Did You Know The U.S. Has All Of These Military Bases?
Around the world, the United States military has strategic bases in place to help protect our country and for purposes of international relations. On these bases, military personnel are stationed and trained, performing specific exercises that will help our military perform when it needs to.
Some of these bases are well-known, while others may come as a surprise. How many of these U.S. military bases are familiar to you? Some are quite incredible.
Eielson AFB Located Outside Fairbanks, Alaska
Built in 1941, Eielson Air Force Base is located 26 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. Here, temperatures remain around four degrees for nearly a quarter of the year. The base is growing, with 54 F-35's arriving at the base in April 2020 along with 3,500 personnel. This F-35 program will bring 50% more military personnel to the base over two years time.
Airmen who are stationed on the Eielson base are referred to as "icemen" with the wing motto, "Ready to go at fifty below!" One of the benefits of being stationed at this base would be the chance to view the Northern Lights.
U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul, South Korea
Located in the Yongsan District of Seoul, South Korea, the Yongsan Garrison Base is the only American military base that's centered in a large international city. It's here that U.S. forces perform military exercises with South Korea's military, in order to prepare for any threats that North Korea presents.
Several U.S. leaders have visited this base, including George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Kerry, and Donald Rumsfeld. Many of the base's offices and operations are relocating to Camp Humphreys in a nearby South Korean metropolitan area.
Naval Base Point Loma - San Diego
The Naval Base Point Loma is located in beautiful San Diego, California. The base has been in use since 1959, with a history dating back to 1795, and much of the architecture being built in the '30s and '40s. This is one of several military bases located in San Diego County, with a prime location nearby downtown San Diego and gorgeous beaches.
Around 22,000 Navy and military personnel are stationed on base here, making it a highly technical hub of naval activity.
Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia
There's plenty of noise around the Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia. There, the United States Navy performs around 219,000 operations each year. Built in 1942, it's one of the largest and most advanced air stations in the world.
The City of Virginia Beach once had plans to develop housing around the base and feared that the jets would be at risk of crashing into the neighborhood. Because of this, they talked about closing down the base, but it never happened and it's still in full operation today.
Naval Support Activity in Naples, Italy
The U.S. Naval base in Naples, Italy is located right alongside the airport, which is convenient for military personnel who are stationed there to get in and out. The base was built in 1951 and is commanded by Navy Captain Douglas W. Carpenter.
The U.S. Sixth Fleet and the U.S. Naval Forces Europe are both based here. The grounds are controlled by the Italians and has served an important purpose during the Bosnian and Kosovo Wars.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Located in Maine
Built in 1800, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in the state of Maine is one of the oldest U.S. bases in history. The base spans 54 acres with incredible views/
The small historic town of Portsmouth has been manufacturing submarines since 1917 and this base is tasked with the overhaul, repair, and modernization of US Navy submarines. The U.S. Coast Guard also utilizes this historic base and is a home port for medium-endurance cutters Reliance, Tahoma, and Campbell.
Naval Base in Apra Harbor, Guam
Another beautiful U.S. military base is located in Apra Harbor, Guam. Captain Hans E. Sholley commands this base, surrounded by pristine beaches and warm, tropical water. This deep-port harbor manages 2 million tons of cargo each year.
Located in the middle of the Pacific ocean, those stationed here will either enjoy or despise the remoteness. Island fever is real! However, it's a quick trip to Hawaii, Japan, Fiji, and Australia.
Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia
Located in Savannah, Georgia, Hunter Army Airfield is home to over 60,000 military personnel, with two-thirds of the population being Army. While there aren't many Coast Guards at this base, they do have 450 miles of shoreline to cover, averaging more than 250 SAR cases a year.
They also have incidents relating to drug interdiction and assisting with navigation and law enforcement. Established in 1929, this base has an 11,375-foot long runway and an enormous aircraft parking area that spans more than 350 acres.
Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base Located on O'ahu, Hawaii
Military personnel would be happy to be based here. Located on the island of O'ahu in Hawaii, President Woodrow Wilson designated 322 acres of land to establish this base in 1918. A little-known fact is that before Pearl Harbor was attacked, Japanese forces first attacked the Kaneohe Bay base, nine minutes before. Twenty people were killed on the base that day.
Today, the base is host to RIMPAC, Rim of the Pacific, which hosts the biggest multinational military exercises in the world.
