welcome to kirtland

Congratulations on your assignment to Kirtland AFB!  You are in for an adventure here in New Mexico – the Land of Enchantment.
 
Our state offers everything from breathtaking sunsets to extraordinary local cuisine…New Mexico has it all.  Whether you are visiting or moving to Kirtland, you can find the information you need in our Kirtland App and on our official website, www.kirtland.af.mil.
 
Kirtland Air Force Base is a dynamic and exciting place. Every member of Team Kirtland contributes to our Air Force Mission, to fly, fight and win - in air, space and cyberspace.  We have more than 25 major mission partners and five MAJCOMs represented: Air Education and Training Command, AF Global Strike Command, AF Materiel Command, AF Space Command and Air Combat Command.  We are also home of the 150th Air National Guard and other government agencies, such as Sandia National Laboratories.  Together, we have a tremendous impact on our National Defense. 
 
During your time here at Kirtland, I urge you to develop yourself personally and professionally.  "Leadership Pathways” is designed to help you increase your knowledge and abilities to be a strong, resilient Wingman for both yourself and others.  The Wingman concept is essential to building fit, resilient and ready Airmen by dedicating time to focus on individual and unit wellness, as well as fostering a culture of Airmen taking care of Airmen.
 
Please reach out to your sponsor early and often with any questions or concerns you may have.  Your sponsor should be personally involved in getting you and your family settled quickly and smoothly!  While you are assigned here, connect with your unit’s Key Spouses to help your spouse acclimate to base and local conditions.  Ask your sponsor how to get in touch with your unit’s key spouse.  Additionally, Kirtland has many active clubs led by Airmen like you – I guarantee you will find something for you and your family to plug into and have some fun!
 
On behalf of the 377th Air Base Wing’s Fighting Tigers, welcome.  We look forward to proudly Serving Freedom’s Finest!  
 
Col. Michael Power
Commander, 377th Air Base Wing
Host Wing of Kirtland AFB, New Mexico

KAFB Mission Video (click here)

 

Where Is Kirtland?

Kirtland Air Force Base is located in the southeast corner of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The base is approximately 70 miles southwest of the state capital of Santa Fe.

Albuquerque is the most populous city in New Mexico, totaling over 562,000 as of the 2020 estimate from the US Census Bureau. The city is home to the International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot air balloon gathering in the world. The world famous Route 66 runs through the southern half of the city.

Kirtland AFB covers more than 50,000 acres and employs over 23,300 people, including more than 3,500 active duty and 1,000 Guard and Reserve, 3,700 civil service, 400 nonappropriated fund employees, and 1,900 contractors. The base supports more than 25 major mission partners, to include Sandia National Laboratory which employs more than 12,600 people.

 

 

NEWCOMER'S ORIENTATION

  

Part I: Briefings

Team Kirtland Newcomers’ Welcome Orientation is for newly assigned Military and Civilian personnel to accomplish essential briefings including: Kirtland AFB Leadership, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Legal Office (JAG), Inspector General (IG), Equal Opportunity (EO), Safety, Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI), Public Affairs (PA), and Emergency Management. 

The 377th Medical Group will be present to conduct the Medical Right Start briefing for Military personnel and their families. 

Part II: Base Tour

Participants will immediately load the busses for an exclusive guided tour to become familiar with base facilities. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Kirtland AFB and its surrounding community. 

Part III: Information Fair

The day will conclude with visiting community partners in the Information Fair of on- and off-base agencies. 

A light breakfast and lunch is provided. Registration is required. Spouses are encouraged to attend.

Leadership Pathways Points = 60 points (Awarded for Spouses Only) 

Please register by calling the Military & Family Readiness Flight at (505) 846-0741 or (505) 846-0751, via email at Kirtland.FamilySupportEmployment@us.af.mil, or visit us at the Consolidated Support Facility, Suite 126.

Additional Information

Here are important links to information about Kirtland Air Force Base.

Kirtland Drone Policy

Privately Owned Weapon Policy

Welcome Center

Kirtland Airmen and their families can in-process in one central location as opposed to visiting various offices across the installation. Click here.

FIND YOUR SQUAD

Driving in New Mexico

Shipping your vehicle to/from Kirtland

The nearest Vehicle Processing Centers to Kirtland are in Dallas and San Diego.

Before shipping your POV, you should consider the following:

Import Requirements:
Read more about the import requirements for the U.S. here: http://www.bordercenter.org/chem/vehicles.htm

Body damage:
If your car has severe body damage it will not be allowed on the road

Tires:
Tires must have a minimum of 1/16 of an inch ( or 1.6 mm) depth over the entire tread and the required to be the sizes recommended by the manufacturer and do not stick out beyond the fender.

