--- title: What Military Bases are in Arizona? slug: what-military-bases-are-in-arizona description: >- All 7 Arizona military bases—Luke AFB, Davis-Monthan AFB, Fort Huachuca and more—plus PCS housing tips, VA-loan guidance, and veteran-friendly agents. publishedAt: '2023-07-19T14:40:58.000Z' updatedAt: '2026-07-19T00:00:00.000Z' author: VeteranPCS categories: - U.S. Military Bases canonical: 'https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/what-military-bases-are-in-arizona' componentSlug: us-military-bases stateSlug: arizona --- # What Military Bases are in Arizona? 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](https://www.arizonahighways.com/) ## **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** [Visit Camp Navajo](https://dema.az.gov/) ## **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](https://www.dm.af.mil/) ## **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 ## **5. Luke Air Force Base** **Location:** Glendale, AZ **Mission:** The world's **largest F-16 and F-35 fighter pilot training base** Named after **WWI flying ace Frank Luke Jr.**, Luke AFB trains **fighter pilots for the Air Force, Air National Guard, and international allies**. It is home to: - **56th Fighter Wing** – Primary **F-16 and F-35 pilot training unit** - **944th Fighter Wing** – Air Force Reserve fighter training - **162nd Wing** – Arizona Air National Guard operations [Visit Luke Air Force Base](https://www.luke.af.mil/) ## **6. Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma** **Location:** Yuma, AZ **Mission:** One of the **busiest Marine Corps air stations**, specializing in air-to-ground combat training Established in **1942**, MCAS Yuma is home to: - **F/A-18 Hornets and AV-8B Harriers** - **CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters** - **Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 (MAWTS-1)** – Trains pilots in **advanced air combat tactics** Visit MCAS Yuma ## **7. Yuma Proving Ground (YPG)** **Location:** Yuma, AZ **Mission:** Military weapons and equipment testing facility Originally established in **1942** as **Yuma Test Station**, **Yuma Proving Ground** is one of the **largest military testing facilities in the world**. It specializes in: - **Weapons testing for aircraft, ground vehicles, and artillery** - **Electronic warfare systems evaluation** - **Desert warfare training for military personnel** [Visit Yuma Proving Ground](https://www.yuma.army.mil/) ## **Moving to Arizona? We Can Help!** If you're **PCSing to Arizona**, our **VeteranPCS agents and lenders** can assist with: - **Finding a military-friendly real estate agent** - **Navigating the VA Loan process** - **Exploring housing options near Arizona military installations** ## Plan Your PCS to Arizona Where you settle in Arizona depends a lot on your base. If you are reporting to Luke Air Force Base in the West Valley, our [guide to PCSing to Luke AFB and Phoenix](/blog/pcs-to-luke-afb-military-guide-to-phoenix) and our wider [greater Phoenix Valley guide for military families and veterans](/blog/greater-phoenix-valley-a-guide-for-military-veterans) break down the suburbs, commutes, and prices worth knowing. Marines headed to MCAS Yuma can start with our [complete guide to MCAS Yuma](/blog/your-complete-guide-to-mcas-yuma), and anyone still getting their bearings statewide will find our [comprehensive guide to PCSing to Arizona](/blog/pcs-to-arizona-a-comprehensive-guide-for-active-duty-military-personnel-moving-to-arizona) useful for schools, climate, and cost of living. Before you make an offer, it is worth understanding [the benefits of a VA loan](/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-va-loan) so you can buy with no money down. When you are ready for a local read on a specific base or neighborhood, you can ask a VeteranPCS agent near Luke Air Force Base for current listings and prices. Know another family with orders to Arizona? Share this guide with your military network so they can plan their move with real numbers too.