Lackland AFB
Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) - Lackland AFB Relocation Information
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Photo from Joint Base San Antonio Facebook
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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 $1,803 for E-1 to $2,220 for E-9 with dependents and $1,989 for O-1 to $2,523 for O-7 with dependents. See the housing section for more info.
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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.
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.
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.
Photo from Canva
A stroll along the iconic Riverwalk with a stop for margaritas and tacos or a hike on one of the area's nature trails, activities abound year-round are resident’s ideas of a good time. 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, residents of San Antonio don’t run out of things to do!
For military families who 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.
Within just a few hours’ drive lie other military bases:
Lackland AFB map via shopmyexchange.com
Newcomers: 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.
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.
Reservations
Phone/Reservations: (210) 671-4277
Email: 802FSS.FSVL.InnsofLackland@us.af.mil
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Lackland AFB Housing
Image from 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
Military Housing Office - Lackland
Phone: (210) 671-1840 —DSN 473
Fax: (210) 671-3472
Email:802CES.Housing.orgbox@us.af.mil
Address: 2525 Fairchild Street Bldg 1524
JBSA-Lackland, Texas 78236
JBSA - Lackland AFB Off-Base Housing
Photo from Canva
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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 with many options to buy or rent. Some sample Lackland AFB BAH rates for zip code 78236:
- E-1 with dependents: $1,803
- E-1 without dependents: $1,353
- E-9 with dependents: $2,220
- E-9 without dependents: $2,055
- O-1 with dependents: $1,989
- O-1 without dependents: $1,644
- O-7 with dependents: $2,523
- O-7 without dependents: $2,184
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Area Weather & Climate
Photo from Canva
San Antonio 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. Jackets are necessary 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
Image from San Antonio Report
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.
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.
The Lackland Independent School District has two schools, Lackland Elementary and the Stacey Jr-Sr High School.
- Lackland Elementary School: Grades Pre-Kindergarten through 5
- Stacey Junior-Senior High School: Grades 6-12
JBSA-Lackland (SLO), Program Manager: (210) 221-8388
For private schools in the surrounding area, visit Private School Review. Families interested in homeschooling should follow the Texas Education Agency homeschool regulations.
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Military and Family Support
Photo from Canva
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. 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
Photo from Canva
JBSA Force Support Squadron (FSS): The JBSA FSS carries 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.
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.
A few other attractions worth a 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.
San Antonio Tours: There are all kinds of tours to help explore the city including bike tours, walking tours, helicopter tours, ghost tours, bar walks, and more.
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 Garden: Dating back to 1919, the Japanese Tea Garden features 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. Free admission.
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.
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.
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 from 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 return floaters to their vehicles.
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:
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Photo from Fiesta San Antonio
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 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.
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