Goodfellow Air Force Base Complete Guide

Quick Facts

Location: San Angelo, Texas (West Texas, 225 miles west of Austin)
Branch: U.S. Air Force (joint training base)
Size: 1,235 acres
Population: ~5,500 students and permanent party
Major Units: 17th Training Wing
Mission: Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and fire protection training
Climate: Hot dry summers, mild winters, West Texas desert
Student Base: Most personnel are students in technical training

Overview & History

Goodfellow Air Force Base, established in 1940 as San Angelo Army Air Field, has served as a training installation for over 80 years. The base was renamed Goodfellow Air Force Base in 1948 to honor Second Lieutenant John J. Goodfellow Jr., a San Angelo native and World War I aviator killed in action in 1918.

During World War II, Goodfellow trained bombardiers and navigators. After the war, the base transitioned through various training missions before finding its current role as the DoD’s center for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) training.

Today, Goodfellow AFB is home to the 17th Training Wing, which conducts technical training for Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and international students. The primary mission includes training intelligence analysts (imagery intelligence, signals intelligence, human intelligence, geospatial intelligence), fire protection specialists, and military working dog handlers.

Goodfellow trains approximately 7,500 students annually from all military services and allied nations. Students attend courses ranging from a few weeks to over a year depending on their specialty. The base operates as a joint installation with significant inter-service cooperation.

Unlike operational bases, Goodfellow functions primarily as a training environment. Most personnel are students in Airman or technical training status. Permanent party (instructors, support staff) represent smaller portion of population. This creates unique culture focused on education rather than operational mission.

Goodfellow’s location in San Angelo, a city of 100,000 in West Texas, provides small-city quality of life with affordable cost of living, friendly community, and authentic Texas culture. The training mission and student-focused environment make Goodfellow a distinctive assignment.

Units Stationed Here

17th Training Wing (AETC): Base’s host unit providing ISR and fire protection training.

17th Training Group: Conducts intelligence training:

  • 312th Training Squadron: Cryptologic training (signals intelligence)
  • 315th Training Squadron: Intelligence training (imagery intelligence, geospatial intelligence, targeting)
  • 316th Training Squadron: Human intelligence and counterintelligence training
  • 344th Training Squadron: Fire protection and military working dog handler training

17th Mission Support Group: Installation support—security forces, civil engineering, communications, contracting, logistics, services.

17th Medical Group: Healthcare services for students and permanent party.

17th Force Support Squadron: Personnel, recreation, lodging, dining services.

Angelo State University (Partnership): ASU provides degree completion programs on-base for students.

International Military Student Office: Supports allied nation students training at Goodfellow.

Student Population: Approximately 5,000+ students at any time from Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and allied nations. Student body constantly rotating as courses complete and new classes begin.

Housing Options

On-Base Housing

Provider: Balfour Beatty Communities manages Goodfellow AFB family housing.

Availability: Limited on-base family housing given student-focused mission. Priority to permanent party instructors and staff. Students typically live in dormitories.

Neighborhoods: Small family housing area with 2-4 bedroom homes. Renovations ongoing but limited inventory.

Wait Times: Variable but can be lengthy (6-12+ months) given limited housing stock. Permanent party personnel only—students not eligible for family housing.

Contact: Balfour Beatty Communities, (325) 654-3502

Reality: Most permanent party families live off-base due to limited on-base inventory. Students live in dormitories or designated student housing.

Off-Base Housing

San Angelo provides affordable off-base housing options. Market less competitive than larger military areas.

San Angelo: City of 100,000. Most military families live off-base in San Angelo. Homes $150k-$350k, rentals $900-$1,800/month (3BR). Wide range of neighborhoods throughout city—older established areas, newer subdivisions.