Morón Air Base in Southern Spain
First used to train fighter pilots of the Spanish Army Air Force, the Morón Air Base is located in southern Spain. Just 35 miles southeast of Seville, Military personnel looking to take in local culture during deployment will be happy with this base.
Morón Air Base is built to assist transient/bed-down of aircraft operations, providing the staging of aircraft and personnel in support of US and NATO plans. It's shared between the Spanish Air Force and the US Air Force.
Fort Buchanan in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fort Buchan was a strategic base for Americans to defend the Canal Zone during World War II. It was built in 1923 and features a military training area along six miles of coastline on the south shore of San Juan Bay.
Military personnel stationed here played an important role in relief efforts during Hurricanes Iram and Maria, going door-to-door performing wellness checks as well as providing food and water.
U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart in Germany
Garrison Stuttgart base in Germany is home to 24,000 American military personnel. This location serves as a communication point for European and African command and allows U.S. special operations forces to conduct important investigations and consult with these forces when needed.
Troops at this base are trained on countering terrorism including explosive devices, active shooters, and catastrophic accidents. They're strategically placed to react to international events when needed and works closely with its host country, Germany.
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington State
Another beautiful U.S. military base to make the list is Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, located in Oak Harbor, Washington. The military has been utilizing this base since 1942 and has consistently been ranked as one of the top places for members of the military to be stationed.
In November of 2017, during a Navy exercise, one of the pilots decided to draw a certain shape in the sky above the city. It was quickly identified and Vice Admiral Mike Shoemake was compelled to an issue an apology, stating, "The U.S. Navy owes you, your parents, and your students an apology for the unacceptable obscene contrails that were created by one of my aircraft on Nov. 16."
Naval Air Station Located in Key West, Florida
More than 55,000 members of the military are based in the state of Florida, with most of them serving in the Air Force. We imagine that not many airmen would be upset being assigned to this base!
NAS Key West serves as an important training facility for air-to-air combat fighting, with favorable flying conditions year-round. The base is also important to national security, supporting operational and readiness for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA
The Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California is a beautiful place to go after graduating from the Naval Academy. Those that are based here are students and aren't given deployment orders.
The school is notable for having several astronauts graduate here, and high-ranking members of the Navy. Astronaut Eugene Cernan is a graduate of Monterey's Naval Postgraduate School and was the most recent person to walk on the moon. He's spent a total of 566 hours and 15 minutes in space.
Incirlik Air Base in Turkey
Controlled by both the Turkish Air Force and the United States Air Force, the Incirlik Air Base is roughly 250 miles southeast of Ankara, Turkey. Originally, the U.S. Air Force wanted to use the base for emergency staging and recovery of heavy bombers, it's now home to around 5,000 U.S. airmen and several hundred airmen from the Royal Air Force and the Turkish Air Force.
The base has served as a hub in many conflicts and wars, including the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Iraq War, Hezbollah-Israel War, and most recently, the 2016 Turkish coup attempt.
Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina
Located along North Charleston and Goose Creek, South Carolina is Joint Base Charleston. This base serves as a multi-use federal complex that houses the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Army, and the Marines. It's also an important training facility for the Department of Defense on nuclear power.
The base spans over 20,877 acres with over 79,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, DOD civilians, dependents, and retirees.The runway is currently under construction and being improved to handle larger and heavier aircraft.
Naval Air Station Sigonella - Sicily, Italy
The Naval Air Station Sigonella base is located in one of the most beautiful locations on the map. If you happen to get stationed here there are tons of things for you to do. The base was built on June 15, 1959. One odd fact about this place is that it is home to the most active volcanoes, and the public is allowed to hike into them!
That doesn't seem too safe but it should get your adrenaline pumping. One thing that is highly discouraged is to bring up the Mafia in conversation. Allegedly, they are still underground quietly at play.
Fort Carson Located Outside of Colorado Springs, CO
Fort Carson base was established in Colorado Springs in 1942. It's a desirable place to be stationed for military personnel who love the outdoors. Pikes Peak, Cheyenne Mountain, and the Olympic Training Center are all within close reach of this U.S. military base.
In fact, it's been named the 'Best Hometown in the Army" for the quality of life and nearby attractions it offers. It was established in response to the attacks on Pearl Harbor.
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in New Orleans, Lousiana
The Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in New Orleans, Lousiana has a 24/7 operating schedule to support several missions, including port security and homeland defense. It was built in August 1954 and operated by the United States Navy.
Some of the current occupants include Strike Fighter Squadron 204, VMR Belle Chase, 159th Fighter Wing, and 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines. The Air Force Reserve, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Customs Service also utilize this base.
Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California
San Diego County is filled with military bases, and another one of them is the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. More commonly referred to as the MCRD, its main mission is to train enlisted recruits-- over 21,000 each year. It also serves as the Marine Corps' Recruiter School and Western Recruiting Region's Drill Instructor School.
Some government officials are hoping to close the base and utilize its prime location for other purposes, however, the Marine Corps has taken a firm stance to keep the base in place.
Camp Rhino, Located in Afghanistan
Camp Rhino was established in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001. Located in the Registan Desert, it's 100 miles southwest of the second-largest city in Afghanistan, Kandahar.
At one point, 1,100 United States Marines, U.S. soldiers, and Navy Seabees were stationed here, primarily between November 2001 and January 2002. It serves as one of the most strategic positions for a U.S. military base to fight the Taliban and cause them to retreat into the Toras Bora mountains.
Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C.
The Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C was established in 1801, is a National Historic Landmark, and is the oldest post in the United States Marine Corps. Located at the corner of 8th and I Streets, it has been the official residence of the Commandant of the Marine Corps since 1806 and the main ceremonial ground for the Corps.
It is also the home of the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and the U.S. Marine Band. The buildings are some of the oldest in Washington and the location was chosen by President Thomas Jefferson and Lt. Col. Wiliam Ward Billows because it was within marching distance of both the Navy yard and the Capitol.
Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island, South Carolina
MCRD Parris Island in South Carolina spans 8,095 acres and is used as a training facility for male recruits who live east of the Mississippi River and female recruits across the country. The Marines were the first military branch to be stationed as this base in 1891, located five miles south of Beaufort.
Military buildings and homes were constructed in time to be utilized for World War I, and the base was designated as a Marine Corps Recruitment Depot in 1915. Today, around 17,000 Marine recruits are trained on the island each year.
Mountain Warfare Training Center in California
Located north of Bridgeport, California in the Toiyabe National Forest is the Mountain Warfare Training Center. Here, the USMC, Joint and Allied Forces train in high-altitude, mountainous areas with a cold-weather climate.
The mountain range is also used to develop warfighting doctrine and specialized equipment for USMC and Department of Defense agencies. This is one of the Marine Corps most isolated posts and was established in 1951 in order to prepare units who would be sent to cold weather conditions in Korea.
Dimona Radar Facility Located in Israel
Located outside of Dimona, Israel is a Radar Facility owned and operated by the United States Military. The base includes two of the tallest towers in Israel (1,300 feet tall) and uses extremely advanced radar technology. The towers can detect missiles up to 1,500 miles away, and is strategically placed in this location.
The radar technology is designed to track ballistic missiles through space and launch ground-based missiles to target and intercept enemy missles before they make contact with land. This is a much smaller base compared to most, with only 120 United States military personnel stationed here.
Camp Zama in Japan
25 miles southwest of Tokyo is Camp Zama. Located along the cities of Zama, Sagamihara, and the Sagami River, the base is the former site of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy and is one of the first barracks established in Japan.
Several military branches of both U.S. and Japanese forces are stationed here, where there are plenty of new housing developments, communities, and shopping centers. Because of the developing urban environment, this area of Japan has gotten a lot busier over the years.
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California
Located in San Diego County is Camp Pendleton. The base, which also acts as a protected wildlife reserve for Southern California, spans an incredible 125,000 acres along the coastline and mountains. Pendleton was established in 1942 to train U.S. Marines for combat in WWII.
The base became a permanent installation in 1944 and is used for year-round Marine Corps training, as well as other military branches. It was named after Joseph Henry Pendleton, a long-time advocate of establishing a Marine Corps base on the West Coast.
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba
The Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba is the oldest overseas United States Naval Base. There's plenty of controversy around this base, as the Cuban government says that they did not agree to host the U.S. military base, and instead it was forced on them.
The base has also received negative attention for serving as a military prison for unlawful combatants during the War on Terror. There have been rumors of tortured prisoners here, although the U.S. government has denied violating the Geneva Conventions.
Crete Naval Base in Greece
Located in Souda Bay, the Crete Naval Base is also known as the Naval Support Activity Souda Bay. This is the largest and most prominent naval base in the Mediterranean Sea for both the United States and for NATO.
This base also has the only deepwater port in Southern Europe, capable of holding the largest aircraft carriers. This makes Crete Naval Base a key component for security in the region.
