Maryland sits at the heart of the nation's defense network, with bases that handle everything from cyber defense to medical care to weapons testing. According to the State of Maryland, twenty military installations support active-duty missions across the state, with work spread across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard (the term PCS, or Permanent Change of Station, means a military move from one duty station to another). Whether you are PCSing to Maryland, weighing a move, or just curious about the state's military history, this guide walks through the key bases and what each one does.
Overview of Military Installations in Maryland
Maryland's bases cluster around the Washington–Baltimore corridor and the Chesapeake Bay. They support a wide range of missions, including intelligence and cybersecurity, military medicine, weapons research, and pilot test work. The state government notes that Maryland is "at the forefront of the nation's military preparedness," and several of its installations are among the most well-known in the country, per the Maryland Department of Planning.
Active Military Bases in Maryland
- Aberdeen Proving Ground
- Adelphi Laboratory Center
- Blossom Point Research Facility
- Fort Detrick
- Fort George G. Meade
- Joint Base Andrews
- Naval Air Station Patuxent River
- Naval Research Laboratory Chesapeake Bay Detachment
- Naval Support Activity Annapolis (U.S. Naval Academy)
- Naval Support Activity Bethesda (Walter Reed)
- Naval Support Facility Indian Head
- Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock
- U.S. Coast Guard Yard
Army Bases in Maryland
Fort George G. Meade
Fort Meade is Maryland's largest employer and one of the most important intelligence sites in the country. It is home to the National Security Agency (NSA), which handles signals intelligence and cybersecurity, and U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), which defends Department of Defense networks and runs cyber operations. According to the U.S. Army, the post supports the NSA, U.S. Cyber Command, the Defense Information Systems Agency, the Defense Media Activity, and more than 100 other agencies.
Key Missions:
- Signals intelligence and cybersecurity
- Cyber operations and network defense
- Support for over 100 partner agencies
Aberdeen Proving Ground
Established in 1917 on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay in Harford County, Aberdeen Proving Ground is the Army's oldest active proving ground (a proving ground is a site where weapons and equipment are tested). Today it is one of the world's leading research, development, and testing centers for military gear. According to the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, the post is a hub for Army research and supports more than 90 tenant organizations.
Key Missions:
- Weapons and equipment testing
- Army research and development
- Test and evaluation for combat systems
Fort Detrick
Located in Frederick, Fort Detrick began as Camp Detrick in 1943. Its early biological warfare mission ended in 1969, and the post has since grown into a campus focused on advanced biomedical research. According to the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), the institute develops vaccines, drugs, and diagnostic tests to protect service members from biological threats. The post also supports long-haul telecommunications for the White House and the Department of Defense.
Key Missions:
- Biomedical research and development
- Vaccine and drug development
- Medical materiel management
Navy Bases in Maryland
Naval Air Station Patuxent River
Known as NAS Pax River, this base sits in St. Mary's County near where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay. It is the nation's test and evaluation center for new Navy and Marine Corps aircraft and weapons systems. According to the Naval Air Systems Command, the base is home to NAVAIR headquarters and hosts more than 50 tenants, conducting over 200,000 air operations a year.
Key Missions:
- Aircraft test and evaluation
- Research and development for naval aviation
- Life-cycle support for Navy aircraft and weapons
Naval Support Activity Annapolis (U.S. Naval Academy)
The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis was established in 1845 and is the second-oldest of the five U.S. service academies. According to the U.S. Naval Academy, its mission is to develop midshipmen "morally, mentally and physically" into leaders for the Navy and Marine Corps. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as a Navy ensign or Marine Corps second lieutenant.
Key Missions:
- Education and training of future officers
- Leadership development
- Commissioning Navy and Marine Corps officers
Naval Support Activity Bethesda (Walter Reed)
Naval Support Activity Bethesda is home to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the nation's largest military hospital. The base was formed after a 2005 base realignment combined the old National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. According to Naval District Washington, the base supports the hospital and its tenant commands in patient care, medical research, and education.
Key Missions:
