Laughlin AFB lights community tree, strengthens holiday morale and local ties

Laughlin Air Force Base hosted its annual Christmas tree lighting on December 3, 2025, in a ceremony led by the 47th Flying Training Wing Chaplain Corps. Families from the base gathered for seasonal music, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a program that public affairs said is intended to unite the Laughlin community for the holidays and to support morale for service members and their families. The base public affairs office posted a photo gallery and captioned images of the event at laughlin.af.mil showing children and adults gathered around the lit tree.

The event functions as more than a festive gathering. Annual traditions run by the Chaplain Corps and base community organizations play a role in sustaining morale and social cohesion for personnel who live and work in Val Verde County. For military families, community rituals help mitigate stress around deployments, training cycles and relocation. Local gatherings also create informal networks that connect families to base support services and to civilian neighbors in Del Rio and surrounding communities.

From an economic perspective, community events on base can have spillover effects for Val Verde County. Seasonal programming draws visitors and encourages spending at restaurants, shops and lodging in the county, reinforcing the fiscal link between Laughlin AFB and the local economy. Maintaining regular community events supports that year end demand and helps small businesses capture holiday traffic tied to base activities.

Policy implications for local leaders center on sustaining partnerships with the base to preserve these social and economic benefits. Continued coordination on event logistics, public safety and family services can amplify the impact on retention and quality of life for military households, while also bolstering the county s broader holiday economy.

The Laughlin AFB public affairs photo gallery documenting the ceremony is available at laughlin.af.mil for residents who want to view images from the event. The tree lighting underscored the role of shared traditions in keeping Val Verde County s military and civilian communities connected during the holiday season.