Wheeler Army Airfield — Wahiawa, Central Oahu
Ship Your Car to Wheeler AAF 2026 Army PCS Guide
Home of the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade and USAG Hawaii headquarters. Whether you are coming from Fort Novosel, Fort Campbell, or JBLM, we get your vehicle from your current installation to Honolulu. Guaranteed pricing. One contact. Every mile managed.
$1,580
Port-to-Port to Oahu starting price
~22 mi
Wheeler AAF to Sand Island terminal
12–14
Days ocean transit to Honolulu
INSTANT QUOTE
“PCS from Fort Novosel to the 25th CAB. Aviation orders move fast. Camilo locked our quote same day, coordinated pickup in Alabama, and our truck cleared Sand Island before our household goods even arrived. That kind of timing matters.”
— CW3 M. Davis, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, Wheeler AAF
On this page
About Wheeler AAF
Shipping From Your Installation
How Our Process Works
Sand Island to Wheeler Drive
Insurance Coverage
25th CAB Units & Aircraft
2026 Pricing
Port Routing & Size Limits
Preparing Your Vehicle
FAQ
About Wheeler Army Airfield: Central Oahu's Aviation Hub
Wheeler AAF is in central Oahu, 20 miles from Honolulu, adjacent to Schofield Barracks. Aviation assignments here come with tight reporting dates — book early and coordinate your sailing around your report date.
Wheeler AAF is USAG Hawaii's headquarters — and a National Historic Landmark.
Established in 1922 and named after Major Sheldon H. Wheeler, the airfield was one of the primary targets of the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. Today it serves as both an active Army airfield and the administrative headquarters for all of U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, which oversees 22 Army installations and sub-installations across the islands.
Wheeler is in Wahiawa, central Oahu. Nearby: Mililani, Pearl City, Ewa Beach. The commissary, PX, Tripler, and schools all require a vehicle — plan for your car to arrive before or shortly after you do.
Sand Island Terminal is about 22 miles from Wheeler AAF.
Your vehicle arrives at Honolulu's Sand Island Terminal and must be picked up there. From Wheeler, take H-2 south to H-1 east toward Honolulu. The drive is typically 25 to 35 minutes. Plan your pickup on a weekday morning to avoid the H-1 afternoon commuter traffic heading back toward central Oahu.
USAG Hawaii Official Site
Official U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii website, headquartered at Wheeler AAF. Installation info, newcomer resources, and services directory.
USAG Hawaii Newcomers Guide
ACS Move with Aloha guide and Know Before You Go newsletter for incoming soldiers and families.
ACS Relocation Readiness Program
Army Community Service relocation support. Weekly Community Readiness Expo at Schofield Barracks every Thursday, 9–11 AM.
Move.mil — DoD Moving Portal
Submit and track your government-channel POV shipment and household goods here.
Wheeler AAF Quick Reference
Location
Wahiawa, Central Oahu, HI 96786
Arrival Terminal
Sand Island, Honolulu (~22 miles, 25–35 min)
Primary Port
Long Beach (most origins); Oakland (NW)
Ocean Transit
12–14 days to Honolulu
Lead Time (Summer)
4–6 weeks min (May–Aug)
Lead Time (Standard)
2–3 weeks minimum
Historic status
National Historic Landmark (WWII)
Wheeler / Schofield PPPO
Address
Bldg 750, Rm 140, Ayers Ave, Schofield Barracks, HI 96857
Phone
(808) 655-1868
Hours
M/T/Th/F: 0800–1600 W: Group briefings only
Government-channel (1st vehicle) POV shipments. Private-sector and second vehicle shipping through Car Shipping Hawaii.
Port Size Limits
Long Beach
Max 84" tall • Max 86" wide
Oakland
Max 76" tall • Max 76" wide (incl. mirrors, racks)
Government-channel (1st vehicle) POV shipments. Private-sector and second vehicle shipping through Car Shipping Hawaii.
