Fort Rucker  In-depth Overview

The current mission of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) is to develop the aviation force for its worldwide mission. This mission includes developing concepts, doctrine, organization, training, leader development, material, and soldier requirements. It is also to provide resident and nonresident aviation maintenance, logistics and leadership training in support of the total force and foreign nations for the sustainment of joint and combined aviation operations. Major commands on Fort Rucker include U.S. Army Garrison Fort Rucker, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE), U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center, U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career College, U.S. Army Aviation Technical Test Center (ATTC), Aviation Center Logistics Command (ACLC), U.S. Army Aeromedical Center, U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, U.S. Army School of Aviation Medicine, and U.S. Army Air Traffic Services Command (ATSCOM).

MISSION STATEMENT:

USAACE trains, educates, and develops agile and adaptive Army Aviation professionals, manages the Aviation Enterprise, and integrates indispensable Aviation capabilities and requirements across the warfighting functions to enable commanders and Soldiers on the ground to fight and win in an increasingly complex world.

Fort Rucker and Army Aviation trace their origins back to earlier eras, as both were products of World War II. During World War II, America conducted a manpower mobilization unprecedented in its history in terms of total numbers. The United States put into uniform over 16 million men and approximately 333,000 women. This mobilization called for the creation of new training camps and military bases, including Camp Rucker, named in honor of Colonel Edmund W. Rucker, a Civil War Confederate Officer, who was given the honorary title of "General." With the consolidation of all Army Aviation flight training at Fort Rucker in 1973, the post became the Mecca for Army aviators. Air Force helicopter pilots have also trained here since 1971, as have students from more than 60 foreign countries. For more information, go to the https://home.army.mil/rucker/index.php/history link.

• Post Population: 20,210
• Military: 5,009
• Civilian: 10,104
• Military Family Members: 5,097

Fort Rucker, AL has a population of 4,681 and is the 6,757th largest city in the United States. The population density is 431 per sq mi which is 368% higher than the Alabama average and 376% higher than the national average. The median age in Fort Rucker is 23 which is approximately 39% lower than the Alabama average of 39. In Fort Rucker, 63% of the population over 15 years of age are married, 92% speak English and 7% speak Spanish. 12% of Fort Rucker residents were born in Alabama, 80% were born out of state, 5% were born outside of the United States and 3% were foreign born.

Fort Rucker lies in Dale County, which has a population of 49,226 (2017). Neighboring Coffee County has a population of 51,874 (2017). Houston County has a population of 104,346 (2017)

The Fort Rucker Community:

The Army Aviation Warfighting Center, Fort Rucker, Alabama, is located in the southeast corner of Alabama. The post is located in Dale County. Fort Rucker is approximately 80 miles south of Montgomery and 20 miles northwest of Dothan. Florida's Gulf Coast lies 80 miles to the south. The communities of Enterprise, Daleville, and Ozark are west, south and east of the post, respectively and serve as our three main gates. The post covers about 64,500 acres of countryside in an area known as the "Wiregrass," named for a wild grass peculiar to the region. The area is known for its lower cost of living, making it a prime target for real estate investments. The base operator's phone number is 334-255-1110 or DSN 312-558-1110.

Directions from Dothan Airport

Personnel incoming to Fort Rucker that arrive at Dothan Airport, upon leaving the airport, turn left onto Railroad Avenue and then turn right onto Napier Field Road (County Road 112) which becomes AL-134. Continue on Napier Field Road toward Midland City, where Napier Field Road will turn into Hwy 134. Turn left to stay on AL-134. Follow Hwy 134 to Daleville. Once in Daleville, turn right at the first light onto Hwy 85N (Daleville Avenuve), which leads you through Daleville, and onto Fort Rucker. Personnel arriving at the Dothan airport will need to take a  taxi which will cost approximately $40 dollars one way.

Directions from Montgomery Airport

If arriving at Montgomery Airport, upon leaving the airport, turn right on Hwy 80 (Selma Hwy). Follow Hwy 80, turn right onto Hwy 82, and continue on Hwy 82 till you reach US Hwy 231 South, turn right and follow Hwy 231 South to Ozark. Upon entering Ozark, turn right at the first stop light onto Hwy 249, which leads you to Fort Rucker. There is no shuttle bus from the airport to Fort Rucker. 

Entering Fort Rucker Post

An excellent road network makes it easy to drive to the post from any direction. Entry to the post is through three main gates: the Ozark Gate from the east, the Daleville Gate from the south and the Enterprise Gate from the west. If you are coming from Ozark via Highway 231, turn onto Alabama 249 westbound (also known as Andrews Ave.) and continue driving until you reach the Ozark Gate.

If you are traveling from Enterprise, take Rucker Boulevard, to the Enterprise Gate.

From Dothan, take Highway 84 West, turn right at the Daleville exit, continue driving on Daleville Ave. for about two miles and then enter the post at the Daleville Gate. 

The Faulkner Gate is open 4:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Faulkner Gate is closed on weekends, DONSAs and federal holidays.

The Newton Gate is open 5-7 a.m., Monday through Friday; 1-3 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 9:30-10:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Unless escorted by an ID cardholder, visitors with a pass must first obtain a pass from either the Daleville or Ozark VCC during their hours of operation.

Soldiers Service Center: Located on Novosel St., between Andrews Ave. and 5th Willie Ruf Ave., across the street from the U.S. Army Aviation Museum, the Cribbins Soldiers Service Center, Bldg. 5700, is a one-stop shop for all military and civilian personnel services. The in-processing signs posted at each of the three main entrances to Fort Rucker point permanent party Soldiers to the Soldiers Service Center

The area code for the Fort Rucker area is 334.

Currently, there is no installation provided transportation. 

334-255-1110 or DSN 312-558-1110