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Questions

If your question relates specifically to Shaw Air Force Base, please see the questions below. If you have a question which is not addressed here, you may find the answer by visiting the Questions page of Air Combat Command, or the official Air Force questions page of Air Force Link. For general military questions, please refer to the Department of Defense's FAQs page.

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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Air show

When will the next Shaw Air Expo (air show) be held?


Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., is hosting the Shaw Air Expo open house and air show May 21-22, 2016. The free event is open to the general public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Please visit http://www.shaw.af.mil/Home/AirExpo.aspx for more information. Also, "like" the Shaw Air Force Base Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/20FighterWing/ for up-to-date info.

(Current as of Jan 2016)
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Base operator

What is the phone number for the base operator?

The Shaw Air Force Base operator can be reached at (803) 895-1110. DSN 965-1110
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Base Tours

Can I drive myself on the base and look around?

Due to security requirements, the public is not allowed on any Department of Defense installation without escort by a holder of a DoD identification card, so self-guided visits are not possible.

 

How can I schedule a tour of Shaw AFB?

The 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office provides tours on a space-available basis as mission and staffing permit. 

Limitations:


  • Minimum visitor age 12 years old.

  • Minimum group size, 15.

  • Available only on normal duty days, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.; no holidays or weekends.


Please use the Contact Us form to request information about tours or call (803) 895-2019. 

Due to security requirements, the public is not allowed on any Department of Defense installation without escort by a holder of a DoD identification card, so self-guided visits are not possible.
 
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Civilian Employment

What is the best way to find out about civilian employment opportunities at Shaw Air Force Base?

Vacant positions for Shaw Air Force Base are advertised on the Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, website.

Please visit the Air Force Civilian Careers website for details regarding resume submission and application. 
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Driving directions

From the East

From the east, take I-26 west, turn onto I-95 north, and then turn west onto Highway 378. Or, from the Myrtle Beach area, just take Highway 378 west. The exit for Shaw will be just outside of the Sumter city limits, and will be on your right.

 

From the North

From the north, take I- 77 to the Highway 378 exit (exit 9); drive east towards Sumter. The exit for Shaw will be just outside of the Sumter city limits, and will be on your right.

 

From the South

From the south, take I-95 north and turn west onto Highway 378. The exit for Shaw will be just outside of the Sumter city limits, and will be on your right.

 

From the West

From the west, take I-20 East to I-26 south around Columbia; drive north I-77 to the Highway 378 exit (exit 9); drive east towards Sumter. The exit for Shaw will be just outside of the Sumter city limits, and will be on your right.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Freedom of Information Act

Looking for additional FOIA information?

Some records are released to the public under the Freedom of Information Act and may, therefore, reflect deletion of some information in accordance with the FOIA's nine statutory exemptions. A consolidated list of such records is on DefenseLINK. 

Air Force bases use a standard office symbol to sort and deliver mail. The office symbol is the Alpha Code (i.e., LRS, DP, etc.) provided on the list. You must include the address and office symbol in the address of mail sent to Air Force bases. Be advised that Air Force directives prohibit the delivery of unofficial mass mailings (50 pieces or more from the same mailer on the same day). Repeated mailings of less than that to circumvent policy are also prohibited. 

The names of personnel assigned to sensitive or routinely deployable units have been withheld under 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6), and 5 U.S.C 552(a), The Privacy Act. 

FOIA requesters who have questions concerning the processing of their request with the McConnell AFB FOIA Office should call (316) 759-4881. If dissatisfied with the response from the center, people may contact the FOIA Public Liaison, HQ AMC FOIA Office at (618) 229-5710 or e-mail amc.foia@scott.af.mil, or the FOIA Public Liaison, HQ AF FOIA Office at (703) 588-6102 or e-mail af.foia@pentagon.af.mil. 

For more information visit:
Air Force FOIA Web site
DoD FOIA Web site

 

What is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?

Public Law 5 U.S.C. 552 enacted the Freedom of Information Act. It established statutory rights of access to government information. It generally states that any person has a right, enforceable in court, of access to federal agency records -- except to the extent that such records, or portions thereof, are protected from disclosure by one of nine exemptions or one of three special law-enforcement record exclusions. See DoD Regulation 5400.7, Air Force Supplement, DoD Freedom of Information Act Program, the prescribing directive, for more information.

 

Who can submit a FOIA requests?

Members of the public, including foreign citizens, military and civilian personnel acting as private citizens, organizations and businesses and individual members of the Congress -- for themselves or constituents. Government employees submitting requests should not use government equipment, supplies, stationery, postage, telephones or official mail channels to make FOIA requests.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Newcomers
I am moving to Shaw but I do not have a sponsor, who should I call?
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Request Forms

How do I request Armed Forces participation in public events? (Non-Aviation)

To request all Armed Forces musical unit, troop, color or honor guard, and exhibit and equipment participation in public events use the following form.

 

How do I submit my information for release to my hometown news?

To recognize the achievements of Army and Air Force members, click here to complete the request form.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Shaw Climate

What is the weather like at Shaw AFB?

Winter Weather: 

Dry and cold air masses predominate December through February with cold fronts passing every 4 or 5 days. Occasionally, fronts become stationary to the south of the area producing extensive cloudiness and light rain for periods of up to several days. 

Average high: 57 
Average low: 37 
Average rain: 3.5" 
Average snow: 3/4" 
Average thunder days: 1 


Spring Weather: 

March through May brings the greatest threat of severe weather. Warm, moist air begins to return to the southeast US. The contrast between thighs and the cold, dry air associated with frontal systems moving from west to east produces violent weather in the form of highgh winds, hail, and tornadoes. 

Average high: 66 in March to 82 in May 
Average low: 45 in March to 61 in May 
Average rain: 3.9" 
Average thunder days: 2 in March to 4 in May 


Summer Weather: 

Warm moist air dominates the entire southeastern portion of the United States June through August. This brings Shaw its greatest frequency of thunderstorm occurrence and its heaviest seasonal rainfall. 

Average high: 89 
Average low: 70 
Average rain: 5.2" 
Average thunder days: 7 in June to 14 in August 


Fall Weather: 

South Carolina is most susceptible to the effects of hurricanes/tropical storms in September and October. The potential for severe weather exists with these systems. In the latter part of October into November cold fronts once again begin to make their way through the area. 

Average high: 83 in September to 66 in November 
Average low: 65 in September to 45 in November 
Average rain: 3.3" 
Average thunder days: 5 in September to 1 in November
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Speaker request

Can I request a speaker from Shaw AFB?

The 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office will try to provide a speaker appropriate for requested groups and subjects. 
Allow for at least 30 days notice. 

Call (803) 895-2019/1620 for more information or fill our a request here.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Support deployed Airmen

How can I support deployed Airmen?

Thank you for showing interest in supporting our Airmen deployed abroad. Due to operational security concerns, we cannot give direct mailing addresses to deployed Airmen.

However, many organizations such as the USO manage several established programs in which the public can support military members.  Thank you for thinking of our deployed men and women.