What clients say about Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque (NM)
⭐⭐ Kirtland AFB Review
As a senior enlisted member, this has been the worst base I’ve been stationed at from a morale and retention standpoint.
The base itself is secure, but the area right outside — locally referred to as “the War Zone” — presents concerns for young, first-term Airmen, especially those without vehicles.
Morale suffers due to a lack of after-work support. Most Airmen work until 1600–1700, yet:
The Exchange and food court close around 1700–1800
Outdoor Rec and morale facilities close when members get off work
Very limited food options after hours or on weekends
This leaves many Airmen with no on-base options and pushes them off base into areas that aren’t ideal for someone new to the military.
Traffic light timing on Wyoming Blvd is another daily frustration — hitting red light after red light adds to an already negative experience.
Kirtland has the opportunity to do better by extending facility hours, offering evening food options, and creating meaningful engagement for first-term Airmen. Quality of life directly impacts morale and retention.
⭐⭐
I have stayed with my fiancé and daughter on your installation a few times going and coming on trips.
The rooms were great, great service, nice wash room to wash clothes, etc. My last stay was right after the Xmas holidays of 2018, on our way back to Texas. Unfortunately, we got snowed in...but thankfully, you all had a Walmart nearby that helped us prepare for the 2nd round. Overall, my experience with you guys were great.
I highly recommend.
DEPENDANTS are People too. ID Renewal EXPERIENCE. I had an appointment showed up only to be told that the systems are down. #CommsAreAlwaysDown. NO one called to give me the heads-up. Keep in mind that they were open since 7:30 am that day and my appointment was at 10 am. RESCHEDULED showed up early, 45 minutes later then Jesse W. 4TH. said, that I needed a document signed. Didn't know that I needed that paper when I booked the initial appointment. Kindly consider REMINDING humans especially because there's N E W depends almost monthly.
Most of the staff stood in a puddle-huddle while the waiting room was filled with about 20 plus individuals even seniors who could barely stand, and a lady with children. Pack PATIENCE, BOOKS, and a snack. Horrible customer service experience. #2021
Unfortunately, my recent experience at Kirtland Air Force Base was deeply disappointing. When I requested to speak directly with the base commander, I was instead sent to a MAJ who spoke on his behalf. Rather than addressing my concerns with professionalism, she chose disrespect and threats—essentially telling me to “be quiet and comply.”
We can and must do better. The solution begins with something simple: treating every person with dignity and respect as fellow human beings who breathe life just like you and me.
As someone who proudly served this nation for 23 years, I know how critical respect and compassion is, hopefully things get better here.
Great facilities for disabled veterans, like every AFB. Whether you’re in Kuwait, or New Mexico, Air Force bases are always luxurious. Great gym and racquetball courts (did they ever fix/replace that damn leg extension machine?!). Hope to use the auto-hobby shop for my car repairs and maintenance asap.
I wanted to shout out KAFB for putting on a fun, well organized air show. It was my first air show, and I got to see a lot of aircraft and equipment I’ve wanted to see for a long time. All the service members were very friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable. The park and ride was well organized, which was nice. Tons of bathrooms and food vendors. Such a nice thing to have for free for the community.
Otherwise, I have access to the base as a veteran and have only gone to the BX and the commissary which are also nice. The barbershop has excellent staff. Also, shout out to the meat department in the commissary; I drive there specifically to get the Korean style short ribs lol.
It’s nice to see our service members in action, and to see that they are as sharp as ever. The might of our fighting force is incredible and awe inspiring. Let us use them carefully and wisely.
Thanks KAFB!
None of them know how to drive properly speed limit is 40 on eubank to get in and I almost get rear ended by them on multiple occasions because they’re trying to get to the base in the early morning or evening and I live in apartments with my children by the base. Horrible people that don’t have a care for others which is wild considering it’s the military fighting for the country.
They fly their helicopters around over residential houses by the foothills at 9:00 p.m. and later so that's great that you guys are practicing night maneuvers but there's mountainous area without residential habitat near you why are you guys flying around so low to the houses?
Attention commercial drivers....
IF you are picking up equipment from the 88th "Readiness" Division, expect to loose revenue, hours on your clock and/or leave empty handed.
Spent 4 hours with 15 other drivers waiting to be loaded up for a CONUS equipment transfer in 102f heat 2 ramps (flatbed/step deck) and nothing being loaded nor prepared on a Monday to be transfered out of state which should have been prepped before Friday's secure time. We took the civilian option and left. Love to support the military BUT check your readiness before asking for truckers help.
