The United States has the most powerful military in the world, with over one million active-duty personnel and billions of dollars in weapons and equipment. To support such a massive operation, the US military needs huge bases that can house, train, and deploy its troops. These bases are not only vital for national security, but also for the local economy and community.
Top 10 Largest Military Bases in the US
In this article, we will explore the top 10 largest military bases in the US by surface area, and learn about their history, mission, and features. These bases are:
- Fort Bragg, North Carolina
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
- Fort Hood, Texas
- Camp Pendleton, California
- Fort Benning, Georgia
- Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Tennessee
- Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
- Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia
- White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico
- Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
1. Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Fort Bragg is the largest military base in the US by population, with over 50,000 active-duty soldiers and 14,000 civilian employees. It covers 251 square miles or 163,000 acres in North Carolina. It is home to the US Army Special Operations Command, the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, and many other units. Fort Bragg is also a major hub for air transportation and logistics.
Fort Bragg was established in 1918 as Camp Bragg, named after Confederate General Braxton Bragg. It became a permanent base in 1922 and expanded during World War II. Since then, it has played a key role in many conflicts and operations, such as the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
2. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is the second-largest military base in the US by population, with over 40,000 active-duty service members and 15,000 civilian workers. It covers 414 square miles or 265,000 acres in Washington state. It is a joint base that combines the Army’s Fort Lewis and the Air Force’s McChord Air Force Base. It hosts the I Corps, the 62nd Airlift Wing, the 7th Infantry Division, and many other units.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord was created in 2010 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure process. However, its history dates back to 1917 when Camp Lewis was established as a training camp for World War I. McChord Air Force Base was built in 1938 as a bomber base and later became a strategic airlift center. The two bases have supported many missions and operations throughout their history.
3. Fort Hood, Texas
Fort Hood is the third-largest military base in the US by population, with over 36,000 active-duty soldiers and 9,000 civilian employees. It covers 340 square miles or 218,000 acres in Texas. It is home to the III Corps, the 1st Cavalry Division, the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, and many other units. Fort Hood is also known for its tank and helicopter training facilities.
Fort Hood was established in 1942 as Camp Hood, named after Confederate General John Bell Hood. It became a permanent base in 1950 and expanded during the Cold War. It has been involved in many conflicts and operations since then, such as the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.
4. Camp Pendleton, California
Camp Pendleton is the fourth-largest military base in the US by population, with over 35,000 active-duty Marines and sailors and 8,000 civilian workers. It covers 195 square miles or 125,000 acres in California. It is home to the I Marine Expeditionary Force, the 1st Marine Division, the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, and many other units. Camp Pendleton is also known for its amphibious warfare training facilities.
Camp Pendleton was established in 1942 as Camp Joseph H. Pendleton, named after Major General Joseph Henry Pendleton, a Marine Corps veteran of World War I. It became a permanent base in 1944 and grew during World War II. It has been involved in many conflicts and operations since then, such as the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.
5. Fort Benning, Georgia
Fort Benning is the fifth-largest military base in the US by population, with over 33,000 active-duty soldiers and 11,000 civilian employees. It covers 182 square miles or 116,000 acres in Georgia and Alabama. It is home to the US Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 3rd Infantry Division, and many other units. Fort Benning is also known for its infantry and airborne training facilities.
Fort Benning was established in 1918 as Camp Benning, named after Confederate General Henry L. Benning. It became a permanent base in 1922 and expanded during World War II. It has been involved in many conflicts and operations since then, such as the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.
6. Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Tennessee
Fort Campbell is the sixth-largest military base in the US by population, with over 30,000 active-duty soldiers and 4,000 civilian workers. It covers 164 square miles or 105,000 acres in Kentucky and Tennessee. It is home to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), and many other units. Fort Campbell is also known for its air assault and special operations training facilities.
Fort Campbell was established in 1941 as Camp Campbell, named after Brigadier General William Bowen Campbell, a Civil War veteran and former governor of Tennessee. It became a permanent base in 1950 and grew during the Cold War. It has been involved in many conflicts and operations since then, such as the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.
7. Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
Joint Base San Antonio is the seventh-largest military base in the US by population, with over 28,000 active-duty service members and 20,000 civilian workers. It covers 280 square miles or 179,000 acres in Texas. It is a joint base that combines the Army’s Fort Sam Houston, the Air Force’s Lackland Air Force Base and Randolph Air Force Base, and the Navy’s Camp Bullis and Camp Stanley. It hosts the US Army North, the US Army South, the Air Education and Training Command, the Air Force Personnel Center, and many other units. Joint Base San Antonio is also known for its medical, intelligence, cyber, and aviation training facilities.