Thule Air Base in Greenland
Located 750 miles north of the Article Circle and 947 miles from the North Pole, Thule Air Base is the United States Air Force's northernmost base. The base encompasses the only place on earth where four glaciers join together. It also features icebergs, two islands, a polar ice sheet, and Wolstenholme Fjord.
More than 3,000 flights are conducted from this base each year, which also has the northernmost deepwater port in the world. In the summer, the only U.S. Air Force tugboat assists ship movements.
Naval Support Activity in Bahrain
The Naval Support Activity Bahrain is the primary base in the region for naval and marine activities that support Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. Located in the Kingdom of Bahrain, this base serves U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and United States Fifth Fleet.
Commander U.S. Navy Captain Cory R. Howes oversees operations on this base, as well as the Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, and Camp Lemonier in Djibouti.
Camp Lemonnier in Dijibouti
The only permanent U.S. military base in Africa is Camp Lemonnier, located at Djibouti's International Airport. Stationed here is the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and U.S. Africa command. This base was designed to support Operation Enduring Freedom-Horn of Africa.
The operation continues today, and Lemonnier also serves as a hub for aerial operation in the Persian Gulf region. From here, the U.S. also operates drone surveillance, acting as a centerpiece for the network.
Ramstein Air Base in Germany
Located in southwestern Germany is Ramstein Air Base. Home to the United States Air Force, this is the headquarters for Europe Air Forces Africa and NATO Allied Air Command. This base is part of the Kaiserslautern Military Community which is the largest U.S. community overseas.
More than 54,000 American service members and US civilian employees are stationed here. It's an incredibly important base for the United States and forces in Europe as well.
Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming
Three miles west of Cheyenne, Wyoming is Francis E. Warren Air Force Base. This AFB serves as a strategic missile base for the United States. This base is home to the 90th Missile Wing and the Twentieth Air Force, which in effect commands all of the U.S. Air Force intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Established in 1867 by the U.S. Army, it was given to the Air Force in 1947 and is the oldest continuously active military installation within the Air Force. One quirky design aspect of the base is that it didn't have a runway for fixed-wing aircraft and its only runway was a single dirt strip.
Andersen Air Force Base in Guam
Another U.S. military base in Guam is Andersen Air Force Base. Located four miles northeast of Ygo near Agafo Gumas, it's just 30 miles from Naval Base Guam. This base is commanded by the joint Region Marianas and hosts Pacific Air Force's Eleventh Air Force division.
The 36th Wing is also assigned here, which is a non-flying wing. However, its mission is to provide support to deployed air and space forces of USAF and foreign air forces. It's considered the most strategically important base west of Hawaii and is the only base that can permanently house U.S. strategic bombers.
Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii
Located on the island of Kaua'i is the Pacific Missile Range Facility. It's the world's largest instrumented, multi-dimensional testing and training missile range. The location is ideal: isolated with a year-round tropical climate.
The base spans 2,385 acres with 1,100 square miles of underwater range. The military also utilizes 42,000 square miles of controlled airspace here. The Pacific Missile Range Facility is the only base where submarines, surface ships, aircraft, and space vehicles can operate while simultaneously being tracked. There's also a 6,000-foot runway and 70 housing units for military stationed at the base.
The Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
The Pentagon is one of the world's largest office buildings, spanning an incredible 6,500,000 square feet. Of that, 3,700,000 feet are used as offices. Located in Arlington County, Virginia, the Pentagon is the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense.
The building has an iconic design; five sides with five above-ground stories. The building has an incredible 17.5 miles of corridors, with approximately 23,000 military and civilian employees working in the building, along with 3,000 non-defense support personnel. On September 11, 2001, the building was attacked when a hijacked plane was flown into the Western side of the structure.
Naval Station Rota in Spain
Naval Station Rota, located in Spain, is fully-funded by the U.S. but commanded by a Spanish Admiral. The largest military community in Spain, this base is located in Rota, by the town of El Puerto de Santa Maria, within the Providence of Cádiz.
Rota has been utilized since 1953, spanning more than 6,000 acres. It has proven to be a crucial, strategic base for the United States during naval warfare.
The United States Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C.
The United States Naval Research Laboratory conducts basic scientific research, applied research, technological development and prototyping for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Opened in 1923, it's one of the first U.S. Government research and development labs.
Thomas Edison pushed for this laboratory to be built, which is now under the authority of the Office of Naval Research. Around $1 billion is invested into this lab each year, studying plasma physics, space physics, materials science, and tactical electronic warfare.
