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Grissom Air Reserve Base (GUS/KGUS) is a U.S. Air Force Reserve installation near Peru, Indiana, about 70 miles north of Indianapolis. Named for Indiana astronaut Virgil I. 'Gus' Grissom, it is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing and its KC-135 Stratotanker fleet. The base is an active military facility with a 12,500-foot runway and the adjacent Grissom Air Museum.
💡 Local Tip
For a unique stop, visit the Grissom Air Museum just outside the operational area; it displays Cold War-era aircraft and honors Virgil 'Gus' Grissom. Because the base is active, call ahead about access requirements if you need to enter the installation.
🚖 Getting There
Driving is the primary way to reach Grissom; it is about 70 miles north of Indianapolis via US-31 and roughly 60–70 miles from Fort Wayne and South Bend. Rental cars are available in Peru and at the larger commercial airports, but public transit and rideshare service to the base are very limited. If you are flying commercially, plan to arrive at IND, FWA, or SBN and drive the final leg.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Grissom Air Reserve Base an active military installation?
A: Yes. It is an active U.S. Air Force Reserve base and the home of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, which operates KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft.
Q: Does GUS have commercial passenger flights?
A: No. Grissom Air Reserve Base is a military airfield and does not offer scheduled commercial airline service. The nearest commercial airports are Indianapolis (IND), Fort Wayne (FWA), and South Bend (SBN).
Q: Can civilians visit the base?
A: Public access to the operational base is restricted to authorized personnel and official business. The Grissom Air Museum, however, is a separate attraction with its own visiting hours and access rules.
Q: What is the main runway length at Grissom?
A: The main runway is 12,500 feet long, making it one of the longest runways in Indiana and capable of handling large military aircraft.
AI-generated content · Generated Sep 29, 2026 · deepseek-v4.1-flash