New Mexico has a long and rich military history, playing a crucial role in nuclear weapons development, aerospace testing, and special operations. The state was home to key facilities of the Manhattan Project, where the world's first atomic bomb was developed, and was the site of the Trinity nuclear test in 1945.
Today, New Mexico is home to four major military installations, each with a unique mission supporting national defense.
List of Military Bases in New Mexico
- Cannon Air Force Base
- Holloman Air Force Base
- Kirtland Air Force Base
- White Sands Missile Range
1. Cannon Air Force Base
📍 Location: Clovis, NM 🎯 Mission: Special operations and combat aircrew training
Established in 1942 as Clovis Army Air Base, it was later renamed Cannon Air Force Base in 1957. Cannon AFB is home to the 27th Special Operations Wing, which conducts special operations missions worldwide.
Key Features:
- 70,000-acre Melrose Air Force Range – Used for air-to-ground combat training, small arms training, and electronic warfare
- 70th Operations Group – Trains special operations aircrew
2. Holloman Air Force Base
📍 Location: Alamogordo, NM 🎯 Mission: F-16 pilot training and aerospace testing
Established in 1942 as Alamogordo Army Air Field, Holloman AFB became a leading fighter pilot training facility. It is home to:
- 49th Wing – Trains F-16 fighter pilots and aircrew
- 54th Fighter Group – Conducts operational testing and evaluation of the F-16
- World’s longest and fastest high-speed test track – 13.5 miles long, reaching speeds of up to 6,453 mph
