Mission
Offutt Air Force Base 55th Wing's mission is to provide dominant intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare and nuclear command and control to national leadership and warfighters,... Any time, Any place.
History
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Offutt has played a major role in American military history for more than a century. This great heritage began with the construction of Fort Crook between 1894 and 1896, 10 miles south of Omaha and two miles west of the Missouri River. The fort's namesake was Maj. Gen. George Crook, a renowned Indian fighter and Civil War hero
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The 61st Balloon Company became the first air unit to command the post on Sept. 10, 1918. In the spring of 1921, the plowing, leveling and seeding of 260 acres of land at Fort Crook created an airfield suitable for frequent takeoffs and landings by heavier-than-air aircraft. A permanent steel hangar was built to provide a landing and refueling point for military and government planes on cross-country flights. The flying field was designated Offutt Field, in honor of 1st Lt. Jarvis Offutt, May 6, 1924. Offutt, killed while flying with the Royal Air Force in France, was Omaha's first World War I air casualty.
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In late 1940, the Army Air Corps picked Fort Crook as the site of a new bomber plant. The plant's construction included two, mile-long concrete runways, six large hangars and an enormous 1.2 million square-foot assembly building.
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Operations began under the Glen Martin-Nebraska Company in January 1942, with the plant reaching full-scale production June 8, 1942. A total of 531 B-29 "Super fortresses" and 1,585 B-26 "Marauders" were built at the Martin-Nebraska Bomber Plant before the end of World War II. </p>
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In June 1946, the Army Air Force redesignated Fort Crook and the Martin-Nebraska facilities as Offutt Field. Just 18 months later, Jan. 13, 1948, Offutt Field transferred to the new Department of the Air Force and became Offutt AFB. At 12:01 a.m., Nov. 9, 1948, Offutt gained national prominence when it became the host base for Strategic Air Command headquarters.
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At 12:01 a.m., Nov. 9, 1948, Offutt gained national prominence when it became the host base for Strategic Air Command headquarters. Air Force Secretary Stuart Symington chose to headquarter the U.S. Air Force's crucial long-range atomic striking force at Offutt primarily because the base was centrally located on the North American continent, placing it as far as possible from the borders of the continental United States.
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With the disestablishment of SAC June 1, 1992, Offutt transitioned to Air Combat Command and became the host for the United States Strategic Command's headquarters. In October 1997, the Air Weather Service Headquarters, Scott AFB, Ill., and Air Force Global Weather Center combined to form Air Force Weather Agency (now the 557 WW), as part of an overall reengineering of Air Force weather. AFWA operates the largest computerized weather facility in the world. Its mission is to enhance combat capability by arming the National Command Authorities, Department of Defense, major Air Force commands, and United States combat forces with quality weather products, specialized technical training and standardized weather equipment, communications and technologies anytime, anywhere.
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For more information and more of Offutt AFB's history, please visit Offutt's <a href="http://www.offutt.af.mil">homepage</a>.
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Population
Total population: 44,261
Offutt Air Force Base's population breakdown:
- Military - 7,041
- Dependents - 7464
- DoD Affiliated Civilians - 3,756
- Retirees in Area - 26,000
*Based on the 2023 Economic Impact Statement
- Sarpy County (est.) - 204, 828 (1 July 2024)
- Bellevue (est.) - 63,922 (1 July 2023)
- Douglas County (est.) - 601, 158 (1 July 2024)
- Omaha (est.) - 485,335 (1 July 2023)
Total population: 44,261
Offutt Air Force Base's population breakdown:
- Military - 7,041
- Dependents - 7464
- DoD Affiliated Civilians - 3,756
- Retirees in Area - 26,000
*Based on the 2023 Economic Impact Statement
Location
Offutt AFB is located in beautiful and friendly Bellevue, Nebraska (Sarpy County).
The base is ten miles south of downtown Omaha, just off US Hwy 75 (The Kennedy Freeway).
