HOLLOMAN AFB
AIR FORCE
Alamogordo, NM
United States
HOLLOMAN AFB
AIR FORCE
Alamogordo, NM
United States
Holloman AFB
Base Essentials
Home of F-16 training and German Air Force F/A-18 operations in the Tularosa Basin near Alamogordo, NM — a remote desert posting with access to White Sands and the Sacramento Mountains.
Base Details
Type
Air Force Base
Branch
AIR FORCE
Command
ACC
Status
Active
Est.
1942
Acres
59,600
Active Duty
5,000
Civilian
1,200
Population
65,000
Economic Impact
$700 million
Holloman AFB History
Named AfterColonel George V. Holloman
Holloman Air Force Base near Alamogordo, New Mexico, was established in 1942 and is situated adjacent to the White Sands Missile Range. It has a long history of weapons testing, missile development, and flight training. Today Holloman is home to fighter and drone operations, including MQ-9 Reaper training. The base has undergone mission changes over the years as aircraft types have rotated in and out. Its proximity to vast restricted airspace and test ranges makes it a versatile installation for training and evaluation missions.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
49th Wing
—
—
MQ-9 Reaper Training
—
—
Historic Timeline
1942
Established as Alamogordo Army Air Field
1954
High-Speed Test Track Completed
1996
German Air Force Training Begins
—
View Key Moments
(3)
1942
Established as Alamogordo Army Air Field
The installation opened in 1942 for WWII pilot and bombardier training in southern New Mexico. It was redesignated Holloman Air Force Base in 1948 in honor of Colonel George V. Holloman, a pioneer in guided missile development killed in a 1946 crash.
1954
High-Speed Test Track Completed
Holloman's 10-mile rocket sled test track — the longest in the world — was completed in 1954 and used to test ejection seats, equipment, and human tolerance at extreme speeds. Colonel John Stapp reached 632 mph on the track in 1954, setting a land speed record at the time.
1996
German Air Force Training Begins
The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) established its primary F-4 and later Tornado and Eurofighter pilot training program at Holloman in 1996 under a bilateral agreement with the United States. The German Air Force Flying Training Center remains one of the most unique international partnerships on a U.S. base.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Holloman AFB.
Holloman AFB Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Holloman AFB.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Holloman AFB.
Information
17 of the Best Holloman AFB Restaurants
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Information
Holloman Air Force Base: In-Depth Welcome Center
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Information
19 Of the Best Things to Do Near Holloman AFB
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Information
Holloman AFB Housing: On-Base Options
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Military News
Malmstrom AFB PCB Levels Raise Cancer Risk for Missileers
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Holloman AFB.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
49th Force Support Squadron — Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC)
Phone
(575) 572-7754Hours
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 0800–1600; Thu: 1030–1600
In-Processing
Upon arrival, personnel notify their sponsor and CSS, who register them for the Holloman Newcomer Orientation and schedule a Welcome Center appointment. The Military Personnel Flight is in Building 222. Personnel should bring orders, lodging confirmation, birth certificates, marriage license, social security cards, vehicle registration, pet health records, and school records. After-hours arrivals check in at the Holloman Inn lodging office.
The M&FRC Relocation Assistance Program at (575) 572-7754 or 49FSS.MFRC.RelocationServices@us.af.mil assists with sponsor coordination. The Holloman Newcomer Orientation covers base services, community resources, and the White Sands/Alamogordo area.
Holloman AFB is home to the 49th Wing (F-16 adversary training, MQ-9 Reaper, T-38) and hosts German Air Force training units. Located near Alamogordo, NM, with White Sands National Park and the Sacramento Mountains nearby. The M&FRC provides community orientation for the rural New Mexico environment.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Holloman AFB.
On-post family housing at Holloman AFB is managed by Balfour Beatty Communities. The on-post neighborhoods offer 2–4 bedroom homes convenient to the flight line; given the base's remote desert location at the foot of the Sacramento Mountains, on-post housing is popular with families who value short commutes and base community access. Holloman AFB is located adjacent…
Local Market
$1,050/mo
rent
/
$220,000
avg. home
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Cost of Living Around Holloman AFB
78
22% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Holloman AFB.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison Officer
1
Middle Schools
View schools
1
High Schools
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Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Holloman AFB sits in the Tularosa Basin of southern New Mexico near Alamogordo, home to F-16 training and the German Air Force training program. The White Sands desert setting is dramatic, with White Sands National Park directly adjacent to the base. Alamogordo is the primary off-post community, and El Paso provides metro-level amenities 90 miles south on US-70.
Alamogordo
Small Town
Otero County's main city and the primary community for Holloman families, Alamogordo has a functional retail market anchored by Walmart and Albertsons, a community hospital, and Alamogordo Public Schools. Housing is very affordable. The city sits at the base of the Sacramento Mountains with White Sands National Park to the west — arguably the most dramatic natural setting of any US base community. New Mexico has generally favorable military tax treatment.
Commute: 8 min
Schools: Alamogordo Public Schools
Families with kids
Outdoorsy types
Retirees
Pet owners
Budget-friendly
White Sands NP at your doorstep, Sacramento Mountains access, very affordable housing, Cloudcroft ski area nearby
Tularosa
Small Town
A historic small town north of Alamogordo on US-70, Tularosa has preserved adobe architecture, an annual Rose Festival, and agricultural character. Tularosa Municipal Schools serve the community. Housing is even more affordable than Alamogordo, and families who want a genuine New Mexico small-town experience without the tourist development of Ruidoso choose Tularosa. The commute to Holloman via US-70 is about 20 minutes.
Commute: 20 min
Schools: Tularosa Municipal Schools
Budget-friendly
Families with kids
Retirees
Pet owners
Historic adobe character, Rose Festival, very affordable, peaceful agricultural community, easy US-70 commute
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Holloman AFB.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Partially exempt
Retirement Pay
Fully exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
New Mexico provides a deduction for active duty military pay for New Mexico legal residents. New Mexico income tax rates…
Spouse Income Tax
Under MSRRA, military spouses may maintain their legal domicile outside New Mexico for New Mexico income tax purposes. A…
Vehicle Registration
New Mexico charges a 4% motor vehicle excise tax on vehicle purchases. Military members who are not New Mexico legal res…
Property Tax
New Mexico has among the lowest property tax rates in the nation. Doña Ana County (WSMR, Holloman), Curry County (Cannon…
Pet Policies at Holloman AFB
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Holloman AFB.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
8
Prohibited Animals
4
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Holloman AFB.
Commissary
1
Holloman AFB Commissary
Exchange
BX
Mon–Sat 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Medical
1
49th Medical Group Clinic — Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Holloman AFB.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Main Gate is the main visitor access gate and is open 24 hours a day. Other gates are restricted to military and DoD ID holders — see the Gates section for full schedules.
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02
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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03
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for Holloman AFB.
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04
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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05
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near Holloman AFB.
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Question
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.