Columbus AFB

The 14th Flying Training Wing, under Air Education Training Command (AETC), focuses on specialized undergraduate pilot training in the T-6 Texan II, T-38C Talon and T-1A Jayhawk aircraft. Each day the wing flies an average of 260 sorties on its three parallel runways. The 14th Flying Training Wing's mission is to "Train World Class Pilots."

The installation's history began June 26, 1941 with the War Department's approval to establish an Army Air Field for the Columbus area. Initially, the base was a training facility for fighters and bombers. The Columbus flying school received its first aircraft--nine Lockheed AT-10s and twenty-one AT-8s in early 1942. Twenty-five cadets arrived at Columbus in February 1942. A total of 7,766 students came to Columbus for pilot training during World War II. When the war ended in 1945, the base strength had reached a peak of 2,300 enlisted men, 300 officers, and an average of 250 pilot cadets per class.

Columbus was void of activity for four years until communist troops violated South Korea's borders and fighting broke out in 1950. To handle increased pilot requirements for the Korean War, Air Training Command activated Columbus AFB on December 20, 1950 to be used as a station for a contract flying school. On April 1, 1955, HQ USAF transferred Columbus AFB from ATC control to Strategic Air Command and Second Air Force. After 14 years as a SAC base, on July 1, 1969, HQ USAF transferred Columbus back to ATC and to its original mission of training pilots. For more history on Columbus AFB, view the installation homepage.

Columbus AFB currently has a Total Force Strength of 2,693 personnel comprised of 1,383 civilian (civil service, contract) and 1,310 military members (CAFB Snapshot, Feb 2023).

Columbus: 22,552 (Mar 2024, source: World Population Review)

Lowndes County: 56,551 (Mar 2024, source: World Population Review)

Columbus AFB currently serves more than 10,000 personnel, comprised of 1,300 plus active duty military members, and a combined area populace which exceeds 9,000 personnel from the Reserves, other branches of service, Geographically Separated Units, family members, DoD civilians, contractors, and retirees.

Columbus Air Force Base is located in Columbus, Mississippi, and is home to the 14th Flying Training Wing, Air Education and Training Command (AETC). Located in Lowndes County, Columbus is considered a low-cost military town and is home to many retirees. Many popular travel spots such as New Orleans, Louisiana; Memphis, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; and the Gulf Coast are within 350 miles driving distance from Columbus. The base operator's phone number is 662-434-1110; DSN 312-742-1110. The base is located just off Highway 45 North, approximately 7.5 miles north of where Highway 82 intersects Highway 45 near downtown Columbus. The turnoff to the main gate is well marked with signage and a T-37 static display. There is an additional entrance on the south side of the base at the end of Highway 373 which is currently open to inbound/outbound traffic from 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. and outbound traffic only 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday. It is closed on weekends, holidays and other base wide down days.  For questions, you may call 662-434-3161, DSN 312-742-3161.

There are no commercial flights arriving or departing on Columbus Air Force Base. The commercial airport is called The Golden Triangle Regional Airport which is centrally located between the cities of Columbus, Starkville and West Point, Mississippi. It is a small airport served by Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA)/Delta Connection (flights to and from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia).

Airport Directions

The Golden Triangle Regional Airport is located approximately 25 miles west of Columbus Air Force Base on U.S. Highway 82 west. No shuttle service is available. Taxi service, airport limousine service and rental car agencies--Avis, Enterprise and Hertz are available.

Amtrak Directions

Amtrak stations are located 72 miles east of Columbus, MS in Tuscaloosa, AL, 96 miles south of Columbus in Meridian, MS and 108 miles west of Columbus in Greenwood, MS.

The Visitors Center is located at the Main (East) Gate. The hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday.  Columbus AFB requires all personnel to have a government-issued picture ID or pass to access the base. All Columbus AFB personnel must have their ID entered into the Defense Biometric Identification Systems (DBids) upon arrival. This can be processed at the Visitors Center. All non-military affiliated personnel will need to obtain a pass at the Visitors Center located at the main gate. Requirements to obtain a pass:

• Current, valid driver's license 
• Current proof of auto insurance and registration (paper copy) 
• Sponsor (ID cardholder) 
• Sponsor phone number 

The Main Gate is open 24/7. The South Gate is currently open to inbound/outbound traffic from 6 a.m. - 8 a.m. and outbound traffic only 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday. It is closed on weekends, holidays and other base wide down days.  For questions, you may call 662-434-3161, DSN 312-742-3161.

Columbus AFB is located 8 miles north of downtown Columbus, MS. on U.S. Highway 45 North, then one mile west. All routes are well posted with signs.

Arriving from the East to Columbus AFB
If you are traveling by automobile from the east (Birmingham, AL), take I-59/I-20 south to Tuscaloosa, AL. Take exit 73, (U. S. Highway 82 West/McFarland Blvd). Stay on U.S. 82 West to Columbus, MS. Turn right onto U.S. Highway 45 North to Columbus AFB. Approximately 72 miles from Tuscaloosa, AL.

If arriving from Montgomery, AL, take US Highway 82 West toward Tuscaloosa, AL. Continue to follow US Highway 82 West to Columbus, MS. Take the 18th Avenue exit and turn onto US Highway 45 North, go approx. 7 miles.

Arriving from the South to Columbus AFB
Two routes are available:
I-59 North to Meridian, MS. Then U.S. Highway 45 North to Columbus AFB. Approximately 96 miles from Meridian, MS.

I-55 North in Jackson, MS then take Highway 25 North to Starkville, MS and merge onto US Highway 82 East toward Columbus, MS. Approximately 156 miles from Jackson, MS.

Arrival from the West to Columbus AFB
I-20 East to Jackson, MS. Then I-55 North to Winona, MS. Exit U.S. Highway 82 East to Columbus, MS. Then U.S. Highway 45 North to Columbus AFB. Approximately 96 miles from Winona, MS.

Arrival from the North to Columbus AFB
If arriving from the North (Memphis, TN), take US Highway 78 east into Mississippi. Take exit 86A onto US Highway 45 South toward Tupelo, MS. Continue on US Highway 45 South to Columbus AFB. Approximately 164 miles from Memphis, TN.

Currently, there is no base transportation on Columbus Air Force Base other than the Base Taxi for official use. Please call 662-434-7430 or DSN 312-742-7430 for vehicle dispatch.

Directory DSN 312-742-1110 or 662-434-1110.