Mission
JBLE-Langley
The 633rd Air Base Wing is comprised of three groups that provide installation support to more than 9,000 military and civilian personnel including Headquarters Air Combat Command and three operational wings. The Wing provides mission-ready expeditionary Airmen to combatant commanders in support of joint and combined operations worldwide. The activation of the 633 ABW as the new host unit for Langley Air Force Base, Va., Jan. 7, 2010, was the first step toward Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
Defend the Base, Support the Fight, and Take Care of Soldiers, Airmen & Families
Wing Priorities: Enrich Culture & Connection, Ignite the Warfighter Imperative, and Modernize Our Force & Infrastructure
Vision: To be the Nation's premier power projection platform
Motto: Bonum Bono Accumulate (Accumulate Good Upon Good)
JBLE-Eustis
Fort Eustis is known for its association with Army Transportation, Army Aviation, and as the home to the Army's Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). TRADOC recruits, trains, educates, develops, and builds the Army; establishes standards, drives improvement, and leads change to ensure the Army can deter, fight, and win on any battlefield now and into the future.
Motto: Victory Starts Here!
History
JBLE serves the greater Hampton Roads area with over 106,546 active duty, guard and reserve, family members, civilians, contractors, and retirees, including primary support to the following:
- 15,000 active duty
- 2,100 guard/reservists
- 27,256 family members
- 56, 000 retirees
Langley Field was named after Samuel Pierpoint Langley, an aerodynamic pioneer and a former Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Langley began aerodynamic experiments in 1887 and formed a basis for practical pioneer aviation. He built and saw the first steam model airplane in 1896 and the first gasoline model in 1903. Both planes were capable of flight. He also built the first man-carrying gasoline airplane in 1903, which he never succeeded in launching. Langley Field was the first Air Service base built especially for air power and is the oldest continually active air force base in the world.
The 633d Air Base Wing has a storied, historic and distinguished history.
Originally the 633d Combat Support Group, it was established and activated March 14, 1966, and organized April 8, 1966.
It was originally assigned to the 13th Air Force as part of the Pacific Air Forces at Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam, and later at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
During the Vietnam War, Airmen of the 633d ABW participated innumerous campaigns, air offensives and Operations Arc Light, Bullet Shot and Linebacker.
On Oct. 1, 1989, the wing aligned under the 13th Air Force, and activated at Andersen AFB, Guam, becoming the host unit, providing services for various tenant units. This marked the transfer of Andersen AFB’s control from Strategic Air Command to PACAF.
In August 1990, 633d ABW personnel began shipping more than 37,000 tons of munitions to forces in the Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm--more than 30,000 tons went by sealift, and more than 2,200 troops and 2,200 tons of cargo were processed aboard 200 aircraft.
Personnel assigned to the 633d ABW cared for more than 20,000 American evacuees and 1,100 pets, during Operation Fiery Vigil, following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines in 1991.
On Oct. 1, 1994, the 633d ABW was inactivated and the 36th ABW was activated in keeping with the policy of the Air Force Chief of Staff to maintain the most highly decorated and longest-serving Air Force units on active-duty. The 36th ABW was inactivated at Bitburg AB, Germany, that same day.
On Jan. 7, 2010, the 9th AF - now the 15th AF - reactivated the 633d ABW and declared it to be the host unit for Langley AFB, Va.Fifteenth Air Force activated Aug. 20, integrating wings and direct reporting units from 12th Air Force and Ninth Air Force to form a new numbered air force responsible for generating and presenting Air Combat Command’s conventional forces.
On Jan. 29, 2010, the 633d ABW became the link in the joint basing initiative between Langley AFB and the U.S. Army’s Fort Eustis, which we call today Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
In 2017, 633d ABW personnel supported Puerto Rico humanitarian relief efforts to help those affected by Hurricane Maria.
JBLE-Eustis
On March 19, 1918, the War Department authorized the construction of Camp Eustis for the purpose of concentrating, organizing, equipping, training, and embarking troops for duty abroad as field artillery, railway artillery, trench mortar, and anti-aircraft troops. The camp’s namesake MG Abraham Eustis was born in 1786 in Petersburg, Virginia, he proved his valor in the War of 1812 and the Seminole Wars. He commanded the School of Artillery Practice at Fort Monroe from 1824 to 1834.
Approximately 20,000 men were trained at Camp Eustis during the Great War. They were members of Anti-Aircraft Battalions, Ammunition Trains, and a Trench Motor Battalion. Among the many skills these Soldiers learned at Camp Eustis was how to work with observation balloons from the adjacent Lee Hall Balloon School and with airplanes stationed at the nearby and recently opened Langley Airfield.
After the Armistice of 11 November 1918, Camp Eustis was used as a de-mobilization post. In 1923 Camp Eustis was declared a permanent installation and renamed Fort Eustis.
The Great Depression led to the mothballing of Fort Eustis. Its land was transferred to the Federal Relief Agency and the Bureau of Prisons. They operated a camp for homeless laborers and a prison farm. One of the post’s historic sites is the cemetery containing the remains of some of the homeless laborers
In January 1941, Fort Eustis was re-activated and became a Coast Artillery Replacement Center. Over 20,000 troops were trained in anti-aircraft artillery during the Second World War.
As the war was ending in Europe, there was an effort at Fort Eustis to De-Nazify POWs. The program gave 26,000 Germans a six-day course in democracy. It was hoped those men could return to Germany and spread democratic ideals at home.
On 10 January 1946, Fort Eustis became home to the Transportation Corps and School.
The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Act resulted in the greatest recent change in the make-up of Fort Eustis by the Army Transportation School headquarters to Fort Lee in 2010. The Training and Doctrine Command, or TRADOC Headquarters replaced it in 2011.