Popular Areas:

  • Bentwood Country Club area (Southwest): Newer homes, family-friendly, good schools, safe. Homes $200k-$400k+
  • Southwest San Angelo: Newer development, master-planned communities, appealing to families. Rentals $1,100-$2,000/month
  • South side: Established neighborhoods, affordable. Homes $120k-$280k
  • Grape Creek area (North): Rural character, larger lots, affordable. Homes $130k-$300k

San Angelo ISD Schools: Quality varies by school—research specific campuses. Some excellent schools, others adequate. Elementary schools typically strong. Central High School and Lake View High School serve area.

Crime: San Angelo generally safe community with lower crime than Texas average. Some areas safer than others—research neighborhoods.

Commute: Base on southeast side of San Angelo. Most city locations 10-20 minutes to base. Traffic minimal compared to major metros.

BAH Rates (2025):

  • E-5: $1,320/month (with dependents)
  • E-7: $1,530/month
  • O-3: $1,719/month
  • O-4: $1,965/month

BAH comfortably covers San Angelo housing market. Cost of living very affordable. Many families live well within BAH.

Student Housing: Students typically live in base dormitories. Some longer courses allow off-base housing with approval. Check with training squadron for student housing policies.

Recommendation: Off-base housing in San Angelo affordable and accessible. Southwest areas popular with families. Short commutes and low cost of living are advantages.

Schools & Education

DoDEA Schools

Goodfellow does NOT have DoDEA schools. All dependent children attend San Angelo ISD or private schools.

Local School Districts

San Angelo Independent School District (SAISD): Serves San Angelo. Medium-sized district (~15,000 students).

High Schools:

  • Central High School: Larger school, comprehensive programs, adequate academics, athletics, activities. Main high school for many military families.
  • Lake View High School: Smaller alternative, adequate academics.

Elementary and Middle Schools: Multiple schools throughout district. Quality generally adequate to good. Research specific schools based on housing location. Some standout elementary schools (Bowie, Belaire, Bonham among well-regarded).

SAISD overall: Adequate district with some strong schools. Not top-ranked in Texas but provides solid education. Military-friendly given Goodfellow presence.

Private Schools:

Angelo Catholic School: PreK-8, Catholic education, smaller classes, $4k-$6k/year.

San Angelo Christian Academy: K-12, Christian education, small school, $5k-$8k/year depending on grade.

Trinity Lutheran School: PreK-8, Lutheran, $4k-$6k/year.

Limited private school options but available for families seeking religious or alternative education.

Homeschooling: Active homeschool community in San Angelo. Support groups and co-ops available.

Colleges & Universities

Angelo State University (ASU): San Angelo, public university, member of Texas Tech University System. Comprehensive bachelor’s and master’s programs. Military-friendly with on-base programs. Many Goodfellow students pursue degrees through ASU while attending training. Affordable tuition.

Howard College (San Angelo campus): Community college satellite campus, associates degrees, vocational certificates.

Online Education: Many Goodfellow personnel pursue online degrees given training schedules. Base education center provides support.

On-Base Education: Angelo State maintains office on Goodfellow offering degree completion programs. Convenient for active duty pursuing education during assignment.

Healthcare Facilities

17th Medical Group (Goodfellow AFB Clinic)

Facility Type: Small military clinic (not hospital)

Services Available:

  • Primary care (family practice, internal medicine)
  • Urgent care (limited hours, basic capability)
  • Pharmacy (formulary medications, limited hours)
  • Laboratory (basic testing)
  • Radiology (X-ray only)
  • Immunizations and preventive care
  • Mental health (limited—primarily student focused)
  • Optometry (limited)
  • Physical therapy (basic)
  • Flight medicine
  • Public health

Services NOT Available:

  • Emergency care (call 911 for emergencies)
  • Surgical procedures
  • Specialty care
  • Labor and delivery
  • Advanced imaging (MRI, CT)
  • Inpatient care

Off-Base Care (TRICARE):

All specialty care, emergencies, hospitalizations occur off-base in San Angelo:

Shannon Medical Center: San Angelo’s primary hospital, full-service regional medical center, Level III trauma center, emergency room, surgery, labor/delivery, ICU, most specialties, TRICARE network. Primary referral hospital for Goodfellow beneficiaries.