Fly Navy! USN(Ret)
I am a very proud military brat. I loved the time we spent at Kirtland. Thank you for your service Daddy I love you so much, it was an honor to follow you all around this county. We met some amazing people in Albuquerque, still friends 50 years later.
Military personnel / ID office is broken. There are walk ins allowed from 8 to 11. Appointments after that. The system wasn’t working and wouldn’t let me make an appointment . So I arrived at 0815 and signed in. There were 10 names ahead of me. It is now 1130 and I am still waiting, now number 3. They couldn’t even take care of 10 people on the list in over 3 hours. This is NOT a service that should EVER be understaffed.
Had an appt appt today 2Apr21 at 1000 and was not notified that they would be closed for training. This is the 2nd time that has happened and 4th time making a trip over there for ID renewal. An email or phone call would have been great instead of wasting time and leave from work driving all the way from Rio Rancho just to find a sign stating they're closed.
Further proof that the U.S military does not value integrity at all. Always flying helicopters below the 1000 Ft. requirement causing unnecessary disturbance throughout the whole city of Albuquerque.
Home away from home! If you don’t like it here, go to Pope on Bragg. Better yet, go up to Malmstrom up in Great Falls. Kirtland with all its sunshine and beautiful views will seem like a dream after visiting those places.
People on base are very rude and drive worse than in the city. They act like they are better than everyone. I think military people should hold themselves to higher standards.
Drove up to the Eubank gate to let the Air Force Base know that the signal left arrow light was not allowing other traffic to make a left. I waited at that left turn signal light while I watched traffic coming out of the base through the Eubank gate go, then the that traffic stopped; obviously they had a red light. So then it turned green for a pedestrian crossing heading towards the Air Force Base. When he crossed the light then turn green for the traffic heading out of the base. So I did not get my turn to continue on my way, So I drove to the gate to let them know that the signal light to let people go on there way: was not Working. He then asked me for my I.D., had me pull in to an area to wait for there military police on base. There military police held me there waiting for an hour and forty minutes. They gave me two tickets for not having my license with me and for not having insurance. Finally, they had my car towed.
I not kidding when it felt like I was in a different country; like one that is just allowed to ID you when they want and do whatever they want to you. While I was held, I asked if I could get out of my vehicle, they insisted that I could not. Then I asked if I could roll up my window, again they insisted again that I could not. Almost forgot when I first parked where they told me to; I was ordered with a shouting voice to put my hands on the steering wheel. Their treatment towards me was horrible and so very very disrespectfull. I was dumpfounded and very upset.
Great base to visit . However, drive with caution. It seems speed enforcement is nonexistent. Speed signs are generally ignored as is the no talking on phones
While driving. Actually, at least one customer at Exchange has been hit in cross walk.
The AFB is fairly small though has a decent BX and Commissary and gas station (which is open til midnight). The gate that is accessible 24 hours is now the Eubank gate. The gates on Gibson, Truman and Wyoming have varying hours, generally 0600-1800.
Wide variety of services for us military members. Commissary, Branch Exchange, Bank, Credit Union, Indoor/Outdoor Recreation Center & Storage. In the heart of ABQ, NM and not far from Los Lunas
The base is fairly well featured - it has a large commissary with a multipurpose store, a McDonald's and is like any other air force base. Not much different.
Kirtland's story had it's beginnings in the 1920's, when a private air field was built on what is now the east side of the base and in the late 1930's, when Albuquerque's airport was built, two large military complexes existed which are unified as one base today. In 1942, the base was renamed for Col Roy C. Kirtland, a military aviation pioneer who was one of the first students to fly with the Wright brothers. While both Kirtland Field and Sandia Base made their contributions to the war effort, Los Alamos Laboratory scientists raced to develop the first nuclear weapons. In 1976 Kirtland became the hub of Air Force space technology, which later merged with the weapons lab to become Phillips Labs, then the Air Force Research Laboratory.
Kirtland AFB is the third largest installation in the Air Force Materiel Command occupying 51,558 acres and the mission encompasses world class munitions maintenance; readiness training; research, development and testing and base support to more than 200 tenant units to include: Department of Defense, Sandia National Laboratories, Phillips Lab, Air National Guard, 140th Fighter Wing, 58th Special Operations Wing, Air Force Inspection Agency, Air Force Research Laboratory for Directed Energy and Space Vehicles, NCO Academy, AF Safety Center, FA Health Care System, AF Operational Test and Evaluation Center.
Spent 4 years at 4900 air base group motor pool 1973 to 1977 and enjoyed my tour. Much bigger today than it was back then. Alot of good memories. Barney Humble.
820 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NMAuto parts store
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