Laughlin Air Force base - wikipedia Laughlin Air Force base Laughlin Air Force Base Part of Air Education and Training Command ( AETC ) Located in Del Rio, Texas T - 6A Texan II, 84th Flying Training Squadron, Laughlin AFB Site information Controlled by United States Air Force Site history Built 1943 In use 1943 - Present Garrison information Garrison 47th Flying Training Wing Airfield information IATA : DLF ICAO : KDLF FAA LID : DLF Summary Elevation AMSL 1,082 ft / 329.8 m Coordinates 29 ° 21 ′ 34 '' N 100 ° 46 ′ 41 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 29.35944 ° N 100.77806 ° W ﻿ / 29.35944 ; - 100.77806 Coordinates : 29 ° 21 ′ 34 '' N 100 ° 46 ′ 41 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 29.35944 ° N 100.77806 ° W ﻿ / 29.35944 ; - 100.77806 Website www.laughlin.af.mil Map KDLF Location of Laughlin Air Force Base Runways Direction Length Surface ft m 13C / 31C 8,857 2,700 Asphalt 13L / 31R 8,311 2,533 PEM 13R / 31L 6,246 1,904 Asphalt Laughlin Air Force Base ( IATA : DLF, ICAO : KDLF, FAA LID : DLF ) is a facility of the United States Air Force located in Del Rio, Texas. As a census - designated place, it had a population of 1,648 at the 2015 census. Contents 1 Overview 2 History 3 Local entertainment 4 Geography 5 Demographics 6 Education 7 See also 8 References 9 External links 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. On weekdays, the airfield sees more takeoffs and landings than any other airport in the country. History Laughlin AFB was originally named Laughlin Army Air Field on March 3, 1943, after Jack T. Laughlin, a B - 17E Flying Fortress pilot. He was trained as a pilot and was actually co-pilot of B - 17E, Tail number 41 - 2476. The day of his first bombing mission, he was bumped by the Group Commander Major Stanley K. Robinson ( Robinson was co-pilot next to Capt Walter W. Sparks pilot ). Major Robinson brought along his own combat experienced navigator, Lt Richard Cease. Laughlin had no assigned position on the plane for the mission. He became Del Rio 's first World War II casualty when the plane he was flying in ( most likely as a waist gunner for the mission ) was lost at sea, having succumbed to damage received over the Makassar Strait on 29 ( or 28 ) January 1942. The damage occurred during two bombing runs against Japanese warships and transports in the Makassar Strait off the coast of Balikpapan, Borneo. The field became simply Laughlin Field on November 11, 1943 and later an Army Air Force Auxiliary Field. During World War II, Laughlin 's primary mission was the training of B - 26 pilots and aircrews. It was closed in October 1945. Laughlin Army Air Field Texas 1943 Classbook 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 a short time crews used only the T - 33. In Sept. 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. The 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 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-2 A and the RB - 57D Canberra. The 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing was redesignated the 4080th Strategic Wing on June 15, 1960, and the RB - 57 mission was phased out. Laughlin Army Air Field photo pictorial 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 on October 22, 1962 while overflying Cuba from McCoy AFB. While 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, the Air Force 's second highest decoration for valor. Laughlin 's primary operations training complex, Anderson Hall, is named in his honor. In 1961, Headquarters US 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. Local entertainment Lake Amistad provides year - round, water - based recreation opportunities, including boating, fishing, swimming, scuba diving and water - skiing, as well as other recreational opportunities for picnicking, camping, and hunting. The area is rich in archeology and prehistoric rock art, and contains a wide variety of plant and animal life. Del Rio is home to the George Paul Memorial Bullriding, which is the oldest stand - alone bull riding event in the world. It is also home to the Paul Poag Theatre, and the oldest bonded winery in Texas, the Val Verde Winery, in the heart of Del Rio. Along the San Felipe Creek there are numerous recreational areas including playgrounds, running trails, picnic areas, an amphitheater, a water park and the San Felipe Golf Course. Swimming and tubing are also very popular on the creek. Within a short drive from Del Rio is the world - class Caverns of Sonora, a National Natural Landmark. Additional recreational activities exist across the border in Ciudad Acuña, however current DoD policy does not allow travel across the border for military personnel. Geography The residential area of the base is a census - designated place ( CDP ), with a population of 1,569 at the 2010 census. According to the United States Census Bureau, the base has a total area of 5.9 square miles ( 15.3 km ), all of it land. Demographics As of the census of 2014, there were 2,225 people, 651 households, and 570 families residing on the base. The population density was 377.6 people per square mile ( 145.9 / km ). There were 664 housing units at an average density of 112.7 / sq mi ( 43.5 / km ). The racial makeup of the base was 78.4 % European American, 10.7 % African American, 0.3 % Native American, 2.7 % Asian, 0.1 % Pacific Islander, 4.5 % from other races, and 3.4 % from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.3 % of the population. There were 651 households out of which 56.1 % had children under the age of 18 living with them, 82.8 % were married couples living together, 3.4 % had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.3 % were non-families. 6.6 % of all households were made up of individuals and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 3.18. On the base the population was spread out with 30.6 % under the age of 18, 23.6 % from 18 to 24, 42.7 % from 25 to 44, 2.5 % from 45 to 64, and 0.6 % who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 130.