Laughlin Air Force Base

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US Air Force base near Del Rio, Texas

title: "Laughlin Air Force Base" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1942-establishments-in-texas", "installations-of-the-united-states-air-force-in-texas", "buildings-and-structures-in-val-verde-county,-texas", "airfields-of-the-united-states-army-air-forces-in-texas", "military-airbases-established-in-1943", "military-installations-in-texas", "1952-establishments-in-texas"] description: "US Air Force base near Del Rio, Texas" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughlin_Air_Force_Base" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary US Air Force base near Del Rio, Texas ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox military installation"]

FieldValue
nameLaughlin Air Force Base
partof
nearest_townDel Rio, Texas
countryUnited States of America
imageFile:470g-t6texanII.jpg
captionA Beechcraft T-6 Texan II of the 47th Flying Training Wing based at Laughlin AFB, Texas
image2[[File:Air Education and Training Command.svg
typeUS Air Force base
coordinates
pushpin_mapNorth America#USA#Texas
pushpin_reliefy
pushpin_labelLaughlin AFB
pushpin_label_positiontop
pushpin_markroundel of the USAF.svg
pushpin_marksize20
ownershipDepartment of Defense
operatorUS Air Force
controlledbyAir Education and Training Command (AETC)
open_to_public
site_other_label
site_other
site_area
code
built(as Laughlin Army Air Field)
used1943 – present
height
length
fate
conditionOperational
current_commanderColonel Tyler Ellison
past_commanders
garrison47th Flying Training Wing (Host)
occupants
website www.laughlin.af.mil
IATADLF
ICAOKDLF
FAADLF
WMO722615
elevation329.4 m
r1-number13C/31C
r1-length2698 m
r1-surfaceAsphalt
r2-number13L/31R
r2-length2534.4 m
r2-surfacePorous European Mix
r3-number13R/31L
r3-length2002.8 m
r3-surfaceAsphalt
h1-length
airfield_other_label
airfield_other
footnotesSource: Federal Aviation Administration
::

| name = Laughlin Air Force Base | ensign = | ensign_size = | native_name = | partof = | location = | nearest_town = Del Rio, Texas | country = United States of America | image = File:470g-t6texanII.jpg| | alt = | caption = A Beechcraft T-6 Texan II of the 47th Flying Training Wing based at Laughlin AFB, Texas | image2 = [[File:Air Education and Training Command.svg|100px]] | alt2 = | caption2 = | type = US Air Force base | coordinates = | gridref = | image_map = | image_mapsize = | image_map_alt = | image_map_caption = | pushpin_map = North America#USA#Texas | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | pushpin_relief =y | pushpin_image = | pushpin_label = Laughlin AFB | pushpin_label_position = top | pushpin_mark =roundel of the USAF.svg | pushpin_marksize =20 | ownership = Department of Defense | operator = US Air Force | controlledby = Air Education and Training Command (AETC) | open_to_public = | site_other_label = | site_other = | site_area = | code = | built = (as Laughlin Army Air Field) | used = 1943 – present | builder = | materials = | height = | length = | fate = | condition = Operational | battles = | events = | current_commander = Colonel Tyler Ellison | past_commanders = | garrison = 47th Flying Training Wing (Host) | occupants = | designations = | website = www.laughlin.af.mil | IATA = DLF | ICAO = KDLF | FAA = DLF | TC = | LID = | GPS = | WMO = 722615 | elevation = 329.4 m | r1-number = 13C/31C | r1-length = 2698 m | r1-surface = Asphalt | r2-number = 13L/31R | r2-length = 2534.4 m | r2-surface = Porous European Mix | r3-number = 13R/31L | r3-length = 2002.8 m | r3-surface = Asphalt | h1-number = | h1-length = | h1-surface = | airfield_other_label = | airfield_other = | footnotes = Source: Federal Aviation Administration

Laughlin Air Force Base is a facility of the United States Air Force located east of Del Rio, Texas.

Overview

Laughlin AFB, the largest pilot training base in the US Air Force, is home to the 47th Flying Training Wing of the Air Education and Training Command and the 96th Flying Training Squadron of the Air Force Reserve Command. On weekdays, the airfield sees more takeoffs and landings than any other airport in the country.

History

Laughlin Army Air Field

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Laughlin_Army_Airfield_Texas_photo_pictorial.pdf" caption="B-26 Marauder]] pilots and aircrews. It was closed in October 1945." alt=""] ::

Laughlin Air Force Base

Laughlin Air Force Base reopened on May 1, 1952. In October 1952, ATC transferred the base to Crew Training Air Force (CREWTAF) and activated the 3645th Flying Training Wing (Fighter), as a combat crew replacement training facility for pilots headed for Korea. Training provided new pilots with basic bombing and gunnery combat skills in the F-80 Shooting Star, F-84 Thunderjet, and T-33 jet aircraft, but within short time crews used only the T-33. In September 1955, Laughlin came under the control of the Flying Training Air Force and switched missions with Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. Laughlin undertook single-engine pilot training, still using the T-33.

Strategic Air Command

The U.S. Air Force transferred jurisdiction of the base to the Strategic Air Command on April 1, 1957, and the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (Light) moved there from Turner Air Force Base, Georgia. Following the graduation of the last class in March 1957, ATC inactivated the 3645th FTW. The 4080th Wing provided high-altitude reconnaissance and air sampling using the Lockheed U-2A and the RB-57D Canberra. The 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing was redesignated as the 4080th Strategic Wing on June 15, 1960, and the RB-57 mission was phased out.

