LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE: IN-DEPTH WELCOME CENTER

By Kevin Lankes

Introduction

Welcome to Lackland Air Force Base, “Gateway to the Air Force.” Part of Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland AFB is an enclave inside the city of San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas. Named after Brigadier General Frank Lackland, who was commissioned into the Army after serving in the District of Columbia National Guard, Lackland AFB holds a lot of history. Today, the base encompasses 4.23 square miles of land, with a population of around nine thousand as of the 2020 census. Lackland AFB was originally built during World War II and is now home to Air Force Basic Training and operated by Air Education and Training Command. During the day, over thirty thousand people can be found working inside the base. The installation, residing on the West Side of San Antonio, is home to numerous training and rec facilities, offices, and housing quarters. Lackland AFB also houses a 3,529 meter runway that it shares jointly with the city of San Antonio.

Continue reading for our in-depth guide on Lackland AFB to help aid you in your transition to your new base home.

Where Is Lackland Air Force Base?
Google Map View
Getting There – Directions to the Base
Entering Lackland Air Force Base and Base Amenities
Where Should I Live Near Lackland Air Force Base?
What Schools are Near Lackland Air Force Base?
What’s the Weather Like in Lackland Air Force Base?
Things to Do Near Lackland Air Force Base

Where is Lackland Air Force Base?

Lackland AFB Visitor Center

2602 Luke Blvd Lackland AFB, TX 78236

Automated Base Operator

: 1 (210)-671-1110

Lackland Air Force Base Installation Map

Lackland Air Force Base Directions

Lackland is a quick twenty minute drive from downtown San Antonio.

Public Transportation

The Greyhound bus station in San Antonio is twenty minutes away as well.

San Antonio International Airport

From the San Antonio International Airport, a cab from the terminal can get you there in under a half hour for an average of about $50.

Amtrak

If you’re arriving by Amtrak train, the San Antonio station serves many cities, and features the Texas Eagle, a train with daily routes from Chicago, Austin, and Dallas.

Driving Directions from the North

Take I-35 South to I-10
Continue onto US-90 W
Take the exit toward Texas 13 Loop/Military Dr/Lackland A.F.B
Merge onto U.S. 90 Access Rd
Continue onto Enrique M. Barrera Pkwy/W US Hwy 90
Turn left onto W Military Dr

Driving Directions from the East

Take I-10 W to US-90 W
Follow steps 2-6 above

Driving Directions from the West

Take TX-55 S to US-90 E
Take the exit toward TX-13Loop/Military Dr/Lackland AFB
Merge onto U.S. 90 Access Rd/W US Hwy 90
Turn right onto W Military Dr

Entering Lackland Air Force Base and Base Amenities

To enter Lackland AFB, you’ll need your military ID. Your spouse will need their dependent ID card. If you don’t have those, you’ll have to show your driver’s license. And be prepared with your vehicle registration and insurance, because you may be asked for those as well. If you’re arriving in a rental car, then the rental paperwork will do the trick. If any issues or concerns regarding accessing the installation arise, you may contact the Base Defense Operations Center at 210-671-2018.

Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel

Report to your Commander’s Support Staff to sign in to the base.

Visitors Reception Center - Airmans Gate - Lackland AFB

2602 Luke Blvd Lackland AFB, TX 78236

Phone

: 1 (210) 671-6174

Lackland Air Force Base Visitor Center

Family and friends visiting for graduation or other events must stop here first to pick up their passes. Make sure to follow the procedure and fill out JBSANANTONIO Form 7 to obtain permission for sponsored visitors to enter the base. You can find Form 7, as well as the base firearm policy, here.

Lackland Air Force Base Visitor Center

2602 Luke Blvd Lackland AFB, TX 78236

Phone

: 1 (210) 671-6174

Lackland Air Force Base DEERS Office

Check your ID status or get a dependent ID card renewal. Make an appointment online or use their walk-in service.

Lackland Air Force Base DEERS Office

1561 Stewart Lackland AFB, TX 78236

Phone

: 1 (210) 671-6006

Lackland Air Force Base DEERS Office Hours

Monday through Friday
- 0930 - 1600

Lackland Air Force Base Gate Hours

Luke East Gate
: 24/7
Luke VCC
: CLOSED
Valley Hi Gate
: 24/7
McMullen Gate
: 24/7
Chapman Annex Gate
: 24/7
Selfridge West Gate
: CLOSED
Selfridge East Gate
: CLOSED
Luke West Gate
: CLOSED
Security Hill Gate
: Monday - CLOSED. Tuesday through Friday - 0600 - 1800.
Growdon Gate/Commercial
: Monday - CLOSED. Tuesday through Friday - 0500 - 1800.

