Arrival at Los Angeles International Airport
If you are traveling to California by commercial air to Los Angeles International Airport you have two means of transportation to Edwards Air Force Base. One is to have your sponsor pick you up at LAX. Another is to take the Antelope Express shuttle that will drop you off at the Comfort Inn, in Lancaster, 1825 W. Ave, J-12, Lancaster, CA 93534. Making a reservation for the Antelope Express shuttle prior to your arrival is highly recommended to guarantee a seat on the van or bus. Make reservations by calling 661-945-2529.
Upon your arrival at LAX, proceed to the baggage claim area. A schedule of the Antelope Express can be found at the Ground Transportation Service area. The Antelope Express Van picks up new arrivals underneath the hanging green "BUSES & LONG DISTANCE VANS" sign on the center island in front of each terminal. Cost from LAX is $75 one way. You will be reimbursed when you file your Travel Voucher.
Pets
A maximum of two animals per household is allowed while residing on Edwards. All animals must be registered within 10 working days of arrival by presenting a current rabies certificate or scheduling vaccinations at the Edwards Veterinary Treatment Facility.
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.
If you are traveling to California by commercial air to Los Angeles International Airport you have two means of transportation to Edwards AFB. One is to have your sponsor pick you up at LAX. Another is to take the Antelope Express shuttle that will pick up new arrivals underneath the hanging green “Flyaway Buses & Long Distance Vans” sign on the center island in front of each terminal. They will drop you off in Palmdale at AV Flyaway, 332 W. Ave S. or in Lancaster at the Comfort Inn 1825 W. Ave J-12 Lancaster CA 93534. Making a reservation for the Antelope Express shuttle prior to your arrival is highly recommended to guarantee a seat on the van or bus. Make reservations by calling 661-947-2529 or 800-251-2529.
Cost from LAX is $75 one way and $123 round trip per person. You will be reimbursed when you file your Travel Voucher.
Defense Service Network Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense. 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 operator can be reached at commercial 719-567-1110. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred.
The Air Force Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California, is the Air Force Materiel Command center of excellence for conducting and supporting research, development, and test and evaluation of aerospace systems from concept to combat. It operates the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and is home to NASA’s Dryden Research Center and considerable test activity conducted by America’s commercial aerospace industry. From the development of the country’s first jet aircraft to the Air Force’s newest fighter, the F-22 Raptor, the test forces at Edwards have played a role in the development of virtually every aircraft to enter the Air Force inventory since World War II. The 412th Test Wing is the host wing for Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. -- the 2nd largest base in the Air Force. The 412th Test Wing plans, conducts, analyzes, and reports on all flight and ground testing of aircraft, weapons systems, software and components as well as modeling and simulation for the U.S. Air Force. There are three components for this mission: flying operations, maintenance, and engineering.
Edwards Air Force Base occupies territory once explored by Spanish colonists and settled by pioneer homesteaders. The military base began as a stark and remote bombing range in 1933 and went on to become a major bomber training base in World War II. Edwards Air Force Base originated during the darkest days of the war and has since achieved major milestones in flight than anywhere else in the world. Aircraft ranging from the Bell XP-59 Airacomet, to the Bell X-1, to the NASA Space Shuttle and to the B-2 Bomber were first developed, tested and finalized for production at Edwards. This proud history continues with the testing of the Joint Strike Fighter X-35A, Airborne Laser Weapons and the Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Programs. For more history visit the Edwards AFB homepage.
Active Duty 2,207Air Reserve and National Guard 37Civilian Employees 4,302Contractors 2,265Associates and NAF 229Private Business 175Base Exchange 138Family Members 2,104
Total 11, 457
Kern County - 913,090Los Angeles County - 9,969,510
The mission of the 412th Test Wing plans, conducts, analyzes, and reports on all flight and ground testing aircraft, weapons systems, software and components as well as modeling and simulation for the USAF. There are three core components for this mission: flying operations, maintenance, and engineering. Through a maintenance group of over 2,000 people and an operations group of 3,000, the Test Wing maintains and flies an average of 90 aircraft with upwards of 30 different aircraft designs and performs over 7,400 missions (over 1,900 test missions) on an annual basis.
The 412th Test Wing is the host wing for Edwards Air Force Base, California. The 2nd largest base in the Air Force, the wing oversees base day-to-day operations and provides support for over 10,000 military, federal civilian, and contract personnel assigned to a 470 square mile installation.
