Mission
Dyess Air Force Base is a professional team, delivering bombing, airlift support, training, and combat support to combatant commanders anytime, anywhere. Dyess AFB trains all Air Force B-1 crews and is commonly referred to as the "America's Lift-and-Strike Base." Major Commands: Air Force Global Strike Command and Air Mobility Command. Primary Weapon Systems: B-1B, C-130J.
7th BW Mission: Professional - Innovative - Airmen delivering credible and decisive combat power.
For more information about the base, access this link. For Newcomers' information, click here.
History
Originally known as Abilene Air Force Base, this Strategic Air Command base was dedicated by the city fathers and Air Force officials in September 1956. On December 6 of that same year, the base was renamed Dyess AFB in honor of Lt. Col William Edwin Dyess who was born in Albany, Texas in 1912. A survivor of the Bataan Death March, he died in an aircraft crash in Burbank, California, on December 22, 1943 following his repatriation from the Philippines.
Long a Strategic Air Command installation, Dyess at one time housed two bomb wings and a strategic missile squadron, in addition to several different C-130 units. On Oct 1 1993, the base was restructured under the one-base, one-wing, one-commander concept, combining the 96th Wing and the 463d Wing as the 7th Wing which moved without personnel or equipment from Carswell AFB, Fort Worth, Texas, flying the B-1B Lancer and C-130 Hercules.
On April 1, 1997, Dyess' wing further restructuring resulted in move of Dyess’ C-130 Hercules to the Air Mobility Command. The 317th once more experienced a shift when it was activated as the 317th Airlift Wing on July 6, 2017. For a detailed history of Dyess Air Force Base, please see the installation homepage.
Population
- Active Duty - 4151
- Civilian Employees - 1500
- Dependents - 6648
- Veterans - 10,000+ among which 3,500+ are retirees
The 2023 Census yielded the following data: City of Abilene population is 129,043 and Taylor County population is 146,836.
The total population of Dyess AFB is approximately 15,000 personnel including officers, enlisted, retirees, civilian employees, and family members. Most of the population is Air Force but a few detachments of Marines, Reservists, and Army National Guardsmen are also located on base.
Location
Dyess AFB is located in the city of Abilene in Taylor County, Texas in the USA. Abilene is a military friendly city in west-central Texas located about 183 miles west of Dallas and 250 miles north of San Antonio. Nicknamed the Key City, it is the center of a 19-county area called "The Big Country," and considered the economic hub of this part of Texas. Near the geographic center of the state, Abilene is easily accessible by five major highways: Interstate 20, Highways 80 and 84 east and west, and Highways 83 and 277 north and south.
Abilene is considered a medium cost area. The median household income was reported by the US Census in 2023 to be $62,720 compared to the $80,610 in the US.
Directions
Abilene Regional Airport services the Abilene and Dyess AFB community and it is located about 15 miles from Dyess Air Force Base. Rental Car Service is provided by AVIS, Enterprise, and Hertz, or otherwise taxi or ride services can be hired.
The next closest airport is DFW.
Directions from Abilene Regional Airport
If your sponsor does not meet you at the airport, a taxi or rental car is recommended. Upon exiting the airport, turn left onto Highway 36 (South 11th). Get on hwy TX-322 Loop on the left side right after the overpass, Follow TX-322 Loop W and US-83N - 84W and exit on S7th St on Danville Dr. Take left at the light and follow the road to its end where you will take a left on Arnold Blvd - the base entrance will be at the next light to the right.
Directions Driving to Dyess AFB from the North
Take U.S. Highway 277 or 83 south to the S. 7th St exit. Turn right (west) onto S. 7th St and continue to Arnold Blvd. Turn left (south) onto Arnold Blvd. The Dyess AFB main gate will be on your right.
Directions Driving to Dyess AFB from the South
Take U.S. Highway 277, 83, or 84 north to the S. 7th St. exit. Turn left (west) onto S. 7th St. and continue to Arnold Blvd. Turn left (south) onto Arnold Blvd. The Dyess AFB main gate will be on your right. If you are coming in on Highway 36, follow the directions from the airport.
Directions Driving to Dyess AFB from the East
From Dallas, take I-20 West for approximately 200 miles. Upon reaching Abilene, continue on I-20 (not Business 20) until you reach the interchange with U.S. Highway 277/83. Merge south onto Highway 277/83 and take the S. 7th St exit. Turn right (west) onto S. 7th St, then left (south) onto Arnold Blvd. The Dyess AFB gate will be on your right.
Directions Driving to Dyess AFB from the West
Take I-20/84 east to Arnold Blvd. Turn south on Arnold Blvd, and the Dyess AFB gate will be on your right. If coming from the west, DO take exit 279, which leads directly into town.
Directions from Bus Station
The Greyhound Bus Line comes into Abilene at 1657 State Highway 351, Abilene, TX 79601. The city bus, CityLink of Abilene, does pass by the Greyhound bus station; however, pick-up is across the street at the Walmart location. The CitiLink bus does not come onto the base. and a bus stop is located near the gate. Please use the CilyLink website to locate their route map and schedule.
What to do when you arrive at the Dyess AFB Front Gate
When arriving at the front gate, Military ID Card and identification for each family member/passenger will need to be presented. You may be asked to enter the Visitor Control Center to get a visitor's pass should anyone accompanying you needs one. There, you might need to show your military ID card, your Driver's License, and a copy of your orders. They may also request to see your Vehicle Registration and Proof of Insurance.
The Visitor Center hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Restricted Area Badge as well as contractor passes/badges can be issued during open hours. Visitor passes are also available on weekends and after hours from on-duty Security Forces personnel at Arnold Gate.
From the front gate, as you proceed down Arnold Blvd to the traffic circle, stay in the left lane so you can exit on Fifth Street (3rd traffic circle exit). Dyess Inn is located at 441 Fifth Street (about half-way down the block on your left). Their phone number is 325-696-2681/1874 or DSN 312-461-2681/1874.
Base Transportation
Dyess does not have a shuttle bus service. Based on availability and for official business only (ex. medical appointments), members may call the Base Taxi Dispatch at 325-696-2265. The Base Taxi is the only official transportation available on and around base. The distance from the main gate to Lodging is 1.7 miles. From Lodging, many base facilities, such as AAFES, Commissary, Finance, TMO, Military and Family Readiness Center, the Chapel, Dyess Lanes Bowling Center and Deadwood Cafe, Shoppette, Base Gym, the Library, and Dining Facility are within walking distance.
