BEXAR COUNTY
County Offices
100 Dolorosa
San Antonio 210-335-2011
www.bexar.org
Chamber of Commerce
602 East Commerce Street
San Antonio 210-229-2100
www.sachamber.org
Bexar County is home to more than 1.7 million residents and is the 19th most populous county in the nation. Its county seat is San Antonio, the 7th largest city in the country.
Services
Newcomers to Bexar County will discover an array of advantages that are rivaled by few metropolitan regions in the nation. Visitors from around the globe travel to the County hospitals for state-of-the-art treatment and diagnostics in world-renowned care centers. The area has also developed into a major regional medical center in the past few decades. Facilities include the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, the South Texas Medical Center, Santa Rosa Hospital, Wilford Hall Medical Center, and Brooke Army Medical Center these are just some of the primary facilities that ensure leading-edge service for every resident.
The county’s hallmark of educational excellence is evident in the local school districts, the wide selection of respected private schools, and the selection of leading institutions of higher education. Exemplary teachers and strong academic programs have earned Bexar County schools a reputation as some of the finest in Texas. The San Antonio Independent School District, the largest in the county, offers a solid K-12 education, offering parents true choice in selecting the type of academic environment that best fits their child’s unique learning style. Parents may choose from a more traditional setting to magnet programs and internal charters that specialize in a particular theme or subject matter. There are also more than thirty private schools in the area, and many opportunities for higher education, including the University of Texas at San Antonio, one of the fastest-growing universities in Texas, Wayland Baptist University, Trinity University, and five colleges in the Alamo Community College system.
The county has a strong economy bolstered by the military bases and the businesses that serve them. Tourism is the largest non-governmental portion of the local economy with more than 25 million visitors a year visiting the San Antonio metro area and its attractions.
Several major highways serve the county, including Interstate highways 10, 37, 35, and 410, and U.S. highways 81, 87, 90, 181, and 281. The county’s transportation needs are also served by the Missouri Pacific, the Missouri, Kansas and Texas, and the Southern Pacific railroads, as well as San Antonio International Airport.
Lifestyle
Residents of Bexar County enjoy an enviable quality of life, surrounded by big city thrills and Texas Hill Country quiet. Whether they choose to live in the 7th largest city in the nation or choose a small town surrounded by farmland, residents of this county have every imaginable opportunity before them. The county is home to many of the most popular places to visit in the state of Texas. Visitors get a sense of the areas historic cowboy past in the building and events that are found in and around the county, while enjoying every modern amenity offered by a major city.
Tourism is the number one nongovernmental provider of jobs in Bexar County, has played an increasingly important role in the county’s economy. More than 25 million visitors come to metropolitan San Antonio every year, to stroll among the shops and restaurants on our famous River Walk, to remember the Alamo, to enjoy family fun at Six Flags and SeaWorld, or to examine world-renowned works of art at the Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum, combined with the areas other attractions, including the annual Fiesta San Antonio, the Texas Folklife Festival, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, the zoo, and the many museums, have made San Antonio and the surrounding area a prime tourist destination.
Sports fans will find professional team excitement, collegiate competition, and abundant opportunities to join leagues and programs. Acres of county parkland complements state parks, forests, city parks, lakes, rivers, and bay shoreline to offer hiking, biking, camping, backpacking, boating, canoeing, swimming, and water sports. Tennis courts, racquet clubs, fitness centers, spas, and elite golf courses add to the premier recreational amenities.
Aficionados of the arts can look forward to live stage performances, concerts, symphony, opera, ballet, children’s theatre, and Community Theater. San Antonio’s permanent companies often combine their talents in spectacular productions that dazzle and delight audiences.