Miscellaneous:
Check your lights, exhaust system, seatbelts, brakes, windshield and windows (for cracks)

Recommendation:
Remove "pull-out" radios, cassette decks, and CD players should be removed to reduce the chance of pilferage;

Tinted windows:
Tint is authorized on the driver or passenger windows or the windshield.

For more information inspections and guidelines, check out the latest information on  http://www.pcsmypov.com 

New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department:
The New Mexico MVD's closest location is on Menual Blvd. and can be reached by phone at 805-292-4570, M-F 8 a.m. to12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

https://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/maps-and-locations/​ 

Military information:
http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/military.aspx

Insurance:
Proof of insurance is required for New Mexico. Check with your insurance company to make sure your policy meets the minimum requirements for New Mexico.

Car Seats:
N.M. Law requires children under 6 years of age and under 60 pounds to be in a car/booster seat. If the child is still under 60 pounds after age 6, they must remain in a booster seat until they reach 60 pounds.

Motorcycles:
Riding can be fun, but it can also be dangerous. To mitigate some of the inherent risk associated with motorcycle riding, the AFGSC Commander and the 377 ABW Commander have implemented a few specific requirements. "DOT only" type helmets are required by all military members on or off base. testing standards. A rider must have Motorcycle Safety Foundation training less than three years old. Sportbike riders must have had a sportbike specific course between 60 and 365 days after their initial course. AFI 91-207 has more information on requirements.

Licensing:
A valid U.S. drivers license from any state will be valid to drive in New Mexico. If you need a license, the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department has a licensing program. Click the link for more information: http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/drivers-license.aspx

Registration:
Vehicles with valid registrations to other U.S. states are acceptable. If purchasing a vehicle, you can register the vehicle and get plates at any New Mexico MVD location. Tap here for more: http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/vehicle-registration.aspx

Emissions Certification in Bernalillo County:

You are required to complete your personal vehicle emissions testing self-certification within 30 days. This process is required of all Federal employees who work at KIRTLAND AFB in order to comply with Clean Air Act Section 118(d). This simple 3-step certification process should take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Complete the web-based self-certification at the following link: https://apims.af.mil/apims/ecars/cert/init.ecars?id=698337&esc=t.

What You Need To Complete The Certification:
• Common Access Card (CAC)
• Computer with internet access and CAC reader
• Information about the vehicle(s) you drive/park at work including: Make, Model, Year and Fuel Type
• The Certification Authority (normally the county) granting the emissions certificate
• Date of next required emissions test

What Happens If I Do Not Complete The Certification?
Failure to complete the vehicle emissions testing self-certification process could result in administrative action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I don't think this requirement applies to me. Am I still required to complete the web-based self-certification?
A: Yes. All Federal employees (civilian and military) are required to complete the self-certification process. This process usually takes less than 5 minutes to complete.

Q: What if I don't work at KIRTLAND AFB?
A: You are still required to complete the self-certification process. Simply click on the link provided, answer "No" to the first question in the questionnaire and then digitally sign the form.

Q. Smog checks are not required in the area I register my vehicle. Do I still need to complete the web-based self-certification?
A: Yes.

Q: My vehicle was emissions tested in another locale. Will that test meet this emissions test requirement?
A: Maybe. The system will prompt you to specify the county/municipality that performed your emissions test. If necessary, you will be directed to take further action.

Q: My vehicle is exempt from emissions testing. Do I need to complete this process?
A: Yes.

Where Can I Get Additional Information?
Review your local certification program policy by clicking on the following link   https://apims.af.mil/ECARS/Kirtland_AFB_Policy_Letter.pdf.  Additional information can be found at   http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/emission-testing.aspx.    

For more information, contact kirtlandairquality@us.af.mil or 505-846-2522. If you're having technical difficulties, contact help@apims-support.com or call (800) 274-4406.

Pre-Arrival / Arrival Information

Sponsor Program

First step -- Contact your unit to obtain a sponsor!

No matter how many times you've PCS'd or even if you've been assigned to Kirtland before, you need to make contact with your sponsor to make sure you're aware of the latest in-processing policies and requirements BEFORE you arrive.

Your sponsor is the key to your successful PCS! He or she will save you valuable time and hassle before, during, and after your arrival. Keep in mind that when a sponsor is assigned to an active duty member with a family, they do not only sponsor the active duty member; they address the needs of the entire family including pets.

