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Department of the Air Force
52802 Kansas Street
McConnell AFB, KS 67221-3606
316-759-6100
312-743-6100
The cost of living in Wichita is nearly 10% below the national average. The city offers many wonderful amenities with incredible affordability. According to the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, the average existing home price is around $156,800. Rental costs for a two-bedroom apartment average $754/month, which is well below the national average.
Telephone Access
McConnell AFB is in the 316 area code. Commercial base numbers have a prefix of 759. The DSN prefix is 743. The base operator can be reached at 316-759-6100 or DSN 312-743-6100.
Housing
Contact McConnell's Military Housing Office (316-759-3171/3173) for information about on and off-base housing. You can also find information on the Air Force Housing website.
Child Care
Requests for care at the base Child Development Center (316-759-4223) can be submitted on the Military Child Care website. The CDC serves children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. For off-base child care resources, visit the Child Care Aware of Kansas website.
Pets
Dog owners living within Wichita city limits must obtain a dog license every year. Pets living on base need to be registered and microchipped within five working days of moving into base housing. There is a 2 pet maximum on base. Banned/aggressive breeds are not allowed. Additional information on the DoD's policy for banned/aggressive breeds can be found on the Air Force Housing website.
Firearms
All firearms stored in base housing must be registered within 72 hours. The 22 Security Forces Squadron Armory is the POC for registration and can be reached at 316-759-3259. All personnel must immediately disclose carry/transport of privately-owned firearms to the gate guard upon base entry. Neither firearms nor ammunition can be kept or stored in the dormitories or in TLF. The carrying or transporting of privately-owned firearms on McConnell AFB is illegal by federal law. Exceptions to this include the purchase of a firearm at the BX and the transport of a firearm between an off-base activity and authorized storage.
Passports and Visas
Members and/or dependents must have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing. Members and/or dependents are not allowed to final out-process without 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.
The McConnell AFB Child Development Center offers care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. There is typically a wait list for all ages. Parents should request care at the CDC as soon as they know they're coming to McConnell. This can be done online through MilitaryChildCare.com. This site enables families to create a household profile, conduct child care searches, submit requests for care, and manage their requests at any time and from any location. The McConnell CDC can be reached at 316-759-4223 (DSN 312-743-4223).
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 22nd Air Refueling Wing is the host unit at McConnell AFB and part of the Air Mobility Command. The 22nd ARW is one of the Air Force's three core tanker wings. The Wing's fleet of KC-135 and KC-46 aircraft provides in-flight all-weather aerial refueling for U.S. and allied military aircraft, as well as airlift for global reach projection of troops, equipment and supplies worldwide. The Wing's 17 squadrons (16 at McConnell, one at Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire) combine for a force of approximately 3,500 active duty military members.
The base is Total Force, hosting the 931st Air Refueling Wing Air Force Reserve and the 184th Wing Air National Guard units.
McConnell's history began with the creation of the Wichita Municipal Airport in 1929. The Airport became Wichita Air Force Base in 1953. The base name changed to McConnell Air Force Base in 1954 in honor of the three flying McConnell brothers: Fred, Thomas, and Edwin, all of World War II fame. The three McConnell brothers, from Wichita, gained recognition as the "three of a kind" in the war. For more history visit McConnell's homepage.
McConnell AFB estimated population:
Located in Sedgwick County, Wichita is the largest city in Kansas. The population is approximately 395,700 based on 2021 U.S. Census Bureau data. The metro area includes Butler, Harvey, Sedgwick, and Sumner counties with a combined population of nearly 647,600.
McConnell AFB is located in Wichita, KS approximately 3 hours north of Oklahoma City and 3 hours southwest of Kansas City, MO.
Wichita began as a trading post on the Chisholm Trail and was incorporated as a city in 1870. It was a popular destination for cattle drives heading north to access railroads, earning it the nickname "Cowtown." In the 20th century, aircraft pioneers such as Clyde Cessna and Walter Beech began aircraft manufacturing projects that lead to Wichita's establishment as the "Air Capitol of the World." Wichita remains a major center of the American aircraft industry with companies like Textron Aviation, Learjet, Airbus, and Spirit AeroSystems that continue to operate design and manufacturing facilities here.
Wichita has evolved into a regional center of culture, entertainment, and trade. Downtown Wichita offers nightclubs, restaurants, shopping centers, museums and parks. A 15,000-seat arena hosts a wide range of entertainment including concerts and sporting events. There are multiple universities in Wichita, the the largest being Wichita State University with an enrollment of over 13,000 students.
Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is in southwest Wichita, approximately 15 miles from McConnell. From the airport, take Ridge Road to the first stop light (just before the overpass). Turn right then use the left lane to merge onto Hwy 54 (Kellogg Avenue). Take the Rock Road exit and turn right. Stay on Rock Road heading south for 3.5 miles. The base will be on your right. If you are using a navigation system, use the McConnell AFB Visitors Center as your destination to ensure you're directed to the main gate, which has 24/7 access.
Talk to your sponsor about getting from the airport to base. If you take a taxi, your fare will cost approximately $35 (be sure to get a receipt so you can claim this on your travel voucher).
Driving DirectionsFrom I-135, take US Hwy 54 (Kellogg Avenue) east to Rock Road and then drive south 3.5 miles to the base's main gate.
From I-35 (Kansas Turnpike), take the east Wichita exit and go west on US Hwy 54 (Kellogg Avenue). Turn left on Rock Road and go 3.5 miles to the base's main gate.
McConnell AFB has two gates. The main gate is located on Kansas Street and can be accessed from Rock Road. The Visitors Center is located here. The main gate is open 24/7; the Visitors Center is open weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
The West gate can be accessed from George Washington Blvd and is open Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
There is no scheduled military transportation to base.
The base operator can be reached at 316-759-6100 or DSN 312-743-6100.
Release 2022.09.14.1