If you are looking for Air Force bases in Hawaii, the short answer is Hickam Field on Oahu. Hickam used to be its own Air Force base. Since 2010 it has been part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), shared with the Navy.
Hawaii also has a few smaller Air Force and Space Force sites, including a beach recreation area many military families love. This guide covers each one, plus what BAH covers on Oahu. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military's term for an assigned move.
Air Force Bases in Hawaii, at a Glance
| Site | Location | Who is there | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hickam Field, JBPHH | About 8 miles west of Honolulu | 15th Wing; Pacific Air Forces headquarters | Airlift, air refueling, fighters and command of Air Force units across the Indo-Pacific |
| 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard | Hickam Field, JBPHH | Nearly 1,900 Guard Airmen | Flies F-22s and KC-135s and helps crew C-17s |
| Bellows Air Force Station | Waimanalo, windward Oahu | Air Force Services | Beach cabins, condos, campsites and training space |
| Ka'ena Point Space Force Station | Ka'ena Point, west Oahu | Space Force detachment | Tracks and controls satellites |
Air Force and Space Force sites in Hawaii. Sources: Military OneSource, 154th Wing, Bellows AFS and Space Force pages.
Hawaii has many more installations across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. See our full guide to what military bases are in Hawaii, or our guide to Army bases in Hawaii if your orders name an Army unit.
Hickam Field at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
Naval Base Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base were combined into Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, which became fully operational on October 1, 2010, per Military OneSource. The joint base sits about 8 miles west of Honolulu and serves more than 55,000 people each year. Military OneSource lists about 5,400 Air Force active duty members there.
The host Air Force unit is the 15th Wing, which leads and supports Air Force operations at Hickam. The wing has been at Hickam since 1971 and flies the C-17 Globemaster, per the Air Force history office. It works side by side with the Hawaii Air National Guard to fly F-22 and KC-135 missions.
Hickam is also home to Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) headquarters. PACAF provides air and space power across the Indo-Pacific and includes about 46,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian members, per the PACAF fact sheet page.
Because JBPHH is a joint base, Airmen and Sailors share housing, schools and support services. Our Hawaii PCS guide for homebuyers explains how housing works on Oahu.
The Hawaii Air National Guard's 154th Wing
The 154th Wing is headquartered at Hickam and is the largest unit in the Hawaii Air National Guard, with nearly 1,900 full-time and part-time Airmen, per the 154th Wing fact sheet. Its flying squadrons include:
- The 199th Fighter Squadron, which flies the F-22 Raptor
- The 203rd Air Refueling Squadron, which flies the KC-135R
- The 204th Airlift Squadron, which helps crew the 15th Wing's C-17s
If you are an active duty Airman at Hickam, you will likely work alongside Guard Airmen every day.
Bellows Air Force Station
Bellows sits in Waimanalo on Oahu's windward side. It is best known as a military beach getaway. Lodging includes beach cabins with full kitchens, condo units, camper cabins and campsites, per Bellows AFS facilities. The Air Force notes there is no commissary or exchange at Bellows, per the Air Force Housing page.
Who can stay? Active duty members from any branch, retirees, Guard and Reserve members, current and retired Department of Defense civilians, and some disabled veterans and caregivers, per the Bellows eligibility page. Eligible patrons may sponsor guests but must stay on site with them. Check the rules before you book.
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Ka'ena Point Space Force Station
On Oahu's far western tip, Ka'ena Point Space Force Station has tracked satellites since 1959. It is a remote tracking station in the Satellite Control Network, run by Detachment 3 of the 21st Space Operations Squadron, per the Space Force installation page and a Space Force account of a 2024 visit. It was once called Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station.
What About Wheeler?
Wheeler was an Air Force base from 1948 until it was returned to the Army in 1991, per the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Today Wheeler Army Airfield is the headquarters of U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, per Army Garrison Hawaii. If you see Wheeler AFB in an old search result, it is now an Army airfield next to Schofield Barracks.
What BAH Covers on Oahu
BAH is Basic Allowance for Housing, the monthly amount the military pays you toward housing when you live off base. It depends on your pay grade, whether you have dependents, and your duty station's rate area.
All of Oahu, including Hickam and Bellows, falls in one rate area: Honolulu County (HI408). Here are 2026 monthly rates from the official DTMO BAH rate lookup run by the Defense Travel Management Office.
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-4 | $3,333 | $2,598 |
| E-5 | $3,663 | $2,856 |
| E-6 | $3,912 | $3,036 |
| E-7 | $4,098 | $3,348 |
| O-2 | $3,909 | $3,555 |
| O-3 | $4,428 | $3,819 |
| O-4 | $4,737 | $4,110 |
2026 BAH on Oahu by pay grade. Source: DoD DTMO BAH rate lookup, ZIP 96853.
Those are some of the highest BAH rates in the country, but Oahu housing is expensive too. Rates reset every January; see our explainer on 2026 BAH rates.
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We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.Thinking about renting or buying near Hickam? Talk with an Oahu agent who works with military families. There is no cost and no obligation.
Living Near Hickam Field
Commutes matter. Oahu traffic can be heavy around Pearl Harbor and Honolulu. Many Hickam families look at Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Aiea and Pearl City to stay close to the gate. Drive your likely commute at rush hour before you sign anything.
Should you buy? Oahu prices are high, so the buy-or-rent math depends on how long you expect to stay. Our guide on whether active duty members should buy a home in Hawaii walks through it, and our article on using your VA loan on Oahu covers condos, leasehold land and other local issues. A VA loan is a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs that usually needs no down payment.
Bringing pets. Hawaii has strict pet import rules. Start early with our guide to PCSing to Hawaii with pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an Air Force base in Hawaii?
Yes. Hickam Field is the Air Force's main base in Hawaii. Since 2010 it has been part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, shared with the Navy, about 8 miles west of Honolulu.
Is Hickam Air Force Base still open?
Yes. Hickam did not close. It merged with Naval Base Pearl Harbor to form Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on October 1, 2010, and it remains home to the 15th Wing and Pacific Air Forces headquarters.
What aircraft are at Hickam?
The 15th Wing flies C-17s, and the Hawaii Air National Guard's 154th Wing flies F-22 Raptors and KC-135R tankers there.
Who can stay at Bellows Air Force Station?
Active duty members of any branch, retirees, Guard and Reserve members, current and retired DoD civilians, and some disabled veterans and caregivers. Eligible patrons can sponsor guests.
What is the 2026 BAH at Hickam?
For 2026, an E-5 with dependents receives $3,663 a month and an O-3 with dependents receives $4,428 in the Honolulu County rate area.
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