Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions - Topics

I’m a really big fan of (a specific aircraft or person). Can you send me a photo?

If the aircraft was flown at Edwards, or the person you're looking for was a test pilot here, there's a good chance the photo is available in our Photo Gallery, and you may download it at your convenience. If what you are seeking isn't in the gallery, e-mail your request and we'll make every effort to e-mail the photo to you.

We would like a specific aircraft to fly over our special event? How do we make this request?

The first step is getting your event approved for aerial support. Directions and the forms you'll need to complete are available at the U.S. Air Force Aerial Events website.

Careers and Other Questions

Do you sell T-shirts, jackets, patches, etc.?

The Air Force Test Center Museum offers a good selection of souvenirs. For more information, contact the AFFTC Museum at (661) 277-8050.

What is a sonic boom, and how do I file a complaint about it?

A sonic boom is a loud noise resembling thunder that is caused by an aircraft moving faster than any vibrations it creates in the air. Air reacts like a fluid to supersonic objects. Instead of vibrating molecules, as in the case of thunder, the aircraft actually displaces air, pushing it aside with great force. This forms a pressure, or shockwave, much as a boat or ship pushes up a low wave of water. The bigger and/or heavier the aircraft, the more air it displaces.

To file a complaint about sonic booms, contact the Public Affairs office at (661) 277-3510.

Where can I find job opportunities at Edwards Air Force Base?

Edwards' job opportunities can be found here and here.

News and Updates

How do I save a high resolution photo from the gallery? How do I view a 300 dpi photo in the gallery?

To view a 300 dpi image, select the high-resolution option, right click on the image and choose the save as option to save it to your hard drive. If you use an image downloaded from this site, as a courtesy, please identify it as a U.S. Air Force Photo or image. However, you must not imply the Air Force endorses anything done with the photos or images.

I’m creating a movie/video/book and I need photos/videos/information pertaining to Edwards Air Force Base. How do I get this?

Contact the public affairs office at (661) 277-3510.

Is the Edwards Air Force Base newspaper available online?

Although Edwards is still producing a base newspaper, the news itself is posted on this website.

Where can I get information on space available (AMC) travel?

Air Mobility Command's web page features information on the rules and locations offering Space-A travel. There are very few Space-A opportunities at Edwards.

Where can I get the latest news about Edwards?

Visit the News area of this website for the latest news and archived news articles.

Organizations

How do I apply to the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School?

Visit the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School section of this website for details on eligibility requirements and application procedures for TPS.

How do I get prescriptions filled, or make appointments at the Edwards Air Force Base Clinic? Who can be seen at the Edwards Air Force Base Clinic?

The Edwards Clinic is currently open to military members, retirees and their dependents on a space availability bases. For more information, visit the 412th Medical Group page.

People at Edwards

How do I locate a person who is at Edwards now?

Call the Base Operator at (661) 277-1110 or use the Air Force World Wide Locator.

How do I locate a person who worked at Edwards many years ago?

Try the Air Force World Wide Locator. It's used to find people still in the Air Force. However, if the person is no longer working for the Air Force, the Locator will not be of use. The Locator provides background on the service and instructions for its use.

I’m a fan of Chuck Yeager. How do I get an autographed photo? Where do I write to him? Does he have an e-mail address? How do I make a request for him to speak at an event?

Sorry, Chuck Yeager does not have an e-mail address. However, you can write him at P.O. Box 579, Penn Valley, CA 95946.

Is there an online telephone directory for Edwards?

For security reasons, Edwards can not put the base telephone or e-mail directories online.

Tours, Events and Visiting

Are there tours of Edwards Air Force Base?

Yes.

We offer two types of tours -- General Public Tours and Large Group Tours.

General Public Tours are for small groups like families, couples or individuals. Large Group Tours are for groups of at least 15 people. All of our tours are free, but reservations are required. Minimum age for either tour is five years.

We offer one General Public Tour per month. The new start time for these tours is 9:30 a.m. and the new ending time is 1 p.m.

Large Group Tours are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and on non-General Public Tour Fridays (see schedule below). The start and end times are flexible.

The tour includes visiting the Air Force Flight Test Museum as well as a windshield tour of the main base to include seeing our flightline.

Tour dates fill up fast, and it is recommended that you make reservations for your requested tour date as far in advance as possible.

