Laughlin AFB

Location

Laughlin Air Force Base is the largest pilot training base in the USAF and is located just minutes from Del Rio, TX and the international bridge to Coahuila, Mexico.

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History

Laughlin is named after 2nd Lt. Jack Thomas Laughlin, a Del Rio native killed over Java in the South Pacific in the early days of World War II. The base originally opened in the early 1940s. In July 1993, the 47th Flying Training Wing realigned under the newly designated Air Education and Training Command, taking its place under 19th Air Force. Both headquarters are located at Randolph AFB, Texas. For more history, please visit Laughlin AFB’s homepage.

The 47th Flying Training Wing (Team XL) at Laughlin Air Force Base is one of three Air Education and Training Command pilot training units and conducts specialized undergraduate pilot training for the United States Air Force.

Mission

In 1962, the base became an Air Training Command base and its mission for the past 37 years has been to train new pilots for the United States Air Force and allied nations. Approximately 400 new military pilots earn their silver wings at Laughlin each year after an intensive 52-week course where they learn to fly using the T-6 Texan, T-38 Talon, and T-1A Jayhawk jet trainers. Laughlin AFB pilots fly approximately 80,000 hours and 55,000 sorties each year to achieve the mission. The mission of Laughlin AFB is to graduate the world’s best pilots, deploy mission-ready airmen, develop professional, and develop professional, disciplined leaders.

Population Served

Team XL supports over 3,000 personnel and over 37 individual groups, squadrons, agencies and tenant units. The Base has a significant economic impact on the neighboring city of Del Rio. Everyone at Laughlin is aware of the strong relationship that exists between the Base and the Del Rio community.

Base Transportation

Laughlin has a taxi service available for official use only and may be reached at 830-298-5763 or DSN 312-732-5763.

Sponsorship

A sponsor will send you sponsorship information, answer your questions about the base and the area, make lodging/dorm arrangements for you and will help you and your family upon arrival. Your sponsor will also provide you and your family guidance and assistance until you are settled in to your new community.

Air Force Permanent Party personnel should contact their unit for a sponsor. Sponsorship is highly recommended for all personnel below the grade of colonel. If you still do not receive a sponsor, contact the Laughlin AFB Airman and Family Readiness Center for assistance, 830-298-5620 or DSN 312-732-5620. Your military spouse may ask his/her sponsor to get a sponsor for you.

SUPT students should request information about their assignment directly from the 47th Student Squadron (47 STUS) Transition office. You can contact them via DSN at 312-732-5211 or via commercial phone at 830-298-5211. Additionally, there is an SUPT welcome package on the Air Force Link website for Laughlin AFB that has sponsorship and arrival information to assist you with your upcoming training assignment.

Department of Defense civilians should contact your selecting official or personnel office for a sponsor. If you still do not receive a sponsor, contact the Laughlin AFB Airman and Family Readiness Center for assistance. Though students will not be assigned a sponsor the Laughlin AFB Airman and Family Readiness Center will be glad to email you information that will answer your questions and provide any assistance necessary to assist you/and your family with your location needs.

The postal service center can be reached at 830-298-5417 or DSN 312-732-5417. Members who will be living in a dorm may request a Post Office Box up to 60 days prior to arrival; or, sponsor may bring in a copy of member’s orders. Any member may contact the above number to request that General Delivery mail be held until member arrives, or moves off-base. Without these prior arrangements, General Delivery mail is only held for 15 days. The general delivery address is: General Delivery, Your Name, 477 Fourth Street, Suite #1, Laughlin AFB, TX 78843-5147.

Temporary Quarters

Upon your arrival to Laughlin, contact the 24-hr arrival point located in Building 470 (Lodging/Billeting/The Laughlin Manor),830-298-5741 or DSN 312-732-5741, for assistance in contacting your sponsor and obtaining general information about the base.

Laughlin has complete modern amenities remodeled for families and individuals. Award-winning VOQ/Billeting for all levels. Billeting 830-298-5731; open 24 hours. Laughlin has only four “pet friendly ” temporary lodging rooms and if they are occupied you will need to make arrangements for your pets in a local community boarding facility.

Relocation Assistance

“What do do when you arrive”

The Airman and Family Readiness Center is the focal point for relocation assistance and can be reached by calling 830-298-5620 or DSN 312-732-5620.

The first step to in-process at Laughlin AFB is to contact the Military Personnel Element (MPE) Customer Service section in bldg 246 at the 47th Force Support Squadron. The MPE has walk in service Monday through Thursday each week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. where you will be scheduled for the Wing Commander’s Welcome ‘Newcomer’s Orientation’ that is held at the Laughlin AFB Library Student Activity Center in building 223. Newcomer’s Orientation is held every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, beginning at 7:15 a.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. This is a mandatory appointment for all incoming permanent-party Air Force members, civilians, and SUPT students below the grade of 0-6 or civilian equivalent; spouses and family members are also invited to attend.

To view a copy of the Laughlin AFB Relocation package, click here.

Critical Installation Information

Laughlin AFB is converting to a new base access system; The Defense Biometric Identification System, or DBIDS requires registration of all military, civilians, contractors, and family members authorized to access the base. Upon arrival to this assignment you MUST register yourself and all family members prior to gaining regular access to the installation.

