USEFUL THINGS TO KNOW WHEN COMING TO ALBUQUERQUE
The climate is delightful
The skyline is breathtaking
The skyline is breathtaking
Albuquerque experiences all four seasons and the year round weather is generally pleasant. The hot summers are bearable with low humidity, and the rare snowfall is mild and disappears quickly.
The annual BestPlaces Comfort Index for Albuquerque is 7.8 our of 10 (10=best).
The skyline is breathtaking
The skyline is breathtaking
The skyline is breathtaking
The Sandia mountains dominate the eastern skyline of Albuquerque. At sunset they glow with a soft pink which gave them the name Sandia, which is Spanish for "watermelon."
The Land of Enchantment
The skyline is breathtaking
New Mexico's landscape has a large variety to offer!
From mountains with ski slopes, to forests with hiking trails, to miles of white sand desert, to acres of black lava fields, all with the best sunsets of anywhere,
you will find a lot to enchant you!
Download the Kirtland App
Find the right house off-base
Visit the App Store and download the Kirtland App for all kinds of useful information.
- Social media links
- Base directory
- Entertainment information
- Medical clinic information
- Emergency contacts
- Gate hours information
Find the right schools
Find the right house off-base
Find the right house off-base
Kirtland's School Liaison Officer can help find the right school for your family and help resolve a wide variety of school issues.
The website offers:
- Visit this website for a list of ABQ school options
- a school moving checklist
- a list of base resources.
Find the right house off-base
Find the right house off-base
Find the right house off-base
The Housing Management Office's helps provide military families access to safe, quality, well-maintained, affordable housing.
Available housing referral services include:
- free assistance with residential rental or home purchase searches
- free counseling and assistance with rental and lease agreements
- free landlord-tenant dispute resolution for eligible personnel and landlords.
Find the right house on-base
Kirtland Family Housing is managed by Hunt Military Communities with approx 1,300 homes on Kirtland AFB.
Find a job
Kirtland's Airman Family Readiness Flight can help you build a resume or brush up the one you have and connect you with community partners looking for quality employees. Call (505)852-1704 for more information.
A Little bit about kirtland air force base
Big Base Bigger Mission
There are a LOT of entry gates!
There are a LOT of entry gates!
Kirtland AFB is the sixth largest base in the Air Force. The base occupies 51,558 acres (larger than Washington DC, which is 43,766 acres) and employs over 23,000 people, including more than 4,200 active duty and 1,000 Guard, plus 3,200 part-time Reserve personnel.
There are a LOT of entry gates!
There are a LOT of entry gates!
There are a LOT of entry gates!
Major gate entry points for Kirtland are Truman Gate, Gibson Gate, Wyoming Gate, and Eubank Gate.
Each gate has varying hours of operation. Download the Kirtland app for up to date information on Gate hours.
Medical Clinic
There are a LOT of entry gates!
Medical Clinic
Kirtland's Medical Clinic is located just off base, between the Gibson and Truman Gates just off of Gibson Blvd SE. Google Maps: 377th Medical Group to find the facility. Visit the Kirtland app for Medical Group information and appointments.
Marquez Park
Medical Clinic
Located behind McDonald's, just inside the Gibson Gate is Marquez Park. The park offers a nice shaded playground, plenty of covered picnic tables, and restrooms. The park is named for Lt Gen Leo Marquez who was a New Mexico native.
Hardin Field
Hardin Field
Hardin Park is located at Wyoming and Frost Ave and has a wonderful jog path in the shade of trees.
The CORE
Hardin Field
Located next to the BX, Kirtland is proud to have one of the best Outdoor Rec programs with a indoor Boulder Lab climbing wall and huge rental list of assortment of outdoor equipment, including an impressive amount of ski gear.
Thrift Shop
The Thrift Shop accepts donations and consignments and is open to everyone with base access. Proceeds benefit scholarships and charitable grants through the Kirtland Spouses' Club. It's located across from the base bowling alley.
Airman's Attic
The Airman's Attic accepts donations of clothing, household items, and toys to provide to airmen and their families at no cost. It's located in the same building as the Gravity Airmen Center.
Operation Ball Gown
Operation Ball Gown in a program that checks out formal dresses for special occasions. The only cost associated with borrowing a dress is returning it dry cleaned.
Base Vet Clinic
Kirtland has an Army operated veterinary clinic located behind Outdoor Rec. They are able to accommodate routine and preventative health appointments.
Kirtland Housing Addresses
Kirtland Housing Addresses
Mail to homes on Kirtland should be addressed using
Street Address
Albuquerque, NM 87116
team Kirtland's 100+ Mission partners
THERE ARE A LOT OF EXCITING MISSIONS HAPPENING AT KIRTLAND
If you don't know, ask your service member what unit they'll belong to!
Nuclear Weapons Center (NWC)
NWC is in charge of maintaining the most critical weapon systems and acquisition of new systems.
Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC)
AFOTEC is the centerpiece for all test and evaluation of new weapon systems for the Air Force.
58th Special Operations Wing (58 SOW)
The 58 SOW provides formal aircraft training for helicopters, Osprey and C-130s.
377th Air Base Wing (377 ABW)
The 377 ABW provides nuclear logistics for the Air Force and Department of Energy. They are also the host wing, providing Security Forces, the Medical Clinic, and Mission Support facilities.
Pararescue & Combat Rescue Officer School
The Air Force's Pararescuemen are recovery experts and among the most highly trained emergency trauma specialists in the U.S. military. Training includes field tactics, mountaineering, combat tactics, advanced parachuting and helicopter insertion/extraction.
Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
AFRL is the Air Force's only organization wholly dedicated to leading the discovery, development, and integration of warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces.
Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO)
The SpRCO mission is to develop and deliver operationally dominant space capabilities at the speed of warfighting relevance.
Sandia Labs and the Department of Energy
Sandia Labs uses science and technology, innovative research, and global engagement to counter threats, reduce dangers, and respond to disasters.
...and more than 100 more too!
ONCE YOU GET HERE...
Red or Green? Or Christmas?
To locals, it's always just 'chile'
To locals, it's always just 'chile'
New Mexico is the only state with an official state question, "Red or Green?"
The chile industry is very important to the state economy and when diners order a dish made with chilies, they are always asked "red or green?"
If you'd like to try some of both, you can say "Christmas."
To locals, it's always just 'chile'
To locals, it's always just 'chile'
To locals, it's always just 'chile'
If you aren't sure what your tolerance to the heat level is, you may ask for your "chile" on the side, but if you try to plural and say "chiles" they'll have you pegged for an outsider.
Be mindful of Monsoon Season
To locals, it's always just 'chile'
ABQ is just as high as Denver
June 15th to September 30th is monsoon season in Albuquerque. It's common for a hot day to be interrupted with an afternoon thunderstorm including flash floods, dangerous winds, and lighting.
Check the weather before heading out.
ABQ is just as high as Denver
ABQ is just as high as Denver
Albuquerque's elevation is 5,312 ft - that's even higher than Denver, the mile-high city!
Drink water and don't be surprised if you get winded easily, it takes your body time to acclimate.
Red and blue flashing lights
Emergency vehicles with flashing red and blue lights have the absolute right of way. However, in Albuquerque utility vehicles, such as power trucks, are also authorized flashing warning lights.
Watch out for Goat Heads!
Meet the bane of New Mexico existence. Hikers, cyclists, dog walkers should all be on the lookout for this devilish thorny thing. They are prominent on-base and off.
Be extra cautious driving
New Mexico ranks high as a state with bad drivers. It's very common for drivers to run red lights so it's suggested to pause when a light turns green. Always watch for careless drivers and drive defensively.
ABQ shuts down with snow
It does occasionally snow in Albuquerque, but the city is not well equipped to handle winter weather. Often just a trace of snow will shut down the city.
Mañanaland
Major streets run the length of ABQ
Albuquerque tends to operate at a slower pace. You may find that no one is in a big rush to get anything done.
In Albuquerque, five minutes late is right on time.
Major streets run the length of ABQ
Major streets run the length of ABQ
Google Maps is always your friend when venturing out someplace new, but the basic grid of Albuquerque helps make the large city easy to navigate. Many major streets run the entire length of the city which makes finding your bearings pretty easy for newcomers.
White dumpsters for Cardboard
There are plenty of white dumpsters around Kirtland parking lots for cardboard. There is a recycling collection point in the Commissary parking lot and the Housing Office accepts bulk trash drop off.
ICONS OF ALBUQUERQUE
Zia Symbol
The Zia symbol has sacred meaning to the Zia pueblo. Four is a sacred number which symbolizes the Circle of Life: the four directions, the four times of day, the four stages of life, and the four seasons.
Hatch Green Chile
Get ready for chile on everything! Hatch green chile is a generic name for New Mexican peppers that are grown and harvested in the Hatch Valley region. They are a very important part of the economy and a great source of pride for locals. The season for fresh roasted Hatch green chile typically runs from the beginning of August through the end of September.
Hot Air Balloons
Albuquerque is one of the best places to experience hot air ballooning and is home to the world's largest annual hot air balloon event, Balloon Fiesta, each October. Hundreds of balloon pilots, crew and spectators assemble for a week long event! Hot air balloons are a frequent morning sight year round!
Get Your Kicks on Route 66
Running through the heart of Albuquerque on Central Avenue is the historic highway, Route 66. Many shops and restaurants still adorn neon lights and vintage art from the era.
Roadrunners Are Real!
Roadrunners are a frequent sight across Kirtland and Albuquerque. These long-legged birds have long crests and tails too.
Lavender Festival
The soil and heat of New Mexico is a happy place for lavender plants and each summer Los Ranchos hosts a Lavender Festival.