San Angelo Community Medical Center: Second hospital in San Angelo, similar services, TRICARE accepted.

Multiple civilian clinics throughout San Angelo for primary and specialty care.

TRICARE Prime: Goodfellow clinic provides limited primary care. Most care requires off-base referrals to Shannon or civilian providers. System requires coordination but Shannon Medical Center capable.

TRICARE Select: More flexibility to self-refer to civilian providers. Given limited base clinic capability, TRICARE Select may be practical option for families needing regular care.

Maternity Care: No OB services on-base. Prenatal care and delivery occur at Shannon Medical Center. Hospital has good labor/delivery services.

Behavioral Health: Limited on-base mental health primarily serves student population. Military OneSource provides counseling. Civilian mental health providers available through TRICARE in San Angelo.

Reality: Small base clinic means most healthcare off-base. Shannon Medical Center provides quality care but requires off-base visits for most needs.

Base Amenities

Commissary: Small commissary on Goodfellow. Basic selection adequate for base population. Prices competitive. Can be crowded weekends. San Angelo has civilian grocery stores (HEB, Walmart, United Supermarkets, Lowe’s Market) for additional options.

Exchange: Small Base Exchange (BX) with limited offerings—basic clothing, toiletries, snacks, small electronics. Shoppette for quick items. Gas station with competitive pricing. San Angelo has major retailers (Walmart, Target, mall) for larger shopping needs.

Fitness Center: Mathis Fitness Center—cardio equipment, free weights, machines, basketball court, group fitness classes, locker rooms. Adequate for base size. Outdoor track and fields available.

Outdoor Recreation: Small outdoor recreation center renting camping gear, sports equipment. Discount tickets for local attractions. San Angelo and surrounding area offer outdoor activities (lakes, parks, hunting, fishing).

Swimming Pool: Outdoor pool open seasonally (summer). Popular during hot West Texas summers.

Youth Programs: Child Development Center (small, limited capacity—waitlists exist). Youth programs for school-age children. Teen center. Summer camps. Register for CDC immediately upon orders if needed.

Library: Small base library with books, computers, wifi. Adequate collection for base size.

Bowling Center: Small bowling alley, arcade, snack bar. Good for entertainment.

Auto Hobby Shop: Self-service vehicle maintenance bays, tools. Essential for DIY maintenance.

Golf: Bentwood Country Club (off-base) offers military discount. Base does not have on-base golf course.

Clubs & Dining:

  • Valkyrie Club: On-base club for events, dining
  • Dining facility for students and permanent party
  • Food court options limited—BX has small food court

Student Focus: Many amenities geared toward student population. Permanent party utilize off-base options more frequently.

MWR Programs: Trips to Austin, San Antonio, South Padre Island, Carlsbad Caverns. Discount tickets. Programming adapts to student and permanent party needs.

Employment Opportunities

Civilian Jobs on Base: Goodfellow employs civilians primarily as instructors, administrative support, maintenance, and services.

Air Force Civilian Service (AFCS): Positions in education/training (instructors for intelligence courses), administration, civil engineering, IT, contracting. Check USAJOBS.gov. Intelligence training instructors typically require clearances and subject matter expertise.

17th Training Wing Hiring: Instructors for intelligence disciplines, fire protection, and military working dog programs. Technical expertise and clearances required for many positions.

Contractor Positions: Some contractors support training operations, IT, maintenance. Smaller contractor presence than operational bases.

Spouse Employment:

Military Spouse Preference (MSP): Available for federal positions at Goodfellow.

On-Base Jobs: Limited compared to larger bases. Exchange, commissary, CDC, youth programs hire but smaller scale.

San Angelo Employment: Healthcare (Shannon Medical Center major employer—nurses, technicians, admin), retail, education (SAISD, ASU hire teachers/staff), agriculture-related businesses, service industries. San Angelo economy diverse for city size.

Remote Work: Increasingly viable option. Internet infrastructure adequate. Good solution for career continuity given West Texas location.