Alamo Heights
City Offices
210-822-3331
www.alamoheightstx.gov
Chamber of Commerce
210-822-7027
http://alamoheightschamber.org
Alamo Heights is an incorporated town that is completely surrounded by the City of San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. The city is home to just over 7500 residents. However, its location as an enclave in San Antonio causes it to be a part of the much larger Metropolitan San Antonio. The center of the City of Alamo Heights is located just 4.5 miles to the North of downtown San Antonio. Alamo Heights is adjacent to the cities of Terrell Hills and Olmos Park. The city encompasses a total area of 2.1 square miles, and sits 807 feet above sea level. Alamo Heights enjoys a relatively warm climate year-round, with mild winters and hot summers. The average winter temperatures are very mild and average in the 60’s. Spring and fall temperatures average between 57 and 80, with summer temperatures averaging in the low 90’s. The city offers its residents several opportunities to enjoy both outdoor and retail recreation. The Alamo Quarry Market shopping center, Quarry Village, Lincoln Heights Shopping Center, H-E-B’s Central Market, North Star Mall, Witte Museum, San Antonio Zoo, San Antonio Japanese Tea Gardens, McNay Art Museum, and San Antonio Botanical Gardens can be found in or around Alamo Heights. For families with kids, Alamo Heights has a school district that comprises a high school, middle school and several elementary schools, the district also serves Terrell Hills, Olmos Park, and a portion of north San Antonio.
Balcones Heights
City Offices
210-735-9148
https://bhtx.gov/
Balcones Heights is a city of just over 3,500 residents. Balcones Heights is considered by locals to be a part of San Antonio, despite the fact that the community was incorporated in the 1970’s and is a city on its own. Balcones Heights is completely surrounded by the city of San Antonio. Balcones Heights was created in the early 1940’s as families spread out from the downtown area of San Antonio. Homes choices range from ranch homes, to the large and opulent homes the Kings Street area. Its location close to two interstate highways means the city offers its residents a great commute to any point of San Antonio and beyond. The first indoor shopping mall in the city of San Antonio, which opened up with the name “Wonderland Shopping City” and is known as Crossroads Mall, lies within the borders of Balcones Heights. This facility plus the other local amenities and of course the city of San Antonio mean that residents never have to go far to satisfy their needs. For other types of recreation the San Antonio Zoo is close by, as is Splashtown, Fiesta Texas, and Sea World. For a family outing, there is the Witte Museum. This Museum has a three-story building devoted exclusively to the 12 and under age group giving parents an opportunity to let the little ones run free. With a broad mix of cultures and people, Balcones Heights offers a great lifestyle to its residents. This is a community where neighbors walk down the quiet sidewalks, children play safely on the front lawns, and basketball is a favorite pastime of the kids. The city offers its residents a great place to call home.
Castle Hills
City Offices
210-342-2341
https://cityofcastlehills.com/
The City of Castle Hills has a population of approximately 4200 residents and is located in the popular north central portion of Bexar County. It is a 2,500-acre mixed used community born from an appreciation for the land and a desire to recreate the old-style neighborhood. It is surrounded by the City of San Antonio and offers its residents a small town atmosphere within a metropolitan area. It is located on Loop 410 which provides convenient access to San Antonio International Airport, downtown river walk, medical center and other points of interest. It is a community of mature tree lined streets and well kept homes. Every home is within walking distance of a park and residents can be found out and about enjoying a quiet comfortable lifestyle. With a swimming pool, tennis courts and a community center as part of the community, outdoor fun is close to home. There is an 18-hole Jay Morrish designed golf course and teaching academy within the community. For families with children an emphasis on quality education is an integral part of the Castle Hills vision. The Castle Hills Schools Foundation was created to provide additional support for the Lewisville schools serving the area. Small town charm in a urban setting with all of the amenities of a major city nearby mean that this city is an ideal choice for those looking to settle in the area.
