Lackland AFB

Lackland AFB is home to the 37th Training Wing. This wing consists of five training groups and graduates more than 80,000 students annually. The 737th Training Group is responsible for Basic Military Training (BMT), and since this is the only enlisted basic training base in the Air Force, all new recruits attend training on Lackland AFB. This includes basic military training of all enlisted recruits entering the Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard.

Those driving to Lackland AFB will find it conveniently located at the intersection of IH-410 and US Hwy 90 in southwest San Antonio. The location of the base allows for easy access from any of the major highways

Arrival

If you will be arriving via San Antonio International Airport there is an information kiosk located in each of the terminals. These kiosks will be able to provide answers to questions about getting to the base, including which shuttle service is next to depart.

Lackland Air force base has ten gates and each require and ID check. Tow of the gates are open 24 hours a dat and each have a visitors’ recepetion center. Be sure to have your driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance, car registration, or vehicle rental papers available for inspection.

Reception Center Driving Directions:

Entering through Valley Hi Gate (Off Loop 410W) This gate is open 24-hours, however the Airman’s Visitor Reception Center (VRC) for those requiring a Visitor Access Pass to gain access to the base is only open daily from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. This gate allows easiest access to the 321st, 322nd, and 326th in the area.

Once cleared by Security Forces, drive straight through the Valley Hi. At the stoplight, turn right onto Carswell Avenue. Drive straight for approximately four blocks. Parking acriss the street from the BMT Reception Center is permitted.

Additional authorized parking locations are:

Lot A - Continue to drive to next parking lot on Carswell Avenue.

Lot B - Continue to drive past the Reception Center to stop sign. Parking is available immediately on your left. This lot is located near the building labeled “Tops in Blue.”

Lot C - Continue to drive down Carswell Avenue to stop sign. Turn left onto Selfridge Avenue. Drive to Second Street on left and make a left onto Walker Avenue. Parking is permitted in the lot located behind the multimedia center (first building on left).

Lot D - Continue to drive down Carswell make a left onto Walker Avenue. Continue to drive straight until you reach a stop sign. Parking lot is directly in front of you behind Building 5725.

Force Support Squadron (FSS)

The Force Support Squadron division at Lackland AFB is responsible for all things recreational and for helping increase morale of the Soldiers and their Families through support services to ensure the welfare of all family units.

Airmen & Family Readiness

Building 1249 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 671-3722

Airman and Family Readiness assists DoD employees and family members with information and referral to help resolve issues that occur as a result of the military mission or daily life by clarifying needs, determining appropriate resources, and making referrals to agencies on and off base

Some of the programs offered include: Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)

The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is the official charity of the United States Air Force, incorporated in 1942 as a private, non-profit organization. For over 67 years, the Air Force Aid Society has supported the Air Force mission by providing worldwide emergency assistance, sponsoring education assistance programs and offering an array of base community enhancement programs that improve quality of life for Airmen and their families.

Air Force School Liaisons (SL)

These individuals help parents ease the impact of the mobile military lifestyle for children and youth. The SL provides you information prior to your move, upon arrival, while stationed at your installation and when you prepare to depart for your next duty station. One of the important roles of the SL is to connect families, schools, and the military community to facilitate the educational transition and academic experiences of children and youth.

Casualty/Survivor Benefits Program (SBP)

Air Force Casualty Services provides dignified and compassionate notification of death, duty status, missing or captured, to family members as promptly as possible.

Employment Assistance

Employment Assistance was previously known as Career Focus. Employment counselors assist family members and other ID card holder with their job assistance.

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

This is a mandatory enrollment program, based on carefully defined rules. EFMP works with other military and civilian agencies to pro vide comprehensive and coordinated community support, housing, medical, educational and personnel services to families with special needs.

Family Readiness

Personal and Family Readiness provides mobility and deployment assistance to help single and married DoD personnel and families meet pre-deployment, sustainment, reintegration, and post-deployment challenges.

Personal and Family Life Education

Personal and Family Life Education assists with adaptation to the stresses of the military lifestyle, as well as improve general family functioning. Most of the educational programs offered at the center under Personal and Family Life Education are in response to the Air Force needs assessment surveys, targeted toward family and active duty members with family concerns. Family concerns are defined as relating directly to one or more of the following areas: family stability, family life education, marital and family enrichment, economic issues and the family, minority and crosscultural families, changing family roles, diversity of family styles, families and work, and family separation.

Personal Financial Readiness (PFM)

Airman and Family Readiness PFM assists Airmen and their families to improve their personal financial status by learning how to function as informed consumers and more effective money managers. Assistance is provided to develop a budget based on individual income and expenses; manage credit and cur rent debt; plan for insurance expenses, and prepare for personal financial readiness.

