Laughlin AFB, TX

Laughlin Air Force Base sits just outside Del Rio in southwest Texas, surrounded by wide-open desert country and right near the Mexican border. Originally established during World War II, the base has grown into a major hub for Air Force pilot training. While the surrounding landscape feels remote, the area offers a quiet, relaxed pace of life with quick access to the shops, local Tex-Mex spots, and neighborhood parks in Del Rio.

Because of its primary mission training new aviators, Laughlin is home to an active, close-knit community of flight students, instructors, and military families. Outdoor recreation is a major draw for people living here, especially on weekends when nearby Lake Amistad becomes the go-to spot for boating, fishing, and cooling off in the Texas heat. It is an easygoing base community where neighbors quickly get to know one another against a distinct West Texas backdrop.