Fair Oaks Ranch
City Offices
210-698-0900
http://fairoaksranchtx.org
Fair Oaks Ranch is located in three different counties of Texas: Bexar County, Kendall County and Comal County. The city is home to approximately 5,000 residents. It is located about 22 miles from San Antonio and is close to several small communities in the area. Fair Oaks Ranch was originally a 5,000 acre cattle ranch, founded in the 1930’s by Ralph E. Fair. In the late 60’s through the 1970’s the ranch began to be developed into a community, which was ultimately incorporated into the quiet community that it is today. As with many small communities of this type – residents enjoy a peaceful community with many amenities designed to make being at home more enjoyable. Shopping, recreation, dining and adventure are all available close to home with San Antonio a short drive away. Education is supported in the community by the Borne Independent School district in Kendall County. While predominately a residential area, the economy of Fair Oaks Ranch is supported by education, health and social services along with finance, insurance, real estate and rental and leasing industries. A smaller percentage of the economy is supported by professional, scientific, management, administrative and waste management services. This is a community that welcomes new residents with open arms and offers a great quality of life.
Helotes
City Offices
210-695-8877
www.helotes-tx.gov
Chamber of Commerce
210-822-7027
http://alamoheightschamber.org
Helotes is a small city with big charm. It is home to nearly 8,000 residents who enjoy a city that has fought to maintain its rustic western charm. The city is surrounded by the beauty of the Texas Hill Country. The City of Helotes is located in northwest Bexar County, just north of San Antonio. Only 19 miles from the San Antonio International Airport, the City is located near the Riverwalk, SeaWorld, La Cantera shopping, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Helotes, whose name is derived from the Spanish word elotes or “corn-on-the-cob,” has been on Texas maps since the nineteenth century. Once inhabited by Lipan Apaches, Tonkawas, and Comanches, the City originally served as a stagecoach stop between San Antonio and Bandera. In its early days Helotes remained a farming community, today farming in the area can still be found, but residents pursue different lifestyles today. The old downtown is a gathering place and the heart of the city. The city’s dance hall is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a Texas Historic Landmark that draws top musical talent to its stages. Today, the City of Helotes is a unique community that maintains its small town tranquility and family-oriented activities. Citizens remain committed to economic prosperity while balancing environmental consciousness and historic preservation with modern revitalization. The City is home to four parks, Helotes City Park, Helotes Natural Area, Iron Horse Canyon Natural Area, and the Helotes Creek Linear Park. The city is also famous for its annual Cornyval festival, held the first weekend in May, it began in the 1960s as a way to raise money for Helotes non-profit organizations, but today draws thousands from the area to celebrate a great festival and fair. This city offers its residents an opportunity to enjoy a small town lifestyle on the doorstep of a major urban area – truly the best of both worlds.
Hollywood Park
Town Offices
210-494-2023
https://hollywoodpark-tx.gov/
Nestled in the Hill Country foothills in northern suburban San Antonio, the Town of Hollywood Park provides country living just minutes from downtown San Antonio. The Town of Hollywood Park is a suburban community located in the north central area of San Antonio, Texas. The Town of Hollywood Park has a population of approximately 3,259 residents. The Town’s population is a diverse mix of doctors, teachers, businessmen, active and retired military personnel, lawyers, retirees, and young families just starting to grow. Originally incorporated in 1955, the Town of Hollywood Park was once a rural community but has now been surrounded by the continued growth of San Antonio. The Town of Hollywood Park has a small-community atmosphere with quiet streets, city parks, and complete services such as fire and police protection. Homes are generally built on large lots ranging from 1/2 to 1 acre in size, with a few sites even larger. Hollywood Park offers quiet country living with the conveniences of big city life of San Antonio nearby.
Kirby
City Offices
210-661-3198
https://www.kirbytx.org/
Chamber of Commerce
210-658-8322
https://txtricountychamber.org/
Kirby is an enclave of San Antonio and is home to more than 8700 residents. Kirby was originally founded as an agricultural settlement along the Southern Pacific railroad, the city was transformed into a suburban community upon its incorporation in 1955. In the 1950s, the composition of the city shifted from mostly agricultural to military as individuals settled in homes to commute to work at Randolph AFB.
Kirby is a major producer of pecans, which grow there naturally. Pecans produce in large quantities between September and November. Neighboring San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Windcrest, Converse, Universal City and Randolph Air Force Base, Kirby is a community of citizens who support the Military and many other employers in the local economy. Kirby has its own fire and police departments. It is also home to two parks. The western half of the park consists of mostly baseball fields, and the eastern section is accommodated with a full range of recreational activities. Residents strive to maintain a small town environment in the city and this can be seen in the character of the various neighborhoods that make up this small suburban city.
