Nellis AFB
Nellis AFB Relocation Information
Image from defense.gov
Welcome to Nellis AFB
Nellis AFB is located in North Las Vegas, approximately 8 miles northeast of the city center. This desert oasis started out as an Army airfield in the barren desert of Las Vegas and began training student gunners in 1942. Training was used for volunteers during World War II and that same year, a training film called "The Rear Gunner,'' which starred Ronald Reagan and Burgess Meredith, was produced at Las Vegas Army AirField to generate volunteers, as military flying was an exclusively volunteer business. The base was officially renamed Nellis AFB in 1950 for the late 1st Lt William Nellis who was shot down while flying during the Battle of the Bulge. The Las Vegas area is a great location for advanced combat training with its great year-round flying weather and desert location.
Four U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, wait to take off for a Red Flag-Nellis 22-1 mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 25, 2022. Image from Nellis AFB Facebook.
Nellis AFB is home to the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center and the US Air Force Weapons School, known as the “Home of the Fighter Pilot.” The base population is approximately 13,000 personnel, active duty, guard, reserve and civilians. The main mission of Nellis AFB is advanced combat aviation training. This mission is carried out using various aircraft such as fighters, bombers, refuelers and transport, close-air-support, command-and-control and combat search-and-rescue aircraft. The warfare center ensures deployed forces are well trained and equipped to carry out all operations.
The units at Nellis AFB include the 57th Wing, 99th Air Base Wing, Nevada Test and Training Range, and Air Force Joint Test Program Office as well as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, AKA the “Thunderbirds.” The Las Vegas area is a great location for advanced combat training
Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Julian Paefgen on Unsplash
Frequently Asked Questions About Nellis AFB
The U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds. USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Ned T. Johnston.
1. What city is Nellis AFB in?
Nellis AFB is located in North Las Vegas, approximately eight miles northeast of the city center. North Las Vegas is located in Clark County, Nevada, which is the most populous county in the state. The county is home to several cities such as Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and of course North Las Vegas which are all living options for working at Nellis AFB.
2. Does Nellis AFB offer tours?
Yes! Thousands of people tour Nellis every year. Tours provide a great educational tool for groups interested in learning more about the Air Force. Tours are not held during the summer months and must be requested beforehand.
3. How hot does it get at Nellis AFB?
Las Vegas’s climate is mostly dry and arid, so the summers will regularly top 100 degrees. Be prepared for lots of pool time and tell your friends and family to visit as this can be a great time to score hotel deals. Plus there are some really great indoor entertainment venues for families such as museums, aquariums and movie theaters.
4. What is the zip code for Nellis AFB?
The zip code for Nellis AFB is 89191. Other nearby zip codes include 89084, 89015, and 89014.
5. What is the BAH for Nellis AFB?
The BAH for Nellis AFB ranges from $1,881 for E-1 to $2,394 for E-9 with dependents, and $2,037 for O-1 to $2,745 for O-7 with dependents. See housing section for more info.
Image from pr.cap.gov
Base Location and Information
Nearby military installations:
Although the temperatures at Nellis AFB soar during the summer months, the area has some of the best recreation in the world nearby. The Las Vegas valley has great entertainment to explore such as its casinos and live shows. Many of today’s musicians have set up residencies in town for year round concerts.
The outdoor enthusiast will have much to choose from including fishing, water sports, and mountains all within a short drive away. The Nellis Outdoor Recreation office has some great activities to take part in such as kayaking and ATV tours as well as equipment rental, equestrian boarding, RV park and storage, and outdoor adventure programs.
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Arrival Lodging
Image from dodlodging.net
Nellis Inn
5941 Fitzgerald Blvd., Bldg. 556
Nellis AFB, Nevada, 89191
Contact: 702-652-2711
Nellis AFB Housing
Image from nellisfamilyhousing.com
Nellis AFB housing is managed by Hunt Military Community and located at the base of Sunrise Mountain. Nellis housing is made up of five communities with 1,100 new and renovated homes and includes 33 neighborhood parks and biking/walking/jogging paths as well as playgrounds, tot lots, and splash park. Amenities include attached garages, patios, large walk-in laundry rooms and more. The housing community has easy access to Las Vegas, Lake Mead, and Mt. Charleston areas.
Contact info:
Nellis AFB Off-Base Housing
View homes for sale and houses for rent near Nellis AFB: Nellis AFB Homes
Photo by Natalie Brennan on Unsplash
The cost of living in North Las Vegas and Nellis AFB is higher than the national average by approximately 10%. The median home price is around $450,000, and rent prices are, on average, between $2600 and $2800 per month for single-family homes/condos/townhomes.