Laughlin U-2s were among the first to provide photographic evidence of Soviet missile installations in Cuba in 1962 when 4080th U-2 pilot major Steve Heyser flew his U-2C over Cuba after taking off from Edwards AFB, California. Heyser landed at McCoy AFB, Florida, following the mission, with McCoy becoming a U-2 operating location for the duration of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The film from Major Heyser's mission was developed, analyzed and the photos were shown to the United Nations Security Council on October 22, 1962, proving to the world, that offensive missiles were on the island of Cuba. Another 4080th pilot, Major Rudolf Anderson, Jr., perished when his U-2 was hit by shrapnel from a Soviet-made SA-2 surface-to-air missile on October 22, 1962, while overflying Cuba from McCoy AFB. While the U-2 did not suffer a direct hit, Anderson was struck by fragments from the proximity fused warhead's explosion which penetrated and compromised his pressure suit (at altitude, unconsciousness and death came very quickly). His body was returned to the U.S. following the crisis, still clad in its pressure suit. Major Anderson posthumously became the first recipient of the Air Force Cross. Laughlin's primary operations training complex, Anderson Hall, is named in his honor.[[File:Laughlin Air Force Base - Main Gate.jpg|alt=United States Air Force / Public domain|left|thumb|1972, Main Gate]]

Air Training Command

In 1961, Headquarters U.S. Air Force notified Laughlin officials their mission would expand to again include an Air Training Command undergraduate pilot training program. Plans called to transfer in about half the student load from Laredo Air Force Base, Texas. ATC reactivated the 3645th Pilot Training Wing (later redesignated 3646th Pilot Training Wing) at Laughlin in October 1961 to prepare for the phase-in of students and T-37 and T-33 trainers. The 4080th SW continued at Laughlin as a tenant organization until 1963.

Today, aircraft flown at Laughlin include the T-6A Texan II, the T-38C Talon and T-1A Jayhawk. Fifteen classes of approximately 20–25 pilots graduate annually.

Based units

Flying and notable non-flying units based at Laughlin Air Force Base:

United States Air Force

Air Education and Training Command (AETC)

Air Force Reserve Command

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the base has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15.3 km2), all land.

Demographics

|1970= 3458 |1980= 2994 |1990= 2556 |2000= 2225 |2010= 1569 |2020= 1673 |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census 1850–1900 1910 1920 1930 1940

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

The U.S. Census Bureau counts the base as a census-designated place (Laughlin AFB CDP) with a population at the 2020 census of 1,673. It first appeared as an unincorporated community in the 1970 U.S. census and a census designated place in the 1980 United States census.

::data[format=table title="'''Laughlin AFB CDP, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition'''
{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}"] | Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1990 | title=P004 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lackland AFB CDP, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Hispanic+2000&g=1600000US4841704&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=United States Census Bureau}} | title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Laughlin AFB CDP, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US4841704&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau}} | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | White alone (NH) | 1,790 | 1,581 | 1,178 | 1,183 | 70.03% | 71.06% | | Black or African American alone (NH) | 286 | 236 | 112 | 107 | 11.19% | 10.61% | | Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 16 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 0.63% | 0.22% | | Asian alone (NH) | 97 | 61 | 40 | 63 | 3.79% | 2.74% | | Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x | 1 | 5 | 5 | x | 0.04% | | Other race alone (NH) | 2 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 0.08% | 0.54% | | Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x | 55 | 54 | 55 | x | 2.47% | | Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 365 | 274 | 172 | 253 | 14.28% | 12.31% | | Total | 2,556 | 2,225 | 1,569 | 1,673 | 100.00% | 100.00% | ::

Education

Laughlin AFB is served by the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District. The school district operates an elementary school inside Laughlin AFB, the Roberto Barrera STEM Elementary school (K–5) (formerly known as Laughlin STEM elementary school).

Park University offers onsite and online classes on base. Its office is located at the Education Center and is open to military and civilian personnel.

References

  • Manning, Thomas A. (2005), History of Air Education and Training Command, 1942–2002. Office of History and Research, Headquarters, AETC, Randolph AFB, Texas
  • Shaw, Frederick J. (2004), Locating Air Force Base Sites, History’s Legacy, Air Force History and Museums Program, United States Air Force, Washington DC.

References

  1. (15 August 2019). "Airport Diagram – Laughlin AFB (KDLF)".
  2. "Units". US Air Force.
  3. (2018). "Aircraft and Squadrons of the US Air Force". Key Publishing.
  4. "Decennial Census by Decade".
  5. "1900 Census of Population - Population of Texas By Counties And Minor Civil Divisions".
  6. "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for Texas".
  7. "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
  8. "1930 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
  9. "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
  10. "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
  11. "1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
  12. "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
  13. "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas".
  14. "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas".
  15. "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas".
  16. "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas".
  17. "Laughlin AFB CDP, Texas".
  18. "P004 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lackland AFB CDP, Texas".
  19. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Laughlin AFB CDP, Texas".
  20. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Laughlin AFB CDP, Texas".
  21. "[http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/pls/psgprod/f?p=132:CONTENT:0::NO::P4_INST_ID,P4_INST_TYPE:4465,INSTALLATION Laughlin AFB, Texas]" ([http://web.archive.org/web/20150812203227/http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/pls/psgprod/f?p=132:CONTENT:0::NO::P4_INST_ID,P4_INST_TYPE:4465,INSTALLATION Archive]). [[U.S. Department of Defense]]. Retrieved on August 13, 2015.
  22. [http://www.park.edu/LAUG/ Park University]

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

1942-establishments-in-texasinstallations-of-the-united-states-air-force-in-texasbuildings-and-structures-in-val-verde-county,-texasairfields-of-the-united-states-army-air-forces-in-texasmilitary-airbases-established-in-1943military-installations-in-texas1952-establishments-in-texas