Laughlin Air Force Base

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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

*Laughlin Air Force Base prides itself on having one of the most complete Services Division and Recreational Services in the Air Force. A variety of exciting leisure activities are available to active duty military members, their family members, and DOD civilians. Everyone is encouraged to be part of the fun and adventure by participating in organized sporting events, aquatics, outdoor recreation, entertainment, crafts, and many other high-energy and enriching programs.

*Del Rio is a colorful and festive town with a variety of events during the year.  Visit the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce website for an updated calendar of events scheduled in and around Del Rio.  The Firehouse Gallery is home of the Del Rio Council for the Arts.  It is so named because it occupies the former city hall and fire station built in 1922.  The Firehouse Gallery has new exhibits of artwork each month for free viewing and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

*The Whitehead Memorial Museum has guided tours and exhibits of the "Old West."  The museum includes the historic old Perry Store, once the largest mercantile establishment between San Antonio and El Paso.  Graves of Judge Roy Bean and his son, Sam, are on the grounds near a replica of the Jersey Lilly, housing memorabilia of the Judge.  It features a Mexican-American display, numerous pioneer objects and an International Chapel dedicated to the memory of the Spaniard who brought Christianity to the region. The museum's beautiful grounds make it a popular site for social functions.

*The Val Verde Winery, Texas is the oldest (and for many years only) licensed winery, is a family enterprise in its third generation.  It was founded by the Qualia family who came to the U.S. and Del Rio from Italy in 1883.  It is in one of Del Rio's most beautiful areas at 100 Qualia Drive. The winery can be reached from downtown by going south on Pecan Street.  Visitors to this historical landmark are accorded a free tour and wine tasting session.

*Amistad Dam is located 12 miles west of Del Rio on Spur 349 off of U.S. Highway 90.  It is the third largest international man-made lake in the world.  The dam has a 254 foot-high concrete section spanning the Rio Grande with flanking earth embankment.  The whole structure is approximately six miles long.  The reservoir covers some 67,000 acres, extending 78 miles up the Rio Grande, 25 miles up Devil's River and 14 miles up the Pecos River.  The dam has a border crossing station open to motor vehicle traffic between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.  There is a visitor center; public rest rooms are available.  Tlaloc - "The Rain God" is on a pedestal of fitted stone at the Mexican end of Amistad Dam.  It is approximately 23 feet tall, made of special stone from Mexico City by sculptor Ramiro S. Gabino and then carried in small sections and fitted together at the site in the summer of 1969.  It is the only copy of the original carved from volcanic rock by the Teotihaucan people who lived in the Valley of Mexico before the Aztec.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

*Services Division provides a variety of activities to base youth.  Indoor table games, music and study lounge, field trips, ballroom, and snack bar that is open daily.  The schedule of events is published and distributed throughout the base in a calendar form two weeks before the beginning of the month to allow for planning. 

*San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District has membership available in clubs and organizations sponsored by the school.  Ask your school counselor for a current listing.

*The City of Del Rio also hosts Basketball, Flag Football, and Softball seasons.  Although basketball and flag football seasons have a life span of about 2½ months each, softball season is from about the middle of March to the middle of November.  It has 4 seasons played which are the spring, summer, fall, and winter seasons.  There are 3 leagues in softball: Competitive League, Recreational, and the Sunday League teams.  For more information on City League Sports, please feel free to contact the Del Rio Parks and Recreation at (830) 774-8541 or just go to their office on 201 Avenue P.

* Del Rio has the Del Rio Del Youth Soccer Association as well as a Skate Park located in the vicinity of the Creekwalk and Amphitheater.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

*The Laughlin Chapel provides a variety of programs for children and adolescents. The Chapel also has Vacation Bible School (VBS) for children in Kindergarten to 6th grade.

HUNTING & FISHING

*The area in and around Del Rio/Laughlin AFB has long been recognized as one of the best hunting spots in Southwest Texas.  There are numerous deer and turkey.  Dove and quail are abundant throughout the entire county.  Javelina can also be found in the rugged country.  In addition, area has one of the finest lakes in Texas offering ample opportunities for fishing and boating.

*The area in and around Del Rio has long been recognized as one of the best hunting spots in Southwest Texas.  There are numerous aoudads, mouflons, white-tailed deer, mule deer, red and gray fox, javelina, and the Rio Grande turkey that can be found in the rugged country near Del Rio. Dove and quail are abundant throughout the entire country, too. 

*For those of you who love to hunt, there are a couple of exotic game ranches in and around Val Verde County.  There is also on-base hunting and for more information contact the Security Forces office.

*Fishing is fun in Amistad Reservoir.  Bass, perch, alligator gar, carp, strippers, and catfish are plentiful; and the cool, clear waters of this mammoth inland sea make the catches a gourmet's delight.  The lake, already well-stocked with fish, is regularly restocked by the Texas Fish and Game Department.  There are also monthly Bass Tournaments held at the Amistad Lake. Fishermen from all over come to compete against each other to try and win the monthly prize.  Amistad Lake has records recorded of catches of over 35 pounds for catfish, 210 pounds for alligator gar with 95 inches in length, 45 pounds for stripped bass, 15.58 pounds for large mouth bass, and a 17.93 pound 32 inch mirror carp.  By far, the Amistad Reservoir offers one of the best fishing experiences in Texas.

*Developments of the recreation areas on the lake by the National Park Service include free public boat-launching facilities, campgrounds, and picnic areas.  Boats, bait, and supplies are available at the lake.