Little Rock Air Force Base (LRAFB) is located northeast of the city of Little Rock, Arkansas which is the state capital. The host unit, Air Mobility Command’s 19th Airlift Wing, which operates a fleet o C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, and also navigator and flight engineer training, humanitarian mission support, and support for troops in the field.
Find information about Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PSCing personnel, and inprocessing.
Mission & Units
Little Rock AFB is home to the 19th Airlift Wing, said to be “the largest C-130 fleet in the world” but this operation is not the only one at Little Rock Air Force Base; there are three “partner units” at LRAFB; the 314th Airlift Wing, 189th Airlift Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve’s 913th Airlift Group.
Important units at Little Rock Air Force Base include:
- 189th Airlift Wing (189 AW)
- 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (19 AMXS)
- 19th Airlift Wing (19 AW)
- 19th Civil Engineering Squadron (19 CES)
- 19th Communications Squadron (19 CS)
- 19th Component Maintenance Sqdn (19 CMS)
- 19th Comptroller (19 CPTS)
- 19th Contracting Squadron (19 CONS)
- 19th Equipment Maintenance Sqdn (19 EMS)
- 19th Force Support Squadron (19 FSS)
- 19th Logistic Readiness Squadron (19 LRS)
- 19th Maintenance Operations Squadron (19 MOS)
- 19th Medical Group (19 MDG)
- 19th Medical Operations Squadron (19 MDOS)
- 19th Medical Support Squadron (19 MDSS)
- 19th Mission Support Group (19 MSG)
- 19th Operations Support Squadron (19 OSS)
- 19th Security Forces Squadron (19 SFS)
- 29 Weapons Squadron
- 314th Maintenance Group (314 MXG)
- 314th Operations Group (314 OG)
- 34th Combat Training Squadron (34 CTS)
- 373rd Training Squadron (373 TRS), DET 4
- 48th Airlift Squadron (48 AS)
- 50th Airlift Squadron (50 AS)
- 53rd Airlift Squadron (53 AS)
- 61st Airlift Squadron (61 AS)
- 62nd Airlift Squadron (62 AS)
- 714th Training Squadron (714 TRS)
- 96th Aerial Port Squadron (96 APS) (AFRC)
History
Unlike many American military bases that got their start during the American Revolution, World War One, or World War Two, Little Rock AFB broke ground in 1953, opening in 1955 with more than six thousand acres donated to the project by local residents.
The base has been operated by no fewer than six major commands including the current (at the time of this writing) Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC).
When Little Rock AFB activated, it was run by Strategic Air Command (SAC), hosting the SAC 384th Bombardment Wing, and the 70th Reconnaissance Wing. But at the beginning of the 1960s, the base became an important part of America’s nuclear deterrent program, hosting nearly 20 Titan II ICBMs.
In 1962, the LRAFB 384th Bomb Wing deployed 11 Boeing B-47 Stratojets to civilian airports for “dispersal alert” during the Cuban Missile Crisis; this was the same year SAC stood up the 308th Strategic Missile Wing to run the Little Rock AFB Titan II missile program.
In the 1970s, the first C-130 Hercules transport aircraft arrived at Little Rock, a move that happened just as Tactical Air Command (TAC) was preparing to take over the base; the TAC 314th Tactical Airlift Wing became the host unit. ICBMs would still be an important part of the Little Rock mission, but it wasn’t long before Little Rock would be transferred again, this time under the jurisdiction of Military Airlift Command in 1974.
During the Gulf War in 1991, Little Rock AFB provided C-130 squadrons to support Gulf War efforts; this was also the year the 314th Tactical Airlift Wing was redesignated as the 314th Airlift Wing (314 AW). Military Airlift Command would be replaced by Air Mobility Command (AMC) in 1992 with Little Rock AFB falling under AMC briefly. 1993 brought more changes with a transfer to Air Combat Command, later transferred to the Air Education and Training Command.
These frequent changes may seem confusing to those not familiar with the inner workings of the Department of Defense, but they occurred during a time with the Air Force mission was beginning to change and grow in some ways and get cut back in others depending on funding, major command structure changes, and modernization efforts.
Today, Little Rock Air Force Base is the main C-130 Hercules training base for C-130 pilots, navigators, flight engineers, and loadmasters across all branches of military service.
Contacts
Little Rock AFB Main Address And Telephone Numbers
Little Rock Air Force Base
1500 Vandenberg
Little Rock AFB, AR 72099-5288
- (501) 987-1110
- DSN 312-731-1110
Important Little Rock Air Force Base Contact Numbers
- 24-hour Check-in Point – (501) 987-6753
- Air Force Aid Society (501) 987-6801
- Airman & Family Readiness Center (501) 987-6801
- American Red Cross (877) 272-7337
- Central Appointments, 19th Medical Group (501) 987-8811
- Child Care, Family Day Care (501) 987-3156
- Child Development Center (501) 987-6130
- Civilian Personnel Office (501) 987-3212
- Consolidated Dorm Management Office (501) 987-1011
- Deer Run Golf Course (501) 987-6825
- Education Office/University Center (501) 987-3417
- Exceptional Family Member Program (501) 987-8480
- Housing Referral Office (501) 987-6429
- Information and Referral Program (501) 987-6801
- Legal Office (501) 987-7886
- Library (501) 987-6979
- Lodging Office (Razorback Inn) (501) 987-6753
- Military Personnel Section Customer Support (501) 987-6831
- Outdoor Recreation (501) 987-3365
- Personal Financial Management Program (501) 987-2667
- Relocation Counseling (501) 987-6801
- School Liaison Officer (501) 987-2667
- Separation/Retirement (501) 987-6801
- Sexual Assault and Prevention Response (501) 987-7272
- Suicide Prevention Hotline (800) 273-8255
- Transition Assistance Program (501) 987-6801
- Traffic Management Flight (501) 987-3582
- Veterinary Services (501) 987-7249
- Youth Center (501) 987-6355
- Civilian Personnel Office (501) 987-3212
- Little Rock AFB Child Development Center (501) 987-6130
- Little Rock AFB Infant/Toddler Center (501) 987-6070
- SNAIC – EFMP Enrollment (501) 987-6801
Surrounding Area
Little Rock is famous for its’ former Governor and 42nd President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton. It’s the home of the Clinton Presidential Library, but also to a variety of historic sites including an important civil rights landmark, the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.
That’s where the Little Rock Nine attended school following a controversy involving Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus, who refused to allow the African-American students to attend classes there. This racist policy was put to an end thanks to the intervention of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the high school is now said to be the only one functioning as both a school and a historic landmark.
Other things of interest in the Little Rock area include college sports-the University of Arkansas Razorbacks are much loved in the state, and fans of outdoors adventuring should explore Pinnacle Mountain State Park. A different kind of park is open for hiking, biking, and sculpture garden exploring; Riverfront Park features a picturesque walk across a bridge leading to Verizon Arena where you can take in concerts and other types of live performances.
Inprocessing and Check-In
Beginning in 2019, Little Rock Air Force Base began requiring all PCSing airmen and other service members to attend in-processing appointments at the Welcome Center located in the Walters Community Support Center where stops at Military Personnel, Finance, TMO, Med Group and other support agencies will be arranged. You will need to coordinate this in-processing with your sponsor from the gaining unit; this in-processing must be done within 72 hours or arriving at Little Rock AFB.
Services
Healthcare
Healthcare on Little Rock AFB is provided the 19th Medical Operations Squadron for military members and TRICARE Prime patients who are assigned to the on-base facility. Active duty members are given first priority, with TRICARE Prime enrollees give priority after active duty. All others will be treated on a space available basis. There are no emergency or inpatient facilities on Little Rock AFB.