Angelo State University: Employs faculty and staff. Education field opportunities available.

Unemployment: San Angelo unemployment typically near Texas average (3-4%). Smaller city means fewer specialized career opportunities but adequate job market for most fields.

Recommendation: Federal employment offers stability. Healthcare sector strong. Education opportunities through ASU and SAISD. Remote work practical option. Smaller job market than major cities but adequate for most families.

Nearby Cities & Attractions

San Angelo: City of 100,000. Full-service city with shopping (Sunset Mall, big-box stores), dining (Texas BBQ, Tex-Mex, steakhouses, local restaurants), entertainment (movie theaters, bowling, events). Historic downtown Fort Concho, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, Railway Museum of San Angelo. Concho River Walk (scenic river walk, festivals, events). Family-friendly community, authentic West Texas culture, friendly residents.

Lake Recreation: Multiple lakes near San Angelo—O.C. Fisher Lake (adjoins city, fishing, boating), Twin Buttes Reservoir (fishing, boating), Lake Nasworthy (city lake, swimming beach, marina, popular summer destination). Water recreation essential for hot summers.

San Angelo State Park: Small state park with hiking, camping, paddling on North Concho River. Good for quick outdoor escapes.

Big Lake: 45 minutes north, small town with Reagan County Airport Museum (aircraft displays).

Abilene: 1.5 hours northeast, city of 125,000. Dyess AFB nearby. Abilene Zoo, Frontier Texas! museum, museums, shopping. Day trip option.

Austin: 3.5 hours east. State capital, live music, University of Texas, dining, entertainment. Weekend trip destination.

San Antonio: 3.5 hours southeast. The Alamo, River Walk, theme parks, attractions. Weekend trips feasible.

Lubbock: 2.5 hours north. Texas Tech University, Buddy Holly Center, wineries. Regional city.

Carlsbad Caverns National Monument (New Mexico): 3 hours west. Spectacular limestone caves, bat flight program. Worth trip.

Big Bend National Park: 4.5 hours southwest. Remote desert and mountain park, stunning scenery. Requires planning but incredible destination.

Fort Davis/Davis Mountains: 3.5 hours west. Mountain town, McDonald Observatory (stargazing—dark skies!), cooler climate, scenic drives. Excellent weekend trip.

Outdoor Activities:

  • Fishing: Lakes near San Angelo—bass, catfish, crappie. Concho River fishing.
  • Hunting: West Texas known for deer, dove, quail, hog hunting. Lease land or guided hunts.
  • Hiking: Limited near San Angelo but state parks and Davis Mountains within driving distance.
  • Cycling: San Angelo has cycling community, events. Flat terrain good for road cycling.

Events:

  • San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo (February): Major rodeo and livestock show, West Texas tradition
  • San Angelo Symphony: Classical music performances
  • Texas Storytelling Festival: Annual event
  • Various festivals: Art Walk, food festivals, community events throughout year

Culture: West Texas, conservative, friendly, authentic Texas culture. Ranching and agriculture heritage. Smaller city means tight-knit community. Less diverse than major metros but welcoming. Military-friendly given Goodfellow presence. Genuine small-city Texas experience.

Weather: Hot dry summers (95-105°F common, low humidity makes it tolerable). Mild winters (40-65°F). Brief cold snaps possible. Low rainfall (~20 inches annually). Sunny most of year (300+ sunny days). Wind common. Occasional dust storms. Overall, desert-like West Texas climate—prepare for heat.

Legal Services

17th Training Wing Legal Office provides free legal assistance to active duty, retirees, family members:

Services:

  • Wills, powers of attorney, living wills, advance directives
  • Notary services (free)
  • Landlord-tenant issues, lease reviews, SCRA protections
  • Consumer affairs, contract disputes, creditor assistance
  • Family law consultation (basic advice, cannot represent in court)
  • SCRA advice (interest rate caps, lease terminations, court protections)
  • Tax assistance (VITA program, seasonal)
  • Immigration assistance (limited)

Limitations: Cannot represent in civilian court, criminal defense (use Area Defense Counsel for courts-martial), complex litigation.

