The United States ranks third in the world for military strength, with the densely populated countries of China and India ranking first and second, respectively. Because America is known for its powerful and large military, it is no surprise the U.S. is home to several military bases. Some of these bases are quite old, having been in operation since the Civil War and Revolutionary War.
Military bases are used to train troops, house soldiers, run drills and operations, and store expensive and high-tech equipment. They may even serve as command centers during specific periods. Some of America’s most famous military bases include Fort Bragg, West Point, Fort Benning, and Pensacola Naval Air Station.
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.
West Point is a well-known army base, as well as one of the oldest in the country. In fact, it ranks second on our list. This base was occupied as far back as 1778, though it didn’t officially become a U.S. base until 1790. Currently, officers are trained at this premiere training facility.
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
- First Year Open: 1891
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
- First Year Open: 1883
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
- First Year Open: 1880
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
- First Year Open: 1877
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
- First Year Open: 1876
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
- First Year Open: 1869
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
- First Year Open: 1868
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
- First Year Open: 1867
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
- First Year Open: 1863
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
- First Year Open: 1862
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
- First Year Open: 1861
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
- First Year Open: 1853
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
- First Year Open: 1850
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
- First Year Open: 1849
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
- First Year Open: 1846
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
- First Year Open: 1845
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
- First Year Open: 1831
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
- First Year Open: 1830
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
- First Year Open: 1827
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
- First Year Open: 1826
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
- First Year Open: 1826
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
- First Year Open: 1823
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
- First Year Open: 1813
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
- First Year Open: 1800
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
- First Year Open: 1794
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
- First Year Open: 1790
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
- First Year Open: 1776
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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