Useful Links
USAG Hawaii Official Site
USAG Hawaii Newcomers
ACS Relocation Readiness
http://move.mil/
Matson Sailing Schedule
Hawaii USDA Biosecurity
All Hawaii Military Bases
25th Combat Aviation Brigade: Units & Aircraft at Wheeler AAF
Wheeler AAF is home to the 25th Infantry Division's aviation element. Units and aircraft currently on the flight line:
2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment
"Diamondhead" — General Support Aviation
✈ UH-60M Black Hawk
Enlisted Specialties at TAMC
"Hammerhead" — General Support (MEDEVAC)
✈ HH-60 MEDEVAC / CH-47 Chinook
2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment
"Lightning Horse" — Attack Reconnaissance
✈ AH-64E Apache Guardian
209th Aviation Support Battalion
Aviation maintenance & logistics support
🔧 All airframes
DISA Hawaii (Defense Information Systems Agency)
DoD information systems & communications tenant
169th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
Hawaii Air National Guard tenant unit
193rd Aviation Regiment (Medium Lift)
Hawaii Army National Guard tenant
Trial Defense Service — Hawaii
Legal defense services for soldiers across USAG Hawaii
Aviation PCS timelines move fast.
Aviation assignments can come with shorter-than-usual notice, especially for warrant officers transitioning from flight school at Fort Novosel. We have worked with 25th CAB soldiers on compressed timelines before. Call us as soon as you have orders so we can lock your rate and a sailing that works with your reporting date, even if that window is tight.
Shipping From Your Current Installation to Wheeler AAF
Departure port, overland transit, and total door-to-delivery time by origin installation.
| Your Current Installation | Port | Overland | Ocean (Oahu) | Est. Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Novosel (Rucker), AL — Flight School / 110th AVN | Long Beach | 6–9 days | 12–14 days | 18–23 days |
| Fort Campbell, KY — 160th SOAR, 101st CAB | Long Beach | 5–7 days | 12–14 days | 17–21 days |
| Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA — 16th CAB | Oakland | 2–3 days | 12–14 days | 14–17 days |
| Fort Wainwright / JBER, AK | Long Beach | 5–8 days | 12–14 days | 17–22 days |
| Fort Cavazos (Hood), TX — CAB, 1st Cav | Long Beach | 4–6 days | 12–14 days | 16–20 days |
| Fort Liberty (Bragg), NC — 82nd CAB, 160th SOAR | Long Beach | 7–10 days | 12–14 days | 19–24 days |
| Fort Stewart, GA — 3rd CAB | Long Beach | 7–9 days | 12–14 days | 19–23 days |
| Fort Drum, NY — 10th CAB | Long Beach | 9–12 days | 12–14 days | 21–26 days |
| Fort Carson, CO — 4th CAB | Long Beach | 3–5 days | 12–14 days | 15–19 days |
| Fort Riley, KS — 1st CAB, 1st ID | Long Beach | 4–6 days | 12–14 days | 16–20 days |
| Fort Bliss, TX — 11th CAB | Long Beach | 3–5 days | 12–14 days | 15–19 days |
| Presidio of Monterey, CA — Language school | Long Beach | 2–3 days | 12–14 days | 14–17 days |
| Fort Leavenworth, KS — CGSC / ILE | Long Beach | 4–6 days | 12–14 days | 16–20 days |
| Camp Humphreys / Korea (OCONUS returnees) | Long Beach | 1–3 days (from CONUS VPC) | 12–14 days | 13–17 days after VPC |
Missing a Matson sailing cutoff at Wheeler means real mission impact.
Aviation units have strict reporting dates and flight currency requirements. If your vehicle misses its sailing, you wait 2+ weeks for the next one, paying car rental costs in Wahiawa while your household goods may already be at your door. We coordinate pickup timing specifically to hit the right sailing for your reporting date.
Booking lead time:
Standard moves: 2–3 weeks before target pickup. Summer (May–Aug): 4–6 weeks minimum. Aviation PCS assignments that come with less notice? Call us immediately and we will work with your timeline.
2026 Pricing: Shipping Your Car to Wheeler Army Airfield
Transparent. Locked at booking. The price we quote is the price you pay, regardless of what happens to the market after you book.
Port-to-Port → Oahu
You transport to port. We handle ocean freight.
$1,580
Ocean freight only — you drive or arrange transport to Long Beach or Oakland
$200 deposit applied toward your total. Locks your rate and vessel space. 12–14 day ocean transit. Arrives Sand Island, ~6 miles from Tripler.
Door-to-Port → Oahu
We pick up at your installation. Nothing until Sand Island.