Relocation Assistance

Relocation Assistance is a congressionally mandated program that supports mission readiness and retention by providing DoD personnel and their families with relocation information, education, and skills development to manage and adapt to the mobile military lifestyle.

Tech Training Airmen Readiness Element

The mission of the Tech Training Airmen Readiness Element is to provide immediate, short-term support and referral to assist new Airmen and their families adapt to demands of life in the Air Force. This student element is located in Building 5616, Room 108. For more information, call (210) 671-4057.

Transition Assistance

Sooner or later all service members will transition from military life to civilian life; i.e., retire or separate. It is important for every service member separating or retiring from the military to take full advantage of the services offered through Transition Assistance. At least 90 days prior to retirement or separation every service member must attend a mandatory pre-separation counseling session. Without this briefing on the DD Form 2648, the separation or retirement process cannot be completed.

Bowling Alley Skylark Bowling Center

Building 6476 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 671-1234

The entire family will enjoy bowling at Skylark. Cosmic Bowling is a favorite of many.

Child Development Centers on Lackland AFB

Lackland Child Development Program

Building 8206 Lackland AFB, TX 78226 Phone: (210) 671-3168

This center offers full-time care for preschool children ages three to five. The After School Pre-K Program is after school care for children enrolled in the Lackland AFB Elementary four year old, Pre-K classes. Part-Day Enrichment Program located at the Lackland Elementary offers a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday session from 9 a.m.noon for ages three to five.

Arts & Crafts

Building 7041 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 671-2515

Take advantage of the skills and equipment to get all of your engraving needs done At the Arts & Crafts building. Available projects include laser wood, glass, metal, matboard, and gravoply. Engraving and sublimation (heat press) is done on glass, metal and gravoply.

They also carry an array of military statues, awards, coin displays, plaques, and more.

Kelly Field Child Development Program

Building 61 San Antonio, TX 78226 Phone: (210) 925-5747

This program cares for children from infant to five years old.

Gateway Child Development Program

Building 3220 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 671-1040

This program cares for children from infant to five years old.

Gateway Club

Building 2490 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 645-7034

The Gateway Club offers specials throughout the week that include wing specials, “You are the Cook,” and a Champagne Brunch on Sunday.

Dining Facilities

Food Service Office Building

7065, Room 228 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 671-6840/6841

The food service office is responsible for meals on base. They also host the Team Lackland birthday celebration the second Wednesday of each month at the Live Oak Inn, Building 10810, at 6 p.m. This event honors our permanent party and technical training students E-5s and below during their birthday month.

Dining Facilities

Amigo Inn, Building 7532 Phone: (210) 671-5112/5113 Amigo 2, Building 5570 Phone: (210) 671-0833/1952 Defender Inn, Building 5420 (Camp Bullis) Phone: (210) 295-8344 Flight Kitchen, Building 1650 at Port S.A. (Kelly AFB) Phone: (210) 925-8350/1488

Lackland Training Annex Dining Facility, Building 124 Phone: (210) 671-4818/4819 Live Oak Inn, Building 10810 Phone: (210) 671-4720/4721 Medical Training DFAC, Building 6361 (Camp Bullis) Phone: (210) 808-3481/3491

Mesquite Inn , Building 10175

Phone: (210) 671-4939/4940

Training Squadron Dining Facilities

Squadron: 331st - Building 6582 Squadron: 322nd - Building 9110 Squadron: 326th - Building 9210 TRSS: 324th - Building 9310 Squadron: 321st - Building 6582 Squadron: 323rd - Building 6582 Squadron: 320th - Building 6592

Education & Testing Center

Building 5725 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 671-8711/8712

The Education & Testing Center can help you obtain your college degree as well as provide information on tuition assistance, GI Bill, certifications, and testing for PME, CLEP/DSST, and foreign languages.

Fitness Centers on Lackland

Medina Fitness Center

Building 199 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 671-4477/4525

The Medina Fitness Center offers TRX suspension training, strength training equipment, free weights, cross trainers, treadmills, exercise bikes, dry heat sauna, basketball courts, volleyball courts, football field, soccer field, one mile dirt track, 1/4 mile track and the center also issues equipment ( i.e., Balls, weight belts, locks, etc.)

Warhawk Fitness Center

Building 2418 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 671-2016

The Warhawk Fitness Center offers free weights, life circuit, Cybex, cross trainers, treadmills, stairsteppers, exercise bikes, 1/4 mile track, infrared heat sauna, basketball courts, volleyball courts (inside), TRX suspension training, medicine balls, pull up bars and the center also issues equipment ( i.e., balls, weight belts, locks, etc.)

