The 47th Mission Support Group (MSG) is charged with taking care of the daily operational needs of Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. The mission of the MSG is to provide the highest quality support, most responsive customer service, and the best morale, welfare, and recreation programs to enable graduation of the world’s best pilots, deployment of mission-ready warriors and development of professional and confident leaders.
The history of the 47th MSG dates to Aug. 22, 1948, when the 47th Air Base Group (ABG) was activated and assigned to the 47th Bombardment Wing, Light. The wing flew the B/TB-26 Marauder and C-47 Skytrain aircraft from Biggs Army Airfield in El Paso, Texas, and later at Barksdale Army Airfield, Louisiana, until October 1949.
The wing and group were then assigned to Langley Airfield, Virginia, until March 1951. The 47th ABG was then assigned to 17th Air Force at RAF Sculthorpe, England, until its deactivation in August 1962.
From 1948 until 1962, the mission of the 47th ABG was to provide base housekeeping services and support functions associated with the operation and administration of the base. Components of the group included air police, services, communications, field maintenance, finance, food services, motor vehicle, supply and even tactical hospital and crash boat rescue support for the wing's varied missions.
In September 1972, the group was reactivated at Laughlin, under the redesignated 47th Flying Training Wing.
Today, through five squadrons and one flight under the 47th MSG, they provide mission support to 28 units and over 5,700 personnel, with oversight and protection of assets valued at $2.1 billion, 808 facilities/infrastructure assets, 9.5 miles of runways/taxiways on 5,343 acres.
The 47th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) is responsible for the cradle-to-grave planning, construction, maintenance and repair, protection, and operation of 808 facilities and infrastructure real property assets and four runways across 5,343 acres at four geographically separated locations valued at $2.1 billion. The 47 CES is the lead agency for the Laughlin AFB’s civil engineer functions: Installation Management (including environmental, resources, information technology, housing, and real property); Operations (including facility and infrastructure sustainment, grounds maintenance, custodial services, and refuse management); Engineering (including project design/construction/management, community planning, energy, and GeoBase); Fire and Emergency Services; and Emergency Management programs. The Squadron generates trained and equipped expeditionary Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force for worldwide deployments.
The 47th Force Support Squadron (FSS) is responsible for all quality-of-life operations for over 5,700 Laughlin AFB Airman and is responsible for $5.4 million in business operations and assets. The FSS provides these services through administration and knowledge operations, casualty support, military and civilian personnel, education and training services, family support, professional military education and wing mentoring. The FSS also provides facilities and leisure activities that encourage, develop and maintain the mental, physical and social well-being of all active duty, reserve and guard service members and retirees and their family members throughout approximately 26,000 square miles of Southwest Texas.
The 47th Communications Squadron (47 CS) is responsible for the planning, security, and operations and maintenance of the base classified and unclassified computer, telephone, and radio infrastructure. The 47th CS maintains over 4,000 information technology assets and over 200 miles of copper and fiber cabling valued at more than $10 million. They also maintain the knowledge and records management, Privacy Act, and Freedom of Information Act programs and provides defensive cyber capabilities and mission assurance across all communications platforms 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
The 47th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) provides force protection, law enforcement, and integrated defense for all personnel and assigned resources on Laughlin AFB. Outside of their daily force protection requirements, 47th SFS “Spartans” also provide investigative support and intelligence fusion with surrounding civil agencies, combat arms training, and steadily support deployment rotations defending the country abroad. Additionally, they provide Southwest Texas with a high-demand military working dog section capable of performing Explosive Detection and Patrol duties for Federal, State, and worldwide requirements.
The 47th Logistics Readiness Flight (LRF) provides all surface and air transportation, supplies, equipment and fuels for Laughlin's flying mission. The 47th LRF is also responsible for the base's mobility commitments as well as shipment of cargo and personal property.
The 47th Contracting Squadron (CONS) is responsible for providing mission-focused business leadership to the Air Education and Training Command’s largest pilot production Wing, supporting 2,700 base personnel and 28 units. The business leaders and acquisition professionals of the 47th CONS negotiate and award over $44M in new and recurring contract requirements annually as well as manage a contract portfolio of over $230 million in base services, construction, and supplies.
(Current as of June 2024)