--- title: What Military Bases are in Maryland? slug: what-military-bases-are-in-maryland description: >- A guide to active military bases in Maryland, from Fort Meade to Joint Base Andrews, plus PCS housing tips, VA-loan help, and veteran-friendly agents. publishedAt: '2026-06-25T09:00:00.000Z' updatedAt: '2026-06-19T00:00:00.000Z' author: VeteranPCS categories: - US Military Bases canonical: 'https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/what-military-bases-are-in-maryland' componentSlug: us-military-bases stateSlug: maryland --- # What Military Bases are in Maryland? 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](https://militarycompatibility.maryland.gov/Pages/Military-Installations-in-Maryland/military-background-in-maryland.aspx). ### 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](https://home.army.mil/meade/), 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](https://arl.devcom.army.mil/who-we-are/locations/apg/), 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)](https://usamriid.health.mil/), 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](https://www.navair.navy.mil/PaxRiver), 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](https://www.usna.edu/About/mission.php), 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](https://ndw.cnic.navy.mil/Bethesda/), the base supports the hospital and its tenant commands in patient care, medical research, and education. **Key Missions:** - Military medical care - Medical research and education - Support for wounded service members ### Naval Support Facility Indian Head Located on the **Potomac River** about 20 miles south of Washington, D.C., this base is home to the **Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Indian Head Division**. According to the [State of Maryland](https://militarycompatibility.maryland.gov/Pages/Military-Installations-in-Maryland/nsf-indian-head-home.aspx), Indian Head manufactures propellants, pyrotechnics, and explosives that account for a large share of the deployed U.S. weapon explosives. It is the Defense Department's largest full-spectrum facility for energetics (the science of explosives and propellants). **Key Missions:** - Research and testing of energetics - Manufacturing of propellants and explosives - Ordnance and propulsion support ## Air Force Bases in Maryland ### Joint Base Andrews Located in **Prince George's County**, Joint Base Andrews is best known as the **home of Air Force One**, the aircraft that carries the President. The base was formed in **2009** when Andrews Air Force Base merged with Naval Air Facility Washington. According to the [Maryland Department of Planning](https://militarycompatibility.maryland.gov/Pages/Military-Installations-in-Maryland/joint-base-andrews-home.aspx), the base serves as the main air transport hub for the President, Vice President, and senior leaders, and the **89th Airlift Wing** handles those special air missions. **Key Missions:** - Air transport for the President and senior leaders - Special air mission airlift - Fighter and airlift operations ## Moving to Maryland? Let Us Help You Find a Home Relocating to Maryland for a military assignment comes with unique challenges, but **VeteranPCS** is here to help. Whether you need help navigating **VA home loans**, finding **military-friendly communities**, or working with **experienced real estate agents**, we are committed to making your **PCS move seamless**. Our network of **veteran and military-friendly real estate agents** can assist with: - Finding **on-base or off-base housing** - Connecting with **VA loan specialists** - Understanding the **best communities near each installation** If you are getting ready to move to Maryland, **contact us today** to connect with an **agent or lender** who understands the unique needs of military families. ## Plan Your PCS to Maryland Maryland's bases cluster around the Washington–Baltimore corridor, where housing costs and commutes vary a lot from one installation to the next. If your orders are to Fort Meade, our breakdown of [Fort Meade BAH rates and what your allowance actually buys](/blog/fort-meade-bah-2026-what-your-allowance-buys) is essential reading, and families headed to the National Capital Region's medical hub can compare neighborhoods in our [Walter Reed Bethesda guide](/blog/pcs-to-walter-reed-bethesda-2026-neighborhoods-bah). Keep the move organized with the [ultimate PCS checklist and timeline](/blog/the-ultimate-pcs-checklist-and-timeline-for-active-duty-military-personnel), come prepared with the [10 essential questions for first-time military home buyers](/blog/10-essential-questions-for-first-time-military-home-buyers), and if you plan to buy, review [the benefits of a VA loan](/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-va-loan). When you are ready for a local read on a specific base or neighborhood, you can ask James Nicholson, a VeteranPCS agent near Fort Meade, for current listings and prices. Know another family with orders to Maryland? Share this guide with your military network so they can plan their move too. ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ### 1. How many military bases are in Maryland? According to the State of Maryland, **twenty military installations** support active-duty missions across the state, with work ranging from intelligence and cybersecurity to military medicine and weapons testing. ### 2. What is the largest military employer in Maryland? **Fort George G. Meade** is Maryland's largest employer. It is home to the **National Security Agency** and **U.S. Cyber Command**, along with more than 100 other agencies. ### 3. Where is Air Force One based in Maryland? **Joint Base Andrews** in Prince George's County is the home of **Air Force One**. The base serves as the main air transport hub for the President, Vice President, and other senior leaders. ### 4. What is the main military hospital in Maryland? **Walter Reed National Military Medical Center** at Naval Support Activity Bethesda is the **nation's largest military hospital**, providing care, medical research, and education. [**Connect with our Agents & Lenders in Maryland Today**](https://veteranpcs.com/maryland) and make your move stress-free.