Clinics and services include:
- Dental
- Diagnostic Imaging (Radiology)
- Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
- Family Advocacy
- Family Health
- Flight Medicine
- Health Promotions
- Laboratory
- Mental Health
- Optometry
- Pediatrics
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy Clinic
- Physiological Training
- Public Health
- TRICARE
- Women’s Health
Make an appointment by calling one of the following lines:
- Family Health – 987-3080
- Pediatrics – 987-7245
- Flight Medicine – 987-7319
- Optometry – 987-8702
- Dental – 987-7304
- Pharmacy – 987-8981
- Referrals – 987-1285
Child Care
Child care at Little Rock AFB is provided by the Child Development Center in Bldg 1990 and is offered for children six weeks to five years old. Care is also offered for children between six weeks and two years old at the The Infant Toddler Center. Weekly care is available but there is a waiting list; you can be added to it by going to Militarychildcare.com.
Those PCSing to Little Rock are offered up to 20 hours of free childcare, regardless of rank, but this must be used within the first two months of your arrival at the base.
Child care is also offered through approved on-base private homes via the Family Child Care program or FCC for short. Call 501-987-3156 or DSN 312-731-3156 for more information on signing up for care in an FCC home.
Household Goods
All inbound personnel are directed to track and manage their household goods shipments via the Defense Personal Property System at Move.mil. You can also get local assistance via the TMO office by calling (501) 987-3582.
Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
All personnel who need military, dependent, or retiree ID card services are directed to scheduled appointments via the Little Rock AFB RAPIDS system. There should be one appointment made per ID card service needed. Unaccompanied dependents and spouses may require written authorization from the service member or a power of attorney (POA). According to the Little Rock AFB RAPIDS official page, “For dependent ID cards, the sponsor must be present to sign the DD Form 1172. If not available, the dependent must have a previously signed 1172 (within 90 days of signature) signed by their sponsor and the VO/SSM or a POA”.
Schools
Military families living on base at Little Rock AFB may send their school-age children to Bobby G. Lester Elementary School, Jacksonville Middle School, or Jacksonville High School as appropriate.On-base families also have the option to select Flightline Upper Academy School, a middle school that is part of the Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School District. Waiting lists may apply.
Families who live off-base will send their children to schools based on the location of the residence; contact the Little Rock AFB School Liaison Office at 501-987-1941.
Arkansas state law requires kindergarten students to be five years old by 1 August of the school year to enter. To enter the first grade, students must be six years old by 1 October of the school year. State law requires immunizations: polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, rubella and red measles must be documented before the child is admitted. All new students must provide a birth certificate or passport, shot record, and social security number.
Housing
In general, all PCSing troops headed to Little Rock AFB are directed to sign up at the Air Force Housing website and/or get direct assistance with Little Rock AFB on-base housing at www.littlerock-family-housing.com, which is operated by Hunt Companies. Those who seek off-base housing are directed to contact the Little Rock AFB Housing Office for assistance before entering into any legally binding agreements with off-base landlords or property management companies.
Little Rock Base Housing Office offers the following services:
- Search listings and pictures of available rentals
- Find out about shared rentals
Call the LRAFB Housing Office at 501-987-6429 for more information.
PCS and TDY Lodging
Temporary lodging facilities at Little Rock AFB are available in one or two-bedroom units and there is a limited number of pet-friendly options available but all pets must be accompanied by proof of current rabies shots.
PCSing troops are permitted a 30-day maximum stay. Those coming TDY to Little Rock Air Force Base should know that it’s expected to make off-base accommodations for any family members traveling with them.
Make reservations at 501-987-6753/6652, DSN 312-731-6753/6652, 24 hours a day.
Transportation
The nearest major airport to Little Rock Air Force Base is Clinton National Airport/Adams Field, which is roughly 20 miles from the base. The usual commercial transportation, ride sharing, and other services may be available depending on the day and time of arrival. PCS or TDY personnel should arrange pickup with a sponsor where appropriate, but the base is close enough to the airport so that a commercial taxi or shuttle is not cost-prohibitive.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
You are not required to register a vehicle or get a base decal at Little Rock Air Force Base, but all vehicles entering and leaving the base are subject to inspection and/or search. All drivers must carry the state-required minimum car insurance, and while military members can use their out-of-state drivers’ licenses if they are current or eligible for an extension all family members are required to get an Arkansas drivers’ license within 30 days of arrival in the state.