The Test Pilot School, also part of the test wing is where the Air Force’s top pilots, navigators, and engineers learn how to conduct flight tests and generate the data needed to carry out test missions. Humanlives and millions of dollars depend upon how carefully a test mission is planned and flown. The comprehensive curriculum of Test Pilot is fundamental to the success of the flight test and evaluation.
Welcome to Edwards Air Force Base! Edwards Air Force Base, in the western portion of the Mojave Desert, is 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles and is ideally located for shopping, sightseeing, and recreational activities. The Edwards community is located in Kern County, CA. The entire Antelope Valley is our home community – from Rosamond to California City to Boron, Lancaster, Palmdale and Acton – giving us a wide range of off-base activities from the Poppy Festival to Willow Springs’ auto racing. The cost of living for Kern County is above the national average at 102.20. The base operator's phone number is 661-277-1110 or DSN 312-527-1110.
If you are traveling to California by commercial air to Los Angeles International Airport you have two means of transportation to Edwards AFB. One is to have your sponsor pick you up at LAX. Another is to take the Antelope Express shuttle that will drop you off at either the Ramada Inn in Palmdale 300 West Palmdale Boulevard CA 93551 or the Comfort Inn in Lancaster 1825 W. Ave J-12 Lancaster CA 93534. Making a reservation for the Antelope Express shuttle prior to your arrival is highly recommended to guarantee a seat on the van or bus. Make reservations by calling 661-947-2529. Cost of services change on a regular basis. Please call for current cost.
Antelope Valley Airport Express Van
Upon your arrival at LAX proceed to the Baggage Claim area. A schedule of the Antelope Valley Airport Express can be found at the Ground Transportation Service area. The AV Airport Express Van picks up new arrivals underneath the hanging green "Flyaway Buses & Long Distance Vans" sign on the center island in front of each terminal.
Drop off/pick up points are:
Fees for Van Service
Fees for the AV Airport Express are collected on departure from LAX and are as follows:
Meet N Greet same day travel $60. Pets are allowed however there is a fee of $10 to $ 20 depending on the size. The pets must be in a carrier. For luggage in excess of 2 pieces per person not including carry on there is an additional charge of $5 per bag. Additional charges apply for golf clubs, surfboards, skies bicycles and boxes. Please visit AV Airport Express website.
Traveling by Bus
If you arrive at LAX the Prime Time Shuttle is available. Call 800-733-8267 for information regarding cost and departure times or book on-line.
Traveling by Train
Should you travel to California by train, AMTRAK, you will arrive at Barstow which is approximately one hour from Edwards. Greyhound Bus also provides bus service to Mojave approximately 23 miles from Edwards.
Your sponsor can pick you up at LAX. Taxi cost is approximately $350.00 to Edwards. LAX to Lancaster is 80 miles and Lancaster to Edwards is another 35 miles. If you use a taxi or rental car, the authorization must be included in your orders.
If you are driving to Edwards from LAX take the 405 (San Diego Fwy) North; Merge to the I-5 (Golden State Fwy) North; Exit right to the I-14 (Antelope Valley Fwy) North. Proceed North on the 14 through Palmdale, Lancaster. Past Avenue "A", you'll enter Rosamond. Exit 55 takes you to Edwards AFB exit and turn right onto Rosamond Boulevard. Proceed through two lights, across the railroad tracks and straight onto EAFB property. You'll see the "Welcome to Edwards" marker. Proceed straight to the West Gate on Rosamond Blvd.; about a 17 mile stretch of desert. The housing area and Billeting Office are approximately 8 miles beyond the gate. To get to billeting, the Desert High Inn, stay on Rosamond Boulevard until you see Fitzgerald Ave. At the intersection, turn left. You’ll pass by Burger King, BX, Commissary, and Starbucks on your right. Then turn left on Oleander St. The road will wind slightly. Turn left on Honts Avenue. The Desert High Inn will be on your left. It is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Once you arrive at the front gate you will proceed to Military Personnel Flight, located at BLDG 3000. If you arrive after hours contact your sponsor or your First Shirt and proceed to billeting.
Currently, there is no base transportation. There is no provision for on-base shuttle busses or taxis. Distance from one facility to another typically requires a private-owned vehicle or government vehicle. Desert heat is another reason why most people drive from one facility to another. Off base, there is public transportation available (buses and taxis) off base. However, a person must coordinate for someone to pick them up at the entry control point.
661-277-1110 or DSN 312-527-1110.
Release 2024.03.06.1