Laughlin Air Force Base

Moving to Laughlin Air Force Base

Laughlin is the Air Force's largest undergraduate pilot training base, home to the 47th Flying Training Wing and its T-6, T-38 and T-1 trainers. It sits on the Texas-Mexico border east of Del Rio, a small city of under 50,000 people with a quiet, low-cost, small-town feel. Families get an on-base elementary school and privatized housing, while larger-city shopping and airline service mean a long drive toward San Antonio.

Official installation website

Where families live

Schools

Children living on or near Laughlin are served by San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated ISD. Roberto Barrera STEM Elementary (K-5) is located on the base, while middle and high school students attend off base in Del Rio. The installation's School Liaison office helps with public, private, charter, virtual and homeschool choices, and can be contacted before you arrive.

• San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated ISD — Runs Del Rio High School, Early College High School, Del Rio Middle School, Garfield Middle School and an on-base STEM elementary

On the installation: Roberto Barrera STEM Elementary School (K-5)

School Liaison Services, 47th Force Support Squadron, Building 362, Mitchell Blvd; (830) 298-4788

Things to do near Laughlin Air Force Base

• Lake Amistad and Amistad National Recreation Areaoutdoors
  Camping, fishing and boating on a large border reservoir, with ancient rock-art sites such as Panther Cave nearby.
• Whitehead Memorial Museummuseum
  Local history museum with items tied to Judge Roy Bean and the Val Verde County area.
• Val Verde Wineryfood
  Reputedly the oldest continuously operating winery in Texas, offering tours and tastings.
• Laughlin Heritage Museum Foundationmuseum
  Focuses on the history of Laughlin AFB and air power.
• Shumla Archaeological Research and Education Centermuseum
  Documents and teaches about the Lower Pecos cave paintings, some roughly 4,000 years old.
• George Paul Memorial Bull Ridingsports
  Long-running annual bull-riding event in Del Rio.
• Fiesta of Flight Air Show and community festivalsfamily
  Seasonal events include the air show, Cinco de Mayo, July 4th and Fiesta de Amistad.
• On-base recreationfamily
  The base has a golf course, bowling, a gym and swimming facilities open to ID holders.

Realtors & local services

Real estate offices

• RE/MAX Del RioDel Rio, TX
  Local brokerage listed in a military housing directory for Laughlin; its broker holds the Military Relocation Professional designation

Movers, storage, pets & more

• All My Sons Moving & Storagemoving & storage
  Del Rio, TX
• Lone Star Self Storageself storage
  Del Rio, TX
• Rathke Veterinary Hospitalveterinary
  Del Rio, TX
• Del Rio Veterinary Diagnostic Hospitalveterinary
  Del Rio, TX

Listings come from public sources and are not endorsed or vetted. Own a business that serves families at Laughlin Air Force Base? Claim or add a listing.

Local programs & support

• Laughlin School Liaison Services
  Free help for military families choosing schools, transferring records and handling mid-year moves.

PCS tips for Laughlin Air Force Base

• Visit the Military Housing Office before signing any lease or purchase contract; counseling is required, and privatized housing runs through Hunt separately from the MHO.
• Single Airmen E-1 to E-3 (and E-4s under four years of service) are generally required to live in the dorms.
• Commercial air service from Del Rio has been discontinued, so plan on flying into San Antonio and driving about 150 miles, and budget for a rental or arriving with a vehicle.
• The base has no post office; mail services are handled in the nearby community, so ask your sponsor about mail setup.
• Summers are very hot and humid, and spring or fall thunderstorms are common; book a moving date and pick up utilities service early.

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 Guaranty
  Service members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
• Pet Transportation Reimbursement
  Families moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
• Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
  School-age children of active duty families changing schools
• School Liaison Program
  Parents choosing schools and transferring records

See every program and benefit

Other installations in the Texas, Oklahoma & Gulf South

• Fort HoodKilleen, TX
• Fort PolkLeesville, LA
• Fort SillLawton, OK
• Joint Base San Antonio (Fort Sam Houston, Lackland, Randolph)San Antonio, TX
• Barksdale Air Force BaseBossier City, LA
• Little Rock Air Force BaseJacksonville, AR