Valley Vista, Centennial Hills, Providence, Aliante, and Skye Canyon are a few North Las Vegas neighborhoods to check out. If you’re willing to commute 40 minutes to an hour, check out the cities of Summerlin and Henderson.
City Search
Nellis AFB BAH Information
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S. based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed servicemembers compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Nellis AFB is in Las Vegas with many options to buy or rent. Some sample Nellis AFB BAH rates for zip code 89191:
- E-1 with dependents: $1,881
- E-1 without dependents: $1,485
- E-9 with dependents: $2,394
- E-9 without dependents: $2,055
- O-1 with dependents: $2,037
- O-1 without dependents: $1,740
- O-7 with dependents: $2,745
- O-7 without dependents: $2,352
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Area Weather and Climate
Lake Mead Recreational Area. Photo by Michael Yantis on Unsplash.
Las Vegas's climate is mostly dry and arid, which makes this the driest and sunniest area in the U.S. with scorching summers and occasional cool winters. The mountains keep the summer nights relatively cool. The city receives very little precipitation and winter weather is almost entirely unheard of. It might get cold but it does not get the freezing temperatures that you might experience in cooler regions.
With the oppressive desert heat, you might find yourself running your errands and activities in the morning or after sunset. Also plan to schedule regular pest control. Watch out for those pesky spiders and scorpions!
Nellis AFB Area Schools
Photo by Andrew Ebrahim on Unsplash
There are no DOD base schools on Nellis AFB. Coral Academy of Science is a Charter School which opened on base in 2016 to provide another education opportunity for youth PreK-8th grade. Attendance is based on a lottery system
Students attending public schools are zoned for Clark County School District. This is the fifth largest district in the nation with more than 316,000 students and 357 schools.
If you’re looking for other schooling options, Private School Review has some great information on local private schools in the Las Vegas area. For homeschooling info in the state of Nevada, check out the Department of Education or the Nellis Homeschool Community on Facebook. Make sure to connect with the Nellis School Liaison Officer for additional school information.
Clark County School District Map
Image from nv.ccsd.net
Support for Military and Families
Photo by Marissa Grootes on Unsplash
Education
If you’re interested in continuing your education, there are several options near Nellis AFB:
Employment
For military spouses looking for employment, the Las Vegas area unemployment rate as of May 2024 was 5.2% according to the U.S. Department of Labor and Statistics. A few of the top jobs and growing industries in the Las Vegas area include Customer Service Representative, Tax Accountant, HR Generalist, Market Manager, and Warehouse Worker.
Volunteering
There are some great options to get involved in the community while stationed at Nellis AFB. Lots of local organizations are looking for volunteers such as Helping Hands of Vegas Valley, Lighthouse Charities, Three Square, Get Outdoors Nevada, Project 150, Rescued Treasures Cat Cafe, and Nellis Air Force Base community.
Some Helpful Links:
Things to Do Near Nellis AFB
Lake Mead Recreational Area. Photo by Michael Yantis on Unsplash
Thunderbirds Museum: Sixty-four years of team history can be found at the Thunderbirds museum, located inside the Thunderbirds hangar on Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Its main exhibit is a Thunderbirds aircraft static display, and visitors can get a glimpse of this display 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Nellis AFB Golf Course: Nellis has some great golfing. Check out the Sunrise Vista Golf course which offers 18 holes of Championship golf, plus it makes a great venue for squadron events. The golf course cafe also offers breakfast and lunch specials. They offer tournament packages and practice facilities as well as great TDY specials.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway: If you’re into NASCAR and other racing events, you are in for a treat! The speedway offers events throughout the year as well as special “fans first” incentives such as military and kids discounts, free parking and even camping.
Las Vegas Natural History Museum: There is something for everyone at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. This museum is full of educational and exciting natural science details. Your family will enjoy the interactive exhibits and educational programs offered including treasures of Egypt, Prehistoric Life Gallery, Marine Life Gallery and the Young Scientist Center.
Shark Reef Aquarium: Located in the Mandalay Bay resort in Las Vegas, the aquarium features more than 2,000 animals, including sharks, giant rays, endangered green sea turtles, piranha and a Komodo dragon.
Discover Children’s Museum: The museum has 3 floors of activities for the kids including a discovery lab, an “Eco City” which is a mini city complete with familiar buildings and businesses, plus a water world, festivals and tons more. Plan to spend the whole day or better yet have your child’s birthday party here!
Lake Mead National Recreation Area: Known as “America’s First Recreation area,” Lake Mead offers striking landscapes and bright blue waters. This area can be enjoyed year round for plenty of outdoor recreation such as boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and camping. You will also want to view the night sky from Lake Mead for stunning Milky Way views.
More Area Info
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Base Address:
4475 England Ave, Nellis AFB, NV 89191
Nellis AFB
,
89191