General Store

Building 7246 (Inside the BMT Reception Center) Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 671-2028

The General Store is open to all personnel and offers a wide variety of Lackland AFB, San Antonio and BMT Graduation souvenirs including: Golf shirts, t-shirts, caps, shot glasses, coffee mugs, coins, & plush animals. There is also an on site Snack Bar available. Building 2901 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 671-3466

This course is laid out on 200 acres and features extreme elevation changes. The course contains many strategically located bunkers and a host of oak and mesquite trees. This facility provides an excellent practice area which includes a driving range, bunker, green, and a lob wedge practice green and two practice putting greens.

Information, Tickets & Travel (ITT)

Building 5506 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 671-3133

Information, Tickets & Travel has a wide array of discounts to theme parks, water parks, sporting events, festivals, parades, and theatrical performances in and around the San Antonio and Texas area.

ITT also carries discount tickets to numerous attractions and dinner shows in Florida, California and various other places across the U.S.

Building 6114 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 671-2678

The library uses an automated catalog (Patron Access Catalog, or PAC) and circulation system. Users may access their own records and place reserves on materials using their barcode and pin number. The library also offers internet, scanners, memory card readers, digital cameras, computers, study booths, conference room and fax service.

Outdoor Recreation

Building 871 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 925-5532

This office assists with your outdoor recreation needs and operates several programs including:

FamCamp & RV Storage

Lackland has a FamCamp located on Foster Street behind the Fisher House. RV customers can take advantage of a laundromat, cable television, and WiFi. Visit Building 2804 or call (210) 671-5179 for more information.

Parks and Pavilions

Lackland Outdoor Recreation Equipment Checkout will take pavilion reservations. Customers must fill out a reservation form in person. Payment is due at the time of reservation. Pavilions are available at Lion, Stillman, Stapleton, and Upson parks. The pavilion at the Lackland Training Annex (next to the Weight Belts, Locks, etc.) swimming pool can also be reserved.

Resale Lot

If you have a vehicle to sell put it on the Resale Lot. The authorized personnel that can use the lot include all active duty military, retired military personnel and their families, and DoD civilians with legal title to the item offered for resale. This authorization excludes all dealers and commercial operations. Individuals must register their vehicle at Outdoor Recreation. The owner must pro vide proof of ownership by providing a permanent title and/or registration, a current base registration, current license plate, and proof of insurance. The cost is $7 for 15 days.

Pools

Lackland has four pools that can be used by Service members and their families. The Skylark Aquatic Center Pool in Building 6482 can be reached by calling (210) 6713780 and is the only pool opened all year. The Warhawk Pool, Building 2502, can be reached by calling (210) 671-3445.

Saddle Club

Building 2954 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210)671-3166

The Lackland AFB Saddle Club is a family friendly, self-care boarding facility. They offer quality accommodations and amenities for your horse at a fraction of the cost you would pay to board off base. Located off Kelly Drive and across from Stillman Park, this 24-hour facility features forty-six 11’ X 11’ stalls, each with a 30’ X 12’ attached outside run, and a 9’ X 11’ tack and feed room. Wood shavings for bedding are provided by the stables and dry lot turnout is available for your horse. In addition to our two lighted arenas, Saddle Club members also enjoy use of a round pen, a hot walker, and trails located behind the stables. Limited parking for horse trailers is offered for an additional fee, and our Clubhouse is available to rent for private parties (members only).

Teen Center

Building 8420 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 671-7343

The Teen center offers many programs for youths to participate in. Some of these pro grams include:

FIT Factor

The Lackland Teen Center is now registering teens for a new fitness program. Teens will be rewarded for starting and maintaining a fit lifestyle. Come by the center, register for an account, and start accumulating points to earn rewards.

Y.E.S. Program

Your child can start earning money for college as soon as they are enrolled in high school. With the YES Program, they will gain valuable work experience and eligible youth can earn up to $1000 in the form of a scholarship. The scholarship is not competitive and there is no limit to how many teens can enroll in the program. There are a variety of jobs on Lackland AFB. Job placement depends on skill level, career interest and time availability. To find out if your child qualifies for enrollment in the YES program, for more information, or an application come by the Teen Center.

Lackland T.R.A.I.L. Club

This is an outdoor leadership club, where the fun is planned (skiing, rockclimbing, ropes course, camping, etc.) Meetings are held every Wednesday at 7p.m.

Lackland Titan Keystone Club

Monthly in house activities include: Arts & Crafts, DJ Training and events, electronic games, pool, table tennis, computer lab, and just having fun hanging out. Field trips are available and the cost of the trip is the admission price to the event. Some examples are: Swimming, movies, roller skating, skate boarding, game rooms, theme parks, eating out, to name a few. Teens need a permission slip for all off-base events. Field trips will be cancelled if we do not receive at least five per mission slips on the day prior to the event. Meetings are Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

Torch Club for Pre-Teens

Titan Keystone Club mentors an ongoing preteen leadership group called Torch. Torch is for youth ages 10-12, and the group meets on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.

