, Pensacola convenient, affordable Florida Panhandle
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at NAS Whiting Field.
State Income Tax
None
Military Pay
No state income tax
Retirement Pay
No state income tax
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
Florida has no state income tax. All military pay and retirement income are fully exempt. Florida is consistently one of…
Spouse Income Tax
Florida has no state income tax. Military spouses living in Florida are not subject to Florida income tax regardless of…
Vehicle Registration
Military members may retain their home-state vehicle registration under SCRA. If registering in Florida, fees are based…
Property Tax
No state income tax. Florida has a $50,000 homestead exemption for primary residences of legal residents. Veterans with…
Pet Policies at NAS Whiting Field
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at NAS Whiting Field.
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 NAS Whiting Field.
Commissary
1
Whiting Field NAS Commissary
Exchange
NEX
Mon–Fri 6:30 AM – 8:00 PM; Sat 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Sun closed
Medical
1
Naval Branch Health Clinic Whiting Field — Branch Health Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about NAS Whiting Field.
01
Are any base gates open 24 hours?
1 of NAS Whiting Field's 2 gates operate 24/7; others have restricted hours or access levels. See the Gates section for individual gate 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 NAS Whiting Field.
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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 NAS Whiting Field.
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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.