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 136.4 males. The median income for a household on the base was $38,625, and the median income for a family was $38,625. Males had a median income of $26,938 versus $19,643 for females. The per capita income for the base was $15,121. About 3.1 % of families and 4.6 % of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8 % of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over. Education Laughlin AFB is served by the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District. Park University offers onsite and online classes on base. Their office is located at the Education Center and is open to military and civilian personnel. See also United States Air Force portal Military of the United States portal World War II portal 34th Flying Training Wing ( World War II ) Air Training Command Texas World War II Army Airfields References This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/. Shaw, Frederick J. ( 2004 ), Locating Air Force Base Sites History 's Legacy, Air Force History and Museums Program, United States Air Force, Washington DC, 2004. Manning, Thomas A. ( 2005 ), History of Air Education and Training Command, 1942 -- 2002. Office of History and Research, Headquarters, AETC, Randolph AFB, Texas ASIN : B000NYX3PC Laughlin AFB ( official site ) FAA Airport Master Record for DLF ( Form 5010 PDF ) ^ Jump up to : `` Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics : 2010 Demographic Profile Data ( DP - 1 ) : Laughlin AFB CDP, Texas ''. U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved February 1, 2012. Jump up ^ `` American FactFinder ''. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008 - 01 - 31. Jump up ^ `` Laughlin AFB, Texas '' ( Archive ). U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved on August 13, 2015. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Laughlin Air Force Base. History of Laughlin AFB Leatherwood, Art ( June 15, 2010 ). `` Laughlin Air Force Base ''. Handbook of Texas ( online ed. ). Texas State Historical Association. Resources for this U.S. military airport : FAA airport information for DLF AirNav airport information for KDLF ASN accident history for DLF NOAA / NWS latest weather observations SkyVector aeronautical chart for KDLF FAA Airport Diagram ( PDF ), effective May 24, 2018 United States Air Force Leadership Secretary of the Air Force Under Secretary of the Air Force Chief of Staff Vice Chief of Staff Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Four - star generals House Armed Services Committee House Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces Senate Committee on Armed Services Senate Subcommittee on Airland Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces Structure Commands Reserve Air National Guard Field Operating Agencies Installations Direct Reporting Units District of Washington Operational Test and Evaluation Center USAF Academy Major Commands ACC AETC AFGSC AFMC AFRC AFSPC AFSOC AMC PACAF USAFE - AFA Numbered Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Fourteenth Seventeenth Eighteenth Nineteenth Twentieth Twenty - Second Twenty - Fourth Twenty - Fifth Air Forces Central Wings ANG Groups ANG Squadrons ANG Security Forces Civilian auxiliary : Civil Air Patrol Personnel and training Airmen Rank officers enlisted Specialty Code Aeronautical ratings Judge Advocate General 's Corps RED HORSE Security Forces Medical Service Chief of Chaplains Chief Scientist Training : Air Force Academy Officer Training School Reserve Officer Training Corps Basic Training Airman Leadership School SERE Fitness Assessment Uniforms and equipment Awards and decorations Badges Equipment Uniforms History and traditions History Aeronautical Division / Aviation Section / Division of Military Aeronautics / Army Air Service / Army Air Corps / Army Air Forces `` The U.S. Air Force '' Air Force Band Airman 's Creed Core Values Flag Symbol Memorial National Museum Women Airforce Service Pilots Air Force One Honor Guard Thunderbirds Service numbers United States Air Force portal Air Education and Training Command Air Forces Second Nineteenth Air University Bases Altus Columbus Goodfellow Gunter Annex Keesler Lackland Laughlin Luke Maxwell Randolph Sheppard Tyndall Vance Wings 12th Flying Training 14th Flying Training 17th Training 33d Fighter 37th Training 42d Air Base 47th Flying Training 56th Fighter 58th Special Operations 59th Medical 71st Flying Training 80th Flying Training 81st Training 82d Training 97th Air Mobility 314th Airlift 502d Air Base Groups 336th Training Group 381st Training Group Army Air Forces Training Command Flying Training Flying Schools Eastern Flying Training Command Central Flying Training Command Western Flying Training Command Specialized Schools Bombardier Contract Flying Glider Training Gunnery Navigator Technical Training Eastern Technical Training Command Central Technical Training Command Western Technical Training Command Municipalities and communities of Val Verde County, Texas, United States County seat : Del Rio City Del Rio CDPs Amistad Box Canyon Cienegas Terrace Lake View Laughlin Air Force Base Val Verde Park Unincorporated communities Bakers Crossing Comstock Juno Langtry Pandale Current military installations of Texas Army Fort Fort Bliss Fort Hood Fort Sam Houston Camp Camp Mabry Camp Bullis Depot Ingleside Red River Navy Air Station Corpus Christi Fort Worth Kingsville Landing Field Orange Grove Air Force Air Force Base Brooks City - Base Dyess AFB Goodfellow AFB Lackland AFB Laughlin AFB Randolph AFB Sheppard AFB Annex Kelly Field Annex Lackland Training Annex Air Reserve Base Naval Air Station Fort Worth Shoal Creek Bombing Range Air National Guard Station Ellington Field Garland Hensley Field McMullen County Range Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi Houston Station Freeport Galveston Port Aransas Port O'Connor South Padre Island Marine Safety Unit Galveston Port Arthur Loran Station Raymondville Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Laughlin_Air_Force_Base&oldid=840775461 '' Categories : 1942 establishments in Texas Census - designated places 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 installations established in 1952 Del Rio, Texas Hidden categories : Pages using deprecated image syntax Coordinates on Wikidata All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from August 2012 Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Talk Contents About Wikipedia Bân - lâm - gú Cebuano Čeština Español فارسی Hrvatski Kreyòl ayisyen Nederlands Norsk Português Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Тоҷикӣ Tiếng Việt 5 more Edit links This page was last edited on 12 May 2018, at 02 : 33. 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Question: what air force base is in del rio texas
Answer: Laughlin Air Force Base