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Laughlin Air Force Base

Laughlin Air Force Base, a sprawling nexus of aerial education situated just east of Del Rio, Texas, stands as a testament to the United States Air Force's commitment to forging its next generation of aviators. It's more than just a patch of asphalt and hangars; it's a crucible where raw talent is honed into the sharp precision required to command the skies. This facility, operating under the stewardship of the Department of Defense and the Air Education and Training Command (AETC), is a critical component of the nation's defense infrastructure, a place where the future of air power takes flight.

Site Information

Location

Nestled within the vast expanse of Texas, Laughlin AFB occupies a strategic position, its coordinates—29°21′34″N 100°46′41″W—pinpointing it on the map as a vital training hub. The surrounding landscape, though perhaps seemingly arid to the uninitiated, provides an ideal, unpopulated canvas for the rigorous flight training that defines the base's purpose.

Site History

The genesis of Laughlin AFB dates back to 1943, when it was established as Laughlin Army Air Field. Its christening was in honor of Jack T. Laughlin, a B-17E Flying Fortress pilot whose life was tragically cut short during World War II. Laughlin, who was flying as a co-pilot on a mission over the Makassar Strait on January 29 (or 28), 1942, became Del Rio's first casualty of the war. The aircraft, having sustained damage from attacks by Japanese warships and transports, was lost at sea. The field itself was later renamed Laughlin Field on November 11, 1943, and served as an auxiliary field for the U.S. Army Air Forces. Its initial role was instrumental in training pilots and aircrews for the formidable B-26 Marauder bomber. The facility was eventually deactivated in October 1945, a quiet pause before its resurgence.

The base reopened its gates on May 1, 1952, this time as Laughlin Air Force Base. By October of the same year, the Air Training Command (ATC) had transferred control to the Crew Training Air Force (CREWTAF), establishing the 3645th Flying Training Wing (Fighter). Its mission was critical: to train combat replacement crews for the Korean War. New pilots were imbued with essential bombing and gunnery skills, transitioning through aircraft like the F-80 Shooting Star, F-84 Thunderjet, and the ubiquitous T-33. However, the focus soon narrowed, with the T-33 becoming the sole platform for this advanced training. In a strategic realignment in September 1955, Laughlin shifted its focus to single-engine pilot training, still utilizing the T-33, and exchanged missions with Williams Air Force Base in Arizona.

Strategic Air Command Era

A significant shift occurred on April 1, 1957, when jurisdiction of the base was transferred to the Strategic Air Command. This move brought the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (Light) to Laughlin from Turner Air Force Base, Georgia. The 3645th FTW was inactivated by ATC after graduating its final class in March 1957. Under the Strategic Air Command, Laughlin became a hub for high-altitude reconnaissance and crucial air sampling missions, employing the specialized Lockheed U-2A and the RB-57D Canberra. The 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing underwent a redesignation to the 4080th Strategic Wing on June 15, 1960, and the RB-57 operations were subsequently phased out.

Laughlin's U-2s played a pivotal role during the tense Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Major Steve Heyser, a pilot with the 4080th, conducted crucial reconnaissance flights over Cuba in his U-2C, taking off from Edwards AFB, California, and landing at McCoy AFB, Florida. McCoy AFB then became a vital U-2 operational site for the duration of the crisis. The intelligence gathered, specifically photographic evidence of Soviet missile installations, was presented to the United Nations Security Council on October 22, 1962, unequivocally proving the presence of offensive missiles on the island.

Tragically, the crisis also claimed the life of another 4080th pilot, Major Rudolf Anderson, Jr.. On October 22, 1962, his U-2 was struck by shrapnel from a Soviet-made SA-2 surface-to-air missile while overflying Cuba from McCoy AFB. Although not a direct hit, the explosion's fragments compromised his pressure suit at high altitude, leading to a rapid and fatal loss of consciousness. Major Anderson was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, the nation's second-highest military decoration for valor. The primary operations training complex at Laughlin, Anderson Hall, is named in his honor, a permanent acknowledgment of his sacrifice.

Air Training Command Resurgence

By 1961, the winds of change were blowing, and Headquarters U.S. Air Force informed Laughlin officials that its mission was set to expand once more, reincorporating an Air Training Command undergraduate pilot training program. The plan involved absorbing a significant portion of the student load from Laredo Air Force Base, Texas. In response, ATC reactivated the 3645th Pilot Training Wing (later redesignated the 3646th Pilot Training Wing) at Laughlin in October 1961, preparing the base for the influx of students and the integration of T-37 and T-33 trainers. The 4080th SW continued its operations as a tenant unit until 1963.

Today, the skies above Laughlin are alive with the advanced training aircraft of the modern era. Pilots are instructed using the T-6A Texan II, the nimble T-38C Talon, and the multi-engine trainer, the T-1A Jayhawk. The base proudly graduates approximately fifteen classes of 20–25 pilots each year, a continuous flow of highly skilled aviators ready to serve.

Based Units

Laughlin Air Force Base hosts a variety of essential units, forming the backbone of its operational and training capabilities.

Geography

The base encompasses a considerable land area, with the United States Census Bureau reporting a total area of 5.9 square miles (15.3 km²), entirely composed of land. This expansive territory is essential for the numerous flight operations and training exercises conducted daily.

Demographics

Laughlin AFB is recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place (Laughlin AFB CDP). Its population, as recorded by the 2020 census, stood at 1,673 residents. The base first appeared in census data as an unincorporated community in the 1970 U.S. census and was later designated as a census-designated place in the 1980 United States census.

The demographic composition of the Laughlin AFB CDP, as detailed by the U.S. Census Bureau, reveals a diverse population. While the White population, both non-Hispanic and Hispanic or Latino, forms the majority, there is a notable presence of other racial and ethnic groups, including Black or African American, Native American or Alaska Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, and individuals identifying as Mixed race or Multiracial. The Hispanic or Latino population, which can be of any race, constitutes a significant portion of the CDP's residents.

Education

The San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District provides educational services to the base community. Notably, the district operates an elementary school directly on Laughlin AFB, the Roberto Barrera STEM Elementary School (K–5), formerly known as Laughlin STEM elementary school. For higher education, Park University offers convenient onsite and online courses at the base's Education Center, catering to both military and civilian personnel.

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