Tinker Air Force Base, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is a cornerstone of aviation readiness and a vital hub for the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense. As the largest single-site employer in the state, Tinker’s primary mission is centered on sustainment, maintenance, and logistics. The base is home to the massive Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (OC-ALC), a part of the Air Force Sustainment Center, which provides depot-level maintenance and modification for a wide range of aircraft, engines, and components, ensuring the long-term viability of America’s airpower.

The host unit, the 72nd Air Base Wing, provides essential installation support for this vast industrial complex and numerous key tenant units. Operationally, Tinker is home to the 552nd Air Control Wing (ACC), which flies the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, providing airborne command and control capabilities to combatant commanders worldwide. The base also hosts the Air Force Reserve’s 507th Air Refueling Wing, which operates the KC-135 Stratotanker.

A unique and critical aspect of Tinker’s mission is its joint-service partnership with the U.S. Navy. The base is home to Strategic Communications Wing ONE (STRATCOMMWING ONE), which operates the E-6B Mercury TACAMO (“Take Charge and Move Out”) aircraft. This no-fail mission provides a survivable communications link between the National Command Authority and the nation’s strategic nuclear forces, including ballistic missile submarines.

Personnel and their families stationed at Tinker AFB are part of the vibrant Oklahoma City metropolitan area, which offers a wide range of amenities, a low cost of living, and a deeply patriotic community. The diverse and critical missions at Tinker, from depot maintenance to strategic communications and airborne command and control, solidify its position as one of the most important military installations in the United States.