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 Air Field in El Paso, Texas, and later at Barksdale Army Air Field, Louisiana, until October 1949.
The wing and group were then assigned to Langley Air Field, 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 four squadrons and two flights under the 47th MSG, they provide mission support to 28 units and over 5,700 personnel, with oversight and protection of assets valued at $1.3 billion, 808 facilities/infrastructure assets, 9.5 miles of runways/taxiways on 5,300 acres.
The 47th Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) is responsible for acquiring, maintaining, repairing, and protecting from fire and disaster 808 facilities and infrastructure assets across 5,343 acres, valued at $223 million. The 47th CES is the lead agency for the base's civil engineering functions: Installation Management (including environmental, resources, info technology and real property); Operations; Engineering (including project design/construction/management, community planning, energy and Geobase); Fire Services; and Emergency Management programs.
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 (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 more than $10 million. They also leads knowledge and records management, Privacy Act, and Freedom of Information Act programs. The squadron 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 and law enforcement services for all personnel working or residing on Laughlin AFB and security for all Laughlin assigned resources. 47th SFS provides all investigative actions, as well as combat arms services. Additionally, they support military working dog operations for local 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 Flight (CONF) is responsible for the purchase of supplies, services and construction from contractors and develops, negotiates and administers contracts awarded with appropriated funds.
(Current as of November 2017)