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, which 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. San Antonio is commonly referred to as “Military City USA,” due to the presence of area military installations, along with the large retiree population and the overall friendliness to military in the area. It’s the seventh largest city in the country, and it’s only growing. The South Texas area is a vibrant location combining Old West, Hispanic, and modern day cultures. You may know it as the home of the Alamo, but San Antonio is also a destination city featuring attractions like SeaWorld and Fiesta Texas.
A military training instructor, center right, presents an airman's coin to one of his newly graduated trainees during the coin ceremony and retreat on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 17, 2019. (Airman 1st Class Mikayla Heineck/Air Force)
With big city amenities like fine dining, museums, and professional sports (like the San Antonio Spurs), merged with the laid back lifestyle of the southern U.S., you may come to embrace the area and understand why San Antonio is one of the top areas in the nation that military retirees choose to settle.
San Antonio Fiesta, image by Visit San Antonio
Relocating to JBSA-Lackland AFB? Download our free guide to the area below!
Frequently Asked Questions About Lackland AFB
1) How many trainees go through Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB?
Training approximately 35,000 recruits are trained each year at Lackland AFB. 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 46,577 people. Of these, 24,702 are active-duty members. (source: Military OneSource)
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 in to deployment scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Griffin)
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, Texas, within the city of San Antonio.
Three-month-old Xxplorer, a Belgian Malinois puppy with the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Breeding Program, spends his pre-training days
with engineers at the Air Force Civil Engineer Center at Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Breanne Smith/Released)
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Base Location and Information
Military Installations Near JBSA-Lackland AFB
Lackland AFB is located on the southwestern edge of San Antonio, TX and encompasses approximately 7,000 acres. Nearby cities include Helotes, Atascosa, Hondo and Elmendorf, TX. Lackland AFB is named after 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 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. (source: Military OneSource)
The San Antonio area is home to the three installations comprising Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA): Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB, and Fort Sam Houston. The bases are in different sections of the city, which is the second largest city in Texas. Though now considered a combined base, and the largest one in the DOD at that, the installations of Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) are quite 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.
San Antonio Area Highways
Downtown San Antonio is navigable by foot and also has a streetcar system that runs on several different 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. As well, concentric highways that circle the city are often referred to as the “inner loop” I-410 and “outer loop” state highway 1604. Expect frequent construction as the city continues to spread outward as well as typical rush hour traffic.
Activities abound in the San Antonio area. Walk through history with a tour of the four area Spanish missions. Those, along with the Alamo, have been named a World Heritage Site. Foodies can embrace cuisine from Tex-Mex to BBQ, as well as the local food truck scene. Attend productions at the Majestic Theater, view art at the Briscoe and McNay Art Museums, and cheer on local fan favorite NBA team, the Spurs.
The iconic Alamo in downtown San Antonio
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, not to mention the local area, you won’t run out of things to do!
San Antonio River Walk
If your busy military family enjoys spending time outdoors, San Antonio offers an extended version of summer weather. It will be hot and humid, but there are plenty of ways to keep your cool. From Schlitterbahn Water Park to Schumacher Crossing swimming hole, San Antonio offers a pool of options to go for a swim. For the surf and sand of a beach, a couple of hours in the car lands you at Corpus Christi Bay and Padre Island National Seashore. For more inland adventures, consider a weekend getaway to eclectic Austin or historic Fredericksburg. (see more below about these destinations!)
Within just a few hours’ drive lie several other military bases, including Fort Hood and NAS Corpus Christi.
Lackland AFB map via shopmyexchange.com
Newcomers: The official newcomer's orientation at Lackland AFB takes place at Right Start. The orientation is every other Wednesday in the Gateway Club from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. During the summer PCS season, Right Start is scheduled weekly. When you in-process, you will be given your appointment. Attendance is mandatory for the active duty member. Spouses are cordially invited to attend. PCS Childcare is available and must be arranged through the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 210-671-3722 or DSN 312-473-3722. (source: Military OneSource)
Arrival Lodging
Temporary Lodging is available for DoD Card Holders on Joint Base San Antonio through Air Force Inns and the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). For reservations with children and pet-friendly rooms, contact the Lodging office directly for accurate reservations.
