Information

Fort Eustis is located in Newport News, Virginia on approximately 8000 acres. Fort Eustis was established in 1918, and has served a number of purposes, including an Army training facility for artillery and artillery observation, a prison, and a work camp. Beginning in the World War II era, the primary mission of Fort Eustis has been Army transportation training, research and development, engineering, and operations, including aviation and marine shipping activities.

The 2005 Base Realignment, Allocation and Closure (BRAC) Act resulted in the greatest change in the look of Fort Eustis by relocating the Army Transportation School headquarters to Fort Lee in 2010.  The Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Headquarters replaced it in 2011.  The BRAC decision consolidated adjoining bases of different services, referred to as joint basing. Resultantly Fort Eustis and Langley Air Force Base were consolidated under the responsibility of the Air Force 633d Air Base Wing as Joint Base Langley-Eustis in 2010.

The maneuver space of Fort Eustis consists of approximately 5000 acres and about 1000 acres of ranges and impact areas.  Access to impact areas is restricted due to hazards associated with training and unexploded ordnance.  Except for roads, cleared areas, and structures associated with training and support facilities, most of the rear training areas consist of natural habitats, including forests, old fields, and wetlands. The topography at Fort Eustis is flat, with most of the land being at or just above sea level. 

Terrestrial habitat on Fort Eustis consists of a mixture of forest and old field.  Woodlands currently occupy about 45 percent of the installation’s total area with another significant portion has wetlands.  The forests consist primarily of deciduous (hardwood) communities, with pine mixed in.  
Fort Eustis offers roughly 6000 acres for hunting.  Small game species include coyote, crow, dove, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, waterfowl, and woodcock.  White-tailed deer and turkey are large game species hunted on Fort Eustis.  Fishing for both freshwater and saltwater species is permitted year-round on Fort Eustis, though catch and release in all freshwater bodies.  The installation has 3 ponds/lakes suitable for fishing and roughly 3 miles of shoreline suitable for saltwater fishing.

Non-consumptive uses such as boating and recreational archery are also available at this time.  Off-road vehicles for recreational purposes are not permitted in Fort Eustis.  An annual permit is available for each activity.  Use of cameras and video recorders are prohibited unless approved through the Fort Eustis Public Affairs Office.

All individuals participating in hunting and fishing activities are required to have the appropriate Virginia hunting and fishing licenses, a completed state hunter education course, and/or a valid Fort Eustis permit.  Permits for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreational activities are issued by 733d CES Natural Resources branch, through the iSportsman platform.  No hunting is allowed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays unless otherwise scheduled.

Conservation law enforcement is provided through an MOA with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. USFWS Federal Wildlife officers (FWO’s) enforce Federal and State laws protecting natural and cultural resources on Fort Eustis.  Violators of Federal and State game and natural resource laws are subject to prosecution before a U.S. Magistrate.  Violators are subject to suspension or revocation of hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation activities privileges.  In addition, violations may involve criminal punishment and/or punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.  Certain offenses may also result in permanent barring from Fort Eustis.