Base History \ Arrival
Location
Hanscom AFB is in Middlesex County, MA, and touches the towns of Bedford, Concord, Lincoln and Lexington - the birthplace of America. Hanscom is approximately 20 miles northwest of Boston, MA; 25 miles south of Nashua, New Hampshire; and 85 miles from Portland, Maine. Hanscom is about 4 hours from New York City. This is one of the top three areas in the country for cost of living. Utilities, housing, car insurance and other associated living costs will probably be higher than you are used to. Please prepare financially for your move here.
History
LG Hanscom Field was built in 1941, and served originally as a training base for P-40 Warhawk pilots bound for North Africa. The base soon took on the air defense of Boston as an additional mission. By the 1950's, the Army Air Force and MIT were coordinating early computer and electronics research. The base's operational mission diminished, while its role in the development of air defense systems grew. Today acquisitions excellence is Hanscom's primary mission.. Hanscom is currently an Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) for AFMC, comprising the Battle Management and C3I&N Directorates and the 66th Air Base Group.
Mission
Hanscom AFB manages the development and acquisition of electronic command and control systems. These systems gather and analyze information of potentially hostile forces, enabling commanders to make quick decisions and rapidly pass them on to their forces. Hanscom helps to direct the muscle of America's air-power to the right target at the right time. Please visit the Hanscom AFB homepage for more information on our mission.
Population Served
Hanscom AFB provides operating support and quality of life, medical, civil engineering, personnel, logistics, safety, security and all other services to the Battle Management and C3I&N Directorates in the AFLCMC, MIT Lincoln Labs, and other tenant groups. Hanscom supports service members and families from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. We have almost an equal number of officers and enlisted personnel. Hanscom serves 125,000 people in a seven state region with over 300 GSU's.
Directions
Airports
From Logan Airport, Boston
The toll from the airport is $3.50.
Start out going Northwest toward Terminal C. Stay straight to go onto ramp, and continue straight onto ramp for MA 1A-south (McClellan Highway, East Boston Expressway - toll). Turn slight left to take the ramp towards I-93 North/Government Center. Merge onto I-93 North. Stay on I-93 to Exit 37B, I-95 S/Rte 128 toward Waltham. Stay on I-95 South till Exit 31B, toward Bedford. Take ramp to the right onto Rte 4/225/Bedford St. Stay in the right lane; you will see signs for Hanscom AFB.
One half mile ahead on Rte 4/225, you will come to a jughandle turn (turn right to go left). Take the jughandle turn, which brings you onto Hartwell Avenue at a set of lights. Go straight through the light onto Hartwell Ave. Hanscom AFB is one mile ahead. You will be entering the Hartwell Gate, closest to the Temporary Lodging Facility.
Driving Directions
From Points West
The toll for full length of MA Turnpike is. $7.10 Eastbound; $10.60 Westbound (includes the $3.50 toll for the tunnel leaving Logan Airport in Boston.)
Take Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90 East - a toll road) to I-95/128 North until Exit 31B (on other side of overpass toward Bedford). This is Rte 4/225. Follow about 1/2 mile. There will be a jughandle turn located just past the Massachusetts Army Guard Building on the right. Take the jughandle and stay to the right through the lights. This is Hartwell Avenue. Follow Hartwell all the way to the Hanscom AFB gate.
From Points South
Take I-95 North or the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90 East - a toll road) to I-95/128 North until Exit 31B (on other side of overpass toward Bedford). This is Rte 4/225. Follow about 1/2 mile. There will be a jughandle turn located just past the Massachusetts Army Guard Building on the right. Take the jughandle and stay to the right through the lights. This is Hartwell Avenue. Follow Hartwell all the way to the Hanscom AFB gate.
From Points North
Take I-95 South to Exit 31B (Rte 4/225 toward Bedford, MA) Follow about a half mile. There will be a jughandle turn located just past the Massachusetts Army Guard Building on the right. Take the jughandle and stay to the right through the lights. This is Hartwell Avenue. Follow Hartwell all the way to the Hanscom AFB gate.
Important Note
You will see signs for Hanscom Field, Rte 2A, Concord, before you get to EXIT 31B. If it isafter 10:00 p.m., The Route 2A, Vandenberg Gate will be closed. Proceed to Exit 31B and the Hartwell Ave entrance. One half mile ahead on rte 4/225 you will come to a Jughandle (right turn used to make a left turn) onto Hartwell Ave. At the Jughandle and go straight through the light. Hanscom is one mile ahead.
Individuals who do not have a DoD ID card must be sponsored on the base; usually by a supervisor or sponsor. For more information, visit the website.
Homes Near Base