Address
JBSA - Lackland-Kelly
250 Donald Goodrich Bldg 1650
San Antonio, Texas, 78226
Reservations
Main: 210-924-7201, 210-671-4277/0047, 210-671-2556/3622
DSN: 473-4277/3622, 473-0047/2556
Email: 802FSS.FSVL.InnsofLackland@us.af.mil
It’s advised to call lodging directly for rates and reservations.
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Lackland AFB Housing
Image via Lackland Family Homes
Military family housing at Joint Base San Antonio is privatized. Lackland AFB housing is provided by Balfour Beatty Communities and comprises six distinct neighborhoods serving active duty military, all 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
Hours of Operation:
M, T, Th, F: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wed: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sat and Sun: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Military Housing Office - Lackland
Phone: (210) 671-1840 DSN 473
Fax: (210) 671-3472
Email:502CES.Housing.orgbox@us.af.mil
Address: 2525 Fairchild Street Bldg 1524, JBSA-Lackland, Texas 78236
Lackland Unaccompanied Housing
Phone: (210) 671-5008/6021
DSN 473
Fax: (210) 671-3472
Email: 502CES.Housing.orgbox@us.af.mil
Address: 2525 Fairchild Street Bldg 1524 JBSA-Lackland, Texas 78236
JBSA - Lackland AFB Off-Base Housing
Base Search
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Area Weather & Climate
Texas Hill Country near San Antonio. Image via Visit San Antonio.
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. You will still need a jacket, as there can be some cold days and even freezing weather during the winter months.
The area’s weather is affected by the Edwards Plateau to the northwest and the Gulf Coastal Plains to the southeast. Sunshine is the norm, with more than 60% of days clear or partly cloudy. Bluebonnet season in the spring, when the state flower dots the sides of roadways and fields, turns all the outdoors into a portrait studio. Thunderstorms are not uncommon in the late spring and summer, and the area has been known to have a rare sleet or ice storm during the winter months.
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Lackland AFB Area Schools
The San Antonio area is vast and diverse, and schooling choices in the area 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 at the Bexar County website.
Area School Districts
From the San Antonio ISD:
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. View more info at San Antonio Go Public.
Schools on Lackland:
The Lackland AFB district has two schools, Lackland Elementary and the Virginia Allred Stacey Jr-Sr High School.
- Lackland Elementary School: Grades Pre-Kindergarten through 5
- Stacey Junior-Senior High School: Grades 6-12
Lackland ISD contact info:
2460 Kenly Ave, Building 8265 Lackland Air Force Base
San Antonio, TX 78236
Phone: (210) 357-5000
Fax: (210) 357-5050
You can complete the initial portion of your student registration online. To get started, parents can visit the Student Registration section. Lackland ISD participates in a cooperative arrangement with Ft. Sam Houston and Randolph Field school districts to provide services for high-need special education students.
Area private school tuition is lower than the national average. Find private school ratings at Niche.com and Texas Private School Review.
Homeschoolers in Texas must comply with state law and provide instruction in prescribed areas. See specifics at the Texas Education Agency.
More school links:
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Military and Family Support
Opportunities abound for connecting with the military spouse community, whether through each the area spouses’ clubs or volunteering. 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.
For job seekers, area employment is strong in the industries of construction, oil and gas production, and healthcare. Your time at JBSA might prove to be a chance to network with other military spouses at a Military Spouse Symposium or the many other area events created for military family members.
More helpful links:
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Things to Do Near Lackland AFB
Tower of the Americas has a rotating restaurant at its top. Image via San Antonio Things to Do.
If you’re lucky enough to be stationed at Joint Base San Antonio, you should never be bored! Whether you love exploring cultural sites, the food scene, or getting outdoors, you’ll always find something to do. Here’s a list to start off your San Antonio adventures.
