Laughlin Air Force Base

The major units list on MilitaryINSTALLATIONS for Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, names the 47th Flying Training Wing, the 47th Operations Group, the 47th Mission Support Group, the 434th Flying Training Squadron and the 47th Communications, Contracting and Force Support Squadrons. The check-in page directs incoming Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training students and permanent party to the Newcomers and Student Pilots information on the Laughlin website before they arrive. “As of April 2023, there is no commercial airline service to Del Rio International”, the Laughlin overview says.

Getting there

The next closest major airport is San Antonio International, about 150 miles east of Del Rio. From San Antonio, the overview’s route to the West Gate is U.S. Highway 90 west for 154 miles, Loop 79 south for two miles, then Spur 317 east for two miles. Greyhound runs from the downtown San Antonio bus station to Del Rio Station in about three and a half hours, and Amtrak lists scheduled passenger service at Del Rio Station.

Gates and access

“The Laughlin Air Force Base West Gate is located on Spur 317 and serves as the Main Gate, open 24 hours, seven days a week”, per the overview, and there is a 100% identification check on arrival: you need a valid military ID card or driver’s license. The North Gate on Highway 90 operates Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and when the West Gate is closed. For current access information, call the Law Enforcement Desk at 830-298-5100. The Visitor Control Center (Building 7002) is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.: 830-298-5349.

Check-in and orientation

In-processing is done individually at Building 246, 427 Liberty Dr., during normal working hours, and service members must bring all personnel, medical and financial records, the check-in page says. Student pilots, including Reserve, Guard and foreign exchange student pilots, bring their documents to the 47th Student Squadron Transition Office before in-processing with the Military Personnel Flight (47 STUS Admissions Flight Desk: 830-298-5211). Military Personnel Customer Support: 830-298-5276.

After-hours accommodations are at the Laughlin Manor Air Force Inn, Building 454 at 4th and Arnold Streets (830-298-5731). “All inbound personnel (students, permanent-party active duty and civilian employees) are required to attend a Newcomers’ Orientation”, held the second Tuesday of each month from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Military and Family Readiness Center in Building 362, according to the Laughlin MilitaryINSTALLATIONS page. A virtual Pre-Arrival Orientation, “Looking Forward to Laughlin”, runs the first Tuesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. Central time; register through the MFRC at 830-298-5620.

Housing: Hunt Military Communities

The housing page lists Hunt Military Communities at 830-298-1701 and Hunt Housing at 830-542-8982, along with the Housing and Referral Office (830-298-5732), enlisted dorm management (830-298-5213) and officer dorm management (830-298-5903).

Medical care: no emergency services on base

“There are no emergency services provided at the Laughlin Medical Group clinic”, the health care page says; an emergency room is available at Val Verde Regional Medical Center, which the page describes as a 93-bed, level IV trauma center serving Del Rio (830-775-8566). In a medical emergency, dial 911, the emergency assistance page says. Laughlin Medical Group, 590 Mitchell Blvd., Building 375: 830-298-6333.

Schools

“Public schools for families residing on Laughlin AFB are located in the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District (SFDR-CISD)”, per the education page, which also names Comstock and Brackett Independent School Districts in the area and several private schools in Del Rio. The School Liaison welcomes calls before you arrive for information on local schools.

Before you arrive

Plan your route through San Antonio or by ground, register for the pre-arrival and newcomers’ orientations, bring all personnel, medical and financial records to in-processing, and save the Val Verde Regional Medical Center number for emergencies.