Tinker AFB | Base Overview & Info (2024)

Mission

The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center is the largest of 3 ALCs in the Air Force Materiel Command and provides depot maintenance, product support, services and supply chain management, as well as information support for 31 weapon systems, 10 commands, 93 Air Force bases and 46 foreign nations. The 72d Air Base Wing provides full spectrum installation support to Team Tinker and expeditionary combat capability for the warfighter. Tinker also has two tenant ACC units and hosts 2 Air Force Reserve Wings as well as Navy personnel. The 552 ACW is responsible to the commander of Air Combat Command for the operations, maintenance, logistics, training, and combat support of E-7 AWACS aircraft in support of combatant commanders.

History

Beginning in July 1941, a massive construction project on the new Midwest Air Depot began south of Southeast 29th Street. The depot received a new name, the Oklahoma City Air depot and the installation was officially activated. In October 1942, it was named Tinker Field to honor an Oklahoma native, Maj Gen Clarence L. Tinker, who had lost his life leading bombers on a long-range strike against Wake Island. Immediately after the war, the depot acquired the Douglas plant, now Bldg. 3001, and received a new name: Oklahoma City Air Materiel Area - OCAMA. In 1974, OCAMA became the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center - OC-ALC. On July 1, 1976, the 552d Airborne Warning and Control Wing was relocated to Tinker with it's 33 operational E-3 airplanes. The wing was re-designated as the 552d Air Control Wing October 1, 1991. Tinker and OC-ALC began the decade of the '90s by assisting in Operation Desert Shield and, in 1991,in Operation Desert Storm. The Navy and Air Force made history on May 29, 1992 when the Naval Strategic Communications Wing ONE relocated to Tinker AFB. Today, Tinker's economic impact on Oklahoma is more than $2 billion every year.For more history see Tinker AFB's homepage.

Population

The population of Oklahoma increases each year with a population growth rate of 0.52% (20,800). Oklahoma population 2023: 4,021,753. The total surface area measures 69,898 square miles, the state has a relatively low population density, ranking it 35th in country. Tinker is in the central and most populated portion of the state.

Cities that are in close proximity to Tinker include:

Oklahoma City population 1,018,000

Midwest City, population 57,509

Del City, population 21,163

Choctaw, population 13,904

Moore, population 69,614

Norman, population 129,663

Edmond, population 96,555

Shawnee, 34,641

Yukon, 32,466

Mustang, 23,062

The population of Tinker is about 30,000. This includes active duty members, family members, reservist, and civilian workers.

Location

Tinker Air Force Base and the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center are located in the "Heart of Oklahoma", Oklahoma City (Oklahoma County), just five miles from downtown Oklahoma City (OKC). The OKC Metro area is very military-friendly and the cost of living is reasonable.Call the Military & Family Readiness Center (M&FRC)at (405)739-2747for more information on things to do in the area.

Directions

Tinker AFB is located in Midwest City, Oklahoma. The location is five miles east of OKC and is south of I-40 and to the East of I-35. You will see many signs on both I-40 & I-35 for Tinker AFB. The maingate is locatedjust south of I-40 at Air Depot Blvd.

Will RogersWorld Airport

Will Rogers is the closest airport to Tinker AFB. If you are arriving by plane, it is best to arrange for your sponsor to meet you upon arrival.

Driving directions from Will Rogers to Tinker AFB

Tinker AFB is approximately 20 miles east of Will Rogers World Airport. Here's the most direct interstate route: As you exit the airport you will be going north on South Meridian Avenue. Take the I-44 exit (right turn onto 152 E (Airport Rd) to Downtown/Interstate 44), then get into the left hand lane and take I-44E/Interstate 40/Tulsa/Downtown exit (simply be in the left lane) and merge onto I-44. After approximately 3 miles you will take exit 120B (right hand lane) for Interstate I-40 East toward Ft Smith. You will go for approximately 10 miles and take exit 157B Air Depot Blvd, turn right and you are at the Tinker AFB 24-hour gate.