Leon Valley
City Offices
210-684-1391
www.leonvalleytexas.gov
Chamber of Commerce
210-364-0177
https://www.nwsachamber.org/
Located northwest of San Antonio is the city of Leon Valley. This city of 9,000 people boasts its own police and fire department. The city is located between the 410 and the 1604 Loops. The area was historically farmland, today it is mostly residential, but there are still a couple of farms, and even some stables around. There are pockets of open land, lending a country feel to what would otherwise be a very busy place. Leon Valley is a very family oriented neighborhood, with Little League and soccer fields right next to the playground, picnic areas, and nature walks all found at the Raymond Rimkus Park. Across the street is the Leon Valley library. For shopping adventures there are several shopping options in the area offering a gamut of entertainment, restaurants, and stores. There are several types of housing options available ranging from the modest to the massive. Homes are built on slightly larger than normal lots, and with all the Live Oak trees, there’s a lot of privacy, shade and beauty. Many communities offer a community pool, tennis court and club house too. Several new-home sub-divisions have been developed in the last several years adding to the community feel. Leon Valley is served by the Northside Independent School District, and many of the schools are considered Texas Exemplary Schools. Northside is known in the San Antonio area for spending money wisely, and making the most of their resources to ensure students receive a top-notch education. O’Connor High School offers an agricultural program that is known state wide, and Marshall High has some of the state’s best musicians.
Live Oak
City Offices
210-653-9140
www.liveoaktx.net
Chamber of Commerce
210-658-8322
https://txtricountychamber.org/
Live Oak is located just 13 miles NE of San Antonio, Texas. The city, which is considered part of the San Antonio metropolitan area, has a population of right around 10,000 residents. The city of Live Oak, which was incorporated in 1960 offer its residents a quiet suburban lifestyle. There are several housing options for residents ranging from small historic ranch homes to large modern homes. There is plenty of shopping, dining and recreation located throughout the area – meaning residents can find all they need close their home. In and around the area are several of the San Antonio area’s major attractions including; the Institute of Texan Cultures which showcases historical, cultural, scientific, and technological exhibits related to the Texas region. The house of Antonio Navarro, a signatory of the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836, is located near the city. The Alamo Plaza, where a small band of Texans held fort against the centralist army of General Antonio, is close to Live Oak. A colonial town house built by the Spanish in the 1740s for the presidio’s commanding officer, is also easily accessible from the city. Activities like tubing, fishing, swimming, hiking, camping, and canoeing can be enjoyed at Guadalupe River State Park. Education is well served in the community as well with good nearby primary schools and the Trinity University, University of the Incarnate Word, and San Antonio College are situated near Live Oak. This community offers residents all the convenience of a small town with the benefits of a major city nearby.
Olmos Park
City Offices
210-824-3281
http://olmospark.org
Olmos Park is home to a population of just over 2,600 residents. The city is completely surrounded by the city of San Antonio. But the city does have its own local government. Olmos Park has a history dating back to the mid 1920’s when H.C. Thorman, a renowned oilman and real estate tycoon, purchased property and developed the suburb that became known as Olmos Park. Residents enjoy both the advantages of a small town and those of a big city. The City prides itself on being a friendly city, with many quiet streets and friendly neighbors. Many architectural styles compliment the neighborhoods and large, beautiful trees form a canopy of shade over many of the local streets. The local business district includes several restaurants, shopping opportunities and service businesses. For theater and the arts, the city of San Antonio offers everything residents could want. For educational opportunities, Olmos Park is located in the Alamo Heights Independent School District. School bus service is provided by the district with a stop at nearly every corner. Olmos Park offers four city parks, the largest of which is Alameda Circle, consisting of one-half acre. There are three major social events held at Alameda Circle each year: the King Antonio party on the first Sunday of Fiesta, the annual 4th of July Parade, and the Night Out event in October.
