Texas is the second largest state in the US in terms of sheer size and population, second only to California (in population) and Alaska.
Being on the southern border, it also happens to be strategically important to our southern defense.
With that said, there are a number of Air Force bases located in Texas.
Some of them are quite small, and others are absolutely enormous.
Below is a list of all 6 Air Force bases in the state of Texas, ranked in no particular order.
Table of Contents
Air Force Bases in Texas
1. Dyess Air Force Base
Location: Abilene, Texas
In Use: 1942 – present (Formerly known as Tye Army Air Field, the AFB was built in 1952)
Overall Mission: Dyess is the primary home of the 7th Bomb Wing of Global Strike Command. It’s the Air Force’s base for the B-1B unit. It also houses the 317th Airlift Wing, flying the C-130J. Dyess AFB is the USAF’s top bomber training center.
Units Stationed at Dyess Air Force Base:
- 7th Bomb Wing
- 307th Bomb Wing
- 317th Airlift Wing
- 53rd Wing
- 57th Wing
Official Site: https://www.dyess.af.mil/
2. Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland Air Force Base
Location: San Antonio, Texas
In Use: 1941 – present (Built in 1941, originally part of Kelly field)
Overall Mission: This is the largest training wing for different Air Force units in the US. It gives basic military training to those enlisted to join the Air Force.
Units Stationed at Lackland Air Force Base:
- 502d Installation Support Group
- 37th Training Wing
- Inter-American Air Forces Academy
- Defense Language Institute
- Sixteenth Air Force
- 624th Operations Center
Official Site: https://www.jbsa.mil/
3. Goodfellow Air Force Base
Location: San Angelo, Texas
In Use: 1940 – Present
Overall Mission: It is home to the 17th Training Wing. This base trains members of different branches of the U.S. military including the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps in intelligence and cryptology.
Units Stationed At Goodfellow Air Force Base:
- 17th Training Wing
- 111th Military Intelligence Brigade (US Army)
- US Army Engineer School
- Center for Information Warfare Training Detachment (US Navy)
Official Site: https://www.goodfellow.af.mil/
4. Laughlin Air Force Base
Location; Del Rio, Texas
In Use: 1943 – Present (Built in 1943, originally known as Laughlin Army Air Field)
Overall Mission: It hosts 47th Flying Training Wing and serves as a training center for Air Force’s undergraduate pilots thereby producing mission-ready Airmen.
Units Stationed At Laughlin Air Force Base:
- 47th Flying Training Wing
- 96th Flying Training Squadron
Official Site: https://www.laughlin.af.mil/
5. Sheppard Air Force Base
Location: Wichita Falls, Texas
In Use: 1941 – Present
Overall Mission: This is home to the 82nd Training Wing, whose purpose is to recruit and train Airmen and also equip them with an education that enables them to deliver Air Force objectives. It is the largest training base within AETC.
Units Stationed At Sheppard Air Force Base:
- 82nd Training Wing
- 80th Flying Training Wing
Official Site: https://www.sheppard.af.mil/
6. Joint Base San Antonio – Randolph Air Force Base
Location: Universal City, Texas
In Use: 1930 – Present (Built in 1928)
Overall Mission: It is the headquarters of the AETC and AFPC. It serves as a training base for Air Force pilots on how to fly T 6A Texan II, T 1A Jayhawk, and the T 38C Talon. This is also home to the 12th Flying Training Wing, the 902-nd Mission Support Group, and the 359-th Medical Group.
Units Stationed At Sheppard Air Force Base:
- 12th Flying Training Wing
- Nineteenth Air Force
- 340th Flying Training Group
- 902nd Mission Support Group
Official Site: https://www.jbsa.mil/
Frequently Asked Questions
How many military bases are in Texas?
There are currently 15 active military bases in Texas. By branch, there are 6 Air Force bases, 6 Army bases, and 3 Navy / Marine Corps bases.
Does Dallas have a military base?
No. The closest military base to Dallas, TX would be Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base. It’s located in Fort Worth, TX, and is just under 45 miles from Dallas.
What’s the largest military base in Texas?
Located in Killeen, TX, Fort Hood is the largest military base in Texas. In fact, at over 214,000 acres in size, it’s actually one of the largest military bases in the world.
Related Articles
List of Air Force Bases in the US
How Hard Is Air Force Basic Training
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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