Withstanding significant changes in mission and purpose in its first 100 years, Fort Eustis has proven to be a vital source of military power and an enduring military installation in the Hampton Roads community. Fort Eustis continues to evolve and be an integral part of our national defense, the future not just of the surrounding community, but the entire world.
Population
JBLE serves the greater Hampton Roads area with over 145,000 active duty, guard and reserve, family members, civilians, contractors, and retirees, including primary support to the following:
15,000 active duty
2,100 guard/reservists
27,256 family members
56,000 retirees
12,000 students per year
*Numbers are approximate
Hampton: 137,748
Newport News: 184,587
York County: 70,915
*Based on 2021 Census Bureau Estimates
JBLE serves the greater Hampton Roads area with over 145,000 active duty, guard and reserve, family members, civilians, contractors, and retirees, including primary support to the following:
15,000 active duty
2,100 guard/reservists
27,256 family members
56,000 retirees
12,000 students per year
*Numbers are approximate
Location
Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE) is located on the Virginia Peninsula on the southeastern coast of the state. Hampton Roads is the name of the metropolitan area as well as a body of water surrounding the region. Langley AFB is in Hampton while Fort Eustis is in Newport News; both are just a few miles from Interstate 64. Although JBLE is a joint base, it is not contiguous. There are 17 miles of interstate between the installations. Hampton Roads is known for its large military presence. You will find all branches of the military in the region. JBLE is home to the 633rd Air Base Wing, 1st Fighter Wing, 363d ISR Wing, 192nd Wing, Air Combat Command, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) and many other units on the tip of the spear. Visit JBLE's website and the Facebook page.
The Hampton Roads community is rich in history and beauty. Langley and Fort Eustis are roughly 65 miles south of Richmond, the state capital and 40 miles north of Virginia Beach. Historic sites, extraordinary museums, and countless miles of scenic waterways and hiking trails are here for your exploration, the mountains only a few hours' drive to the west. Almost 2 million people call the Hampton Roads area home. Compared to the rest of the country Hampton's cost of living is 6% lower than the national average.
Base Operator:
Langley: 757-764-1110, or DSN 312-574-1110, select option 0
Ft Eustis: 757-878-1212 or DSN 312-826-1212, select option 0
Directions
If you are traveling via air, please make sure that you have someone to meet your flight or make rental car arrangements. There are two airports in the local area: Newport News/Williamsburg Airport (airport code is PHF) and Norfolk International (airport code is ORF). There is no shuttle service to either installation from either airport. Taxi and ride share fees range from $35-$80.
If choosing to utilize a taxi or rideshare service for transportation to base, make sure the driver/service has base access. If the driver cannot get on base, you will be dropped at the gate and will have to walk to your destination.
Langley AFB is in Hampton, VA - part of the greater community known as Hampton Roads.
Traveling Southeast from Richmond on I-64
If you are traveling southeast from Richmond on Interstate 64 East to Langley AFB, merge onto Hampton Roads Center Parkway East via exit 261B. Turn right onto North Armistead Avenue. Turn left onto Tide Mill Lane. Turn left onto LaSalle Avenue. Proceed to the LaSalle Gate.
Traveling Northeast from the James River Bridge
If you are traveling northeast from the James River Bridge via U.S. Route 17-258, take West Mercury Boulevard to LaSalle Avenue.
Traveling North from Norfolk
If traveling north from Norfolk, take Interstate 64 West through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel to exit 265-B and turn right onto LaSalle Avenue.
Traveling to Hampton from Emporia (I-95)
If you are approaching Hampton traveling from Emporia (I-95) take US-58 E for approx. 66 miles. Merge onto I-64 E/Hampton Roads via exit 1B toward Norfolk/Va Beach. Shortly thereafter, take exit 265-C toward Langley AFB. Turn right onto Rip Rap Road; then a slight right onto Armistead Ave, and another short right onto LaSalle Avenue.
Traveling South on Hwy 17
If you are traveling south on Hwy 17, continue until you reach Interstate 64. Take the interstate east until you exit at Armistead Avenue (north) and then to LaSalle Ave.
Fort Eustis is in Newport News, VA - part of the greater community known as Hampton Roads.
For Driving Directions
Eastbound:
Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (airport code PHF) and Norfolk International Airport (airport code ORF)
Take Interstate 64 West to exit 250A/Fort Eustis Blvd (Route 105).
Fort Eustis Blvd will lead you onto post
Westbound:
I-95 (Richmond area): Take Interstate 64 East to exit 250A/Fort Eustis Blvd (Route 105). proceed west about 1 mile, and you will enter Fort Eustis.
George Washington Memorial Highway (Hwy 17):
Heading North, you will turn Left onto Fort Eustis Blvd, which will lead you onto post
Heading South, you will turn Right onto Fort Eustis Blvd, which will lead you onto post
Base Transportation
JBLE - Langley
Currently, there is no base transportation on Langley. Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides public bus transportation throughout the city of Hampton.
JBLE - Eustis
Currently, there is no base transportation on Fort Eustis. Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides public bus transportation onto Fort Eustis and throughout the city of Newport News. The Fort Eustis stop is located at the roundabout.
If choosing to utilize a taxi or rideshare service for transportation to either Langley AFB or Fort Eustis, make sure the driver/service has base access. If the driver cannot get on base, you will be dropped at the gate and will have to walk to your destination.
Contact Information
JBLE - Langley: 757-764-1110, or DSN 312-574-1110, select option 0
JBLE - Eustis: 757-878-1212 or DSN 312-826-1212, select option 0