$1,980+
Starting from West Coast. Varies by AMEDD installation.
$600 deposit applied toward your total. We coordinate pickup at your installation, overland to port, and ocean freight. Exact price depends on origin. Call for your locked number.
GME Residents: Book in March, as soon as match results arrive.
If you are matching to a Tripler residency program, your start date is July 1. That means you are PCSing during the absolute peak of Hawaii shipping season. Matson sailings in June fill up. Book vehicle shipping as soon as your match is confirmed, even if your orders are not yet cut. A deposit locks your rate and a sailing window. The market only moves up in summer.
Standard lead time:
2–3 weeks before pickup.
Summer (May–Aug):
4–6 weeks minimum. Residents matching to Tripler: book in March or April for a July arrival.
2026 Pricing: Shipping Your Car to Tripler AMC
One number. Locked at booking. We work with medical professionals on tight timelines and budgets. What we quote is what you pay.
Port-to-Port → Oahu
You handle transport to port. We handle ocean freight.
$1,580
Ocean freight only — you drive or arrange transport to Long Beach or Oakland
$200 deposit applied toward your total. Locks your rate and vessel space. 12–14 day ocean transit. Arrives at Sand Island, ~22 miles from Wheeler AAF.
Door-to-Port → Oahu
We pick up at your installation. Nothing until Sand Island.
$1,980+
Starting from West Coast. Varies by origin installation.
$600 deposit applied toward your total. We coordinate pickup at your current installation, overland to port, and ocean freight. Exact all-in price depends on origin. Call for your number.
Your deposit locks your rate.
Once you book, your price does not move. Peak season surcharges apply June through August to unboooked shipments only. A deposit before peak season locks you out of that exposure entirely.
Get your Wheeler AAF all-in price.
Aviation orders move fast. We work with your reporting date and lock your rate same day. Give us 5 minutes.
ETS / PCS Out: Shipping Back to the Mainland
| Route | Price Range | Ocean Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu (Sand Island) to Mainland | $900 – $1,200 | 12–14 days |
Documents required when shipping FROM Hawaii:
Vehicle Title (front and back), current Hawaii registration, Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate (yellow or blue), government-issued photo ID (original at gate), Lien Holder Authorization if financed. Email copies to port 24 hours before drop-off.
Lien Holder Authorization is ONLY required shipping FROM Hawaii.
Not required when shipping TO Hawaii. If your vehicle is financed and you are incoming to Wheeler, you do not need lender paperwork.
Transit Times
How Our Process Works: From Your Installation to Wheeler AAF
Get Your Locked Quote — Same Day
Call or request a quote. We confirm your origin installation, vehicle specs, and Wheeler AAF as destination. We quote an all-in price and lock it with a deposit. Your rate does not change after booking, regardless of market conditions or season.
Calendar Coordination Around Your Reporting Date
Camilo maps your pickup date against the Matson sailing schedule and your Wheeler AAF reporting date. For aviation soldiers on tight timelines, we work backward from your required report date to set a pickup window that puts your vehicle at Sand Island on time.
Vehicle Pickup at Your Current Installation
A licensed carrier picks up at your designated location, whether that is Fort Novosel, Fort Campbell, JBLM, or anywhere else. We coordinate overland transport to Long Beach or Oakland with full documentation handling.
Sand Island Arrival — Then 22 Miles to Wheeler AAF
Your vehicle arrives at the Sand Island Terminal in Honolulu and clears USDA agricultural inspection. We notify you when it is ready. Take H-2 south to H-1 east for the 22-mile drive. Plan for 25 to 35 minutes depending on time of day.
Port Routing & Vehicle Size Clearances
Almost all Wheeler-bound vehicles ship through Long Beach. JBLM and Northern California origins use Oakland. Aviation units sometimes have modified trucks or vehicles with aftermarket additions, so know your clearances before booking.
| Port | Height Limit | Width Limit | Serves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Beach, CA | 84 inches (7 ft) | 86 inches (7 ft 2 in) | All East, Midwest, South, Mountain, Southwest, and most West Coast origins |
| Oakland, CA | 76 inches (6 ft 4 in) | 76 inches incl. mirrors | SF Bay Area, Sacramento, Northern CA, Portland, Seattle, JBLM |
Oakland's 76-inch limit is total vehicle height, including all accessories.
