Holloman Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Otero County, New Mexico (near Alamogordo)
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Holloman Air Force Base was established in 1942 as Alamogordo Army Air Field and was redesignated Holloman AFB in 1948 in honor of Colonel George V. Holloman, a pioneer in guided missile research. Located in the Tularosa Basin of southern New Mexico near Alamogordo, the installation sits adjacent to White Sands Missile Range and the White Sands National Park. Holloman serves as the primary training base for F-16 pilots and German Air Force personnel, and hosts stealth aircraft operations including the B-2 and F-117 legacies through its test and evaluation missions.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Train F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots (including international partners) and conduct test and evaluation of aircraft and weapon systems.
Major Units:
49th Wing (host wing) — F-16 training and base operations
49th Operations Group
49th Maintenance Group
49th Mission Support Group
49th Medical Group
German Air Force Flying Training Center — Luftwaffe F-16 training (NATO Flying Training in Canada program support)
96th Test Group (detachment) — test and evaluation
Tenant Units:
White Sands Missile Range (adjacent, Army)
846th Test Squadron
MQ-9 Reaper training units (Air Education and Training Command)

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: El Paso, Texas — approximately 85 miles south; Alamogordo, NM — approximately 8 miles east
Nearest Commercial Airport: El Paso International Airport (ELP) — approximately 90 miles south; Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport — approximately 10 miles
Gate Access: Main gate open 24/7 for active duty, reserve, and retired military with valid CAC or military ID. Visitors must obtain a visitor pass at the Visitor Control Center (VCC). RealID-compliant identification required for civilian access. Commercial vehicle inspections conducted at designated entry points.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 4,000-5,000
Family Members: Approximately 6,000-8,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,500-2,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 12,000-15,000 (including contractors)

Key Facilities

Medical: 49th Medical Group — primary care, dental, and limited specialty care; referrals to William Beaumont Army Medical Center (El Paso) for advanced care
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Base Exchange (BX) with retail, food court, and specialty shops
Fitness & Recreation: Desert Warrior Fitness Center, Ocotillo Recreation Center, Holloman Outdoor Recreation (hiking, camping gear rentals), golf course, swimming pool, bowling center
Schools: Fort Stanton Elementary (DoDEA); Alamogordo Public Schools (APSD) for most on-base families; high school students typically attend Alamogordo High School
Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on base — waitlists common, contact CDC for current availability; School Age Program available
Veterinary Services: Holloman Veterinary Treatment Facility — routine wellness, vaccinations, and preventive care for military working dogs and family pets of active duty personnel
Legal Assistance / JAG: 49th Wing Judge Advocate office — legal assistance by appointment; powers of attorney and notary services available walk-in during duty hours

Housing

On-Base Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities — approximately 1,200 family housing units; various floor plans for E1-E9 and officer grades
Average Wait Time: Varies by rank and bedroom requirement; typically 0-6 months; some ranks may have immediate availability
Off-Base Housing: Alamogordo offers affordable housing; average rent for a 3-bedroom home ranges from approximately $900-$1,400/month; communities of Alamogordo and La Luz are popular with military families
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Request a sponsor through the gaining unit’s orderly room or first sergeant; the Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) can also assist with sponsor coordination
In-Processing: Report to the 49th Wing in-processing center; bring all orders, medical and dental records, and supporting documentation; in-processing typically takes 3-5 days
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through the 49th Medical Group and A&FRC; enrollment required before PCS orders are finalized; contact the EFMP office at the medical group for assessment and enrollment

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: High desert climate — hot summers (90s-100s F), mild winters with occasional snow; low humidity; approximately 290 sunny days per year; strong winds common in spring
Cost of Living: Low relative to the national average; housing, food, and services are generally affordable; El Paso metro offers expanded shopping and dining options within 90 minutes
Nearby Attractions: White Sands National Park (30 minutes), Sacramento Mountains and Ski Apache ski resort (approximately 1 hour), Cloudcroft mountain village, Valley of Fires Recreation Area, Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico Museum of Space History (Alamogordo)
Spouse Employment: Limited local job market in Alamogordo; federal civilian positions on base available; remote work increasingly viable; El Paso provides more employment opportunities for commuters

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.holloman.af.mil/
Main Installation Phone: (575) 572-1110
MWR Website: https://hollomanfss.com/
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) — Building 44, Holloman AFB; (575) 572-7441

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: holloman.af.mil, militaryinstallations.dod.mil, mybaseguide.com/holloman; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law