San Antonio
City Offices
210-207-6000
www.sanantonio.gov
Chamber of Commerce
210-229-2100
www.sachamber.org
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million, the city serves as the county seat of Bexar County. San Antonio has characteristics of other western urban centers in which there are sparsely populated areas and a low density rate outside of the city. It was the fourth-fastest growing large city from 2007 to 2008. The San Antonio–New Braunfels metropolitan area has a population of over 2.14 million based on the most recent census, making it the 25th-largest metropolitan area in the United States and third-largest in Texas. The city was named for San Antonio de Padua, whose feast day is on June 13, when a Spanish expedition stopped in the area in 1691. Famous for Spanish missions, the Alamo, the River Walk, the Tower of the Americas, the Alamo Bowl, and host to SeaWorld and Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme parks, the city is visited by approximately 26 million tourists per year according to the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau. The city is home to the four-time NBA champion San Antonio Spurs and the annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, one of the largest in the country. San Antonio has a strong military presence—it is home to Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base, and Brooks City-Base, with Camp Bullis and Camp Stanley outside the city.
The gateway city to southern Texas, San Antonio remains firmly attached to its cowboy past.
San Antonio’s downtown is one of the most walkable in the Lone Star State, one whose Texican roots and Spanish origins are visible everywhere. It is the only city in the U.S. with five original, still-functioning Spanish Colonial missions. The historic aqueducts still carry water to local farmers.
San Antonio’s South Texas Medical Center, the only medical research and care provider in the area. The business climate in the city is diverse and active. San Antonio is a major trade zone, and a nationally known college town, with significant beer, petroleum and livestock industries, emerging biotechnology and high-tech companies.
More than 25 million visitors come to San Antonio every year, making it the most visited city in Texas. The visitors come to stroll among the shops and restaurants on the famous River Walk, to visit the Alamo, to enjoy family fun at a major theme park, or to examine world-renowned works of art at the Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum.
The City offers residents a large choice of home styles in several distinctive neighborhoods. Historic Alta Vista, in the center of town, boasts some of the most interesting architecture and the oldest homes in the city. Dignowity Hill, another historic district, is undergoing revitalization, and offers some incredible bargains on older homes. Alamo Heights is an upscale suburb, and La Cantera is the city’s first Master Planned Community. With its modern subdivisions, excellent schools and name-brand shopping, the North East and North Central neighborhoods are among the fastest-growing in San Antonio.
Education is very important in the city and the San Antonio Independent School District offers a solid K-12 education, offering parents a choice in selecting the type of academic environment that best fits their child’s unique learning style. Parents may choose from a more traditional setting to magnet programs and internal charters that specialize in a particular theme or subject matter. There are also more than thirty private schools in the area, and many opportunities for higher education, including the University of Texas at San Antonio, one of the fastest-growing universities in Texas, Wayland Baptist University, Trinity University, and five colleges in the Alamo Community College system.
Residents of this big city will find a little everything to suit their tastes, history, culture, recreation, commerce, thriving neighborhoods, quality schools and more making this city a great place to raise a family.
Schertz
City Offices
210-619-1000
http://schertz.com
Chamber of Commerce
210-658-8322
https://txtricountychamber.org/
Schertz is home to more than 18,000 residents and is located in San Antonio’s northeast suburbs. Over the past decade, the one-time farming community has transformed itself into a family oriented city with great diversity. The city of Schertz is adjacent to Randolph Air Force Base. Due to this close proximity, Schertz has a large population of military families who bring a unique mixture of backgrounds and cultures to the area. The City of Schertz is proud of its parks, its public swimming pool, and the city sponsored 4th of July Jubilee. Over 100 acres have been developed for parks and sports fields, which are used regularly with sponsored programs by the Buffalo Valley Youth Association, a non-profit organization, for all sports throughout the year. Public parks also provide picnic facilities and playgrounds. Lighted basketball courts and a Junior Olympic-sized swimming pool are open to the public throughout the summer months. The Fourth of July Jubilee is an annual affair sponsored by the Schertz Business Association and the City of Schertz. This event is one of the highlights of the summer of the city and surrounding area. One of America’s most unique cities-San Antonio- is just minutes away. The Alamo, The River Walk, Tower of Americas, Fiesta Texas, and SeaWorld are just a few of the one-of-a-kind places to visit. There are several large lakes and rivers within the surrounding area that would satisfy most fishermen, divers, picnickers and boaters. The elementary, middle, junior high and high schools located in Schertz provide high quality education from kindergarten through the twelfth grade through the Schertz, Cibolo, Universal City school district. Schertz offers a lifestyle of diverse opportunities, giving residents plenty of choice in both work and play.