Lifted trucks, roof racks, cargo carriers, light bars, antennas — all count toward that 76-inch limit. Measure your vehicle's actual total height before booking. If you exceed Oakland's clearance, your vehicle routes through Long Beach regardless of origin.
Your vehicle arrives at: Honolulu Sand Island Terminal
All Oahu-bound vehicles arrive at Sand Island, regardless of destination installation. From Wheeler AAF, take H-2 south to H-1 east. Approximately 22 miles, 25–35 minutes. Bring your pickup confirmation and government-issued photo ID.
Size limit policy:
If your vehicle exceeds the clearance limits at its assigned port, Car Shipping Hawaii cannot ship it. This is our company policy. No alternative oversize options are available through our service.
The Drive From Sand Island Terminal to Wheeler AAF
Sand Island Terminal to Wheeler AAF is 22 miles — a 25–35 minute drive depending on time of day.
Distance: ~22 miles |
Drive time: 25–35 minutes (traffic dependent)
Recommended route: From Sand Island Access Road, take Nimitz Highway (HI-92) west to H-1 west. Merge onto H-2 north toward Wahiawa. Take the Wheeler/Schofield exit and follow signs to the Kawamura Gate (main) or Kunia Gate (south). The H-2 is the most direct and avoids downtown Honolulu entirely.
Traffic note: The H-1 heading toward central Oahu is heavily congested during afternoon commute hours (3–6 PM). If possible, schedule your Sand Island pickup in the morning or early afternoon and make the drive before traffic builds.
Sand Island terminal hours and appointment requirements.
Vehicle pickup at the Matson Sand Island terminal is by appointment. You will receive notification when your vehicle clears agricultural inspection and is ready. Do not attempt to pick up without a confirmed appointment and your photo ID. Call the terminal or check your Matson tracking notification for your appointment window.
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Shipment to Wheeler AAF
Hawaii USDA biosecurity inspects every vehicle at Sand Island. These are the exact requirements. Fail inspection and your vehicle stays at the terminal.
Required Before Pickup
Quarter tank of fuel max
Fire safety. Enforced at mainland terminal. Drain if needed before the carrier arrives.
Empty interior, no personal items
Nothing in trunk, back seat, cargo area, or glove box. Enforced at mainland terminal and at Sand Island inspection.
Fully operational
Steering, braking, rolling 100%. Vehicle must drive on and off the carrier under its own power.
Clean inside, outside, undercarriage USDA biosecurity: no mud, dirt, seeds, leaves, or organic debris anywhere on or under the vehicle.
No windshield chips or cracks
Required for terminal acceptance. Repair before the carrier arrives.
Photograph everything with timestamps All four sides, interior, roof, undercarriage. Before pickup and again at Sand Island pickup.
Not Accepted
Electric vehicles (EVs)
Not accepted on any route. No exceptions.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles
Not accepted on any route. No exceptions.
Non-running vehicles
Our policy. Vehicle must be fully operational to be accepted.
Personal items inside the vehicle
Will be removed at the terminal. Ship household goods through your PPPO / TMO.
Vehicles over port height or width limits Long Beach: 84" tall, 86" wide. Oakland: 76" x 76" including all accessories.
Hawaii USDA biosecurity details: Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture — Plant Quarantine & Biosecurity ↗
Insurance Coverage: Two Legs, Two Policies
Layer 1 — Overland
Pickup to mainland port
Up to $100,000
The land carrier holds up to $100,000 in cargo insurance. Covers your vehicle from pickup at your origin installation through delivery to the mainland port. Exceeds replacement value for most soldier-owned vehicles.
Layer 2 — Ocean (Matson)
Port to Sand Island, Honolulu
~$8,000 standard
Matson's carrier liability covers actual damage up to approximately $8,000 for an average vehicle. Declare a higher value on the Dock Receipt and pay an additional freight rate to increase liability to the vehicle's full value. Verify whether your personal auto insurance covers ocean transport.
