Research laboratory civilians visit new home Published May 10, 2007 By J. Rich Garcia Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- There were about 60 of them and they traveled more than 2,000 miles this week to see their new home. For most of the week, these 60 Air Force Research Laboratory employees and their spouses from Hanscom AFB, Mass., toured the Albuquerque area and Kirtland AFB to preview what may be their new home. The group is part of more than 200 employees at the laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate who work at the Boston-area base but who are slated to move here within the next five years. For most of these people, it was their first look at the Albuquerque area, a trip designed to ease their transition to New Mexico. They were given presentations on real estate, schools, medical care, legal considerations, spousal employment opportunities, cultural and leisure activities. They toured the directorate's technical facilities and met with community leaders, management officials and future co-workers.