Compared to the rest of the country, the Las Vegas cost of living is 4.5% higher than the U.S. average. The median home cost in Las Vegas is $415,000.
Everyone at Creech plays a vital role in molding its aerial forces into the "toughest kid on the block." The work is hard, the hours are sometimes long and the temperatures soar during summer months. Nevertheless, Creech AFB and the Las Vegas Valley are great places to work and live. This area has some of the best entertainment and recreation in the world including fishing, water sports, and mountains which are only a short drive away.
Social Media
Social media can often cause things to go ‘viral' - News and Media agencies can pick up stories within minutes of information being posted. Please be mindful that due to the sensitive mission at Creech, specifics about assignments to Creech AFB and related activities should not be posted to social media. Please remind parents and other relatives that Creech Airmen and families can't be named in the news. The Creech Public Affairs Office is available at 702-404-1618 to answer social media concerns.
Traveling to Creech AFB
Creech AFB is located on Hwy 95, approximately 30 miles northwest of the Las Vegas valley, near Indian Springs. There is one gas station on the 1/2 way point, another in Indian Springs. There are no businesses on this remote stretch of highway. During the cooler months, wild burros have been spotted near the road's edge, particularly in the evening, and have caused several accidents. Additionally, during monsoon season (late June-September), flash flooding can cause travel delays on the highway.
To contact Nevada Highway Patrol:
Passports and Visas
Ensure member and/or dependents have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing. Member and/or dependents are not allowed to final out-process without the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents. Members electing the accompanied tour will not be permitted to out-process without having the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.
These actions are necessary to prevent unforeseen hardships to the military members and their families. Therefore, as a last reiteration, it is essential, members do not out-process without having the appropriate passports/visas for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. The commercial telephone number for Creech AFB operator is 702-652-1110 (Nellis/Creech joint operator); however, the Creech commercial telephone prefix for most offices is 702-404-XXXX.
432d Wing consists of combat-ready Airmen who fly the MQ-9 Reaper aircraft to support American and Coalition warfighters. The remotely piloted aircraft provide real-time reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision attack against fixed and time-critical targets. The Hunters conduct remotely piloted aircraft initial qualification training for aircrew, intelligence, weather, and maintenance personnel.
On June 20, 2005, Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field officially changed its name to Creech Air Force Base in honor of Gen. Wilbur L. "Bill" Creech. As the commander of Tactical Air Command from 1978 to 1984, General Creech shaped the Air Force of today with a call for new weapons and tactics. He revolutionized the Air Force by espousing a philosophy of decentralized authority and responsibility. He was also known as the "father of the Thunderbirds," the Air Force's premiere air demonstration squadron.
The airfield that now bears General Creech's name was originally built by the Army in the early 1940s to support the war effort during World War II. A month after the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, the Army began building a training camp near the community of Indian Springs, Nev. By the end of 1942, the service had contracted for regular facilities and by the end of February 1943 the base was being used as a divert field and base for air-to-air gunnery training. The little post was in service supporting B-17s and T-6s until March 1945 when the Army put the base in stand-by status maintained by a small housekeeping staff. When Las Vegas Army Air Field inactivated in January 1947, Indian Springs also closed down. The base re-opened in January 1948 and two years later received its first permanently assigned Air Force unit. In August 1951, the base became an auxiliary field and in July 1952 transferred from Air Training Command to the Air Research and Development Command, reporting to the Air Force Special Weapons Center in Albuquerque, N.M.
The base transferred to the Tactical Air Command in 1961. It officially became Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field during the 1980s. Following the inactivation of Tactical Air Command in 1992, the base became a component of Air Combat Command. On May 1, 2007 the 432nd Wing stood up and is now home to the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft. For more information, please visit the installation homepage.
There are approximately 3,500 military who work at Creech AFB. Creech AFB receives support from Nellis AFB, which is located approximately 60 minutes away, in the northeast corner of the Las Vegas valley.
The current metro area population of Las Vegas in 2022 was 2,899,000, a 2.11% increase from 2022.
Creech AFB has approximately 3,500 personnel comprised of active-duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen as well as Department of Defense civilians and contractors assigned to Creech AFB. The 432d WG has command and control over one geographically separated active-duty unit and more than 250 Air National Guard personnel that are a part of units in California, North Dakota, Texas and Arizona.
Creech AFB is located in Indian Springs about 30 miles northwest of Las Vegas and 50 miles west/northwest of Nellis AFB. Nellis AFB provides daily round-trip shuttle bus service between bases for dorm residents. A park-and-ride facility is located on U.S. 95 (Directly off of Exit 93, north of the Hwy 215 interchange) in northwest Las Vegas for car pool use and many personnel participate in the Mass Transportation Benefit Program (vanpool) available at Creech AFB.
Many military personnel live in the northwest corner of the Las Vegas valley, an area which has grown tremendously over the last few years. Popular zip codes include 89131, 89143, 89166, 89084, and 89085.
The local area has an average annual humidity of 28 percent and the climate is very dry. Summer temperatures average from the mid-90s to mid-110s and nights are pleasantly cool. Winter temperatures average from the mid-30s to upper 60s. High velocity wind storms, dust storms, and rain storms which may cause flash flooding occur occasionally throughout the year.
Creech Air Force Base is located in Indian Springs, NV, approximately 50 miles from Nellis Air Force Base, 315 miles from Los Angeles , 334 miles from Phoenix, 458 miles from Salt Lake City and 319 miles from Grand Canyon National Park.
Traveling from the civilian airport to Creech AFB -- If arriving by civilian airline, Creech AFB is located about 60 miles northwest from Harry Reid International Airport. Merge onto I-215 West, merge onto I-15 North, and merge onto US-95 North. Creech AFB main gate is located on the right as you approach Indian Springs.
Traveling from the Civilian Airport to Nellis AFB for Lodging - If arriving in Las Vegas by civilian airline Nellis AFB is located about 15 miles from Harry Reid International Airport. Follow signs to Interstate 15 (I-15) North to the Craig Road exit. Go right, or east, onto Craig Road. Nellis AFB main gate is located east of Interstate 15 at the end of Craig Road.
Taking Bus from Harry Reid International Airport to Nellis AFB - Personnel can board the Westcliff Express (WAX) Northbound at zero level and take it to the Downtown Transportation Center for a transfer to the Max (Bus #113 North). The Max would then take them to the base. For schedules, visit their website.
Cost for the trip is $5 one way, $7 round trip. Ticket is good for 24 hours as a day pass. The approximate travel times would be around 1 hour from the airport to the base.
Traveling from Las Vegas Bus Stations to Nellis AFB - From Las Vegas Bus Stations go north on Main Street which will merge with Las Vegas Blvd North. Nellis AFB is located on Las Vegas Blvd about 8 miles east of the Bus and Train Stations.
Commercial: 702-652-1110 or DSN: 312-682-1110.
Release 2023.08.17.1