Location
Little Rock Air Force Base is located in Pulaski County in Central Arkansas. The city of Jacksonville is located just outside the front gate of the base. The warm relationship between Jacksonville and the base dates back to the early 1950s when the local citizens banded together to purchase the land for the base, which they donated to the Air Force. Arkansas’ capital, Little Rock is located 17 miles north of the base. Little Rock AFB is home of the 19th Airlift Wing. Little Rock AFB consists of more than 6,000 acres and one runway.
History
On September 9, 1952, the Air Force announced its decision to build a $31 million medium jet bomber base near Jacksonville Arkansas (about 25 miles northeast of Little Rock); construction began on December 8, 1953. By August 1954, the 384th Bombardment Wing (BMW) and 70th Reconnaissance Wing had been selected by SAC to reside at the base. As the two wings awaited movement orders, Col. Joseph A. Thomas (the first base commander) worked with various levels of government on construction of the base. Tragically, Colonel Thomas died in the crash of the base’s only aircraft, a C-54 that had been assigned for administrative flying. Finally, on September 10, 1955, the base opened to air traffic.
The Air Force officially transferred to Little Rock AFB from SAC to the Tactical Air Command (TAC) on April 1, 1970. On March 4, 1970, the first C-130 arrived on base and began tactical airlift operations and training. On May 31, 1971, the 314th Tactical Airlift Wing (TAW) transferred to Little Rock AFB. Another major change occurred on base in December 1974, when the Air Force reassigned the 314th TAW from TAC to the Military Airlift Command (MAC). Thus, since its opening in 1955, the base has operated under four major commands – SAC, TAC, MAC and ACC.
Mission
Little Rock Air Force Base is the home of the 19th Airlift Wing, the host unit that reports to Air Mobility Command. Two tenant units, the 314th Airlift Wing and the 189th Airlift Wing (Arkansas Air National Guard) report to Air Education and Training Command. A third tenant unit, the U.S. Air Mobility Weapons School reports to Air Combat Command. The combined efforts of these units allows Team Little Rock to deploy and train the world’s best C-130 Combat Airlifters.
The 19th Airlift Wing is composed of four flying squadrons-the 41st, 50th, 53rd, and 61st Airlift Squadrons. The 41st is the Air Force’s first active-duty combat-ready C-130J squadron. These squadrons are operational and deploy throughout the world.
The 314th Airlift Wing is composed of two C-130 flying squadrons-the 48th and 62nd Airlift Squadrons. It is the premier C-130 training wing in the Department of Defense, training C-130 crewmembers from all branches of the service and the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as students from 31 allied nations. Students receive training in all five C-130 crew positions-pilot, copilot, navigator, flight engineer and loadmaster. The wing is also responsible for C-21 pilot training, which is accomplished by the 45th Airlift Squadron, a tenant unit located at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
The 189th Airlift Wing works in conjunction with the 314th Airlift Wing to provide C-130 instructor pilot and loadmaster training. In times of emergency as declared by the governor of Arkansas, the 189th AW performs the state mission as directed by the state adjutant general.
The U.S. Air Mobility Weapons School provides C-130 aircrew members with graduate-level instruction in C-130 tactical employment.
Population Served
The base population of more than 11,800 people includes 6,300 active-duty military and civilian members and about 5,500 family members live and work here.
Base Transportation
Little Rock AFB offers a shuttle service to and from the Dining Facility, bldg 1231, 1255, 210, 250 and 1090.
Sponsorship
A sponsor is someone from your gaining unit who is assigned to you to assist you in settling into your new location. A sponsor is assigned through your gaining unit within 60 days of leaving your losing base. Sponsors are supposed to be available for you for whatever needs you may have, so be sure to voice what it is that is needed/expected out of your sponsor.
Temporary Quarters
to make our guests feel at their “home away from home”. We have one and two bedroom TLFs, the one-bedroom sleeping five and the two-bedroom sleeping seven. The amenities include a fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, TV and DVD/VCR, and a phone in every room. The units also include a pull-out couch in the living room. We also have several pet-friendly units with a fee of $10.00 per day/per unit, limit two pets per unit (cats and/or dogs only). Proof of rabies shots, as a minimum, ARE required prior to check-in. Evidence of additional shots may be required.
Those PCSing to Little Rock must contact the Lodging Office to make reservations, or have the sponsor make the reservations for you. If the sponsor is going to make the reservations for the PCSing family, the active duty member should ensure he/she has all the information required for Lodging to be able to make the reservation, i. e. correct arrival date, number of adults and children, if any pets are traveling with them, reporting unit, cell phone # if available or POC information, and if at all possible, a credit card number, Visa or MasterCard, so Lodging can guarantee the reservation. If there is no space available on base, you will then be provided a Non-Availability letter from Lodging in order to secure a room off base and receive reimbursement for this room. In conjunction with the “NA” letter, you will also receive a return reservation date for on-base accommodations at the earliest date possible.
Relocation Assistance
Stop by the Airman and Family Readiness Center upon your arrival if you’re needing information about the surrounding areas, etc. Some of the programs you may be interested in are: “Know Your Neighborhood”, Home Buying Seminar, For Sale By Owner, and many more. The Airman and Family Readiness Center is also where the Loan Closet is located. Please feel free to stop by (located diagonally across from Burger King) or call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 501-987-6801 for further information.
All PCSing families are eligible to receive 20 hours of free childcare, regardless of rank. You do have to use the childcare within 60 days of checking into the base and it is also necessary to use an on-base family day care home provider. Bring a copy of your orders to the Airman and Family Readiness Center and we will provide you with a voucher for the care and guide you through the process.
Critical Installation Information
For all phone numbers listed for Little Rock AFB, the area code is 501. DSN prefix for all numbers listed is 731. The base switchboard number is 501-987-1110 or DSN 312-731-1110. To make calls on base dial 987, followed by the four-digit extension. For local off-base calls dial 99, followed by the seven digit number. For calls outside the local area dial 98, followed by the area code and seven digit number. DSN calls are 94, then the seven digit number.
If a financial emergency should occur while you are traveling, contact the nearest military installation for assistance through the Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief or Navy Relief Society. The closest chapter of the American Red Cross can also assist.
Frequently Called Numbers on Base
Base Operator (501) 987-1110 (DSN) 731-1110
Clinic 501-987-8811
Family Advocacy 501-987-7377
Housing Office 501-987-6429
Child Development Center 501-987-6130
Family Practice Clinic 987-7365
Health And Wellness Center (HAWC) 987-7288