Your assigned squadron will appoint you a sponsor. If your sponsor hasn't contacted you within a week after you receive your orders, please obtain your  sponsor's contact information through the gaining squadron, or through 377 FSS/FSMP Customer Service at 505-846-2354 or 377FSS.FSMPS@us.af.mil. If additional help is required you can also contact the Military & Family Readiness Flight at 505-846-0741 or kirtland.familysupportemployment@us.af.mil

Within your first week of arrival, military members will be required to attend the Newcomers Briefing. The briefing is held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Mountain View Club.

Temporary Lodging

You do not need your orders to make a reservation!  You should make your lodging reservation as soon as you know your anticipated arrival date.  Be sure to provide lodging an update if your anticipated travel-date changes.  Changes to travel dates could result in on-base accommodations or a specific room type to no longer be available for the duration of the stay.

All lodging guests must provide a valid credit card and government identification card for verification purposes at time of check-in.  Guests who do not have a valid credit card at check-in must pay for the entire stay up front with check or cash.

Lodging facilities are located on the east side of the base.  Lodging provides family, officer and enlisted quarters on a priority basis to all military and authorized civilians relocating to and visiting Kirtland. The maximum TLA stay is 10  days, if available when booking - there is no guarantee that you will be offered a Temporary Living Facility on your assigned installation.  It is likely that individuals and families may be required to stay off-base during peak travel periods.  A limited number of pet-friendly TLFs are available on Kirtland AFB.  If non-pet TLFs are available, occupants will obtain appropriate care for their pets when pet units are not available.

You can make your own reservations or your sponsor can assist you online by calling the central reservations desk at DSN: 312-246-9653 or 505-846-9653.

The Kirtland lodging office is located at Bldg 22016 on the east side of the base. 

Single and/or Unaccompanied E-4s and Below
Single or unaccompanied military members in grades E-1 through E-4 ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TEMPORARY LODGING ALLOWANCE. UH is provided for unaccompanied Airmen in the ranks of E-1 to E-3 and E-4 with less than 3 years of service. Each Airman is provided a private sleeping room, furnishings, bed linens and supplies required for comfortable living.

Ensure your sponsor obtains a copy of your orders prior to arrival. This will help with placing you in your permanent room quicker. Also give the ADLs here at Kirtland a call to ensure you have all the correct information prior to arrival.

If you arrive on the weekend or after normal duty hours, have your sponsor make arrangements to pick up your room key from the UH Management Office or acquire a hospitality room for you until you can meet with an ADL or UH Management Chief. If you obtain your room key outside of normal duty hours, it is still a mandatory requirement to report to the UH Management Office the next duty day for in-processing.

Unaccompanied Housing: Bldg 20222 : DSN: 312-253-5479 COMM: 505-853-5479

Mail / U.S. Postal Service

Persons wishing to send packages to themselves or forward their mail when PCSing. 
The Kirtland Official Mail Center will hold their mail for 30 days. If there is a situation where they know they will be delayed and need to go beyond the 30 days, they will need to call and let them know.

Send mail or packages to:

Your Name
2050 2nd Street SE
General Delivery
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117 

Newcomers:
Your sponsor will go to BLDG 20204 and request a temporary mailbox for you. Usually, this mailbox can be kept for 3 months on a space available basis.

Call 505-846-7718 for more information.

If you are sending packages in advance of your arrival, please ensure to keep in mind the following tips: 

Check your mail regularly: If you're expecting packages or you receive multiple catalogs, we ask that you check your mail receptacle daily. You will be contacted by the post office if mail has accumulated in your box for over 30 days.

How to prevent returned mail: If you are going TDY or taking leave en-route, please contact customer service to place your receptacle on hold. This will help prevent your package being "returned to sender". If you would like to allow someone else to check your mail, please fill out a PS Form 3801(Standing Delivery Order) at Customer Service. Please keep in mind that the person you designate must have MPS privileges and this service cannot be used for convenience.

Mailing restrictions: You are not allowed to ship alcoholic beverages, coffee and coffee products, cigarettes and other tobacco products, drugs, drug paraphernalia and prescription medication, supplements(containing prohibited ingredients), firearms and explosives, meat, poultry, and milk by-products, pornography, pirated trademark items, and lithium batteries. Do not use your PO Box address to run a business. Customs Officials conduct random inspections at the post office for prohibited items. For more guidance and information on mailing restrictions, contact your local post office before sending items.

Good luck and welcome to New Mexico!