---
title: What Military Bases are in New Mexico?
slug: what-military-bases-are-in-new-mexico
description: Find every active military base in New Mexico—Holloman AFB & Cannon AFB among them—plus PCS housing tips, VA-loan guidance, and veteran-friendly agents.
publishedAt: 2023-07-25T17:25:11.000Z
updatedAt: 2026-05-02T00:00:00.000Z
author: VeteranPCS
categories: [US Military Bases]
canonical: https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/what-military-bases-are-in-new-mexico
---

# What Military Bases are in New Mexico?

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**

[Visit Cannon Air Force Base](https://www.cannon.af.mil/)

## **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**

[Visit Holloman Air Force Base](https://www.holloman.af.mil/)

## **3. Kirtland Air Force Base**

📍 **Location:** Albuquerque, NM
🎯 **Mission:** Nuclear weapons research, development, and maintenance

Originally established in **1917** as **Albuquerque Airfield**, **Kirtland AFB** is a major hub for **nuclear deterrence and national security operations**. It is home to:

- **377th Air Wing** – Provides **global strike and nuclear deterrence capabilities**
- **Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center** – Oversees **nuclear weapons development, testing, and maintenance**
- **Sandia National Laboratories** – Conducts **research on nuclear weapons, energy, and national security**

[Visit Kirtland Air Force Base](https://www.kirtland.af.mil/)

## **4. White Sands Missile Range (WSMR)**

📍 **Location:** Southern New Mexico (30 miles north of Las Cruces)
🎯 **Mission:** Missile testing, aerospace research, and military training

Established in **1945** as **White Sands Proving Ground**, **WSMR** is the **largest military installation in the contiguous United States**, covering **3,200 square miles**.

### **Key Functions:**

- **Missile testing and development** – Used to test **ICBMs, aircraft, and advanced weapons systems**
- **Military training** – Trains personnel on **ground vehicles, electronic warfare, and weapons systems**
- **Aerospace research** – Conducts **experiments for NASA and the Department of Defense**

[Visit White Sands Missile Range](https://www.wsmr.army.mil/)

## **Moving to New Mexico? We Can Help!**

If you're **PCSing to New Mexico**, our **VeteranPCS agents and lenders** can assist with:

- **Finding a military-friendly real estate agent**
- **Navigating the VA Loan process**
- **Exploring housing options near military installations**