Lackland AFB
Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) - Lackland AFB Relocation Information
Welcome to Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)- Lackland AFB
Lackland AFB, the "Gateway to the Air Force," is home to the 37th Training Wing, the largest training wing in the Air Force. The 37th TW at Lackland AFB provides the U.S. Air Force’s BMT (Basic Military Training), professional, technical, and English language training for the military services, government agencies, and coalition partners from over 100 countries. Lackland is also the home of the 341st Training Squadron. This Squadron provides all training for DoD military working dogs and handlers. The base's four primary training functions graduate more than 86,000 students annually.
Joint Base San Antonio is a consolidation of Fort Sam Houston, Lackland AFB, and Randolph AFB. Due to the presence of multiple military installations, the large retiree population, and the overall friendliness of the military in the area, it's commonly referred to as “Military City USA.” San Antonio is the seventh largest city in the country.
The South Texas area is a vibrant location, combining Old West and Hispanic cultures. Many people know it as the home of the Alamo, but San Antonio is also a destination city featuring attractions like SeaWorld and Fiesta Texas. There are big city amenities like fine dining, museums, and professional sports (like the San Antonio Spurs). The laid-back lifestyle of the southern U.S. makes San Antonio one of the top areas in the nation for military retirees to settle.
Relocating to JBSA-Lackland AFB? Download our free guide to the area below:
Frequently Asked Questions About Lackland AFB
Basic Trainees low crawl through a tactical course at the Basic Expeditionary Airman Training course, BEAST, at Lackland Air Force Base. The BEAST introduces Airmen to the
joint expeditionary concept and immerses them into deployment scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Griffin)
1) How many trainees go through Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB?
Approximately 35,000 recruits are trained each year at Lackland AFB Basic Military Training. Eight squadrons accomplish this mission. All USAF enlisted basic trainees go through Lackland.
2) How many people are stationed at Lackland AFB?
The base consists of approximately 46,577 people. Of these, around 24,702 are active-duty members.
3) Is Lackland AFB open to the public?
Those who don’t possess a military ID or a DoD civilian or contractor ID must enter JBSA-Lackland through a Visitor Control Center. Visit the JBSA-Lackland visitor page for more info.
4) What county is Lackland AFB in?
Lackland AFB is located in Bexar County (pronounced “Bear”), Texas. It is within the city of San Antonio.
5) What is Lackland AFB’s zip code?
The zip code for Lackland AFB is 78236. Nearby zip codes include 78227, 78245, and 78252.
6) What is the BAH for Lackland AFB?
BAH for Lackland AFB ranges from $1,728 for E-1 to $2,157 for E-9 with dependents and $1,905 for O-1 to $2,475 for O-6 with dependents. See the housing section for more info.
Base Location and Information
Lackland AFB Address
1701 Kenly Ave, Ste 102
Lackland AFB, 78236-5053
Upon arriving at JBSA-Lackland, Airmen are required to report to the Commander's Support Staff (CSS) to sign in. There, they will receive a schedule of required in-processing appointments, including their date to attend the Newcomers Orientation briefing. If the service member does not have a CSS, they are to report to the Customer Service Intro Programs.
Military Installations Near JBSA-Lackland AFB
Lackland AFB is located on the southwestern edge of San Antonio, TX, and it encompasses approximately 7,000 acres. Nearby cities include Helotes, Atascosa, Hondo, and Elmendorf, TX. Lackland AFB is named for Brigadier General Frank Lackland, who was commissioned into the Army after serving in the District of Columbia National Guard. Construction on the base began on June 15, 1941, and it was originally part of Kelly Field. One year later, it became an independent organization called the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center. On February 3, 1948, the facility became Lackland AFB, Gateway to the Air Force.
The second largest city in Texas, San Antonio, is home to the three installations comprising Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA): Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB, and Fort Sam Houston. Though now considered a combined base, and the largest one in the DOD, the installations of Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) are spread out across the city. Most residents continue to call them by their individual names. The Air Force is the lead agency for Joint Base San Antonio.
Downtown San Antonio is navigable on foot, and it also has a streetcar system that runs on several routes. Public transportation is available via bus, the VIA Metropolitan Transit System. However, most area commuters travel by POV. The area is crisscrossed by highways I-35, I-37, US Hwy 281, and I-10. Concentric highways that circle the city are often referred to as the “inner loop,” I-410, and the “outer loop,” state highway 1604. With the frequent construction and rush hour, there's considerable traffic in this area.
San Antonio skyline. Photo by JodiJacobson from Getty Images Signature via Canva.com.
