Lackland Air Force Base

Lackland Air Force Base, located seven miles west of San Antonio, was originally part of Kelly Field (see KELLY AIR FORCE BASE). Early in World War II (June 1942), it was separated from Kelly and became the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center; it provided classification and preflight training for aspiring pilots, bombardiers, and navigators. By 1945 the base was engaged in the training of personnel for almost every Air Corps need, including fiscal officers, nurses, dentists, medical technicians, psychological research, and a growing enlisted training function. In 1946 the base was renamed Lackland Army Air Field for Gen. Frank D. Lackland, an early commander of Kelly Field, and after separation of the United States Air Force from the U. S. Army in 1948 it became Lackland Air Force Base. It is also known as the "Gateway to the Air Force," as all personnel entering the new branch were processed and trained at Lackland.

Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.