Hawaii has a rich military history and is home to eleven active military installations spread across multiple islands. With its strategic location in the Pacific, Hawaii has played a critical role in U.S. military operations for over a century. From Pearl Harbor to modern cyber warfare training, these bases support every branch of the military and remain essential for national security.
Whether you are PCSing to Hawaii, planning a move, or learning more about its military presence, this guide provides an overview of key bases and their missions.
Overview of Military Installations in Hawaii
Hawaii's military bases support combat operations, logistics, aviation training, missile defense, and medical care. The state is home to Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force personnel, making it one of the most military-dense regions in the country.
Active Military Bases in Hawaii
- Air Station Barbers Point
- Barking Sands Missile Range
- Camp H.M. Smith
- Fort Shafter
- Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
- Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay)
- Pohakuloa Training Area
- Schofield Barracks
- Tripler Army Medical Center
- USCG Sector Honolulu
- Wheeler Army Airfield
Army Bases in Hawaii
Schofield Barracks
Established in 1908, Schofield Barracks is the largest Army installation in Hawaii. Originally built to protect Pearl Harbor, it is now home to the 25th Infantry Division and serves as the headquarters for U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii.
Key Missions:
- Infantry training and deployment
- Pacific-region security operations
- Readiness support for Army forces
Fort Shafter
As the oldest Army post on Oahu, Fort Shafter was established in 1907 and has been a key command center for over a century. It served as the headquarters for Army operations in the Pacific during World War II and remains a critical base today.
Key Missions:
- U.S. Army Pacific Command headquarters
- Intelligence and logistics support
- Regional coordination for joint operations
Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA)
Located on the Big Island, PTA spans over 133,000 acres, making it the largest training area in the Pacific. It is the only location in Hawaii where live-fire artillery training is permitted.
Key Missions:
- Live-fire combat training
- Joint military exercises with allied forces
- Maneuver training for infantry and armored units
Navy and Marine Corps Bases in Hawaii
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
This joint base combines Pearl Harbor Naval Base and Hickam Air Force Base into a single installation. Established in 1899, Pearl Harbor remains one of the most important naval bases in the world.
Key Missions:
- Pacific Fleet headquarters
- Submarine operations
- Ship maintenance and logistics
Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay)
Originally built as an Army base, it transitioned to the Marine Corps in the 1950s. It serves as the primary Marine Corps aviation and ground support facility in the Pacific.
Key Missions:
- Helicopter and fixed-wing aviation support
- Amphibious warfare training
- Deployment readiness for Marine units
Camp H.M. Smith
Originally a World War II-era naval hospital, Camp H.M. Smith became the headquarters for the Fleet Marine Force Pacific in 1955. The base is named after General Holland M. Smith, a Marine Corps leader known for his role in amphibious warfare.
Key Missions:
- U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters
- Joint military planning and coordination
- Strategic command and control for the region
Air Force Bases in Hawaii
Hickam Field (Part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam)
Hickam Field was established in the 1930s to support Army Air Corps operations and later became a major Air Force installation. In 2010, it merged with Pearl Harbor to form a joint base.
Key Missions:
- Airlift and refueling operations
- Strategic air command and control
- Pacific-region aerial defense
Wheeler Army Airfield
Established in 1922, Wheeler Army Airfield was an early aviation center that supported both fighter squadrons and military transport operations. It played a key role in defending against the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Key Missions:
