Lackland AFB

• Birthplace of Air Force Basic Training: Lackland Air Force Base, located in San Antonio, Texas, has been the sole location for U.S. Air Force enlisted Basic Military Training (BMT) since 1946. • Part of Joint Base San Antonio: In 2010, Lackland AFB merged with Fort Sam Houston and Randolph AFB to become part of Joint Base San Antonio, one of the largest joint bases in the Department of Defense. • Named for an Aviation Pioneer: The base is named after Brigadier General Frank Lackland, an early military aviator who helped develop the Air Corps' training program in the 1920s and 1930s. • Gateway to the Air Force: Often called the “Gateway to the Air Force,” virtually every enlisted Airman begins his or her career at Lackland. • World War II Prisoner of War Camp: During WWII, Lackland served as a holding site for German prisoners of war. • K-9 Training Center: The 341st Training Squadron at Lackland is the Department of Defense's primary military working dog training center, preparing both dogs and handlers for all branches of the military, as well as federal agencies. • Historic Buildings: Many of the original WWII-era buildings still stand, and some are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. • Expansion During the Korean War: The base rapidly expanded in the early 1950s to accommodate the influx of recruits during the Korean War, with as many as 28,000 recruits on base at one time. • Home to the Air Force Band: The United States Air Force Band of the West is based at Lackland, performing for military and civilian audiences across the region. • Notable Alumni: Many famous Airmen began at Lackland, including astronaut John W. Young and Medal of Honor recipient William H. Pitsenbarger.