HOUSING

Housing Management Office

2525 Fairchild Street, Building 1524 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 671-1840 Hours of Operation Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The Housing Management Office (HMO) offers support to you during the transition to your new home and community. Use the resources available at this office to become familiar with the housing options and support services available to you and your family. This office will assist you in finding housing in the local community.

When you first arrive at Lackland AFB, you must visit the HMO to receive counseling and guidance before entering into any written lease or rental/sales contract for housing.

Privatized Housing (Balfour Beatty Communities)

2254 Brian McElroy San Antonio, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 674-9366 Hours of Operation Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

In addition to the option of purchasing or renting housing in the local community, you now may choose to live in privatized housing. Balfour Beatty Communities owns the family housing and is responsible for maintaining, repairing, constructing and managing the community.

Contact the HMO as soon as you know you are going to be stationed at Lackland AFB. The government housing team will provide you the latest information about privatized housing and details about the application process. The HMO will also update you on any base specific policies regarding residing in privatized housing.

Unaccompanied Housing Office

2525 Fairchild Street, Building 1524 Lackland AFB, TX 78236 Phone: (210) 671-0090 Hours of Operation Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

UH is provided for unaccompanied Airmen in the ranks of E-1 to E-3 and E-4 with less than 3 years of service. Each service member is provided a private sleeping room, furnishings, bed linens and supplies required for comfortable living.

History of Lackland Air Force Base

Construction began on what would become Lackland Air Force Base in 1941. In 1942 it separated from Kelly Field and became an independent organization called the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center and would hold that name until officially designated as Lackland Air Force Base after Brigadier General Frank Lackland in 1947.

In 1943, the War Department approved the creation of the 78th Flying Training Wing (Preflight) at San Antonio and assigned it to the AAF Central Flying Training Command. The 78th FTW instructed aviation cadets on the mechanics and physics of flight and also initiated policies that the cadets had to pass courses in mathematics and other classes. These cadets were then taught to apply this knowledge by teaching them aeronautics, deflection shooting, and thinking in three dimensions. Once all of these criteria were met, the graduates were designated as aviation cadets and were sent to one of the primary flight schools for pilot training.

The training population at Lackland increased to 28 basic military training squadrons (BMTS) within the 3700th Military Training Wing during the Korean War. These numbers were so great that temporary facilities had to be built to replace the vast amount of tents that recruits were staying in. The number of BMTS was reduced to 16 in 1955.

During the buildup that occurred for the Vietnam War a “split-phase” training was initiated from August 1965 to April 1966. This program provided for 22 days at Lackland and 8 days at a technical school, with directed duty assignees receiving the full 30 days at Lackland. After that, basic training was set at a length of six weeks . Training during this time was expanded to include teaching English to Allied military members from foreign countries.

More permanent facilities were constructed during the 1960s, including four 1,000-person steel and brick Recruit Housing and Training (RH&T) dormitories. These units included living space, dining halls, and training areas for four basic training squadrons under one roof. By the end of this construction phase six full-size dormitories, and two 600-person facilities, were constructed, enabling excess space to be converted to classroom use.

In late 1951 Air Defense Command selected Lackland Air Force Base as one of twenty-eight radar stations built as part of the second segment of the permanent radar surveillance network.

In February of 1953 the 741st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was activated at Lackland and utilized an AN/ FPS-3 search radar along with an AN/FPS-4 height-finder radar. In 1958 the AN/FPS-4 height-finder radar was upgraded to AN/ FPS-6 and AN/FPS-6A sets.

In late 1959, Lackland was performing air-traffic-control duties for the Federal Aviation Administration and in 1963, the site was redesignated as NORAD ID Z-75.

In September 1972, the Houston based 630th Radar Squadron sent a detachment (OL-D) to this FAA-operated site to set up an AN/FPS-6 height-finder radar to join the AN/FPS-66A search radar already in place (Z-241). The Air Force ceased using the Lackland AFB radar site on 30 September 1976.

Today the Lackland ADC site has been taken over by the FAA and remains in operation. This now-FAA long-range radar site is data-tied into the Joint-Surveillance System. The site still operates the AN/FPS66A search radar.

With the end of the Cold War, base realignment and closure (BRAC) actions in the 1990s moved several specialized training programs from Lackland. This included Air Education and Training Command’s relocation of Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) from Lackland to Maxwell Air Force Base.

Along with the closure of Kelly AFB, Lackland gained a portion of the base known as Security Hill. Security Hill is home to numerous units such as Air Force Space Command’s 24th Air Force and 67th Network Warfare Wing and the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency. All units on Security Hill are considered tenant units.

Lackland now includes part of the Kelly airstrip, Security Hill, main base Lackland, and the old Medina officer training base now named Medina/ Lackland Training Annex.

In April of 2012, Lackland served as an overflow shelter for an influx of illegal immigrant minors after the Administration for Children and Families determined that all other local shelters were filled to capacity.