Shavano Park
City Offices
210-493-3478
www.shavanopark.org
On the edge of the Texas Hill Country, the City of Shavano Park is located in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area in northwest Bexar County, approximately 12 miles north of downtown San Antonio. It is home to more than 3,000 residents who live in a variety of planned communities throughout the city. Shavano Park is surrounded by the boundaries if the City of San Antonio to the north, east, south, and west. Generally, the City’s boundaries are Loop 1604 on the north, Huebner Road on the south, Lockhill Selma on the west and Salado Creek on the east. Shavano Park offers a lifestyle of quiet community, a place where neighborhoods are full of people who know each other and care. The city offers a full range of city services to the community including police and fire departments. Due to its location within the greater San Antonio City area, Shavano park residents have everything that the big city has to offer at their doorsteps while still being able to enjoy the suburban lifestyle.
Universal City
City Offices
210-659-0333
www.universalcitytexas.com
Chamber of Commerce
210-658-8322
https://txtricountychamber.org/
Universal City is a city in Bexar and Guadalupe Counties. It borders San Antonio to the northeast, and is adjacent to Randolph Air Force Base. It is home to more than 17,500 residents. Universal City is home to professionals, military and civilian, active and retired. Those residents choose from a variety of home styles and sizes in well-planned and regulated subdivisions. Quality of life for residents is assured by performance-based zoning and up-to-date building codes helping to maintain a consistent feel and appeal within the city. Residents enjoy ease access to all of the urban amenities of a big city helped by its location near San Antonio. Recreational opportunities are available to residents both locally in one of the six parks maintained by the city and at some of the numerous state parks, boating and other recreation sites that are just a short distance away. The city also maintains its own golf course, the 18-hole Olympia Hills Golf Course. Families with children have several fine school districts to choose from including several districts from nearby communities. Universal city is a vibrant city with residents that take pride in their community.
Windcrest
City Offices
210-655-0022
http://www.windcrest-tx.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
210-658-8322
https://txtricountychamber.org/
Windcrest is just east of the intersection of Interstate Highway 35 and Loop 410, ten miles northeast of downtown San Antonio. It was developed and incorporated in the late 1950s and rapidly expanded to its current day population of more than 5,500 residents. Windcrest started as an area on the outskirts of a then-developing San Antonio that was mostly known as a ranching community. Only a handful of people lived there, and they loved that they were close enough to the city to benefit from its growing status, and yet just far enough away to have a quiet, close-knit neighborhood. For that reason they applied for city status and on September 15, 1959 received it. This feeling of a quiet close knit community remains today for residents of this city. Windcrest is nicknamed the “City of Lights” because of the annual Christmas lights displays that the area is known for. During the holiday season residents throughout the entire city are encouraged to decorate their homes with lights and displays. This seasonal light up of the town has been a Windcrest tradition for over 50 years. Entire blocks of houses participate in lighting up their houses, often with a theme. This draws thousands of visitors to the community each year to view the amazing displays. The city is home to several parks, a city pool, tennis courts and a municipal golf course – so those looking for recreational opportunities don’t have far to go. For families with children Windcrest is part of the highly desirable North East Independent School District, offering some of the best education in the greater San Antonio area. Judson High School, Clark High and Reagan High are known throughout the city and the state as highly performing schools both academically and athletically. For shopping and dining there are several options in Windcrest as well as in the nearby communities. For a taste of old time community togetherness and the availability of modern necessities Windcrest is a great choice for those looking to settle in this area.
