LOCATION: Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas is located next to the city of Jacksonville, which populates approximately 30,000 people, in central Arkansas. It is 15 miles north of Little Rock.
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. The base and its mission remained primarily unchanged until August 1987, when the 308th SMW was inactivated. The 314th TAW remained the host unit, supporting global airlift and providing primary C-130 training for U.S. aircrews as well as crews from friendly foreign nations. In June 1992, the 314th AW was aligned under the newly formed Air Mobility Command, the successor to MAC. Then again in October 1993, the 314th AW transferred to Air Combat Command (ACC). On April 1, 1997, the 314th AW transferred to the Air Education and Training Command (AETC).
MISSION: Little Rock AFB is under Air Education and Training Command (AETC). The host unit at Little Rock AFB is the 314th Airlift Wing (AW). The 314th AW is responsible for airlifting supplies and people throughout the world. With a dual mission, worldwide aerial delivery and C-130 aircrew training, the wing organizes, equips and trains combat-ready airlift units to operate anywhere in the world. The base consists of more than 6,000 acres and one runway. The 314th Airlift Wing trains all C-130 crewmembers from all branches of the U.S. armed services, the U.S. Coast Guard and students from 27 allied nations. The newest training mission at Little Rock Air Force Base involves the C-130J Hercules featuring a glass cockpit, digital avionics and a new propulsion system with a six-bladed propeller. The 314th Airlift Wing is comprised of four groups -- operations, maintenance, support and medical -- and a headquarters element. Three airlift squadrons (53 AS, 62 AS, 48 AS) and the 314th Operations Support Squadron, along with the flight simulator contractor, make up the "schoolhouse" and together accomplish the wing's primary mission of training C-130 crew members. The 189th Airlift Wing works with the 314th Airlift Wing to provide C-130 aircrew training. In times of emergency, as declared by the governor of Arkansas, the 189th Airlift Wing operates at the direction of the state adjutant general. The 463d Airlift Group, a tenant unit assigned to Air Mobility Command (AMC), is comprised of two flying squadrons (50 AS and 61 AS) that carry out operational airlift missions throughout the world; and support and logistics squadrons that provide vital support to help make the group's mission possible.
POPULATION SERVED: The base population of nearly 11,400 people includes active-duty military and civilian members and their families who live or work here. Little Rock AFB has approximately 5,378 active duty personnel and 1,700 civilian employees.
SPONSORSHIP: A sponsor is someone from your gaining unit who is assigned to you to assist you in settling in to your new location. A sponsor is assigned through your gaining unit within 60 days of leaving your losing base. Sponsors are suppose 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.
A full service Post Office is provided on base in Bldg. 966, near the BX Shopping Center. Window hours are 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday; lockbox and stamp machine lobby is always open. You can call the Post Office (501) 987-3695. A separate military Postal Service Center, with only incoming mail boxes and stamp machine service is centrally located in Bldg. 864, adjacent to the Razorback Dining facility and is open from 7:30 - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday and from 9:00 am - noon Saturday. To receive mail for general delivery use the following address: your name, PSC Box 2400 (general delivery), Little Rock AFB, AR 72099-4399. If you have questions, call (501) 987-3478. If you are going to reside in the dormitory on a permanent basis, you can request, in advance, a PCS mailbox. Just send your sponsor one copy of your orders and request the sponsor notify 314 MSS/MSPUI, INTRO Manager, to request a PSC box assignment.
TELEPHONE ACCESS: For all phone numbers at Little Rock AFB, the area code is (501). DSN prefix for all numbers listed is (731). The base switchboard (501) 987-1110 or DSN 731-1110. To make calls on base dial 7, 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.
TEMPORARY QUARTERS: Little Rock has a Temporary Lodging Facility (TLF) that has just recently opened. There are also rooms available without kitchen units. Pets are not allowed in any base billeting. Those PCSing to Little Rock must contact the Lodging Office to make reservations. 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. If you are TDY to Little Rock and plan to bring family members, be prepared to stay off base at your own expense. TDY personnel can only request billeting rooms on a space available basis for family members. Authorization for contract quarters will be provided at one of the local motels. PCS out is 7 days; PCS in is 30 days. Reimbursement for TLF is for 10 days ONLY. The average price range for contract quarters is $35-$45 daily. Contract quarters have NO cooking facilities; restaurants are located nearby. Report to the Lodging Office, Bldg. 1024, to get contract quarters authorization. Make reservations if date of arrival is known by calling DSN: 731-6753 or (501) 987-6652, 24 hours a day.
There is a toll free number for all duty and space-available travelers to use in making Air Force CONUS Lodging reservations. The toll free number is 1-888-AF LODGE (1-888-235-6343).
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 Family Support Center and we will provide you with a voucher for the care and guide you through the process.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Stop by the Family Support 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 Family Support Center is also where the Loan Closet is located. Please feel free to stop by (located diagonally across from Burger King) or call the FSC at (501) 987-6801 for further information.
CRITICAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION: If a financial emergency should occur while you are traveling, contact the nearest military installation for assistance through Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief or Navy Relief Society. The closest chapter of the American Red Cross can also assist.