Lackland Air Force Base Commissary

Shop for groceries, pick up prescriptions, or place special orders for parties or events. Check out their bi-weekly sales flyer for current deals.

Lackland Air Force Base Commissary

2250 Foulois Street Bldg. 8400 JBSA Lackland, TX 78236-1039

Phone

: 1 (210) 671-2837

Lackland Air Force Base Commissary Hours

Monday through Friday
- 0900-2000
Saturday
- 0800-1800
Sunday
- 0900-1800

Lackland Air Force Base Exchange Stop by for the food court, barbershop, tactical gear from the largest military clothing store in the Air Force, and much more.

Lackland Air Force Base Exchange

1385 Reese Street Building #1385 JBSA-Lackland, TX 78236-0000

Phone

: 1 (210) 674-6465

Lackland AFB Exchange Hours

Monday through Thursday
- 0900-1800
Friday and Saturday
- 0900-1900
Sunday and Holidays
- 1000-1800

Lackland Air Force Base Barber Shops

Barber Shop Locations & Hours

Main Exchange

1385 Reese Street Bldg. 1385

Phone

: 1 (210) 673-5252

Hours

Monday through Saturday
- 0800-1900
Sunday
- 1000-1800

Hair Studio

1385 Reese Street Bldg. 1385

Phone

: 1 (210) 674-1341

Hours

: Monday through Sunday 1000-1700

Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center

Bldg. 4554

Phone

: 1 (210) 674-1019

Hours

Monday through Friday
- 1000-1400
Saturday and Sunday
- Closed

Services Bldg. 7025 South

Phone

: 1 (210) 673-2110

Hours

: Monday through Sunday 1000-1700

Exchange Troop Services-North

Bldg. 10345

Phone

: 1 (210) 673-4018

Hours

: Monday through Sunday 1000-1800

Stylique Salon

Exchange Troop Services-North Bldg. 10345

Phone

: 1 (210) 670-9956

Hours

Monday through Thursday
- 1430-1800
Friday through Sunday
- 1000-1800

Security Hill Services

Bldg. 2017

Phone

: 1 (210) 923-9405

Hours

Monday through Friday
- 0900-1500
Saturday through Sunday
- CLOSED

Lackland Air Force Base Post Office

Mail letters and packages, access your PO Box, buy stamps, or renew your passport. Whatever your mailing needs, the USPS at Lackland can help.

Lackland AFB Post Office

2261 Hughes Ave. JBSA-Lackland, TX 78236

Phone

: 1 (210)-671-0952

Hours

Monday through Friday
- 0830 to 1630
Saturday
- 0930 to 1430
Sunday
- Closed

Lackland Air Force Base Finance Office

Let the on-base finance office help you with planning for your future. Don’t wait until retirement to start saving. Professional financial advice is available to you and your family whenever you need it.

Lackland AFB Finance Office

1561 Stewart Street Bldg. 5616 JBSA-Lackland, TX 78236-0000

Phone

: 1 (210) 652-1851

Lackland AFB Finance Office Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
- 0800 - 1500
Wednesday
- 0800 - 1400

Lackland Air Force Base Legal Office

At the AFB Legal office, legal advice is available to all Airmen and their spouses and families. Here, the Judge Advocate can assist with aspects of military law, civil law, contract law, and more. Walk-ins available for notary and powers of attorney: Monday through Friday - 0830 to 1630.

Lackland AFB Legal Office

1701 Kenly Ave., STE 134 Lackland AFB, TX 78236

Phone

: 1 (210) 671-3362

Hours

: By Appointment Only

Lackland Air Force Base Library

The library at Lackland offers all the services you can expect from a civilian library, including book lending and story time for children. In addition, a library edition of Ancestry.com is available, as well as online brain training, entrepreneurial and business guides, subscriptions to consumer reports and other magazines, homework help services, and countless other resources.

Lackland AFB Library

1930 George Ave JBSA Lackland Air Force Base, Tx 78236

Phone

: 1 (210) 671-3610

Hours

Monday through Friday
- 1100 - 1600
Saturday and Sunday
- CLOSED
Storytime
- Tuesdays at 1000

Lackland Air Force Base Hotels

Travelodge by Wyndham San Antonio Lackland AFB

120 Rustleaf and SW Military Dr. San Antonio, TX 78242

Phone

: 1 (210) 645-1561

OYO Hotel San Antonio Lackland Air Force Base West

100, Valley Hi Dr. San Antonio, TX 78227

Phone

: 1 (210) 319-5660

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Lackland AFB (San Antonio), TX

6502 Enrique M Barrera Parkway San Antonio, TX 78227

Phone

: 1 (210) 678-0444

La Quinta Inn San Antonio, Lackland AFB

6511 W Military Dr San Antonio, TX 78227

Phone

: 1 (210) 674-3200

Where Should I Live Near Lackland Air Force Base?