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Driving from the East, West or North Take Interstate 80 to U.S. Highway 75 South, the Kennedy Freeway to Bellevue. To enter the Kenney Gate, go south approximately six miles and exit at Nebraska Highway 370. Turn left and go under the overpass to the second exit (Offutt AFB/Fort Crook Road). Turn right off the exit, get into the left lane and turn into the Kenney Gate (with all the flags). To enter the STRATCOM Gate, go south approximately seven miles and exit at Offutt AFB/Capehart Rd. Turn left. The STRATCOM Gate is straight ahead approximately one mile.
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Driving from the South From the South, exit Interstate 29 at exit number 35 for US-34 E/US-275 S toward Glenwood. Keep left at the fork to continue on Exit 35 B and merge onto US-34 W. Continue on US-34W (Now entering Nebraska) and turn right on US-75 N. Follow US-75 N and take the Capehart Road exit. When you reach Capehart Road, take a right and follow the road to the STRATCOM Gate. The Visitor’s Center is on the right hand side before reaching the gate. The STRATCOM Gate is open 24/7/365.
Directions
Arriving by Air
Omaha is served by Eppley Airfield located at:
4501 Abbott Dr, Omaha, NE 68110
If you are renting a car and driving to Offutt, head south on Abbot Drive and follow the signs to I 480 West / 75 South toward Bellevue. Take the Capehart Rd Exit and turn left. The main gate will be 1 mile ahead.
There is no public transportation or shuttle service from the airport to the base. Taxis, Uber and Lyft are available in the area.
Arriving by Air
Omaha is served by Eppley Airfield, which lies north of the downtown area. If you are renting a car and driving to Offutt, head south on Abbot Drive and follow the signs to I 480 East. Once you enter I 480 East, stay to the far right for about 1 mile across the river and exit onto I 29 South toward Kansas City. Again stay to the right for about 1½ miles and exit onto I-80 West. After crossing the river again, go about 2 miles and follow the signs to US 75 South toward Bellevue. Then follow directions above to the Kenney or SAC gates of Offutt AFB.
There is no public transportation or shuttle service from the airport to the base. Taxis, Uber and Lyft are available in the area.
Driving from the East, West, or North
Take Interstate 80 to US Highway 75 South, the Kennedy Freeway to Bellevue. To enter the Kenney Gate, go south approximately six miles and exit at Nebraska Highway 370. Turn left and go under the overpass to the second exit (Offutt AFB/Ft Crook Rd). Turn right off the exit, get into the left lane and turn into the Kenney Gate (with all the flags). To enter the SAC Gate, go south approximately seven miles and exit at Offutt AFB/Capehart Rd. Turn left. The SAC Gate is straight ahead approximately one mile. The Visitor's Center is at the SAC gate.
Driving from the South (two [2] options)
From the South, exit Interstate 29 at exit number 35 for US-34 E/US-275 S toward Glenwood. Keep left at the fork to continue on Exit 35 B and merge onto US-34 W. Continue on US-34W (Now entering Nebraska) and turn right on US-75 N. Follow US-75 N and take the Capehart Road exit. When you reach Capehart Road, take a right and follow the road to the STRATCOM Gate. The Visitor’s Center is on the right-hand side before reaching the gate. The STRATCOM Gate is open 24/7/365.
From the south, exit Interstate 29 at exit number 42 in Iowa, and turn west on Iowa Highway 370. Go four miles. Cross the Bellevue Toll Bridge (toll is $1.00 one way). Continue straight on Nebraska Highway 370 (Mission Blvd). At the 4th stoplight (Lincoln Rd), turn left and enter the base straight ahead. This is the Bellevue Gate.
**Offutt AFB no longer requires base stickers for privately owned vehicles (POVs). All vehicle occupants 12 & over must show a DoD ID card when entering the base, and must be able to produce current registration and proof of insurance for the vehicle when asked.
Base Transportation
There is no public transportation or shuttle service from the airport to the base. Taxis, Uber, and Lyft are available in the area.
In addition, Offutt AFB does not operate a base shuttle system. For special events requiring mass transportation, contact the 55 LRS Vehicle Operations Control Center at 402-294-4375.
Contact Information
The base operator can be contacted at 402-294-1110 or DSN 312-271-1110.
