Mississippi has a strong and steady military presence, much of it along the Gulf Coast. The state is home to six major active installations, supporting the Air Force, Navy, and Army National Guard, plus reserve and tenant units that train and operate alongside them. Whether you are PCSing to Mississippi (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 Mississippi
Mississippi military bases cover a wide range of missions. They include technical training, weather reconnaissance into hurricanes, undergraduate pilot training, Seabee construction operations, ocean and weather science, and large-scale Army maneuver training. The state trains and supports thousands of service members from every branch, and it keeps many military families moving in and out each year on PCS orders.
Active Military Bases in Mississippi
- Keesler Air Force Base
- Columbus Air Force Base
- Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport
- Naval Air Station Meridian
- Stennis Space Center (Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command)
- Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center
Air Force Bases in Mississippi
Keesler Air Force Base
Keesler AFB, in Biloxi on the Gulf Coast, is the "Electronics Training Center of Excellence" for the Air Force. Its host unit, the 81st Training Wing, runs technical training for tens of thousands of students each year across many career fields, teaching not only Air Force members but also Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and federal civilian personnel. Keesler is also home to the 403rd Wing, the Air Force Reserve unit known as the "Hurricane Hunters," which flies into tropical storms and hurricanes to gather weather data for the National Hurricane Center.
Key Missions:
- Technical training in electronics, cyber, and other career fields
- Weather reconnaissance flights into hurricanes
- Joint training for members of all the services
Learn more on the Keesler Air Force Base website and the 403rd Wing Hurricane Hunters page.
Columbus Air Force Base
Columbus AFB, in Columbus in the northeast of the state, is home to the 14th Flying Training Wing, part of Air Education and Training Command. Its mission is to "Train World Class Pilots." The wing runs the 52-week Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training program, which student pilots must complete before earning their wings. The flying mission is carried out by the 14th Operations Group and its squadrons.
Key Missions:
- Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training
- Developing mission-ready Air Force pilots
- Flight training operations and support
See the official Columbus Air Force Base website and the Columbus AETC fact sheet.
Navy Bases in Mississippi
Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport
NCBC Gulfport, in Gulfport on the Gulf Coast, is home to the Atlantic Fleet Seabees, the Navy's construction force. The base exists to maintain facilities and provide support to Naval Construction Force units that deploy from or are homeported there, and it hosts dozens of tenant commands. Gulfport is the base for the 20th Seabee Readiness Group, which helps man, train, and equip Seabee units, and it is also home to the Naval Construction Training Center, where new Seabees learn their trade.
Key Missions:
- Support and home port for Atlantic Fleet Seabee units
- Training for the Naval Construction Force
- Readiness and equipping of deploying Seabee battalions
Learn more on the NCBC Gulfport installation page and the Naval Construction Training Center Gulfport page.
Naval Air Station Meridian
NAS Meridian, northeast of Meridian, is a Navy jet training base. It is home to Training Air Wing One and its training squadrons, where student naval aviators complete intermediate and advanced jet training on their way to earning their wings. The station also hosts the Naval Technical Training Center, which runs schoolhouse training for sailors. The area's open airspace and good flying weather make it a strong place to learn to fly.
Key Missions:
- Intermediate and advanced naval jet pilot training
- Technical training for Navy sailors
- Support for student aviators and tenant commands
See the official NAS Meridian installation page and the Training Air Wing One page at NAS Meridian.
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Stennis Space Center
Stennis Space Center, in Hancock County in south Mississippi, is a federal site that NASA operates and that hosts many Navy tenants. It is home to the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, which oversees thousands of personnel who collect and use ocean and weather information to support fleet and joint commanders. The Naval Oceanographic Office, also based there, provides oceanographic products and services across the Department of Defense.
Key Missions:
- Naval meteorology and oceanography operations
- Ocean and weather data to support fleet and joint commanders
- Oceanographic products and services for the Department of Defense
Learn more on the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command website and the Naval Oceanographic Office page.
Army Bases in Mississippi
Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center
Camp Shelby, near Hattiesburg in south Mississippi, is a major training site run by the Mississippi Army National Guard. Spread across more than 134,000 acres, it can support battalion-level maneuver training and has served almost continuously as a training ground since 1917. It is home to the 177th Armored Brigade (Training Support), whose soldiers mentor National Guard and Reserve units that come to Camp Shelby to train on systems such as the M1 Abrams tank and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
Key Missions:
- Large-scale Army maneuver and weapons training
- Training support for National Guard and Reserve units
- Mobilization and readiness operations
See the official Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center page and the Camp Shelby training page.
Moving to Mississippi? Let Us Help You Find a Home
Relocating to Mississippi for a military assignment comes with unique challenges, but VeteranPCS is here to help. Whether you need help understanding a VA Loan (a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, often with no down payment), finding military-friendly communities, or working with experienced real estate agents, we are committed to making your PCS move simple.
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 Mississippi, contact us today to connect with an agent or lender who understands the unique needs of military families.
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We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.Plan Your PCS to Mississippi
Mississippi's bases cluster on the Gulf Coast, with Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi and Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport nearby, while Columbus Air Force Base sits in the northeast of the state, so your move depends on your orders. Start by mapping the timeline with the ultimate PCS checklist and timeline, and our guide on what you need to know to prepare to PCS covers the basics. Moving with kids? See our sanity-saving PCS tips for military families. If you plan to buy, start with the benefits of a VA loan and our complete guide to buying your first home with a VA loan.
When you are ready for a local read on a specific base or neighborhood, you can ask Shaun Burkley, a VeteranPCS agent in Biloxi, for current listings and prices.
Know another family with orders to Mississippi? Share this guide with your military network so they can plan their move too.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the largest military base in Mississippi?
Keesler Air Force Base, in Biloxi, is the largest and best-known military base in Mississippi. It is the Air Force's "Electronics Training Center of Excellence" and trains tens of thousands of students each year, and it is also home to the 403rd Wing "Hurricane Hunters."
2. How many military bases are in Mississippi?
Mississippi is home to six major active installations, supporting the Air Force, Navy, and Army National Guard, along with many reserve and tenant units.
3. What is the main Air Force base in Mississippi?
Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi is the Air Force's main hub in Mississippi for technical training and weather reconnaissance. Columbus Air Force Base in the northeast of the state is the main pilot training base.
4. What is the main Navy presence in Mississippi?
Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport is the main Navy installation, home to the Atlantic Fleet Seabees. Naval Air Station Meridian trains Navy jet pilots, and Stennis Space Center hosts the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command.
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