Moving to Holloman Air Force Base
Holloman is a remote-piloted aircraft and fighter training base in New Mexico's Tularosa Basin, home to the 49th Wing, MQ-9 Reaper crews, F-16 training and international partner units, and it supports nearby White Sands Missile Range. Alamogordo is a small, affordable desert town with White Sands National Park next door, while El Paso and Las Cruces are the nearest big-city options.
| Branch | Air Force |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Alamogordo, NM |
| Population served | Roughly 21,000 people are supported by the base including families, retirees and civilians (published estimate) |
| Airports | El Paso International (ELP), about 90 miles south; Alamogordo-White Sands Regional has limited service |
| Climate | Semi-arid desert with hot summers (often 90F+), mild sunny winters with cold nights, about 10 inches of rain mostly July-September, and very rare snow |
| Cost of living | Below the national average in a small-town market (no price data verified) |
| On-base housing | Soaring Heights Communities (privatized family housing, Welcome Home Center); dorms for unaccompanied Airmen |
| Medical care | 49th Medical Group clinic at Holloman AFB |
| Family support center | Airman and Family Readiness Center |
Where families live
On-base Soaring Heights housing
Privatized housing in three neighborhoods with a Welcome Home Center, 22 playgrounds, two splash parks, basketball courts and walking trails.
Alamogordo
County seat with older homes, new subdivisions, shopping and Alameda Park; the usual choice for off-base families who want affordable single-family homes.
Cloudcroft and the Sacramento Mountains
Cooler mountain community in the Lincoln National Forest, attractive for summer escapes though a long daily commute.
Las Cruces
Larger city with more shopping and a university, more commonly used for weekend trips and appointments.
Schools
Alamogordo Public Schools serves the base and city, with two high schools, three middle schools and 11 elementary schools. The installation's school liaison office can help with transfers and options. Families can contact the Holloman school liaison through the Airman and Family Readiness Center.
- Alamogordo Public Schools — Main district serving Holloman and Alamogordo; includes Alamogordo High School
Holloman School Liaison Office (through the Airman and Family Readiness Center)
Things to do near Holloman Air Force Base
- White Sands National ParkoutdoorsAbout 15 miles southwest, a huge field of white gypsum dunes good for sledding and sunset hikes.
- New Mexico Museum of Space HistorymuseumState museum in Alamogordo with the International Space Hall of Fame.
- Alameda Park ZoofamilyDescribed as the oldest zoo in the southwestern U.S., with shaded park grounds.
- Cloudcroft and Lincoln National ForestoutdoorsCooler mountain hiking, fishing and camping about an hour east of town.
- Oliver Lee Memorial State ParkoutdoorsAbout 10 miles south of Alamogordo with canyon hiking and camping.
- Toy Train DepotfamilySmall-scale train rides at the end of Alameda Park.
- McGinn's PistachioLandfoodRoadside pistachio farm and shop along U.S. 54.
- Flickinger Center for Performing ArtsnightlifeLive theater and shows in Alamogordo.
Realtors & local services
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PCS tips for Holloman Air Force Base
- Contact the Military Housing Office as soon as you have orders and attend counseling before signing any lease; it also runs a referral office for off-base housing.
- Soaring Heights manages family housing separately from the MHO, so contact both.
- The nearest major shopping, airline service and specialty care are in El Paso, about 90 miles away, so plan for long drives.
- Summer afternoons are very hot while winter nights can drop well below freezing; pack for both.
Benefits to use on this move
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA)Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
- Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
- Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
- VA Home Loan GuarantyService members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
- Pet Transportation ReimbursementFamilies moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
- Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military ChildrenSchool-age children of active duty families changing schools
- School Liaison ProgramParents choosing schools and transferring records
Other installations in the Desert Southwest
Last researched 2026-10. Housing partners, school assignments and phone numbers change; confirm with the installation before you sign anything. Spot an error? Send a correction.