Appointments: Call (325) 654-3921 to schedule. Walk-ins for notary when available.

Texas Law: Legal office familiar with Texas-specific laws. Texas is community property state. NO state income tax (major financial benefit).

Off-Base Attorneys: State Bar of Texas provides referral at www.texasbar.com. San Angelo attorneys available, many offer military discounts.

For more military legal information, visit [your military legal website link].

PCSing to Goodfellow AFB

Before Arrival

Orders Review: Verify Goodfellow AFB, Texas with correct dates, dependents listed. Confirm permanent party or student status (affects housing, entitlements).

Housing: Limited on-base housing—apply through Balfour Beatty but expect off-base housing. Research San Angelo neighborhoods. Southwest areas popular. Virtual tours available.

Schools: Research SAISD schools if have children. Coordinate enrollment. Southwest San Angelo schools generally well-regarded.

Childcare: CDC has limited capacity—register immediately at militarychildcare.com if needed. Explore off-base daycare options.

Spouse Employment: Begin job search early. Consider remote work given West Texas location. Healthcare and education sectors offer opportunities.

Texas Residency: Consider establishing Texas residency—NO state income tax. Vehicle registration and inspection required. Insurance required.

Student vs. Permanent Party: If student, housing typically dormitories. Check with training squadron for policies. If permanent party, expect off-base housing search.

Arrival & Inprocessing

Arrival: Report to unit or student reception within 24 hours. Bring orders, IDs, medical records.

Temporary Lodging: On-base lodging available (reserve early). Off-base hotels in San Angelo plentiful and affordable. TLA days limited for permanent party.

Inprocessing:

  • Students: Report to training squadron, assigned dormitory/barracks, issued gear, begin training schedule.
  • Permanent Party: Standard inprocessing—ID cards, finance, medical, unit check-in. Allow 2-3 days.

Vehicle Registration: Register at Pass & ID office. Texas registration required if establishing residency (inspection, tags). Base decal required.

Base Access: Main gate off Knickerbocker Road. Traffic minimal compared to larger bases. Real ID compliant ID required.

First Week Tips

Heat Adjustment: West Texas heat intense summer (May-September). Hydrate constantly. Wear sunscreen. Limit outdoor activity midday. AC essential.

Base Size: Small base—easy to navigate. Everything close together. Learn locations quickly.

Explore San Angelo: Visit downtown, Concho River Walk, Fort Concho. Try local BBQ and Tex-Mex. Discover lakes for summer recreation. Friendly community—engage locals.

Student Life: If student, focus on training. Rigorous academics. Study groups helpful. Utilize base resources. Training schedules demanding but manageable.

Permanent Party: Smaller community means easier to connect. Join spouse groups, fitness classes, MWR activities. Get involved early.

Off-Base Necessities: Identify grocery stores (HEB excellent), shops, restaurants, services. San Angelo has everything needed despite smaller size.

Weekend Trips: Plan trips to Austin, San Antonio, Carlsbad Caverns, Big Bend. West Texas location means longer drives but worthwhile destinations.

Weather Prep: Summer heat requires AC, hydration, sun protection. Winter mild but brief cold snaps—have layers. Wind common—secure outdoor items.

Mindset: Goodfellow is unique—training-focused, smaller base, West Texas location. Students: embrace training intensity and opportunity to gain critical intelligence skills. Permanent Party: appreciate small community, affordable living, authentic Texas culture, quality of life. West Texas not for everyone—hot, remote, smaller city. Those who embrace Western culture, outdoor activities, and small-city life have positive experiences. San Angelo friendly, affordable, safe. Attitude determines experience. Welcome to Goodfellow!

Sources: Goodfellow Air Force Base Official Website, Wikipedia (Goodfellow AFB), Defense.gov, 17th Training Wing Public Affairs

Last Updated: January 2025




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