Laughlin Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Del Rio, Texas
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Laughlin Air Force Base is located approximately 6 miles east of Del Rio, Texas, along the U.S.-Mexico border in Val Verde County. Established in 1942 and named after First Lieutenant Jack T. Laughlin, a Del Rio native killed in action during World War II, the base was reactivated in 1952 as a pilot training installation. Laughlin’s primary mission is undergraduate pilot training, and it produces more military pilots annually than any other base in the world.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) — producing rated pilots for the U.S. Air Force and international partner nations.
Major Units:
47th Flying Training Wing (host wing)
47th Operations Group
47th Mission Support Group
47th Medical Group
47th Maintenance Group
85th Flying Training Squadron
86th Flying Training Squadron
87th Flying Training Squadron
88th Flying Training Squadron (T-6 Texan II)
89th Flying Training Squadron (T-38 Talon)
Tenant Units: Not publicly available

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Del Rio, TX (approximately 6 miles west); San Antonio, TX (approximately 150 miles northeast)
Nearest Commercial Airport: Del Rio International Airport (DRT), approximately 5 miles; San Antonio International Airport (SAT), approximately 150 miles
Gate Access: Main gate is open 24/7 for CAC holders. Visitors must obtain a visitor pass at the Visitor Control Center (VCC). Real ID-compliant identification required for base access. Hours and procedures subject to change — contact the 47th Security Forces Squadron for current visitor pass procedures.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 1,200 to 1,500
Family Members: Approximately 2,000 to 2,500
Civilian Employees: Approximately 500 to 800
Total Installation Population: Approximately 4,000 to 5,000 (including contractors)

Key Facilities

Medical: 47th Medical Group — provides primary care, dental, and basic outpatient services; complex cases referred to Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Base Exchange (BX) with main store, gas station, and associated concessions
Fitness & Recreation: Bergquist Fitness Center, outdoor track, racquetball courts, swimming pool, golf course (Laughlin Golf Course), bowling center, outdoor recreation
Schools: Del Rio Independent School District (ISD) serves dependents; no DoDEA school on installation
Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on base; waitlists are common — contact CDC directly upon PCS orders receipt
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base — offers pet care services for military working dogs and eligible beneficiaries; appointments typically required
Legal Assistance / JAG: Staff Judge Advocate office located on base — provides legal assistance by appointment; walk-in hours limited, call ahead

Housing

On-Base Housing: Managed by Hunt Companies; a mix of single-family homes for various ranks; older housing stock with ongoing renovations
Average Wait Time: Varies by grade and family size; wait times have historically been 30 to 90 days for some grades
Off-Base Housing: Del Rio offers affordable housing options; average rent for a 3-bedroom home ranges from approximately $900 to $1,400 per month (2024 estimates); limited newer construction in the local market
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Request a sponsor through your gaining unit’s orderly room or first sergeant; the 47th Flying Training Wing sponsors program coordinates unit-level support
In-Processing: Report to the Military Personnel Flight (MPF) and Base Newcomers Center; in-processing typically takes 2 to 5 business days
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through the 47th Medical Group — enrollment required prior to PCS; contact the EFMP coordinator at the medical group for enrollment and support services

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Semi-arid; hot summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 100 degrees F; mild winters; low humidity; limited rainfall
Cost of Living: Low relative to national average — Del Rio is a small border city with affordable housing and everyday expenses
Nearby Attractions: Amistad National Recreation Area (boating, fishing, hiking on Lake Amistad); Seminole Canyon State Park (ancient pictographs); Ciudad Acuna, Mexico (cross-border shopping and dining)
Spouse Employment: Limited local job market in Del Rio; remote work options increasingly common; San Antonio is a significant drive for broader employment opportunities

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.laughlin.af.mil/
Main Installation Phone: (830) 298-3511
MWR Website: https://www.laughlinservices.com/ (47th Force Support Squadron)
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), 47th Force Support Squadron — contact via main installation directory or (830) 298-5105 (verify current number upon arrival)

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: Training knowledge base; https://www.laughlin.af.mil/; https://www.laughlinservices.com/; DTMO BAH reference; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law