Why Car Shipping Hawaii
Aviation soldiers know what a compressed timeline looks like. You need a locked rate, a sailing that works with your reporting date, and one person to call when you have a question. That is exactly what we provide.
| Feature | Car Shipping Hawaii | Typical Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed pricing after booking | Locked. Period. | Last-minute surcharges common |
| Named single point of contact | Camilo, start to finish | Different agent every call |
| Guaranteed pricing after booking | ✓ Locked. Period. | ✗ Last-minute surcharges common |
| Named single point of contact | ✓ Camilo, start to finish | ✗ Different agent every call |
| Matson exclusive specialist | ✓ Hawaii routes only | ✗ General auto transport broker |
| Calendar coordination at booking | ✓ Pickup timed to your sailing & report date | ✗ Generic window, figure it out yourself |
| Overland and ocean managed together | ✓ One call, one invoice | ✗ Two vendors, two contracts |
| Compressed timeline experience | ✓ We have handled short-notice aviation PCS | ✗ Rarely accommodated efficiently |
| Insurance explained at booking | ✓ Both layers, upfront | ✗ Rarely discussed |
| Island-owned, Honolulu-based | ✓ We know Sand Island and every route | ✗ Mainland-based, no Hawaii presence |
Camilo Jaime — Lead Shipping Coordinator
Car Shipping Hawaii · Honolulu, HI · 18 Years Experience
We have coordinated hundreds of Army PCS moves to Wheeler AAF and every other Hawaii installation, including warrant officers coming straight from Fort Novosel flight school and senior aviators cycling through from OCONUS tours. Aviation timelines move fast. We match that pace, lock your rate, and make sure your vehicle is waiting at Sand Island when you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions: Shipping to Wheeler Army Airfield
What port do I use to ship my car to Wheeler AAF from Fort Novosel (Rucker)?
Fort Sam Houston routes through Long Beach, CA. Overland from San Antonio to Long Beach takes approximately 3 to 5 days. Total estimated door-to-delivery to Sand Island is 15 to 19 days. This is one of the faster timelines of any AMEDD installation because of the relatively short overland leg from Texas to the West Coast.
What port do I use from JBLM (Joint Base Lewis-McChord)?
JBLM routes through Oakland, CA. Oakland has stricter size limits: 76 inches in both height and width, including mirrors and any roof accessories. If your vehicle exceeds those limits, it routes through Long Beach instead. From JBLM to Honolulu, plan approximately 14 to 17 days total.
How far is Sand Island from Wheeler AAF and how do I get there?
JBLM routes through Oakland, CA. Oakland has stricter size limits: 76 inches in both height and width, including mirrors and any roof accessories. If your vehicle exceeds those limits, it routes through Long Beach instead. From JBLM to Honolulu, plan approximately 14 to 17 days total.
What is the Wheeler / Schofield PPPO contact for government vehicle shipping?
JBLM routes through Oakland, CA. Oakland has stricter size limits: 76 inches in both height and width, including mirrors and any roof accessories. If your vehicle exceeds those limits, it routes through Long Beach instead. From JBLM to Honolulu, plan approximately 14 to 17 days total.
I am a warrant officer going straight from flight school to 25th CAB. Can you handle a short timeline?
Yes. Aviation assignments from Fort Novosel can come with limited lead time. Call us as soon as you have orders. We will confirm what sailing windows are available, lock your rate same day with a deposit, and coordinate pickup at Fort Novosel to hit the right cutoff. The earlier you call, the more sailing options we have available.
Can I ship a lifted truck with a roof rack to Wheeler AAF?
Possibly, depending on total vehicle height. Long Beach accepts up to 84 inches tall and 86 inches wide. If your truck has aftermarket additions that push it above those limits, it cannot be shipped through our service. Measure your vehicle's actual total height including all modifications before calling us.
Do I need lien holder authorization to ship my car to Wheeler AAF?
No. Lien holder authorization is only required when shipping FROM Hawaii. It is not required when shipping TO Hawaii. If your vehicle is financed and you are incoming to Wheeler, no lender paperwork is needed.
When should I book for a summer PCS to Wheeler AAF?
Army PCS season peaks June and July, which is also the height of Matson booking demand. Book 4 to 6 weeks before your target pickup if you are moving between May and August. A deposit locks your rate regardless of what happens to surcharges or carrier availability after you book.
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Matson Route Specialist
USDOT 3505506 · MC 1158539
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1110 Nuuanu Ave #305, Honolulu, HI 96817
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