The United States boasts the largest network of overseas military bases globally, with over 750 spread across approximately 80 countries—an unprecedented achievement. These bases, mainly situated within the US and in Europe and Southeast Asia, serve vital strategic purposes. For instance, Camp Humphreys in South Korea, established in 1950, is strategically positioned for a US military presence worldwide. Historical data from the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft emphasizes the significance of Puerto Rico, hosting the earliest bases dating back to 1902. Historical ties, such as those stemming from the Spanish-American War, and agreements like the lease of Guantánamo Bay from Cuba, further cement America’s extensive international military presence. We delve into the history of 19 of the oldest US military bases worldwide.
RAF Feltwell, United Kingdom
RAF Feltwell, a key Royal Air Force station in Norfolk, East Anglia, supports the United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa. Initially established in 1942, the base spans 305 acres and serves as housing for nearby RAF Mildenhall’s US Air Force personnel. In FY 2024, the US Army requested a 173 billion US dollar budget, with 12.4 billion US dollars for Overseas Operations. This reflects a strategic commitment to global security, building upon the previous fiscal year’s allocation of 14.5 billion US dollars, as reported by Statista.
Wake Island Airfield, Wake Island
Wake Island Airfield, situated on Wake Island, holds historical significance from the Battle of Wake Island during World War II. Currently owned by the US Air Force and operated by the 611th Air Support Group, the airfield is a crucial military installation. Its runway facilitates emergency landings for commercial jetliners traversing transpacific routes. Over the years, various airlines have utilized the airfield for scheduled flights, accommodating jet, turboprop, and prop aircraft. Since its establishment in 1941, Wake Island Airfield has been a pivotal asset, occupying a mere 5 acres of land on Wake Island.
Agana, Guam
Naval Air Station Agana, formerly a key United States Naval air station located in Guam, played a crucial role in military operations throughout its history. Initially established by the Japanese Navy in 1943, the base transitioned to American control until its closure by the United States government in 1995. Constructed by the Japanese Navy around 1943, it was a vital strategic asset during World War II. Following repairs in October 1944, the United States Army Air Forces utilized the airfield for the 11th Bombardment Group, operating B-24 Liberator bombers until their relocation to Okinawa in July 1945. Subsequently, the 41st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron utilized the base for reconnaissance missions until January 1946. Established in 1899 and located in Apra Harbor, Guam, Naval Air Station Agana encompassed approximately 22 acres, symbolizing its historical significance in military aviation.
RAF Welford Ammo Storage Area, United Kingdom
RAF Welford, formally known as Royal Air Force Welford, is an operational air force base in Berkshire, England. Established in 1943, this base has stood as a crucial military installation. Situated within the picturesque landscape of Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, RAF Welford spans approximately 736 acres, offering ample space for training and operational activities. With around 10,770 active-duty personnel stationed within the country, RAF Welford is pivotal in ensuring national security. Initially allocated to the Ninth Air Force IX Troop Carrier Command (TCC) in October 1943, the base, under USAAF control, was identified as USAAF Station AAF-474, marking its significance in military history.
Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Ramey Air Force Base, also called Borinquen Field, was a prominent United States Air Force installation in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Named in honor of Brigadier General Howard Knox Ramey, it underwent redevelopment into Rafael Hernandez Airport after its closure. In 1939, Major George C. Kenney of the US Army Air Corps conducted a thorough survey of potential air base sites across Puerto Rico, ultimately identifying Punta Borinquen as the most suitable location for a central air base. Established in 1936, Ramey Air Force Base played a significant role in bolstering national defense capabilities. Spanning Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, it stood as one of the 34 US bases in the country, signifying its importance in military operations.
Vieques West, Puerto Rico
The Vieques, Puerto Rico, Naval Training Range was a significant United States naval facility on Vieques Island, approximately 5 miles east of mainland Puerto Rico. Commencing its operations in November 1941, the Navy utilized the range extensively for military exercises. However, military operations ceased in 2001, culminating in the complete withdrawal of the Navy from the area by 2003. With its inauguration in 1941, the Vieques Naval Training Range played a crucial role in naval training and operations, contributing to the defense efforts of the United States.
