Dyess AFB  In-depth Overview

Dyess Air Force Base 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 "Home of the B-1." Major Command: Air Force Global Strike Command and Air Mobility Command. Primary Weapon Systems: B-1B, C-130-H.

7TH BW Mission: Professional Airmen delivering credible, adaptive, and decisive combat power.

Originally known as Abilene Air Force Base, the Strategic Air Command base was dedicated by the city fathers at the end of Abilene's Diamond Jubilee in 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, and died in an aircraft crash in Burbank, California, December 22, 1943. On October 1, 1993, Dyess became a one-base, one-wing, one-commander base, combining the 96th Wing and the 463d Wing as the 7th Wing, flying the B-1B Lancer and C-130 Hercules. On April 1, 1997, Dyess' wing became the 7th Bomb Wing and the C-130 Hercules aircraft once again became a part of Air Mobility Command and Dyess' 317th Airlift Group. 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.

• Active Duty - 8000
• Civilian Employees - 5000
• Dependents - 4863
• Retirees - 3214

(2020 Census) City of Abilene population is 125,182 and Taylor County population is 143,208

The total population of Dyess AFB is approximately 13,132 personnel including officers, enlisted, retirees, civilian employees, and family members. Most of the population is Air Force but we also have a detachment of Marines, some Reservists, and some Army National Guardsmen.

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. 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 a medium cost area. The median household income is $50,659 and the US average salary is $56,516 according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Abilene Regional Airport services the Abilene and Dyess AFB community. It is located about 15 miles from Dyess Air Force Base. Rental Car Service is provided by AVIS, Enterprise, and Hertz, or you can contact taxi or ride services.

Directions from Abilene Regional Airport

If your sponsor does not meet you at the airport, a taxi or rental car is the way to go. Upon exiting the airport, turn left on Highway 36 (South 11th). At the light at Treadaway Blvd turn right, this will take you to South 1st, stay in the left lane at the S. 1st interchange. Stay on S. 1st across town, and pass under the Highway 277 overpass. Take the next exit to the right and turn left onto Arnold Blvd. The Dyess AFB main gate will be on your 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) on S. 7th to Arnold Blvd., left (south) on Arnold Blvd. to the Dyess AFB main gate 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) on S. 7th to Arnold Blvd., left (south) on Arnold Blvd. to the Dyess AFB main gate on your right. If you re coming in on Highway 36, follow the Directions from the Airport.

Directions Driving to Dyess AFB from the East

Take I-20 west from Dallas 200 miles, at Abilene stay on I-20, NOT Business 20, until you reach U.S. Highway 277/83. At the interchange, go south on Highway 277/83 to the S. 7th St exit. Turn right (west) on S.7th to Arnold Blvd, then left (south) on Arnold Blvd to the Dyess AFB gate on your right.

Directions Driving to Dyess AFB from the West

Take I-20/84 east to Arnold Blvd, turn south on Arnold Blvd to the Dyess AFB gate on your right. Coming from the west you DO head directly into town, exit 279.

Directions from Bus Station

The Greyhound Bus Line comes into Abilene at 1657 State Highway 351, Abilene, TX 79601. The city bus, City Link of Abilene, does pass by the bus station however; pick-up is across the street at the Wal-Mart location. The Citilink bus does not come onto the base but there is a bus stop location at the base visitors center where your sponsor can meet you. So again if you're not met by your sponsor the best way is to use a taxi.

What to do when you arrive at the Dyess AFB Front Gate

When you arrive at the front gate, you will need to show them your Military ID Card and identification for each family member/passenger. They may ask you to enter the Visitor Control Center to get a visitor's pass. The Visitor Control Center is now co-located with the Dyess Museum located at 800 Arnold Boulevard. There, you will need to show them 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 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Restricted Area Badge issue 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, you proceed down Arnold Blvd to the Traffic Circle. Stay in the left lane so you can exit the Traffic Circle on Fifth Street. 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.

Dyess does not have a shuttle bus service. The Base Taxi is the only official transportation available on and around base. For official business only, members may call the Base Taxi Dispatch at 325-696-2265. The distance from the main gate to Lodging is approximately 1.5 miles. From Lodging, many base facilities, such as AAFES, Commissary, Finance, TMO, Airman and Family Readiness Center, the Chapel and Burger King, are within walking distance.