About Little Rock Air Force Base

Current Operations | History | Partnerships

C-130J Super Hercules flies over Central Arkansas during a formation flight

C-130J Super Hercules flies over Central Arkansas during a formation flight

Current Operations

An Airman from 19th Operations Support Squadron prepares to land at Blackjack DZ

An Airman from 19th Operations Support Squadron prepares to land at Blackjack DZ

Little Rock AFB is a 6,217-acre installation with a resident population of approximately 3,332 and a working population of approximately 7,200. Today, Little Rock AFB is the home of C-130 Combat Airlift—the largest fleet of C-130s and the primary C-130 Hercules training base for the Department of Defense (DoD), training C-130 pilots, navigators, flight engineers, and load masters from all branches of the US military in tactical airlift and aerial delivery. The 19th Airlift Wing is assigned to the 18th Air Force of Air Mobility Command, which is headquartered out of Scott AFB, Illinois. It is home to C-130H and C-130J aircraft, as well as the C-130 Center of Excellence (i.e., schools for C-130H and C-130J crews).

In addition to training over 1,200 students each year, 314th Airlift Wing, a tenant unit, has the DoD’s largest international flying training program with more than 150 international students.2 The 373rd Training Squadron Detachment 4 is a tenant unit on Little Rock AFB and supports over 808 active, guard, and reserve C-130 units worldwide. The 373rd Training Squadron Det. 4 at Little Rock AFB trains approximately 1,600 maintainers annually in C-130 maintenance career fields.

The airfield at Little Rock AFB is used primarily to support C-130 air operations. The C-130 airlift training mission at Little Rock AFB requires training areas that allow for the dropping of crates, heavy equipment, and personnel without disturbing the local community. Drop zones (DZs) and drop/landing zones (LZs) in other locations, such as the All-American LZ at Camp Robinson and LRAFB-owned Blackjack DZ in White County, provide crucial training opportunities. Agreements with numerous regional airports also allow for periodic use for transition training and instrument procedures training.

History

In 1951, the Air Force wanted to build a base in central U.S. Local citizens wanted that base in Little Rock, but Congress said there wasn’t any money for it. Local leaders convinced Congress they would buy land and donate it for the base. By the end of September 1952, the Pulaski County Citizens Council (currently Little Rock AFB Community Council) had collected almost one million dollars, allowing the Air Base Committee to begin buying property from more than 150 private landowners near Jacksonville. That same month, the U.S. Air Force announced it would build a $31 million jet bomber base on the site. Fundraising and land purchase took nearly 18 months, with construction beginning November 6, 1953. Today, the host unit for Little Rock AFB is the 19th Airlift Wing, part of Air Mobility Command, which provides the Department of Defense the largest C-130 fleet in the world, and is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and fulfills a wide range of operational missions in peace and war situations. Little Rock AFB currently has three major partner units: the 314th Airlift Wing, Air Education and Training Command; the 913th Airlift Group; and the 189th Airlift Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard. Each unit plays a vital role in the overall success of the combat airlift mission.

C-46 Commando, part of the historic support for airlift missions at Little Rock AFB

C-46 Commando, part of the historic support for airlift missions at Little Rock AFB

For more Little Rock AFB history, please visit the 19th Airlift Wing history page.

Partnerships

Students with the S.H.E. Can STEAM Aviation Camp tour a C-130J Super Hercules

Students with the "S.H.E. Can" STEAM Aviation Camp tour a C-130J Super Hercules

The base opened its gates in 1955, and while the mission of the base has changed over the years, community partnerships have remained strong. The Central Arkansas region continues to experience population and economic growth, which enhances the vitality and quality of life for its community members. Little Rock AFB serves as a major piece of the region’s economic engine as the fifth-largest employer in the state with a local economic impact of over $782 million.

The Jacksonville Military/Governmental Relations and North Little Rock Military Relations Committees are part of the Jacksonville and North Little Rock Chambers of Commerce, respectively, and are composed of chamber members. They promote goodwill between Little Rock AFB and the community, assist in the integration of military personnel to the region, coordinate efforts to strengthen current missions, assist in possible new missions, and implement measures to ensure Little Rock AFB’s future.

The Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council is a civilian nonprofit organization made up of central Arkansas community leaders who are dedicated to serving Little Rock AFB, its mission, and its people. Little Rock AFB also has a long history of engaging with and helping out local communities. Little Rock AFB personnel actively volunteer for a variety of community programs and initiatives including Eagle’s Watch Foundation, Gifts for Families, Fisher House, Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Spouse, and AF Wounded Warrior. A senior Little Rock AFB official also serves as an ex-officio member of the JNPSD board.

Little Rock AFB is one of many Air Force installations across the country that has taken part in the Air Force Community Partnership Program. The program is designed to leverage military and local community capabilities and resources to obtain value and benefit in support of the AF mission. This program explores cost-saving opportunities through innovative partnerships and shared services with local communities, government agencies, and businesses. Partnerships between Little Rock AFB and the surrounding communities include the following:

  • Jacksonville–Little Rock AFB University Center, which provides educational opportunities for the military population and the local community
  • Potential construction of a city-installation commercial/retail facility
  • Energy and electrical upgrades through Entergy Corporation

The 189th Airlift Wing’s 223rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron supported the establishment of a new cyber security program at Jacksonville High School. Cyber operators from the wing, in coordination with cyber instructors at the school, developed the course and rose to the challenge to inspire and educate future cyber operators and Air National Guardsmen. The Association of Defense Communities recognized Central Arkansas as one of the 2020 Great American Defense Communities for this community partnership initiative with Little Rock AFB. At the state level, the Governor’s Military Affairs Committee was established in 2015 to bring together public and private leaders around the state to advocate for Arkansas’ military installations and missions. Through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the Military Affairs Grant Program provides funding for projects and programs that strengthen and sustain the state’s military installations.

Military Mural Dedication Ceremony

Military Mural Dedication Ceremony