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
The US gained control of Guantánamo Bay following the Spanish–American War and the implementation of the Platt Amendment. This amendment, established in 1903 through the Cuban–American Treaty of Relations, outlined seven conditions for the US’s withdrawal from Cuba. While permitted to construct up to four naval bases on the island, only the Guantánamo Bay Naval Base was built. Managed by the Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO), the detention facility within the base operates under the Southern Command of the Department of Defense (DoD). Notable detention areas include Camp Delta, Camp Echo, Camp Iguana, and the now-closed Camp X-Ray. Established in 1903, Guantánamo Bay Naval Base encompasses approximately 28,817 acres in Guantanamo, Cuba, signifying its enduring significance in military operations.
Roosevelt Rds Naval Station USARC, Puerto Rico
In 1919, during a visit, Franklin D. Roosevelt, then Assistant Secretary of the Navy and future US President, explored Puerto Rico, particularly Ceiba. Impressed by the terrain, he voiced his favor for establishing a base there upon returning to the White House. Amid the backdrop of World War I, the strategic significance of having an airfield in Ceiba for the United States became apparent. Given Puerto Rico’s status as a Commonwealth with territorial rights vested in the US, constructing an air base in Ceiba was deemed feasible. Since its inception in 1941, the base has played a crucial role in military operations, spanning approximately 29 acres in Ceiba, Puerto Rico.
MTA Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico
Camp Santiago Joint Training Center, situated in Salinas, Puerto Rico, spans 6,500 hectares (16,000 acres) under the jurisdiction of the Puerto Rico National Guard. Originally known as Camp Salinas, it was leased by the US government from the Puerto Rican government in 1940 before transitioning to local control in 1967. Notably, it hosted the 65th Infantry Regiment 3rd Battalion before their deployment to Panama during World War II. It accommodates various military branches as a primary training site, contributing significantly to military readiness. Established in 1940, Camp Santiago encompasses approximately 14,650 acres.
Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico
The United States Army Garrison Fort Buchanan is a pivotal Army installation in Puerto Rico, anchoring regional defense operations. The 65th Infantry Regiment, originally known as the Puerto Rico Regiment, earned its designation in 1920 after distinguished service in World War I’s Canal Zone defense. Renamed Fort Buchanan in May 1940, the post underwent gradual downsizing post-World War II, settling at its current size of 746 acres. Despite its closure as an Army post in 1966, Fort Buchanan continued to serve as a command depot, housing post facilities, and a personnel center. Established in 1923, the garrison remains a testament to its enduring legacy in military operations.
RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom
Situated near Huntingdon, England, RAF Alconbury is an active Royal Air Force station, tracing its origins back to its opening in 1938 under RAF Bomber Command. Since 1942, it has served under the United States Army Air Force, notably hosting the 93rd Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force, with distinguished visitors like King George VI observing operations in 1942. Despite initial plans for closure by 2020, a Pentagon announcement 2015 reversed this decision, citing cost-effectiveness, and designated RAF Alconbury as a support base for the Joint Analysis Center. Spanning approximately 218 acres in Great Stukeley, the base plays a vital role in military operations.
Thule Greenland, Greenland (Denmark)
Formerly known as Thule Air Base, Pituffik Space Base stands as the United States Space Force’s northernmost installation, positioned approximately 750 miles north of the Arctic Circle and nearly 947 miles from the North Pole on Greenland’s northwest coast. This strategic base houses a significant array of missile warning sensors under Space Delta 4 and space surveillance assets within Space Delta 2, enhancing space awareness and missile detection capabilities for NORAD, the United States Space Force, and allied partners. As per Statista’s findings, around 17 percent of surveyed US adults deemed the Space Force crucial for bolstering national security in 2019, highlighting its growing significance in defense operations. Established in 1941, Pituffik Space Base encompasses a vast land area of approximately 233,034 acres in North Star Bay, Greenland, symbolizing its pivotal role in safeguarding space and terrestrial domains.
Johnston Atoll Airfield, Johnston Atoll
Johnston Atoll Airport, situated in the United States Minor Outlying Islands, is a crucial Pacific Ocean outpost located approximately 717 nautical miles southwest of Hawaii. Historically an active US military facility, the airport ceased operations in 2005, and its runway is no longer maintained. Despite this, it remains a safer option in dire emergencies than a hazardous water landing. Construction of the airfield began in September 1941, featuring a 4,000-foot by 500-foot runway, barracks, mess halls, hospital, and fuel storage. It was a pivotal refueling base for submarines and American bombers during World War II, including the renowned Boeing B-29 Enola Gay. Established in 1934, Johnston Atoll Airport spans approximately 684 acres, symbolizing its strategic importance in military history.
Fort Allen, Puerto Rico
Established in 1941 by the United States Army Air Corps, Losey Field was a vital military installation during World War II, accommodating fighter and bomber units. Named in honor of Captain Robert M. Losey, the field commemorates his sacrifice as World War II’s first American military casualty. Although the Navy withdrew from Fort Allen in 1980, Losey Field remains active with the presence of the Puerto Rico Army National Guard and US Army Reserve, ensuring operational readiness. Spanning approximately 117 acres in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, the field continues to uphold its legacy of service and dedication to national defense.
Neubiberg Air Base, Germany
Neubiberg Air Base, once a pivotal airfield for the German Air Force and the United States Air Force, ceased operations in 1991. Situated south of Munich, Germany, the base held historical significance dating back to its establishment in 1933 as a glider field named “Flugplatz München Süd” (Munich South Airfield). During World War II, it served as an active Luftwaffe base known as Unterbiberg, hosting Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter bombers of Jagdverband 44 in 1944. Despite sustaining damage from bombings by the 15th Air Force B-24s in February 1945, American armored units captured the base in April of the same year. Following its capture, the United States Army Air Forces designated the base Airfield R-85 Camp Rattle and stationed the 225th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion there on 16 June 1945.
Mount Pirata, Puerto Rico
Monte Pirata, translating to “pirate mountain” in Spanish, is the highest peak on Vieques Island, towering 960 feet (290 m) above sea level. Situated in the western region of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, this majestic mountain holds historical significance as the site of a former US Navy communications facility. Today, under the administration of the Department of Homeland Security, the hill continues to serve strategic purposes. Established in 1941, Monte Pirata’s legacy endures, symbolizing the enduring ties between military operations and natural landscapes.
RAF Croughton, United Kingdom
RAF Croughton, initially established as Brackley Landing Ground in 1938, serves as a crucial United States Air Force communications station in Northamptonshire, England. It processes significant US military communications in Europe and hosts the 422nd Air Base Group. The station’s history includes various name changes before adopting its current designation in July 1941. Since the USAF took over in 1950, it has evolved from the 1969th Communications Squadron to the 2130th Communications Squadron, reflecting its expanding role.
Argentia Newfoundland, Canada
Naval Station Argentia, once a cornerstone of the United States Navy’s operations, served from 1941 to 1994. Notably, on 7 August 1941, the heavy cruiser USS Augusta, carrying President Franklin D. Roosevelt, anchored in Little Placentia Bay off the base. Roosevelt inspected the ongoing construction and enjoyed some leisurely fishing from the Augusta over the subsequent days. Later, on 28 August 1941, Naval Air Station Argentia was officially commissioned, positioned atop the plateau near the base’s anchorage. NAS Argentia was vital in hosting convoy protection, coastal patrol, and anti-submarine aircraft, including land-based and seaplanes. Located in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, Naval Station Argentia spanned approximately 161 acres and remains a testament to its historical significance in maritime defense.
RAF Molesworth, United Kingdom
RAF Molesworth, nestled near Molesworth in Cambridgeshire, England, boasts a rich history of 1917. Today, it is the home base for the Joint Intelligence Operations Center Europe Analytic Center and various units within the 423rd Air Base Group. With its inauguration in 1942, the base occupies approximately 696 acres. According to Declassified UK, Britain hosts a significant portion of US military personnel, with 1 in 6 active-duty US airmen deployed there. The US Air Force’s presence in Britain surpasses that of 40 US states. In December, the US initiated the deployment of next-generation F-35 fighter jets in Suffolk, marking a significant milestone as the first such deployment in Europe. Additionally, the US military maintains a notable presence in London, with around 100 personnel stationed there, including 52 at the American embassy.
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