If a duty station to the Land of Enchantment is in your future, then this is the base guide for you! Holloman Air Force Base is located in New Mexico. This is one of the AF’s busiest installations because it’s home to the Air Combat Command. The ACC was created in 1992 with the joining of the Strategic Air Command and the Tactical Air Command. It’s responsible for providing combat forces to warfighters, which means a posting to Holloman will be busy and enriching! Holloman is all about the latest tech, so be prepared. In fact, the 846th Test Squadron set a world land speed record for a railed vehicle, clocking in at 6,453 miles per hour which is the equivalent of Mach 8.5. Read on to find out everything you need to know about Holloman AFB in New Mexico. Ever wonder how the Air Force tests ejection seats? Here’s how!
Holloman Air Force Base Location
Holloman Air Force Base is located about six miles west of Alamogordo, New Mexico, on Highway 70/82; 90 miles north of El Paso, Texas, and 60 miles east of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Directions
Holloman AFB can be reached by car using the following routes.
Heading in from the north? Take I-25 S to US-380 E and US-54 W. Follow signs for Holloman AFB.
Driving from El Paso? Take US-54 E to Alamogordo and follow signs.
Making the trek from the east? Take I-40 W to US-54 W and follow signs.
Coming from the west? Take I-10 E to US-70 E and follow signs.
Transportation
Flying to the closest airports: Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport, El Paso International Airport, Roswell International Air Center
Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport (6 miles) is a nearby regional airport but does not currently have commercial air service.
El Paso International Airport (74 miles) is the closest airport to Holloman AFB and is served by 5 major airlines and 2 regional airlines.
Roswell International Air Center (96 miles) is served solely by American Airlines.
Driving to Holloman may take a while (since it’s just 98 miles from the US-Mexico border), but it will be the easiest way to get around the area!
Contacts at Holloman AFB
Airman and Family Readiness Center: (575) 572-7754
Barracks/Single Service Member Housing: (575) 572-3295
Base Operator: (575) 572-1110
Chapel: (575) 572-5676
Chaplain (Duty Hours): (575) 572-2636
Child Development Center: (575) 572-3753
Civilian Personnel Office: (575) 572-7202
Command Post: (575) 572-4900
Commissary: (575) 572-7572
Community Engagement Office: (575) 572-1824/7381
Dental Clinic: (575) 572-3742
Employment Assistance Program: (575) 572-7754
Equal Opportunity Office: (575) 572-3032
Family Advocacy Program: (575) 572-7061
Health Promotions Dietitian: (575) 572-5047
Hospital/Medical Treatment Facility: (575) 572-5587
Household Goods/Transportation Office: (575) 572-5228
Housing Office: 575-572-2285
ID/CAC Card Processing: (575) 572-7506
Information and Referral Services: (575) 572-7754
Inspector General: (575) 572-2123
Legal Assistance: (575) 572-7217
Lodging Reservations: 575-572-3311
Medical Appointment Line: (575) 572-2778
Mental Health Clinic: (575) 572-5676
NAF Human Resources Program: (575) 572-5454
Outdoor Recreation: (575) 572-5369
Pharmacy: (575) 572-1549
Public Affairs Office: (575) 572-7381
School Liaison Officer: (575) 572-7754
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response 24/7 Hotline: (575) 572-6789
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office: (575) 572-1548/1444
Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255
Veterinary Clinic: (575) 572-3303
Visitor Reception Center: (575) 572-5951
Youth Center: (575) 572-3753
Mission and Units
Holloman is all about readiness. Its main mission is to build combat-ready aircrew while developing and leading airmen.
Holloman Air Force Base is a vibrant AF installation. Not only is it home to the 49th Wing, but it is also responsible for training F-16 pilots, supporting Air Transportable Clinics and Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources. Additionally, it’s an Air Education and Training Command base. That means it maintains the world’s longest aircraft testing track.
Other units at Holloman AFB include the 704th Test Group and the 54th Fighter Group, which trains an average of 180 students per year. Moreover, the 635th Materiel Maintenance Group calls Holloman home. The 635th is responsible for the storage, inspection, repair, deployment and accountability of bare base assets belonging to Air Combat Command.
There are also about 20 associate units on base.
Holloman AFB History
Like lots of DoD installations, Holloman’s roots align with WWII. Back in 1942, it was known as Alamogordo Air Field. Uniquely, it was designed as a training area for British Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth pilots. Instead, it ended up operating as an Army Air Base. There, B-17 crews and B-24 crews trained in prep for wartime missions.
After the war, the installation got its current name and a new goal as a developmental center. Holloman started testing drones, missiles and UAV-type hardware.
Later, it hosted the F-117 until it was retired. These days it flies F-22 Raptors. It’s also home to the German Air Force Tactical Training Center, supporting nearly 700 personnel and 25 Tornado fighter jets. Speaking of retired aircraft, can you believe it’s been 10 years since the AF retired the F-117?
Things to Do Around Holloman AFB
Hotels
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Alamogordo (7.5 miles)
Hampton Inn Alamogordo (7.4 miles)
Quality Inn & Suites Near White Sands National Monument (7.4 miles)
Restaurants
Margo’s Mexican Food (8.3 miles) – Locally owned, casual Mexican
Fatwood Barbeque (7.9 miles) – barbecue restaurant
Hi-D-Ho Drive-In (8 miles) – hamburger restaurant
Activities
White Sands National Park (7.2 miles) is 275 square miles of desert where you can go camping, hiking, picnicking and dune sledding.
Toy Train Depot (9.6 miles) is a museum with large model trains and static displays, and you can also take a train ride through Alameda Park.
Alameda Park Zoo (9.1 miles) has 12 acres that are home to nearly 200 animals, an education center, a picnic area and a playground.
Holloman AFB Housing
Call the Military Housing Office as soon as you receive orders to Holloman. That way, you’ll be able to discuss in real-time the current housing climate and learn what to expect.
You and your Air Force family have options when you call Holloman home. You can choose to live on or off base. Moreover, you can get answers to your questions about housing in the local community by visiting the Housing Referral Office. The RHO provides all DoD personnel with personalized services to assist in finding the best home for your needs and your budget.
Lend Lease/Soaring Heights Communities operates, and manages on-base Holloman housing.
Unaccompanied housing is offered for unaccompanied Airmen in the ranks of E-1 to E-3 and E-4 with less than 3 years of service. Each Airman is provided a private sleeping room, furnishings, bed linens and supplies required for comfortable living. Unaccompanied Airmen in the rank of E-4 with greater than 3 years of service and above can live in the local community.
Schools Near Holloman AFB
Mil-kids who call Holloman home have two school choices. Of course, these public schools are tuition free and are legally required to accept and provide an education to all children in Holloman AFB, NM. As with other education related PCS question, it’s best to contact the School Liaison Office for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Albuquerque from Holloman AFB?
Albuquerque is about 217 miles northwest of Holloman AFB.
What is Holloman AFB known for?
In the first place, Captain Joseph Kittinger, Jr. achieved fame at Holloman for the highest open gondola manned flight. Then, he earned the accolade for highest balloon flight, highest bailout and longest free-fall jump.
What county is Holloman AFB in?
Holloman AFB is located in Otero County, New Mexico.
What aircraft are at Holloman AFB?
The 49th Wing at Holloman AFB utilizes the F-22 Raptor. In addition to the Raptor, Holloman is home to T-38 Talons, the MQ-1 Predator and the MQ-9 Reaper (both of which are Unmanned Aircraft Systems), the QF-4 Drone, the F-4 Phantom II, and the German Air Force Tornado.