Tour dates for 2016:

October 7 (Full)
November 4 (Full)
December 2 (Full)

Tour dates for 2017:

January 13 (Full)
February 10 (Full)
March 10
April 7
May 5
June 2
July 14
August 11
September 8
October 6
November 3
December 1

Full tours all have waiting lists.

To be clear, you do not have a reservation until we receive this information for each person in your group and we send you a confirmation e-mail.

We close the roster for each tour one weeks prior to the tour in order to properly process each roster with Security Forces.

Citizens from countries other than USA (visiting with a passport on a visa) are welcome, but reservations must be made at least 30-calendar days in advance.

The following information is needed for EACH PERSON:

NAME: Last, First, Middle Initial, if you have one. (For example: Jones, Joe A.)
PHONE NUMBER: Cellular or mobile is preferred. We ask for this because military requirements could cancel your tour, even once confirmed. It hasn't happened often, but it has happened.
E-MAIL ADDRESS: If you have more than one, then we prefer the one you check most often. Using one e-mail for your group is fine, if you'd prefer.
BIRTH DATE: The requested format is mm/dd/yy. (For example, May 21, 1975 would be written as 05/21/75)
BIRTH PLACE: City and state, if born in the United States. If born in another country, outside of the United States, then we need city and country.
COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP: Which country are you a citizen of? Which country issued your passport?
ID TYPE: For US citizens and legal resident aliens: Driver's License, State-issued ID card, Passport, Green card, or Social Security Number. Use "Minor Child" for anyone in your party younger than age 18 years as of the tour date.
For citizens of other countries: Passport preferred, but Driver's License or other government-issued ID allowed.
1) STATE LICENSE: If you choose to list your driver's license as your ID for this tour, then we'll need to know which state and what your number is.
2) ID NUMBER: This is for the ID type asked for earlier, for anyone age 18 and older. Again, use "Minor Child" for anyone in your party is younger than 18 on the tour date. For all other types, except SSN, we'll need the full number, including any letters. If you selected SSN, then we'll need only the last SIX numbers.
3) ID EXPIRATION: This applies to Drivers Licenses, Passports, State-issued ID cards, Green Cards and Immigration Status Cards only. The Social Security Number has no expiration date.
RESIDENCE ADDRESS: NOT mailing address.
SPECIAL NEEDS: Does anyone in your group use special medical equipment, like a wheelchair, a walker, a portable oxygen device, have a service animal, or have any other special needs? If so, we probably need to discuss this with you so that we can make proper arrangements.

You MUST bring and present the same ID at the time of check in on the date of your tour reservation.

If you have an email account: To make reservations, or for more information on our public tours, you can send an e-mail to Ed wards Tours. If your computer is having problems opening an email automatically, you can copy this address and type into an email message: s531636@us.af.mil. You can also call us at 661-277-3517 or 661-277-3510.

Expect an email response within 3 business days. If you do not receive a response, call us to check on it.

Do you have a museum at Edwards? Is it open to the public?

The Air Force Flight Test Museum, normally open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for federal holidays and certain special events; is closed on Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays until further notice.

Their telephone number is (661) 277-8050.

The museum is open to base personnel and individuals who have the appropriate credentials to enter the installation.

Although the base is closed to the general public, there is still an opportunity for the public to visit the museum by taking a tour. See above for further information. To make reservations, or for more information on our public tours, you can send an e-mail to Edwards Tours. You can also call us at (661) 277-3517 or (661) 277-3510.

I grew up at Edwards. Am I able to visit the base, housing areas, and schools? Where can I find information on Desert High School Alumni?

Edwards is a closed base. If you do not have a military I.D. card, you must be employed on base as a civilian and have the appropriate identification or you must be sponsored on by someone who lives or works here. In addition to a sponsor, you need a valid driver's license, auto registration and proof of insurance.

If you'd like to visit the base as part of our general public tours program, which includes a brief windshield tour of the housing area and schools, please visit the Contact Us page and select "Request a Tour."

Note, there is only one neighborhood that is the same as it was ten years ago, and it was built in 2000. Newer and more modern homes have replaced all the other neighborhoods as Edwards continues to improve its housing and facilities.

For up-to-date information and links to alumni, visit the official Desert High School Web site. You may also visit the Muroc Joint Unified School District website to find information about other schools.

When is the next Open House and Air Show?

There is no Air Show and/or Open House tentatively scheduled for Edwards Air Force Base at this time. Please, continue to monitor this website www.edwards.af.mil for more details as they become available.