---
title: 'Air Force Bases in New Mexico: Kirtland, Holloman, Cannon and BAH'
slug: air-force-bases-in-new-mexico
description: >-
  All three Air Force bases in New Mexico, what each wing does, and 2026 BAH for
  Kirtland, Holloman and Cannon. Talk with a New Mexico agent before you move.
publishedAt: '2026-10-03T09:00:00.000Z'
updatedAt: '2026-10-04T00:00:00.000Z'
author: VeteranPCS
categories:
  - U.S. Military Bases
  - PCS Help
canonical: 'https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/air-force-bases-in-new-mexico'
componentSlug: us-military-bases
stateSlug: new-mexico
---
# Air Force Bases in New Mexico: Kirtland, Holloman, Cannon and BAH

There are three Air Force bases in New Mexico: Kirtland in Albuquerque, Holloman near Alamogordo, and Cannon outside Clovis. Each one has a different mission, a different town and a very different housing allowance.

This guide explains what each base does, where it sits, and what BAH covers nearby. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military's term for an assigned move.

## The Air Force Bases in New Mexico, at a Glance

| Base | Nearest city | Host unit | Main missions |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Kirtland AFB | Albuquerque | 377th Air Base Wing | Nuclear weapons support, research labs, special operations aircrew training |
| Holloman AFB | Alamogordo | 49th Wing | F-16 pilot training and MQ-9 pilot and sensor operator training |
| Cannon AFB | Clovis | 27th Special Operations Wing | Air Force Special Operations Command flying missions |

![Infographic of New Mexico's three Air Force bases showing the nearest city, host wing, missions and size of Kirtland, Holloman and Cannon](/images/blog/air-force-bases-in-new-mexico/new-mexico-af-installations.png)

*New Mexico's three Air Force bases. Sources: Kirtland, Holloman and Cannon AFB fact sheets and About pages.*

New Mexico also has White Sands Missile Range, which is Army. For every installation in the state, see our guide to [what military bases are in New Mexico](/blog/what-military-bases-are-in-new-mexico).

## Kirtland Air Force Base

Kirtland sits on the southeast edge of Albuquerque and covers more than 50,000 acres, making it the Air Force's fifth-largest installation, per the [Kirtland fact sheet](https://www.kirtland.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/825944/kirtland-air-force-base-and-the-377th-air-base-wing/). The host 377th Air Base Wing supports nine wings and more than 100 mission partners, and more than 23,000 people work on base.

Major tenants include the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, two Air Force Research Laboratory directorates and the 58th Special Operations Wing, which trains special operations and rescue aircrews. Sandia National Laboratories is a key partner on the base.

In plain terms, Kirtland is a research, nuclear and training hub inside a real city. Families get the most housing choice in the state here. See our [Kirtland AFB PCS guide](/blog/pcs-to-kirtland-afb-albuquerque-2026-guide), and once you arrive, our list of [family-friendly activities near Kirtland](/blog/7-best-family-friendly-activities-near-kirtland-afb).

## Holloman Air Force Base

Holloman sits in the Tularosa Basin west of Alamogordo, between the Sacramento Mountains and the San Andres Mountains. The host 49th Wing trains F-16 pilots and MQ-9 Reaper pilots and sensor operators, and the base supports more than 21,000 military and civilian personnel, per [Holloman's About page](https://www.holloman.af.mil/About-Us/). An MQ-9 Reaper is a remotely piloted aircraft.

Holloman also runs one of the most unusual test sites in the military. Its high speed test track is 50,788 feet long and can push rocket sleds to speeds approaching 10,000 feet per second, per the [846th Test Squadron fact sheet](https://www.holloman.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/317306/846th-test-squadron/).

Next door is the Army's [White Sands Missile Range](https://home.army.mil/wsmr/), about 3,200 square miles of test range. Our [Holloman AFB PCS guide](/blog/pcs-to-holloman-afb-alamogordo-2026-guide) covers housing and schools in Alamogordo.

## Cannon Air Force Base

Cannon sits 8 miles west of Clovis on the eastern New Mexico plains, at 4,295 feet. It covers 3,789 acres and has carried the Cannon name since June 8, 1957, per the [27th Special Operations Wing](https://www.cannon.af.mil/About/).

The base moved to Air Force Special Operations Command, or AFSOC, on October 1, 2007, and the 27th Fighter Wing became the 27th Special Operations Wing. About 25 miles west, Melrose Air Force Range covers roughly 70,000 acres for air-to-ground and small arms training.

Cannon is small, tight-knit and affordable. Our [Cannon AFB PCS guide](/blog/pcs-to-cannon-afb-clovis-2026-guide) covers Clovis, Portales and the smaller towns nearby.

## What BAH Covers at New Mexico's Air Force Bases

BAH is Basic Allowance for Housing, the monthly amount the military pays you toward housing when you live off base. It is set by pay grade, dependent status and your duty station's rate area, not by the rent you actually pay.

Here are 2026 monthly rates for three common pay grades, with dependents first and without second, from the official [DTMO BAH rate lookup](https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/BAH-Rate-Lookup/) run by the Defense Travel Management Office.

| Base | Rate area | E-5 | E-7 | O-3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Kirtland AFB | Albuquerque/Kirtland AFB (NM206) | $2,211 / $1,689 | $2,352 / $2,001 | $2,397 / $2,280 |
| Holloman AFB | Holloman AFB/Alamogordo (NM205) | $1,590 / $1,197 | $1,890 / $1,425 | $1,905 / $1,764 |
| Cannon AFB | Cannon AFB/Clovis (NM207) | $1,365 / $1,107 | $1,695 / $1,272 | $1,875 / $1,506 |

![Bar chart comparing 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing with dependents at Kirtland, Holloman and Cannon Air Force Bases for E-5, E-7 and O-3 pay grades](/images/blog/air-force-bases-in-new-mexico/new-mexico-af-bah-2026.png)

*2026 Basic Allowance for Housing, with dependents, at New Mexico's Air Force bases. Source: DoD DTMO BAH rate lookup.*

The spread is wide for one state. An E-5 with dependents draws $2,211 a month at Kirtland and $1,365 at Cannon, a difference of $846. That tracks the gap between the Albuquerque region, home to about 500,000 people per Kirtland, and two small towns where housing costs much less.

Higher BAH does not always mean an easier budget. In Clovis and Alamogordo a lower allowance can still cover more house, while in Albuquerque you have more choices but more competition.

Rates reset every January. Look up your own pay grade and ZIP code, and see our explainer on [2026 BAH rates](/blog/2026-bah-rates-what-changed-and-how-to-check-yours).

Not sure what your allowance buys near your gate? [Talk with a New Mexico agent who works with military families](https://www.veteranpcs.com/contact-agent?form=agent&fn=Erica&id=001Rg00000pdfKT&state=new-mexico). There is no cost and no obligation.

## Life Near New Mexico's Air Force Bases

**High desert living.** All three bases sit above 4,000 feet. Expect strong sun, low humidity, wind and a summer monsoon season with afternoon storms.

**Small-town or city.** Kirtland families can choose city neighborhoods or suburbs like Rio Rancho. Holloman and Cannon families live in small towns where shopping, specialty medical care and flights may mean a longer drive.

**Buying versus renting.** If you plan to buy, a VA loan is a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs that usually needs no down payment. Our guide to [how much house you can afford on BAH](/blog/how-much-house-can-you-afford-on-bah) helps you set a budget. New Mexico also offers property tax relief to some veterans; see our [New Mexico veteran property tax exemption guide](/blog/new-mexico-veteran-property-tax-exemptions-2026).

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How many Air Force bases are in New Mexico?

Three: Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, Holloman Air Force Base near Alamogordo and Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis.

### What is the largest Air Force base in New Mexico?

Kirtland. It covers more than 50,000 acres and is the Air Force's fifth-largest installation, with more than 23,000 people working on base.

### Is White Sands an Air Force base?

No. White Sands Missile Range is an Army test range. It sits next to Holloman Air Force Base, but it is run by the Army.

### Which New Mexico Air Force base has the highest BAH?

Kirtland, in the Albuquerque rate area. For 2026 the with-dependents rate is $2,211 for an E-5, $2,352 for an E-7 and $2,397 for an O-3.

### What does Cannon Air Force Base do?

Cannon is home to the 27th Special Operations Wing, part of Air Force Special Operations Command since 2007. It flies special operations missions and trains on the nearby Melrose Air Force Range.

Know an Airman with New Mexico orders? Share this guide with your military network.

*This content is for informational purposes. Consult a professional for personal financial decisions.*