MILITARY BASES
Metropolitan San Antonio is home to three major military bases Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air force Base and Fort Sam Houston. These facilities play a major role in the local economy both in the business sector and in the demographics of the city. In late 2010 Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base and Fort Sam Houston became Joint Base San Antonio, the largest installation in the military and one of 12 joint bases mandated by the Department of Defense 2005 base realignment and closure process. No other joint base in the military has two Air Force bases. At full operational capacity, Joint Base San Antonio will covers nearly 67 square miles and is home to 80,000 military and civilian employees performing 211 missions. The number of students trained annually exceeds138,000 recruits.
Lackland AFB
www.jbsa.mil
Lackland Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force operated by the Air Education and Training Command (AETC). It is located on the west side of San Antonio. It was named after Brigadier General Frank Lackland. Lackland is part of Joint Base San Antonio and is operated by the 502d Air Base Wing. Lackland AFB is the only entry processing station for Air Force enlisted Basic Military Training (BMT). It shared this status temporarily with Amarillo Air Force Base during the Vietnam War until Amarillo AFB’s closure in 1968. Lackland gained a flying mission when adjacent Kelly Air Force Base closed in 2001. The two-mile-long runway is now a joint-use facility between Lackland AFB and the city of San Antonio. The portion of the former Kelly AFB still under USAF control is now known as Lackland AFB/Kelly Field Annex and its permanently based flying units include the Air Force Reserve Command’s (AFRC) 433d Airlift Wing, an Air Mobility Command (AMC) -gained unit flying the C-5 Galaxy and the 149th Fighter Wing of the Texas Air National Guard, an AETC-gained unit flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The civilian side of the former Kelly AFB is now known as Port San Antonio and hosts numerous major DoD defense contractors such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, many of which directly or indirectly support major overhaul and repair of military aircraft previously conducted, and in facilities previously occupied, by the Air Force’s former San Antonio Air Logistics Center (SA-ALC) when Kelly was an active Air Force Logistics Command (AFLC) and Air Force Material Command (AFMC) installation. Lackland AFB also hosts a collection of vintage military aircraft on static display on its parade grounds, including a B-52 Stratofortress, F-4 Phantom II, SR-71 Blackbird, C-121 Constellation, B-17 Flying Fortress and a B-25 Mitchell.
Randolph AFB
www.jbsa.mil
Randolph Air Force Base (Randolph AFB) is a base of the United States Air Force located at Universal City, Texas, near San Antonio. Dedicated June 20, 1930, as a flying training base, it continues with that mission today. The base is named after Captain William Millican Randolph, a native of Austin, who was on the base naming committee at the time of his death in a crash. It serves as headquarters of the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) as well as the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) and is known as “the Showplace of the Air Force” because of the Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture in which all structures including hangars were constructed. The symbol of the base is a large water tower atop Building 100, housing the headquarters for Randolph’s major flying unit, the 12th Flying Training Wing (12 FTW). Another AETC unit, the 502d Air Base Wing (502 ABW) is the host wing for Randolph. A recently established organization, the 502 ABW assumed host wing duties from the 12 FTW, allowing the latter to concentrate on flight operations and training. Randolph AFB operates parallel runways on either side of its main installation facilities and conducts 24-hour-a-day flight training operations. Tenant units of Randolph AFB also include the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC), Air Force Manpower Agency, Air Force Office of Special Investigations Field Investigations Region 4 and the Air Force Recruiting Service.
Fort Sam Houston
www.jbsa.mil
Fort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio; it is part of Joint Base San Antonio. Known colloquially as “Fort Sam,” it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston.
The installation’s missions include serving as the command headquarters for the United States Army North (formerly the Fifth United States Army), United States Army South, the Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) headquarters, the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Center and School, the Fifth Recruiting Brigade, Navy Regional Recruiting, the San Antonio Military Entrance and Processing Station, and the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC).
