Keesler Air Force Base

Moving to Keesler Air Force Base

Keesler is an Air Education and Training Command base on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, built around the 81st Training Wing's technical schools in electronics, computers, weather, radar and related fields. It also hosts the Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (the Hurricane Hunters). Families get beach-town living and casinos nearby, along with a real hurricane-season routine from June through November.

Official installation website

Where families live

Schools

There are no DoDEA schools at Keesler. Base housing residents are zoned to Biloxi Public Schools; others are served by Harrison, Jackson and Hancock county districts or Gulfport schools. Contact the School Liaison Office early for zoning questions.

• Biloxi Public Schools — Serves Keesler housing residents; zoning via superintendent's office (228-374-1810)
• Harrison County School District — Covers D'Iberville and parts of North Biloxi
• Jackson County School District — Ocean Springs/Vancleave area
• Hancock County School District — Listed by Military OneSource as a regional option

Keesler School Liaison Office, 604 J Street, 228-376-6821; school-zone line 228-376-8728

Things to do near Keesler Air Force Base

• Gulf Coast beachesoutdoors
  Beaches are about 10-15 minutes from the base.
• Lighthouse Parkfamily
  A small waterfront park with a nature trail, playground and visitor center.
• Lynn Meadows Discovery Centerfamily
  Children's museum with hands-on exhibits.
• Hard Rock Hotel & Casinonightlife
  Concerts, dining and gaming on the Biloxi strip.
• Cruisin' the Coastfamily
  Annual classic-car festival along the beachfront highway with a show held at Keesler.
• Walter Anderson Museum of Artmuseum
  Art museum in historic downtown Ocean Springs.
• Back Bay kayakingoutdoors
  Paddling in the Ocean Springs bayous.
• The Promenade, D'Ibervillefamily
  Open-air shopping and dining district.
• Mississippi Aquariumfamily
  Gulfport aquarium that offers a military discount per a veteran-discount directory.

Realtors & local services

Listings come from public sources and are not endorsed or vetted. Own a business that serves families at Keesler Air Force Base? Claim or add a listing.

Local programs & support

• Mississippi State Parks military discount
  15% off state park camping and lodging for veterans and active service members.
• Keesler Military and Family Support Center
  Relocation, employment and family services for newcomers.

PCS tips for Keesler Air Force Base

• Check housing.af.mil and Hunt early: base-area homes are split between on-base, nearby and Vancleave communities with different rank eligibility.
• Learn the hurricane evacuation plan and get renter's or flood-appropriate insurance; check flood zones before choosing off-base housing.
• Inland areas such as D'Iberville tend to sit away from coastal flood zones.
• Gas and electric in Hunt homes are metered under the Air Force utility allowance program, so budget for utilities.

Benefits to use on this move

• Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
  Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
• Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)
  Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
• Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)
  Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
• VA Home Loan Guaranty
  Service members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
• Pet Transportation Reimbursement
  Families moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
• Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
  School-age children of active duty families changing schools
• School Liaison Program
  Parents choosing schools and transferring records

See every program and benefit

Other installations in the Southeast

• Fort BraggFayetteville, NC
• Fort CampbellClarksville, TN, KY
• Fort BenningColumbus, GA
• Fort Stewart & Hunter Army AirfieldHinesville / Savannah, GA
• Fort GordonAugusta, GA
• Fort JacksonColumbia, SC