Various military bases are maintained across the United States and other countries to ensure the high standards set by each military branch are met. Many of the oldest installations date back to the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Some locations may be familiar, such as West Point, Fort Bliss, and Pensacola Naval Air Station. The US has the world’s third-largest army, after China and India. In 2022, American forces had 1.4 million active personnel. In order to keep up with this level of personnel, many bases have been created and utilized over the years.
To identify America’s oldest military bases, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed and independently verified the history of active military installations listed on MilitaryBases.com. Bases were ranked by the year in which they opened, according to MilitaryBases.com. The number of active-duty service members assigned to each base came from the 2019 Demographics Report, compiled by Defense Department contractor Military OneSource, the most recent year for which there is base-specific personnel data. Installations outside the 50 states were not considered.
The British established a military outpost during the French and Indian War in 1757, which later became the Carlisle Barracks Army Base in Pennsylvania in 1776. These barracks are still in operation today.
When the Revolutionary War broke out, the Continental Congress established an ordinance center at what was then called Washingtonburg. The base was briefly captured by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War and was used as a military hospital during World War I. Since 1951, the post has housed the Army War College, where military members are trained.
The second oldest is West Point. Although it did not formally become U.S. property until 1790, West Point had been occupied by Continental Army troops since 1778 and was George Washington’s headquarters in 1779. The British almost took it in 1780 when the post’s then-commander Benedict Arnold famously betrayed the country. But his treason was uncovered, and the base remained in Continental Army hands. Today, it serves as the Army’s premier training school for young officers.
Why Are We Talking About US Military Bases?
The United States’ bases allow the country’s military branches to provide logistical support, maintain supply storage, and prepare soldiers for combat. While we focus solely on bases on US soil here, many more are strategically placed around the world as a show of force and allow for the ability to render aid and provide stabilizing forces when needed.
These are the oldest military bases in America.
27. The Offutt Air Force Base
The Offutt Air Force Base, located in Bellevue, Nebraska was opened in 1891. It had 4,379 total active duty personnel in 2019.
26. Naval Station Newport
The Naval Station Newport, located in Newport, Rhode Island was opened in 1883. It had 7,191 total active duty personnel in 2019.
25. Picatinny Arsenal Army Base
The Picatinny Arsenal Army Base, located in Morris County, New Jersey was opened in 1880. It had 450 total active duty personnel in 2019.
24. Fort Huachuca Army Base
The Fort Huachuca Army Base, located in Cochise, Arizona, was opened in 1877. It had 9,302 total active duty personnel in 2019.
23. Fort Sam Houston Army Base
The Fort Sam Houston Army Base, located in San Antonio, Texas was opened in 1876. It had 25,655 total active duty personnel in 2019.
22. Fort Sill Army Base
The Fort Sill Army Base, located in Lawton, Oklahoma was opened in 1869. It had 26,189 total active duty personnel in 2019.
21. Naval Submarine Base New London
The Naval Submarine Base New London, located in Groton, Connecticut, was opened in 1868. It had 13,856 total active duty personnel in 2019.
20. Francis E Warren Air Force Base
The Francis E Warren Air Force Base, located in Cheyenne, Wyoming was opened in 1867. It had 6,716 total active duty personnel in 2019.
19. Fort Myer Army Base
The Fort Myer Army Base, located in Arlington, Virginia was opened in 1863. It had 4,783 total active duty personnel in 2019.
18. Rock Island Arsenal Army Base
The Rock Island Arsenal Army Base, located in Arsenal Island, Illinois, was opened in 1862. It had 1,291 total active duty personnel in 2019.
17. MCRD Parris Island Marine Corps Base
The MCRD Parris Island Marine Corps Base, located in Port Royal, South Carolina was opened in 1861. It had 10,248 total active duty personnel in 2019.
16. Fort Riley Army Base
The Fort Riley Army Base, located in Riley, Kansas was opened in 1853. It had 33,295 total active duty personnel in 2019.
15. Yuma Proving Ground Army Base
The Yuma Proving Ground Army Base, located in Yuma County, Arizona was opened in 1850. It had 451 total active duty personnel in 2019.
14. Fort Bliss Army Base
The Fort Bliss Army Base, located in El Paso, Texas, was opened in 1849. It had 60,307 total active duty personnel in 2019.
13. Presidio of Monterey Army Base
The Presidio of Monterey Army Base, located in Monterey, California was opened in 1846. It had 7,022 total active duty personnel in 2019.
12. Naval Academy Navy Base
The Naval Academy Navy Base, located in Portsmouth, Virginia was opened in 1845. It had 3,365 total active duty personnel in 2019.
11. Fort Hamilton Army Base
The Fort Hamilton Army Base, located in Brooklyn, New York was opened in 1831. It had 645 total active duty personnel in 2019.
10. Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
The Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, located in Portsmouth, Virginia was opened in 1830. It had 7,192 total active duty personnel in 2019.
9. Fort Leavenworth Army Base
The Fort Leavenworth Army Base, located in Leavenworth, Kansas was opened in 1827. It had 10,908 total active duty personnel in 2019.
8. Naval Hospital Pensacola
The Naval Hospital Pensacola, located in Pensacola, Florida, was opened in 1826. It had 1,656 total active duty personnel in 2019.
7. Pensacola Naval Air Station
The Pensacola Naval Air Station, located in Pensacola, Florida was opened in 1826. It had 15,107 total active duty personnel in 2019.
6. Key West Naval Air Station
The Key West Naval Air Station, located in Key West, Florida was opened in 1823. It had 1,783 total active duty personnel in 2019.
5. Watervliet Arsenal Army Base
The Watervliet Arsenal Army Base, located in Watervliet, New York was opened in 1813. It had 387 total active duty personnel in 2019.
4. Portsmouth Shipyard Navy Base
The Portsmouth Shipyard Navy Base, located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire was opened in 1800. It had 2,064 total active duty personnel in 2019.
3. Norfolk Naval Shipyard Navy Base
The Norfolk Naval Shipyard Navy Base, located in Portsmouth, Virginia was opened in 1794. It had 1,721 total active duty personnel in 2019.
2. US Military Academy Army Base West Point
The US Military Academy Army Base West Point, located in West Point, New York, was opened in 1790. It had 4,417 total active duty personnel in 2019.
1. Carlisle Barracks Army Base
The Carlisle Barracks Army Base, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania was opened in 1776. It had 1,903 total active duty personnel in 2019.
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