Other nearby military bases:
Arrival Lodging
Temporary Lodging is available for DoD Card Holders on Joint Base San Antonio through Air Force Inns.
Facilities include
- Gateway Inn
- Gateway Villa
- Gateway Lodge
- Kelly Inn
- Patriot Inn
For reservations with children and pet-friendly rooms, contact the Lodging Office directly for accurate reservations.
Lackland AFB Lodging Reservations
Phone/Reservations: (210) 671-4277
Email: [email protected]
Lackland AFB Housing
Military family housing at Joint Base San Antonio is privatized. Balfour Beatty Communities provides Lackland AFB housing, and it comprises six distinct neighborhoods serving active duty military. All the neighborhoods are located along the southwest edge of San Antonio, TX.
Leasing and Community Management Office
2254 Brian McElroy Drive
San Antonio, TX 78236
Phone: (210) 674-9366
Military Housing Office - Lackland
Phone: (210) 671-1840 - DSN 473
Fax: (210) 671-3472
Email:[email protected]
Lackland AFB Housing Address: 2525 Fairchild Street Bldg 1524
JBSA-Lackland, Texas 78236
JBSA - Lackland AFB Off-Base Housing
Base Search
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BAH Info
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S.-based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed servicemembers compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Lackland AFB is near San Antonio. Some sample Lackland AFB BAH rates for zip code 78236:
- E-1 with dependents: $1,728
- E-1 without dependents: $1,359
- E-9 with dependents: $2,157
- E-9 without dependents: $1,977
- O-1 with dependents: $1,905
- O-1 without dependents: $1,584
- O-6 with dependents: $2,475
- O-6 without dependents: $2,103
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Area Weather & Climate
Bluebonnet field. Photo by tomwachs from Getty Images Signature via Canva.com.
The San Antonio area is ideal for fans of warm weather. Mild year-round with a semi-tropical climate, the “hot months” are typically May through September, with the wetter season from April to October. There can be some colder days and even freezing weather during the winter months.
The northwestern Edwards Plateau and the southeastern Gulf Coastal Plains affect the area's weather. Sunshine is the norm, with more than 60% of days clear or partly cloudy. Bluebonnet season is in the spring, and the state flower dots the sides of roadways and fields. Thunderstorms are common in the late spring and summer, and occasionally there's a rare sleet or ice storm during the winter.
Lackland AFB Area Schools
The San Antonio area is vast and diverse, and the local schooling choices reflect that. The city’s public schools are administered by various San Antonio-area Independent School Districts. Learn more about these school districts, along with information about neighboring county and city school districts, on the Bexar County website.
The San Antonio ISD states, "The San Antonio-area Independent School Districts serve 340,238 students. Extracurricular clubs for all skill levels and interests, Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, Magnets, Trades, Special Needs, Fine Arts and STEM are among the 173 academic and developmental choices that exist within the districts."
The Lackland Independent School District has two schools, Lackland Elementary (grades Pre-K through 5) and Stacey Jr-Sr High School (grades 6-12).
For private schools in the surrounding area, visit Private School Review. Families interested in homeschooling should follow the Texas state homeschool regulations.
Military and Family Support
There are many opportunities for connecting with the military spouse community. The Lackland AFB spouses’ club is open to spouses of active duty and retired members of all military branches of the U.S. Armed Forces assigned to or residing near JBSA Lackland in San Antonio, TX. Time at JBSA could allow networking opportunities with other military spouses at area events created for military family members. For job seekers, area employment is strong in the industries of construction, oil and gas production, and healthcare.
More helpful links:
Things to Do Near Lackland AFB
Whether your idea of a good time is a stroll along the iconic River Walk with a stop for margaritas and tacos or a hike on one of the area's nature trails, activities abound year-round. Spring’s famous Fiesta, a 10-day salute to Spanish heritage, is a city signature event, with schools closing so students can participate. With the famous Hill Country north of the city and beaches just a few hours away.
For military families who enjoy spending time outdoors, San Antonio offers an extended version of summer weather. From Schlitterbahn Water Park to Schumacher Crossing swimming hole, San Antonio has many water features. For the surf and sand of a beach, a short drive away is Corpus Christi Bay and Padre Island National Seashore. For more inland adventures, consider a weekend getaway to eclectic Austin or historic Fredericksburg.
JBSA Force Support Squadron (FSS) carries a calendar of events, Outdoor Recreation, and dining/entertainment.