There are many factors that go into a decision about where to live. You and your family will have to weigh the pros and cons, such as proximity to base, cost of entry for a particular city or neighborhood, the available amenities, schools, and so on. If you’re considering living on base, check out the available on-base housing options. Otherwise, read on to find out more about living off base.

Cities Near Lackland AFB

The base resides inside the city of San Antonio and therefore is smack dab in the middle of a major American metropolis. There are several areas and neighborhoods around the city just outside the base and beyond. The surrounding area includes multiple smaller cities and satellite communities within easy commute of Lackland. For a home with a small-town feel, check out one of the census-designated communities around the base.

Best Places to Live Near Lackland Air Force Base

San Antonio

San Antonio was founded in 1718 and is the city with the seventh-largest population in the U.S. The city is divided into many diverse neighborhoods, each with its own feel. Downtown San Antonio is bustling with nightlife and popular hangouts for the more city focused singles, whereas North Central is home to many middle class and upper class enclaves. Some of the best places to look first in terms of price and amenities are Oakland Estates, Northeast Inner Loop, and Helotes.

Universal City

Adjacent to Randolph Air Force Base, Universal City is under forty minutes from Lackland and home to a diverse population of around twenty thousand people. There are multiple schools to choose from, including a community college for higher ed., parks, golf courses, and more.

Somerset

Just a twenty minute drive from base, Somerset is a former oil boom town-turned-city with a population under two thousand. The two square miles that encompass Somerset contain a school district, a city pool, and multiple options for affordable housing.

La Vernia

To escape the hustle and bustle of the base and Greater San Antonio, consider settling down in a place like La Vernia. Technically a city, La Vernia has just under a thousand residents and just over three hundred households. It’s home to a cultural museum offering exhibits on the history of the area, its own school district, and a handful of large employers. La Vernia is a forty minute drive east of Lackland AFB.

Castroville

The city of Castroville is a straight shot on US-90 W, thirty minutes from Lackland. A rich cultural history comes from the original Alsatian immigrants who settled the area. The city is full of unique architecture due to its heritage, and recreation options like picnicking and hiking are available at Castroville Regional Park. On hot days, take the family for a swim in Paradise Canyon. Museums and historic houses like the Landmark Inn and Steinbach house offer a wealth of culture for everyone to enjoy.

Look for homes and apartments for rent or sale on AHRN.com

Hot Tip: Look for Lackland Air Force Base homes and apartments for rent or sale, and find BAH, PCS, TLA & ETS military housing information at AHRN.com.

Lackland Air Force Base Schools

Lackland Independent School District is home to Lackland Elementary School, serving grades Pre-K through five, and Stacey Junior-Senior High School, serving grades six through twelve. Special education needs are served in coordination with Ft. Sam Houston and Randolph Field school districts.

San Antonio Independent School District includes several close by schools and neighboring districts include Northside Independent School District, Medina Independent School District, and Edgewood Independent School District. Options for daycare around Lackland include HOP TOTS Daycare and Gateway Child Development Center, both in San Antonio.

Lackland Air Force Base Weather

San Antonio is hot for most of the year and barely goes below the 50s except in winter. The humidity is usually high and cloud coverage is often sparse. The sun is very strong on most days, so make sure to apply loads of sunscreen. You can find a full weather breakdown here.

Things to Do on Lackland AFB

Lackland is a paradise for those with fitness on their minds. The base is home to six fitness centers. From aquatics to weight lifting, you’ll find everything you need to keep in shape. Close by Fort Sam Houston Outdoor Recreation Center is home to all of your camping, fishing, and other outdoor needs. The San Antonio metro is packed full of culture to take in, with its many museums and historic places such as the Alamo. Shopping-wise, there are also tons of options, like the Shops at Rivercenter in San Antonio itself. For all the best things to find around Lackland, check out this guide on 31 of the Best Things to do on Lackland AFB.

Conclusion

Lackland AFB inside the San Antonio metro area is packed full of things to do and experience. Inside this major American city, one can find almost anything available to them. From affordable to upscale dining, housing, entertainment, and urban to rural living options, one really can carve out whatever kind of lifestyle they could possibly want. Before moving, make sure to keep up with any travel restrictions that may affect you.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

TAGS:

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Get the latest news and military discounts

Email*

CONNECT WITH US