I was at Keesler AFB for tech school in '82. I made it to the mall and some of the coastal bars a few times. I wish I ventured out more but back then we were told to be careful, because there was some lingering bad blood between the base and the locals. I don't know what about though.
All the educated and employed service members were taking the local rednecks' girl friends off to places far, far away. The drunken local mob was alway picking a fight with the military to cause trouble.