Location

Tinker AFB is only 15 minutes away from Downtown Oklahoma City and all the attractions it includes. Tinker is approximately 2 hours southwest of Tulsa, Oklahoma and approximately 3 hours North of Dallas/Ft Worth on I-35. There are numerous online maps and apps that can provide driving directions to Tinker AFB.

Contact Information

There is no Tinker AFB Base Operator. Visit the electronic phone book.

Tinker AFB | Base Overview & Info (2024)

FAQs

Tinker AFB | Base Overview & Info? ›

Mission. The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center is the largest of 3 ALCs in the Air Force Materiel Command and provides depot maintenance, product support, services and supply chain management, as well as information support for 31 weapon systems, 10 commands, 93 Air Force bases and 46 foreign nations.

What is Tinker Air Force Base known for? ›

Under this reorganization Tinker AFB became the host site for the Air Force Sustainment Center. The AFSC provides war-winning expeditionary capabilities to the warfighter through world-class depot maintenance, supply chain management and installation support.

Is Tinker AFB the biggest? ›

Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), located nine miles southeast of downtown Oklahoma City, is one of the largest and most important military installations in the United States.

How important is Tinker Air Force Base? ›

Tinker is the headquarters of the Air Force Materiel Command's (AFMC) Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center (OC-ALC), which is the worldwide manager for a wide range of aircraft, engines, missiles, software and avionics and accessories components.

What planes fly out of Tinker AFB? ›

OC-ALC is the primary maintenance center for bombers, refuelers and reconnaissance aircraft including the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, B-52 Stratofortress, B-1 Lancer, E-3 Sentry (AWACS) and Northrop Grumman B-2 Stealth Bomber.

What is stationed at Tinker AFB? ›

The 72d Air Base Wing provides full spectrum installation support to Team Tinker and expeditionary combat capability for the warfighter. Tinker also has two tenant ACC units and hosts 2 Air Force Reserve Wings as well as Navy personnel.

What is the biggest Air Force base in the US? ›

The base is so large it actually is larger than the state of Connecticut. Eglin Air Force Base – Established in 1935, Eglin Air Force Base is home to the 96th Test Wing, and is the largest base currently run by the Air Force, taking up nearly 450,000 acres of Florida real estate.

Can civilians get on Tinker Air Force Base? ›

First-time visitors and contractors, who are sponsored by a base organization and have a state-issued photo ID and auto insurance verification, can be issued a pass in as little as 15 to 20 minutes. Go back and get it.

What cities are around Tinker Air Force Base? ›

Tinker AFB is located seven miles southeast of downtown Oklahoma City, just below Midwest City, OK. Cities surrounding the base include Del City, Moore, Edmond, and Choctaw, OK.

Does Tinker Air Force Base have a hospital? ›

It is the sponsor's responsibility to complete DEERS enrollment on family members. DEERS enrollment can be accomplished at your present base or on Tinker AFB at the Military Personnel Flight Air Force personnel or the Navy Personnel Service Department Navy personnel. There is no hospital Emergency Room on Tinker AFB.

Can civilians live on Tinker AFB? ›

: Tinker AFB military housing is available for active-duty service members and qualified retirees and DOD civilian employees.

How many active duty at Tinker AFB? ›

The Air Force Sustainment Center is commanded by a three-star general and consists of more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel. AFSC provides installation support to more than 141 Associate Units with more than 75,000 personnel. Tinker's largest organization is the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex.

What is the new plane at Tinker Air Force Base? ›

The B-21 is a long-range, highly survivable, penetrating strike stealth bomber that will incrementally replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers and will play a major role supporting national security objectives and assuring U.S. allies and partners across the globe.

What is Beale Air Force Base famous for? ›

In 2001, the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron activated at Beale as the parent organization for the GLOBAL HAWK, the Air Force's newest high-altitude reconnaissance platform. Today, Beale AFB is home for the U-2 Dragon Lady and T-38 Talon.

What is Maxwell AFB known for? ›

The location of Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base is home to a proud tradition of aviators and airpower advocates, dating all the way back to the Wright Brothers' flying school, which was built on this site in 1910. In May of that year, the first recorded heavier-than-air night flights in aviation history occurred here.

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