Telephone Access

DSN: 312-732-xxxx
Commercial: 830-298-xxxx
From on base: xxxx
Operator: 830-298-3511

As of November 2011, all military members of Air Education and Training Command (AETC), including Air Force Reserve and National Guard Personnel in Title 10 Status, AETC Civilian Employees, dependents, and contractors, are restricted from traveling into Mexico. Any 47 FTW military members traveling into Mexico must get approval from the 47 FTW/CC. As the situation changes in Mexico, the travel policy may change. For more information regarding this policy, please contact the 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs Office at commercial (830) 298-5988 or DSN 732-5988.

Important Documents to Hand Carry

At LEAST 10 copies of your orders
Birth Certificates (or certified copy)
Marriage Certificate
Copy of advance travel pay or allowances paperwork
All moving paperwork including: inventory, TMO information, Self-Procured Move (DITY) paperwork, and all receipts associated with moving
Employment records or resume of civilian family members
Medical/dental records from your previous duty station – entire family
Immunization records for all children and all active-duty members
School records/transcripts for children and adults
Pet medical and immunization records
RECOMMENDATION: Letters of credit from utilities companies (telephone, electric, etc; these may result in a waiver of your deposits).

Passports and Visas

Ensure member and/or dependents have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing. Member and/or dependents are not allowed to final out-process without the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents. Members electing the accompanied tour will not be permitted to out-process without having the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.

These actions are necessary to prevent unforeseen hardships to the military members and their families. Therefore, as a last reiteration, it is essential, members do not out-process without having the appropriate passports/visas for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.

Contact Information

Adult Education Centers
Education Office
201 Mitchell Boulevard
Building 221
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-5520
Phone (DSN) 312-732-5520
Fax 830-298-4236
Fax (DSN) 312-732-4236

Barracks/Single Service Member Housing
Dorm Management
419 Fourth Street
Building 255
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-5213 Enlisted / 830-298-5903 Officer
Phone (DSN) 312-732-5213/ 5903

Beneficiary Counseling Assistance Coordinators
TRICARE Beneficiary Counseling Assistance Coordinator
590 Mitchell Boulevard
Building 375
47 MDSS/SGSB
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-6350
Phone (DSN) 312-732-6350
Fax 830-298-6370

Child Development Centers
Child Development Center (CDC)
416 Liberty Drive
Building 476
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-5419
Phone (DSN) 312-732-5419
Fax 830-298-5210
Fax (DSN) 312-732-5210

Citizenship and Immigration Services
Military Personnel Element (MPE)
427 Liberty Drive
Building 246
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-5299
Phone (DSN) 312-732-5299
Fax 830-298-5917
Fax (DSN) 312-732-5917

Commissary/Shoppette
Commissary (DECA)
574 Fifth StreetCivilian Personnel Office
Civilian Personnel Office
427 Liberty Drive
Building 246
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-5806
Phone (DSN) 312-732-5806
Fax 830-298-5917
Fax (DSN) 312-732-5917

Deployment/Mobilization
Airman and Family Readiness Center Family Readiness Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO)
548 Laughlin Drive, Bldg 468
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843-5152
Phone 830-298-5620
Phone (DSN) 312-732-5620
Fax 830-298-4177

EFMP – Enrollment
SNAIC – EFMP Enrollment
427 Liberty Drive
Building 246, Room 405 (Career Development)
47 FSS/DPMPD
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843-5241

Exchange(s)
AAFES/Base Exchange
242 Arnold Boulevard
Building 540
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-2111 / 830-298-3001

Family Advocacy Program
Mental Health Clinic
590 Mitchell Boulevard
Building 375
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-6422
Phone (DSN) 312-732-6422
Fax 830-298-6477

Finance Office
47 Comptroller Flight
427 Liberty Drive
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-5215
Phone (DSN) 312-732-5215
Fax 830-298-5839

Housing Office/Government Housing
Housing & Housing Referral Office
548 Laughlin Drive
Building 468
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-5732 / 830-298-5733
Phone (DSN) 312-732-5732
Fax 830-298-5831
Fax (DSN) 312-732-5831

ID/CAC Card Processing
Military Personnel Element (MPE)
427 Liberty Drive
Building 246
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-5299
Phone (DSN) 312-732-5299
Fax 830-298-5917
Fax (DSN) 312-732-5917

Legal Services/JAG
Legal Office
561 Liberty Drive
Building 344, 2nd Floor
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-5172 / 830-298-5635 (Claims)
Phone (DSN) 312-732-5172
Fax 830-298-4436
Fax (DSN) 312-732-4436

New Parent Support Program
Mental Health Clinic
590 Mitchell Boulevard
Building 375
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-6422
Phone (DSN) 312-732-6422
Fax 830-298-6477

Relocation Assistance Program
Airman and Family Readiness Center
548 Laughlin Drive, Bldg 468
47 FSS/FSFR
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-5620
Phone (DSN) 312-732-5620
Fax 830-298-4177

Spouse Education, Training and Careers
Airman and Family Readiness Center
548 Laughlin Drive, Bldg 468
47 FSS/FSFR
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-5620
Phone (DSN) 312-732-5620
Fax 830-298-4177

Temporary Lodging/Billeting
Laughlin Manor
Fourth Street & Arnold Boulevard
Building 454
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-5741
Phone (DSN) 312-732-5741

Welcome/Visitors Center
Military Personnel Element (MPE)
427 Liberty Drive
Building 246
Laughlin AFB, TX 78843
Phone 830-298-5299
Phone (DSN) 312-732-5299
Fax 830-298-5917
Fax (DSN) 312-732-5917
Fax 830-298-5823
Fax (DSN) 312-732-5823