Little Rock Air Force Base Guide | 19th Airlift Wing, Housing & LRAFB Overview

Quick Answer: Little Rock Air Force Base Overview

Little Rock AFB (LRAFB) is located in Jacksonville, AR, 15 miles northeast of downtown Little Rock. It’s home to the 19th Airlift Wing — the Air Force’s largest C-130 training base — plus the 314th Airlift Wing (AFRC) and 189th Airlift Wing (ANG). On-base housing is managed by Balfour Beatty/Covenant Communities. The base has a commissary, BX, fitness centers, golf course, and full MWR facilities. Off-base, housing is very affordable ($150K–$300K). 2026 E-5 BAH with dependents is $1,479/mo. For help finding a home near LRAFB, call Ashley Watters: (501) 951-9200.

Received orders to Little Rock Air Force Base? Here’s everything you need to know about the base itself — from the mission and units to housing, facilities, and what to expect when you arrive.

LRAFB Mission and Major Units

19th Airlift Wing (Host Unit)

The 19th Airlift Wing is the host unit at LRAFB and one of the most important airlift wings in the Air Force. Key facts:

  • Mission: Fly, fight, and win — airlift and airdrop operations worldwide
  • Aircraft: C-130J Super Hercules (the most advanced variant of the iconic C-130)
  • Parent command: Air Mobility Command (AMC), headquartered at Scott AFB, IL
  • History: LRAFB has been an airlift base since the 1950s and is the Air Force’s primary C-130 training location
  • Size: The base covers approximately 6,200 acres with around 7,000 military personnel and thousands of civilian employees and contractors

314th Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve)

The 314th AW is an Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) unit co-located at LRAFB. It flies the C-130H and trains with the 19th AW. Reserve members assigned here are part of the Total Force Integration mission that makes LRAFB unique.

189th Airlift Wing (Arkansas Air National Guard)

The Arkansas Air National Guard’s 189th AW is also based at LRAFB, flying the C-130H3. It has a proud history of deployments and state emergency response missions.

Other Tenant Units

LRAFB hosts numerous smaller tenant units and commands, including maintenance, intelligence, weather, communications, and joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) training elements.

On-Base Housing at LRAFB

Covenant Communities (Balfour Beatty)

On-base family housing is managed by Covenant Communities, a subsidiary of Balfour Beatty Military Housing. The housing includes:

  • Varied floor plans from 2-bedroom to 4-bedroom homes
  • Neighborhoods organized by rank (junior enlisted, senior enlisted, officer)
  • Utilities (electricity up to a threshold) included in rent
  • Playgrounds, community centers, and on-base amenities

Wait times: On-base housing wait times vary significantly by rank and family size. Junior enlisted families may wait weeks to months. Many service members choose to live off-base immediately upon arrival using their BAH.

Referral to off-base: If you prefer not to wait for on-base housing, Ashley Watters specializes in helping LRAFB families find off-base homes quickly — including sight-unseen purchases before PCS arrival.

2026 BAH Rates at Little Rock AFB

Rank With Dependents Without Dependents Covers Mortgage on:
E-4 $1,137 $921 ~$165K home
E-5 $1,479 $1,173 ~$210K home
E-6 $1,575 $1,254 ~$225K home
E-7 $1,674 $1,326 ~$240K home
O-3 $1,872 $1,539 ~$265K home
O-4 $2,007 $1,596 ~$290K home

*Mortgage estimates assume 6.75% VA loan rate, 30 years, including estimated taxes and insurance. Rates vary.

LRAFB Base Facilities & Amenities

Shopping and Dining

  • Base Exchange (BX) — Full-service department store with clothing, electronics, home goods, and more at tax-free prices
  • Commissary — Full grocery store with savings averaging 25–30% below civilian grocery prices
  • Gas Station — On-base fuel at discounted prices
  • Food Court — Fast food and dining options on base
  • Class VI Store — Beer, wine, and spirits at military prices

Fitness and Recreation

  • Fitness centers — Multiple gyms with weights, cardio, group fitness, and pools
  • Grider Field Golf Course — 18-hole course; extremely affordable rates for military members
  • Outdoor Recreation (ODR) — Equipment rentals: kayaks, camping gear, bicycles, and more
  • Bowling Center — Full bowling alley with affordable lanes
  • Youth Center — Programs for military children including after-school care, summer camps, and youth sports
  • Auto Hobby Shop — Vehicle lifts, tools, and bay space for DIY maintenance
  • Movie Theater — On-base cinema with current releases

Support Services

  • Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) — Career counseling, financial counseling, deployment support, relocation assistance, and family services
  • Chapel — Protestant and Catholic services; chaplains available for counseling
  • Legal Office — Free legal assistance for active-duty members (wills, powers of attorney, etc.)
  • Military Family Life Counselors (MFLC) — Confidential mental health support
  • School Liaison Officer — Helps military families navigate school enrollment and transfers
  • Military OneSource — 24/7 support resources available to all LRAFB families

Healthcare

  • 19th Medical Group — Full-service military medical facility on base providing primary care, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and specialty care
  • TRICARE — Eligible beneficiaries can also access civilian TRICARE providers in the Little Rock metro area

LRAFB Location and Commuting

LRAFB’s address is in Jacksonville, AR. The base is:

  • 15 miles northeast of downtown Little Rock via US-67/167
  • Adjacent to the city of Jacksonville (5 minutes)
  • 20 minutes from Cabot (most popular off-base community)
  • 20–25 minutes from Sherwood and North Little Rock
  • 30–35 minutes from Conway
  • 25–30 minutes from most of Little Rock proper

Traffic in Central Arkansas is minimal compared to larger duty stations. Rush hour on US-67/167 adds 5–10 minutes at most. Most LRAFB personnel enjoy commutes under 25 minutes from popular off-base communities.

Off-Base Communities: Where LRAFB Families Live

The most popular communities for LRAFB families living off-base:

  • Jacksonville — Right next to the base; most convenient; very affordable homes ($140K–$200K)
  • Cabot — 20 min east; A-rated school district; most popular for school-age families; homes $190K–$290K
  • Sherwood — 20 min west; mix of older and newer homes; easy access to North Little Rock employers; $175K–$260K
  • Maumelle — 25 min southwest; planned community on Arkansas River; excellent trails and parks; $220K–$350K
  • Conway — 35 min; college town; top schools; best for families prioritizing lifestyle amenities; $225K–$330K
  • North Little Rock — 20 min; urban feel; close to VA medical, restaurants, and entertainment; $155K–$280K

PCS’ing to LRAFB? Ashley Has You Covered.

Ashley Watters is a military spouse and VA loan specialist who has helped dozens of LRAFB families find the right off-base home — including sight-unseen purchases before arrival. She knows every community near the base, every school district, and exactly how to match your family’s needs to the right neighborhood.

Call or text: (501) 951-9200

View Full PCS Housing Guide →

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