Red River Army Depot is located in the Four States region of Texas, about 180 miles from Dallas and 18 miles west of Texarkana. The depot has weathered several attempts to close, only to continue serving in a variety of areas including research and design for “mine-resistant” transportation.
The 21st-century mission of the depot includes maintaining and sustaining combat vehicles. Find information about Red River Army Depot, Texas, including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PCSing personnel, and inprocessing.
Mission & Units
The mission of Red River Army Depot includes more than seven decades of service to the warfighter. Red River Army Depot maintains ground combat and tactical systems, and provides global support for U.S. troops and allied forces. Red River features a large industrial complex designed to maintain, rebuild, and overhaul “combat systems and tactical vehicles.”
Red River is designated as a Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence (CITE) for Rubber Products, Bradley Fighting Vehicle System, Multiple Launch Rocket System, Small Emplacement Excavator and Tactical Wheeled Vehicles. There are no major units on the installation.
History
Many Army installations have a long and detailed history stretching back to the days of the American Revolution. Red River Army Depot’s own history does not stretch back that far.
Like many installations across the USA, the Depot was created in the World War Two era and quickly expanded from its original mission as an ammunition storage facility to include repairs, storage, and other lifecycle needs.
The printed histories of the Depot do not include a great deal of information beyond the original establishment dates and occasional updates to the mission.
Red River is unique among some military facilities in that its core activities have changed over time, but always in the service of the warfighter overseas in terms of providing better-armored vehicles and related innovations.
Red River has seen multiple attempts to close the facility. The 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) targeted the installation for deactivation, but Red River stayed operational after a change of mind by BRAC.
Ten years later, the Depot was on the BRAC chopping block once more but it’s still open today, employing more than 3,500, utilizing more than 15,000 acres, and more than 1,400 individual buildings and workspaces.
According to official sources, Red River Army Depot is “responsible for over 5,000 civilian deployments to Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq in direct support of the Soldiers in the field.”
Contacts
Main Address and Phone Numbers
00 James Carlow Drive
Red River Army Depot
Building 15
Texarkana, TX 75507-5000
- 903-334-3111
- 903-334-2102
- DSN 312-829-3111
Surrounding Area
Red River Army Depot is 18 miles west of Texarkana, Texas, in Bowie County. The installation is under 150 miles away from Dallas Love Field Airport, so weekend getaways there, or to Louisiana or Arkansas are not unreasonable drives.
In the immediate area, Texarkana has much to offer including live arts and entertainment at the Texarkana Convention Center, and the Draughon-Moore Ace of Clubs House is a fascinating piece of local history that’s been standing since the 1800s.
The Perot Theater takes visitors back to the classic age of early 20th century cinemas, and Silvermoon Children’s Theater offers family-friendly live entertainment for all ages. Local flea markets and farmers markets round out the Texarkana experience but don’t miss the Museum of Regional History if you’re looking for a more educational weekend day out.
Inprocessing and Check-In
Due to the unique nature of this Army Depot, Red River does not have a Military Personnel Office on site. Troops PCSing or traveling on TDY orders are directed to report via Fort Sill in Oklahoma–call (580) 442 3125. For pre-arrival questions call 903-334-3976.
It is best to request a sponsor when PCSing to Red River Army Depot if you have not been assigned one already–the unique nature of this installation may require additional planning for PCS moves or relocation to the area.
Services
Health Care
There is no healthcare available to family members at Red River. TRICARE users should coordinate in-network care with their representative, but those who require military treatment options will need to know the distances required from the nearby facilities:
- Barksdale AFB, 90 miles away
- Little Rock Air Force Base, 150 away
TRICARE PRIME Remote is an option for coverage in the area but be advised that area caregivers may not accept this coverage. Official sources advise, “Many military families elect another TRICARE option.” On-post care is available for active duty troops and civilian employees via the Army Occupational Health Clinic.
Child Care
Red River is unique among Army installations in that it has no on-post child care facilities.
Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
ID Card services at Red River are provided on a walk-in basis, no appointments. You may be required to provide two unexpired forms of official photo ID, and at least one of those may be required to be REAL ID Act compliant.
Call 903-334-2608 to learn more about specific requirements, but all services may require the presence of the military member or legal documentation authorizing ID card services in the absence of the military member (Power of Attorney or an acceptable equivalent.)
Schools
No DoD Schools serve Red River Army Depot. Those who work at the depot have multiple school district choices including:
- Texarkana TX
- Texarkana AR
- Liberty-Eylau TX
- Pleasant Grove TX
- New Boston TX
- Hooks TX
Transfer and admission requirements may vary among the districts, but in general, children must be four years old on or before September 1st to enter pre-kindergarten. For admission into Texas kindergartens, a child must be five years old.
To register in a school district in Texas you will be required to provide the child’s certified birth certificate, immunization records, social security card and proof of residence.
Housing
No on-post housing is available at Red River Army Depot. All assigned to the installation will live in the local community.
PCS and TDY Lodging
Due to the size and nature of the Depot, no temporary lodging facilities are available. There are limited recreational lodging facilities about 15 minutes from the main post.
These facilities are available for rental from Red River MWR–these are cabins located on Elliot Lake and are not designated as temporary lodging facilities for TDY or PCSing troops. Therefore the usual priority designation for those on official orders may not apply. Call the MWR Office at 903-334-2688 or 2254 for more information.
Transportation
Depending on the time of your arrival, and the airport you select, the usual ride-sharing and commercial transportation services may be available from Texas airports. However, it’s best to contact your sponsor as Red River is not located within a reasonable commuting distance to major airports.
Regional airports in or near Texarkana may be required as a connection from Dallas Love Field or elsewhere. The major airports nearest Red River Depot are:
- Texarkana Regional Airport (66 miles)
- Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (107 miles)
- Shreveport Regional Airport (142 miles)
- Dallas Love Field (144 miles)
- South Arkansas Regional Airport (144 miles)
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
Those employed at Red River as Interns, Fellows, and those PCSing or being reassigned to Red River Army Depot with a valid driver’s license from another state may not be required to get a Texas license or add Texas plates to their vehicles.
All Texas motor vehicle laws apply on-post including restrictions on cell phone use, requirements to use seat belts and other safety equipment, etc.
Drivers must carry military ID at all times. When you arrive on-post for the first time, you will need to visit Building 455A and obtain a pass or badge to enter the depot. You will be required to register your privately owned vehicle in order to use it on the installation.