JBSA Force Support Squadron (FSS): Check in with the JBSA FSS for a calendar of events, Outdoor Recreation, and dining/entertainment.
The River Walk: The iconic 15-mile long River Walk is a beautiful spot 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 walkable. Take a riverboat cruise for a quick drop off at a different section of the river or to simply enjoy a narrated cruise. Plan your River Walk excursion here.
San Antonio Dining: Foodies rejoice! San Antonio has it all, whether you’re looking for BBQ, fine dining, an amazing steak, or an American eatery. And of course, in this area, the Mexican and Latin American food scene is like no other.
Downtown area attractions: Take one of the City Sightseeing Double Decker buses for hop on-hop off 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.
Historic Guenther House in the King William District. Image via sanantonio.gov.
A few other attractions you might want to visit include: The Guenther House, Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, The Witte Museum, The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum and Texas Ranger Museum, the Empire Theatre, Aztec Theatre, Briscoe Western Art Museum, McNay Art Museum, San Antonio African American Community Archive & Museum, and of course, the historical Alamo.
San Antonio Missions and the Alamo: 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. Plan your visit to the San Antonio missions.
San Antonio Tours: plan a bike tour, walking tour, helicopter tour, ghost tour, barwalk, and more. ‘Visit San Antonio’ has a nice round-up of area tours!
Confluence Park: Open daily, the park is a gateway to hike, bike and paddling trails, which begins near the Blue Star Arts Complex and ends near Mission Espada.
Texas Hill Country: San Antonio is on the southern end of the Texas Hill Country. Visit Fredericksburg, Boerne, and New Braunfels for a taste of city/country life. Picturesque small towns combine with outdoor living for an unforgettable experience.
Japanese Tea Gardens image via sanantonio.gov
Japanese Tea Garden: Dating back to 1919, the Japanese Tea Garden features a lush year-round garden, shaded walkways, stone bridges, waterfall, and ponds filled with koi fish. The garden’s entrance features a moon gate created by a renowned Mexican artist. Free admission. Plan your visit to the Japanese Tea Garden.
The Pearl: Located north of downtown, the Pearl (a former brewery) 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.
Image via Natural Bridge Caverns
Natural Bridge Caverns: Take a guided tour of the underground caverns and spectacular formations. Next, pan for gems at the Discovery Village Mining Company. Find your way through the outdoor maze and finish it off with one of the Canopy Challenge ropes course and zip lines. Fun for the whole family!
Sea World San Antonio: Family friendly interactive shows and exhibits, an immersive water park and marine life encounters! Located in northwest San Antonio.
Image via Fiesta Texas Facebook
Six Flags Fiesta Texas: San Antonio’s largest, most popular theme park. Situated in the center of a retail, restaurant and entertainment district, Six Flags Fiesta Texas offers roller coasters, park rides, live entertainment, food, beverages and more.
Outdoor activities in the San Antonio area:
Lost Maples State Natural Area image via Texas.gov
Tubing: Summertime finds San Antonians on the water, and ‘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 pick you up at the end of your float.
Canyon Lake: One of the most picturesque area locations, this 8,230-acre lake 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: Explore locations like Government Canyon State Natural Area, Lost Maples State Natural Area (especially in autumn), 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:
The area always has something going on, but here are a couple of the annual popular events in the San Antonio area!
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Opening Pageant. Image via Carol M. Highsmith, Wikipedia.
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo: Every year, 1.5 million visitors come to the Stock Show & Rodeo. Since 1949, it’s one of the largest San Antonio annual events. Attend the carnival and then the Charreada, a unique blend of Mexican and Western culture. Learn more about the stock show and rodeo.
Fiesta San Antonio: Start planning your Fiesta schedule now! 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 as a way to honor the heroes from the Battle of the Alamo. It is now the city’s largest party! ¡Viva Fiesta!
Easy day trips from San Antonio 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