- The River Walk is a 15-mile-long stretch with beautiful spots to shop, dine, and stroll. Just below street level, it’s also the largest urban ecosystem in the U.S. In the downtown section, the King William District and the Alamo are also walkable. Take a riverboat cruise for a quick drop-off at a different section of the river, or stay for a narrated cruise.
- San Antonio dining has it all. There are options for BBQ, fine dining, steak, or an American eatery. In this area, the Mexican and Latin American food scene is like no other.
- Downtown area attractions include taking one of the City Sightseeing Double Decker buses for quick transportation. Their tours cover Alamo Plaza, The Pearl, Spanish Governor's Palace, Cathedral, Theater District, Tower of the Americas, Mexican Market Square, King William Historic District, and more.
- The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park includes the Mission San Jose, Mission Espada, Mission San Juan, and Mission Concepcion. Along with the Alamo, the park was named the first World Heritage Site in Texas by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO). These five Catholic missions were established in the 18th century by Spanish priests. Today, the missions (walled compounds encompassing a church and buildings where the priests and local Native Americans lived) are the largest concentration of Spanish colonial missions in North America.
- San Antonio Tours include an array of options to help explore the city. Among these, there are bike tours, walking tours, helicopter tours, ghost tours, bar walks, and more.
- Confluence Park is open daily. The park is a gateway to hike, bike, and paddling trails. It begins near the Blue Star Arts Complex and ends near Mission Espada.
- Texas Hill Country encompasses San Antonio, which is on the southern end. Visit Fredericksburg, Boerne, and New Braunfels for a taste of city/country life. Picturesque small towns combine with outdoor living for an unforgettable experience.
- The Japanese Tea Garden dates back to 1919. It has a lush year-round garden, shaded walkways, stone bridges, a waterfall, and ponds filled with koi fish. The garden’s entrance features a moon gate created by a renowned Mexican artist. It offers free admission.
- The Pearl is located north of downtown. Originally a former brewery, the Pearl is now a mixed-use space featuring dining, seasonal events, boutique shopping, green spaces, and an amphitheater. It’s also home to the third campus of the Culinary Institute of America.
- Natural Bridge Caverns offers guided tours of the underground caverns and spectacular formations. Visitors can pan for gems at the Discovery Village Mining Company. There's also the outdoor maze, Canopy Challenge ropes courses, and zip lines.
- Sea World San Antonio has interactive shows and exhibits, an immersive water park, and marine life encounters. It's located in northwest San Antonio.
- Six Flags Fiesta Texas is San Antonio’s largest, most popular theme park. It's located in the center of a retail, restaurant, and entertainment district. The theme park offers roller coasters, park rides, live entertainment, food, beverages, and more.
A few other attractions to visit include:
- The Guenther House
- Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
- The Witte Museum
- The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum
- The Texas Ranger Museum
- The Empire Theatre
- The Magestic Theatre
- Aztec Theatre
- Briscoe Western Art Museum
- McNay Art Museum
- San Antonio African American Community Archive & Museum
- The historical Alamo
- Watch the local NBA team, the Spurs
Outdoor activities in the San Antonio area:
- Tubing (floating down one of the area rivers) is a popular way of enjoying the water. Rent tubes, canoes, and river rafts to float down the Guadalupe, San Marcos, Comal, and Frio Rivers. Most vendors also provide shuttles to return floaters to their vehicles.
- Canyon Lake is an 8,230-acre lake that is one of the most scenic lakes in Texas. It has eight public parks with camping, fishing, swimming, scuba diving, picnicking, wildlife viewing, boating, and other water sports. JBSA Recreation Park at Canyon Lake is available year-round for military members and families.
- Hiking locations include Government Canyon State Natural Area, Lost Maples State Natural Area (especially in the fall), Pedernales Falls State Park, and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Find miles of hiking and biking trails, guided hikes, and rock climbing.
San Antonio events:
- San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo has 1.5 million visitors every year. Since 1949, it’s one of the largest San Antonio annual events. Attend the carnival and then the Charreada. It's a unique blend of Mexican and Western culture.
- Fiesta San Antonio attendees should plan their schedule in advance. Even schools close for this yearly event. Attend one of the parades: Battle of Flowers, Fiesta Flambeau (the largest night parade in the country), and the Texas Cavaliers River Parade. Then attend a food event and watch local entertainment. Fiesta started in 1891 to honor the heroes from the Battle of the Alamo. It is now the city’s largest party.
Easy day trips include:
- Austin
- Dallas-Fort Worth
- Fredericksburg (Hill Country)
- Corpus Christi
- Houston
More Area Info
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Base Address:
1701 Kenly Ave, Ste 102
Lackland AFB
,
78236-5053