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BAB · medium airport

Beale Air Force Base

Beale Air Force Base, United States

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BABmedium airport

Beale Air Force Base

Beale Air Force Base, United States
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KBAB
ICAO
113 ft
Elevation
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Strategic military airbase home to U-2 and RQ-4 operations.

Opened
1942
Location
Marysville, United States
Beale Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation located in Yuba County, California, approximately 40 miles north of Sacramento. It serves as the primary base for high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and is home to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, which operates the legendary U-2 Dragon Lady and the RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle. The base has a long history dating back to World War II and has evolved into one of the most strategically important intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) hubs in the U.S. military. While it is a military installation with restricted public access, it holds the IATA code BAB and is recognized within aviation databases as a functional airfield. Beale AFB also hosts tenant units and supports training for high-altitude physiological operations, given the extreme altitudes at which its aircraft operate. The base plays a critical role in national security and global reconnaissance missions.
Terminals
There are no commercial passenger terminals; the airfield is a restricted military installation with no scheduled civilian airline service.
Getting to & from
The base is accessible via California State Route 70 and is located approximately 40 miles north of Sacramento, with no public transit service to the installation.
Airlines here
No commercial airlines operate at Beale AFB; all flight operations are conducted by U.S. Air Force units, primarily the 9th Reconnaissance Wing.
Notable facts
  • ›Home to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, the Air Force's premier ISR wing.
  • ›Operates the U-2 Dragon Lady, which flies at altitudes above 70,000 feet.
  • ›Houses the RQ-4 Global Hawk, a high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aircraft.
  • ›The base was originally established in 1942 as Camp Beale, an Army training facility.
  • ›Pilots at Beale AFB must undergo pressure suit training due to the extreme altitudes of their aircraft.
Official website Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
A storied military installation where precision flight defines every mission

Beale Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation located in Yuba County, California, approximately 40 miles north of Sacramento. Home to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale is best known for operating the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and has historically hosted the SR-71 Blackbird. The base serves an exclusively military function and is not open to commercial passenger traffic.

Terminals
  • Military Flight Operations — Restricted military airfield supporting reconnaissance and training operations; no commercial terminals exist on the installation.
Ground Transport
  • Personal vehicle via Highway 20 and Beale AFB main gate
  • Taxi and rideshare services from Yuba City and Marysville
  • Car rental agencies available in nearby Yuba City
  • Government shuttle for authorized military personnel
Nearby Hotels
  • Hampton Inn Yuba City
  • Holiday Inn Express Yuba City
  • Comfort Suites Yuba City
  • Best Western Plus Yuba City Inn
Dining

On-base dining is restricted to authorized military personnel and includes a dining facility (DFAC) and a club. Visitors and contractors typically dine in nearby Yuba City or Marysville, where a range of casual American restaurants, fast food chains, and local diners are available within a short drive of the base.

Traveller Tips
  • Access to Beale AFB requires valid military ID or a pre-arranged visitor pass — plan this well in advance.
  • The nearest commercial airport for civilian travellers is Sacramento International Airport (SMF), about 45 miles south.
  • Carry all required identification and vehicle registration documents when approaching any base entry gate.
  • Yuba City offers the most convenient lodging and dining options for those visiting personnel stationed at Beale.
Official website

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Beale Air Force Base
Encyclopaedia

Beale Air Force Base (AFB) (IATA: BAB, ICAO: KBAB, FAA LID: BAB) is a United States Air Force base in Yuba County, California. It is outside Linda, about 10 miles (16 km) east of the towns of Marysville and Yuba City, and about 40 miles (64 km) north of Sacramento.

Read full article on Wikipedia