Over 3,064,780 active members

Opening unit directory

Building the branch units surface

Loading unit filters, rankings, and the branch unit grid.

Overview

Members

Units

Opening branch overview

Building the branch home surface

Loading branch highlights, featured unit context, and gallery moments.

Overview

Members

Units

Laughlin AFB

U.S. Air Force•27 members

Laughlin AFB Homepage Photos Posts Members

Did you serve with the Laughlin AFB?

Find familiar faces
Explore unit photos
Share your photos

New to VetFriends?

Create a free account to explore unit members and photos, and reconnect with people you served with.

Create a free account

Already a member? Log in

About this Unit

Laughlin AFB

U.S. Air Force

Laughlin Air Force Base, located near Del Rio, Texas, was established in 1942 as Laughlin Army Air Field, serving as a training base for World War II pilots. After a brief closure following the war, the base was reopened in 1952 in response to the Korean War and the increasing need for trained pilots during the Cold War. Throughout the decades, Laughlin AFB has been a premier site for undergraduate pilot training, operating under the Air Education and Training Command. Today, it is home to the 47th Flying Training Wing, which continues to produce highly skilled pilots for the United States Air Force and allied nations.

About Laughlin AFB

About this Unit

Historical Facts

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.

Opening unit directory

Building the branch units surface

Loading unit filters, rankings, and the branch unit grid.

Overview

Members

Units

Laughlin AFB

U.S. Air Force•27 members

Laughlin AFB Homepage Photos Posts Members

Did you serve with the Laughlin AFB?

Find familiar faces
Explore unit photos
Share your photos

New to VetFriends?

Create a free account to explore unit members and photos, and reconnect with people you served with.

Create a free account

Already a member? Log in

About this Unit

Laughlin AFB

U.S. Air Force

Unit members

Pete Fratoni

U.S. Air Force · 1977 - 1978

Message View Profile

Donald King

U.S. Air Force Veteran · 1958 - 1963

Message View Profile

Dennis Yuen

U.S. Air Force Veteran · 1969 - 1971

Message View Profile

Crystal Nelson

U.S. Air Force · 2001 - 2005

Message View Profile

View all members

Air Force photos

View all photos

About Laughlin AFB

About this Unit

Historical Facts

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.