Ohio's military footprint is built around airpower and logistics. The state is home to six major active installations, supporting the Air Force, the Air Force Reserve, the Air National Guard, and the Defense Logistics Agency. Whether you are PCSing to Ohio (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 Ohio
Ohio military bases cover a wide range of missions. They include research and development, aircraft and weapon system acquisition, graduate-level education, aerial refueling, the Defense Department's only large-area aerial spray mission, cyber and intelligence operations, and supply chain support for land and sea weapon systems. The state is anchored by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, one of the largest and most important Air Force installations in the country, and it keeps thousands of military families moving in and out every year on PCS orders.
Active Military Bases in Ohio
- Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
- Youngstown Air Reserve Station
- Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base
- Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base
- Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base
- Defense Supply Center Columbus
Air Force Bases in Ohio
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Wright-Patterson AFB, near Dayton, is the largest single-site employer in Ohio, with more than 30,000 military, civilian, and contractor employees. The host unit is the 88th Air Base Wing, the largest air base wing in the Air Force, which provides infrastructure, security, medical, and support services for more than 100 mission partners. The base is the headquarters of Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), a major command that handles research, development, testing, acquisition, and logistics for Air Force weapon systems. Wright-Patterson is also home to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the Air Force's lead organization for developing new air, space, and cyber technology, and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), which manages aircraft and systems from start to finish.
The base is a center for learning as well. The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) offers defense-focused graduate degrees and technical training, and the National Museum of the United States Air Force is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum, with more than 350 aircraft on display.
Key Missions:
- Headquarters for Air Force Materiel Command
- Research, development, and acquisition of Air Force weapon systems
- Graduate education and technical training
- Aviation history and public education at the National Museum of the USAF
Learn more on the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base website and the Air Force Materiel Command fact sheet.
Youngstown Air Reserve Station
Youngstown Air Reserve Station, in Vienna, near Youngstown, is home to the 910th Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit. The base is unique because it maintains the Defense Department's only large-area fixed-wing aerial spray capability. Its crews use specially equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft to control disease-carrying insects, pest insects, and unwanted vegetation, and the wing is moving to the newer C-130J Super Hercules.
Key Missions:
- The Defense Department's only large-area aerial spray mission
- Tactical airlift with C-130 aircraft
- Air Force Reserve readiness and training
See the official Youngstown Air Reserve Station page and the 910th aerial spray mission fact sheet.
Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base
Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, near Columbus, is home to the 121st Air Refueling Wing, the largest unit in the Ohio Air National Guard. The wing flies the KC-135 Stratotanker and provides aerial refueling that keeps other aircraft flying farther and longer on missions around the world.
Key Missions:
- Aerial refueling with KC-135 Stratotankers
- Global air mobility support
- Ohio Air National Guard readiness and training
Learn more on the 121st Air Refueling Wing website and the 121st Air Refueling Wing About Us page.
Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base
Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base, in Springfield, is home to the 178th Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard. The wing's main missions are remotely piloted aircraft operations with the MQ-9 Reaper, along with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and cyber, space, and signals intelligence work. It is one of the Air National Guard's leading intelligence units.
Key Missions:
- Remotely piloted aircraft operations with the MQ-9 Reaper
- Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)
- Cyber, space, and signals intelligence
See the official 178th Wing website and the 178th Wing fact sheet.
Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base
Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base, in Mansfield, is home to the 179th Cyberspace Wing. In 2023, the unit was redesignated from the 179th Airlift Wing, becoming the first cyberspace wing in the Air National Guard. The wing now focuses on defending networks and supporting cyber operations rather than flying cargo aircraft.