Joint Base San Antonio was created in 2010 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure process. However, its history dates back to the late 1800s when Fort Sam Houston was established as a cavalry post. Lackland Air Force Base was built in 1941 as a basic training center for the Army Air Corps. Randolph Air Force Base was built in 1931 as a flying training center for the Army Air Corps. Camp Bullis was established in 1917 as a maneuver area for Fort Sam Houston. Camp Stanley was established in 1919 as a storage depot for Fort Sam Houston.
8. Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia
Naval Station Norfolk is the eighth-largest military base in the US by population, with over 27,000 active-duty sailors and Marines and 10,000 civilian workers. It covers 11 square miles or 7,000 acres in Virginia. It is home to the US Fleet Forces Command, the US Second Fleet, the US Naval Forces Central Command, and many other units. Naval Station Norfolk is also known for its naval shipyard, airfield, hospital, and submarine base.
Naval Station Norfolk was established in 1917 as Naval Operating Base Hampton Roads, named after the nearby waterway. It became a permanent base in 1923 and expanded during World War II. It has been involved in many conflicts and operations since then, such as World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.
9. White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico
White Sands Missile Range is the ninth-largest military base in the US by population, with over 9,000 active-duty service members and civilian workers. It covers a whopping 3,200 square miles or 2 million acres in New Mexico. It is home to the US Army Test and Evaluation Command, the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command, the US Air Force Space Command, and many other units. White Sands Missile Range is also known for its missile testing, space exploration, and nuclear research facilities.
White Sands Missile Range was established in 1945 as White Sands Proving Ground, named after the nearby gypsum sand dunes. It became a permanent base in 1958 and grew during the Cold War. It has been involved in many historic events and projects since then, such as the Trinity test (the first atomic bomb detonation), the V-2 rocket program (the first ballistic missile program), the Mercury program (the first human spaceflight program), and the Star Wars program (the strategic defense initiative).
10. Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
Eglin Air Force Base is the tenth-largest military base in the US by population, with over 8,000 active-duty airmen and 4,000 civilian workers. It covers 724 square miles or 464,000 acres in Florida. It is home to the Air Force Materiel Command, the Air Force Special Operations Command, the 96th Test Wing, and many other units. Eglin Air Force Base is also known for its weapons testing, research, and development facilities.
Eglin Air Force Base was established in 1935 as Valparaiso Bombing and Gunnery Base, named after the nearby city. It became a permanent base in 1940 and renamed after Lieutenant Colonel Frederick I. Eglin, a World War I veteran and aviation pioneer. It expanded during World War II and became a major center for air warfare training and experimentation. It has been involved in many conflicts and operations since then, such as the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Conclusion
These are the top 10 largest military bases in the US by population, but there are many more bases that serve different purposes and missions. The US military bases are not only important for national security, but also for the local economy and community. They provide employment, housing, education, health care, and recreation for millions of people. They also contribute to scientific and technological innovation and advancement. The US military bases are a source of pride and honor for the country and its people.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
- Q: What is the largest military base in the world?
- A: The largest military base in the world by surface area is Fort Bliss in Texas and New Mexico, which covers 1,700 square miles or 1.1 million acres.
- Q: What is the largest military base in the US by surface area?
- A: The largest military base in the US by surface area is White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, which covers 3,200 square miles or 2 million acres.
- Q: What is the largest military base in the US by population?
- A: The largest military base in the US by population is Fort Bragg in North Carolina, which has over 50,000 active-duty soldiers and 14,000 civilian employees.
- Q: What is the oldest military base in the US?
- A: The oldest military base in the US is West Point in New York, which was established in 1778 as a fort during the American Revolutionary War.
- Q: What is the newest military base in the US?
- A: The newest military base in the US is Joint Base San Antonio in Texas, which was created in 2010 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure process.
- Q: What is the most expensive military base in the US?
- A: The most expensive military base in the US is Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, which has an annual budget of over $1.4 billion.
- Q: What is the most secretive military base in the US?
- A: The most secretive military base in the US is Area 51 in Nevada, which is rumored to be a site for testing advanced aircraft and alien technology.
- Q: What is the most dangerous military base in the US?
- A: The most dangerous military base in the US is Fort Hood in Texas, which has had several incidents of mass shootings, suicides, homicides, and sexual assaults.
- Q: What is the most haunted military base in the US?
- A: The most haunted military base in the US is Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, which has many reports of paranormal activity and ghost sightings.
- Q: What is the most beautiful military base in the US?
- A: The most beautiful military base in the US is Camp Pendleton in California, which has stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and mountains.