SCOTT AFB
AIR FORCE
Belleville, IL
United States
SCOTT AFB
AIR FORCE
Belleville, IL
United States
Scott AFB
Base Essentials
Home of U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command in the St. Louis suburb of Belleville, IL — a critical mobility command posting with St. Louis metro access at Midwest price points.
Base Details
Type
Air Force Base
Branch
AIR FORCE
Command
AMC
Status
Active
Est.
1917
Acres
3,200
Active Duty
6,000
Civilian
5,000
Population
2,800,000
Economic Impact
$2.2 billion
Scott AFB History
Named AfterCorporal Frank S. Scott
Scott Air Force Base near Belleville, Illinois, was established in 1917 and is home to the headquarters of U.S. Transportation Command, the combatant command responsible for global military logistics and transportation. It also hosts Air Mobility Command headquarters, which manages the Air Force's fleet of tanker and airlift aircraft. Scott's concentration of logistics and mobility commands makes it the operational hub for moving troops and materiel around the world.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
U.S. Transportation Command (HQ)
—
—
Air Mobility Command (HQ)
—
—
375th Air Mobility Wing
—
—
Historic Timeline
1917
Established as Scott Field
1941
Transitions to Radio Operator Training
1974
Military Airlift Command HQ Moves to Scott
—
View Key Moments
(3)
1917
Established as Scott Field
Scott Field was established in 1917 as a balloon and airship training base in southwestern Illinois, named for Corporal Frank S. Scott — the first enlisted man to die in a military aircraft accident. It is one of the oldest continuously active Air Force installations.
1941
Transitions to Radio Operator Training
During WWII, Scott Field became the Air Force's primary radio operator training center, graduating thousands of communications specialists. The communications mission laid the groundwork for Scott's later role as a command-and-control hub.
1974
Military Airlift Command HQ Moves to Scott
Military Airlift Command — which became Air Mobility Command in 1992 — moved its headquarters to Scott AFB in 1974, establishing it as the center of global U.S. military airlift. Scott also hosts the headquarters of U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), which coordinates all military movement worldwide.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Scott AFB.
Scott AFB Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Scott 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 Scott AFB.
PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Scott AFB.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
375th Force Support Squadron — Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC)
Phone
(618) 256-7016Hours
Mon–Fri, 0730–1630
In-Processing
Personnel arriving at Scott AFB report to their unit's Commander Support Staff during duty hours with their PCS package. The CSS schedules all mandatory appointments, including Finance, Medical, Housing, and the mandatory Gateway Welcome Newcomer's Orientation. After-hours arrivals check in at the Missourian Inn on-base lodging, the 24/7 arrival point.
The Gateway Welcome Newcomer's Orientation covers Scott AFB's unique multi-command mission environment — hosting AMC HQ, USTRANSCOM, AFDW, and 60+ tenant units — along with base services and the Metro East (St. Louis area) community. The A&FRC at (618) 256-7016 provides relocation assistance and comprehensive St. Louis metro area orientation resources.
Scott AFB is one of the Air Force's most joint and strategically significant installations, home to Air Mobility Command Headquarters and U.S. Transportation Command. Located near Belleville, Illinois — just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis — it offers outstanding quality of life, including world-class cultural amenities, sports, and a moderate cost of living.
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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 Scott AFB.
On-post family housing at Scott AFB is managed by Balfour Beatty Communities (Scott Air Force Base Communities). The on-post neighborhoods offer 2–4 bedroom homes convenient to the installation's headquarters organizations (USTRANSCOM, AMC). Many families choose off-post housing in the thriving Illinois communities adjacent to the base. Scott AFB is located in St. C…
Local Market
$1,400/mo
rent
/
$265,000
avg. home
2026 BAH Calculator
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Cost of Living Around Scott AFB
85
15% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Scott AFB.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison Officer
3
High Schools
View schools
Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Scott AFB sits in St. Clair County, IL — immediately across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. Families live throughout the Metro-East (Illinois side) or commute across into Missouri. The area has very low cost of living and tremendous access to St. Louis's cultural and sports amenities.
O'Fallon / Shiloh (IL)
Suburban
The premier neighborhood cluster for Scott families — newer subdivisions, excellent schools (O'Fallon CCSD / High School District 203), and 10–15 minute base access. Very popular with families who want the best of Metro-East without crossing into Missouri.
Commute: 10–15 min
Schools: O'Fallon CCSD / District 203
Families with kids
Dual military
Retirees
Top schools in Metro-East, close to base, many new subdivisions
Belleville / Swansea
Suburban
Belleville is the county seat with a larger range of housing options and price points. The historic downtown area is charming; Belleville High School is well-regarded. Slightly longer commute than O'Fallon but more affordable in some pockets.
Commute: 15–20 min
Schools: Belleville Public Schools (SD 118/201)
Budget-friendly
Single service members
Families with kids
More affordable, larger city feel, walkable downtown, diverse housing stock
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Scott AFB.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully exempt
Retirement Pay
Fully exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
Illinois fully exempts active duty military pay from Illinois income tax under 35 ILCS 5/203(a)(2)(I). This covers base…
Spouse Income Tax
Under MSRRA, military spouses may maintain their legal domicile state for Illinois income tax purposes. A qualifying mil…
Vehicle Registration
Illinois charges a 6.25% use tax on vehicle purchases. Military members who are not Illinois legal residents may maintai…
Property Tax
Illinois has among the highest property tax rates in the nation. St. Clair County (Scott AFB area) has rates typical for…
Pet Policies at Scott AFB
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Scott 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 Scott AFB.
Commissary
1
Scott AFB Commissary
Exchange
BX
Mon–Sat 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Medical
1
375th Medical Group Clinic — Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Scott AFB.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Shiloh 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 Scott 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 Scott AFB.
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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.