Massachusetts has a small but important military footprint. The state is home to five major active installations, supporting the Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard, plus Air Force Reserve and National Guard units that train and fly alongside them. Whether you are PCSing to Massachusetts (Permanent Change of Station, the military term for an official move to a new duty station), thinking about a move, or just curious about military history, this guide gives you a clear overview of the key military bases in the state.
Overview of Military Installations in Massachusetts
Massachusetts military bases cover a wide range of missions. They include technology acquisition, soldier research and development, strategic airlift, fighter and air defense operations, and search and rescue. Much of the work in the state is focused on the brains behind the force, from buying the Air Force's electronic and command systems to designing the gear soldiers wear and carry. Together these installations keep military families moving in and out of the Boston area and Western Massachusetts every year on PCS orders.
Active Military Bases in Massachusetts
- Hanscom Air Force Base
- Westover Air Reserve Base
- Barnes Air National Guard Base
- Natick Soldier Systems Center
- Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod (Joint Base Cape Cod)
Air Force Bases in Massachusetts
Hanscom Air Force Base
Hanscom AFB, near Bedford northwest of Boston, is unusual because it is built around acquisition rather than a flying mission. Its host unit is the 66th Air Base Group, part of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, and it supports more than 10,000 military members, civilians, and contractors. The base is home to several Air Force Program Executive Offices, including offices for Cyber and Networks and Electronic Systems, which buy and field the digital, communication, and command systems the Air Force depends on.
Key Missions:
- Acquisition of electronic and command-and-control systems
- Cyber, network, and communications programs
- Base support for active duty, Reserve, and Guard members
Learn more on the Hanscom Air Force Base fact sheet and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center website.
Westover Air Reserve Base
Westover ARB, in Chicopee in Western Massachusetts, is the largest Air Force Reserve base. Its host unit, the 439th Airlift Wing, operates the C-5M Super Galaxy, the largest aircraft in the Air Force inventory. With more than 1,660 personnel, the wing provides worldwide movement of troops, supplies, equipment, and medical patients.
Key Missions:
- Strategic airlift with the C-5M Super Galaxy
- Worldwide movement of troops, cargo, and patients
- Air Force Reserve readiness and training
See the official 439th Airlift Wing fact sheet and the C-5 Galaxy fact sheet.
Barnes Air National Guard Base
Barnes ANGB, in Westfield in Western Massachusetts, is home to the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. The wing is one of the oldest flying units in the state and is assigned to Air Combat Command. Its 131st Fighter Squadron flies the F-15 Eagle and provides air sovereignty and alert coverage for the air defense of the northeastern United States.
Key Missions:
- Air sovereignty and alert for the Northeast
- Fighter operations with the F-15 Eagle
- Combat-ready airpower for Air Combat Command
Read more on the 104th Fighter Wing fact sheet and the 104th Fighter Wing home page.
Army Bases in Massachusetts
Natick Soldier Systems Center
Natick Soldier Systems Center, in Natick about 18 miles west of Boston, is the Army's center for soldier research and development. It is home to the DEVCOM Soldier Center, which treats the soldier as a complete system. The center is responsible for the research, development, and fielding of the military's food, clothing, shelters, airdrop systems, and protective equipment, including body armor, helmets, and footwear.
Key Missions:
- Research and development of soldier equipment
- Food, clothing, shelter, and airdrop systems
- Protective gear such as body armor and helmets
