Arizona is home to a large and active military community, with over 100,000 active-duty service members, reservists, and National Guard members. The state's military installations play a crucial role in national defense, aviation training, weapons testing, and intelligence operations.
This guide provides an overview of each military base in Arizona, including its mission, history, and significance.
List of Military Bases in Arizona
- Barry M. Goldwater Range
- Camp Navajo
- Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
- Fort Huachuca
- Luke Air Force Base
- Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma
- Yuma Proving Ground
1. Barry M. Goldwater Range
Location: Southwestern Arizona Mission: Military training range for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat
The Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR) is one of the largest military training ranges in the world, covering over 1.9 million acres. It is used by the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Army for:
- Aerial combat training
- Live-fire exercises
- Bombing and missile testing
Visit the Barry M. Goldwater Range
2. Camp Navajo
Location: Bellemont, AZ (near Flagstaff) Mission: Munitions storage, National Guard training, and industrial operations
Originally opened in 1942 as the Navajo Ordnance Depot, Camp Navajo played a key role in World War II ammunition storage. Today, it is:
- The largest National Guard training facility in Arizona
- A munitions storage and industrial facility
- Managed by the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs
3. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
Location: Tucson, AZ Mission: Home of the A-10C Thunderbolt II training program and aircraft storage operations
Established in 1925, Davis-Monthan AFB is home to:
- 355th Wing – Trains and deploys A-10C Thunderbolt II pilots
- 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) – Stores and maintains retired military aircraft
- 55th Electronic Combat Group – Conducts electronic warfare operations
- 943rd Rescue Group – Part of the Air Force Reserve
Visit Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
4. Fort Huachuca
Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Mission: Home of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Network Enterprise Technology Command
Established in 1877, Fort Huachuca originally protected settlers from Apache attacks. Today, it serves as a critical center for Army intelligence and cybersecurity operations, housing:
- Military Intelligence training programs
- Cybersecurity and electronic warfare units
- Drone testing and unmanned aerial systems development
Visit Fort Huachuca
