Laughlin AFB

• Establishment: Laughlin Air Force Base (AFB) was officially activated on March 3, 1943, during World War II as Laughlin Army Air Field, primarily for pilot training. • Namesake: The base is named after 2nd Lt. Jack T. Laughlin, a Del Rio native and B-17 navigator who was killed in action during the Doolittle Raid over Tokyo in 1942. • World War II Mission: During WWII, the base trained B-26 Marauder bomber crews before being deactivated in 1945 after the war ended. • Reactivation & Cold War Role: Laughlin AFB was reactivated in 1952 as a jet pilot training base and later played a role in U-2 reconnaissance operations in the late 1950s and early 1960s. • U-2 "Dragon Lady" Operations: In 1957, Laughlin AFB became one of the first operational bases for the U-2 spy plane, used for high-altitude surveillance missions during the Cold War, including flights over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. • Main Mission Today: Laughlin AFB is the U.S. Air Force’s busiest pilot training base, graduating hundreds of pilots annually using T-6 Texan II, T-38C Talon, and T-1A Jayhawk aircraft. • Location: The base is located near Del Rio, Texas, along the U.S.-Mexico border and benefits from excellent year-round flying weather. • Notable Alumni: Among its graduates is former astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn, who trained at Laughlin during his aviation career. • International Training: Laughlin AFB has trained pilots from allied nations, fostering international cooperation and partnerships in aviation training. • Community Impact: Laughlin AFB is the largest employer in Val Verde County and has a significant economic and cultural impact on the surrounding Del Rio community.