Military Presence
Earning potential, as a result of the BRAC, is approximately $3.5 billion during 2005-2011 and on-going earnings are estimated at $1.3 billion annually. Mission growth data reported by the San Antonio Joint Program Office in 2008, indicated that the BRAC increased the Army Modular Force by 2,419, the Medical Education and Training Command by 4,600, the San Antonio Military Medical Center by 2,130, Battlefield Health and Trauma by 230, the Directed Energy Lab by 123 and other personnel by 3,000. This will result in a combined growth of 12,502 people.

Lackland Air Force Base
— History
Lackland Air Force Base originated in 1942, when the War Department separated a part of Kelly Field and made it into an independent installation. The base was originally named the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center. In 1947, it was renamed after Brigadier General Frank D. Lackland. General Lackland was the first to propose an aviation cadet reception and training center at Kelly Field.

Following Pearl Harbor, the demand for aircrews grew and in 1942 the War Department re-designated the replacement training center as a preflight school and established a classification center. In 1946, rather than close this “wartime training camp,” it was again re-designated as the Army Air Force Military Training Center. This re-designation gave it the sole basic military training mission for the Army Air Force.

After 1946, Lackland became known as “The Gateway to the Air Force,” as it was where all enlisted airmen began their careers. In 1957, a new nine-story hospital was added to the northern area of the base. The hospital added an additional 500-bed wing in 1961. This original 59th Medical Wing now operates the Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC). WHMC is the largest medical center in the U.S. Air Force.

In 2001, when the Kelly Air Force Base closed, Lackland gained a two-mile-long runway. The portion of the former Kelly AFB still under Air Force control is now known as Lackland AFB/Kelly Field Annex. Its flying units include the Air Force Reserve Command’s (AFRC) 433d Airlift Wing and the 149th Fighter Wing of the Texas Air National Guard.

In 2005, the BRAC recommended a major realignment of Lackland AFB. By 2009, the BRAC made its decision to combine Lackland AFB with Randolph AFB and FSH/Camp Bullis. The combined base will be called Joint Base San Antonio.

— General Information
Lackland AFB encompasses 9,797 acres southwest of San Antonio. It is located off of Highway 90 from the east and 410-West from the north or south. Lackland is home to the 37th Training Wing which provides training to enlisted people entering the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, government agencies and allies. The four primary training functions are basic military, professional, technical and English language proficiency. More than 86,000 students graduate each year and more than seven million airmen have completed training since 1946.

Of the 120 units stationed at Lackland, only 36 are assigned to the 37th Training Wing. The Command’s 433rd Airlift Wing accounts for 22 units. Another 18 units are under the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency and the 67th Network Warfare Wing. An additional 18 Air Combat Command units are also stationed at Lackland. The remaining units are within the 59th Medical Wing, the Texas Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Wing and other tenant units, agencies and centers.

The population of the AFB is approximately 46,000, of which 20,300 are military and 7,800 are civilians. Approximately 17,900 are dependants. Among military personnel, approximately 48% live off-base and 52% live on-base. Lockland consists of 2,105 facilities, 1,300 buildings, 431 family housing units, 731 privatized housing units and 1,315 vehicles. In 2008, the base had an estimated economic impact of $1,913,825,043.

The Lackland Independent School District (LISD) was created in 1953. LISD enrollment consists of the children of the families at Lackland AFB, including those living in the Temporary Lodging Facility. The number of students who attend Lackland Elementary School is 630 (early childhood through sixth grade). An additional 223 students (grades 7-12) attend Lackland’s Stacey Jr./Sr. High School. For more information on LISD visit www.lacklandisd.net.

The Child Care for PCS is a significant program for many Air Force personnel with dependents. The program allocates up to 20 hours of free childcare per child in a base-certified family day care home. This service is offered up to 60 days after arriving and up to 60 days before departing an installation.

Access to Lackland AFB is restricted to military members, retirees, dependents and government civilians with valid military ID cards. Visitors to the base are only allowed if they are sponsored and they must first report to one of the visitor’s centers before gaining access. The visitor’s centers are located off of the Gateway East entrance on Luke Boulevard and the Valley Hi Gate off of 410-South. On-base temporary lodging is available to service members at the Air Force Inn – Inns of Lackland. For more information on availability and rates visit www.dodlodging.net or call (210) 671-4277. Non-military visitors can refer to Air Force Travel Online at www.lackland.af.mil for assistance with lodging arrangements.
General questions about Lackland AFB should be directed to the 37th Training Wing Public Affairs office at (210) 671-2907.

— Relocation

Relocation Assistance is a congressionally mandated program that provides DoD personnel and their families with relocation information, education and skills to help manage and adjust to military life. At Lackland, the Airman Family and Readiness Center (AFRC) provides tailored information and relocation assistance to meet each family’s needs. Upon their arrival at Lackland, all newcomers must participate in the Right Start orientation program. All spouses are welcome to attend the orientation.

   
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