--- title: What Military Bases are in Ohio? slug: what-military-bases-are-in-ohio description: >- A guide to the active military bases in Ohio, anchored by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, with PCS housing tips, VA-loan guidance, and veteran-friendly agents. publishedAt: '2026-06-30T09:00:00.000Z' updatedAt: '2026-06-19T00:00:00.000Z' author: VeteranPCS categories: - US Military Bases canonical: 'https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/what-military-bases-are-in-ohio' componentSlug: us-military-bases stateSlug: ohio --- # What Military Bases are in Ohio? 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](https://www.wpafb.af.mil/) and the [Air Force Materiel Command fact sheet](https://www.wpafb.af.mil/Welcome/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/2453666/air-force-materiel-command/). ### 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](https://www.afrc.af.mil/Units/youngstown/) and the [910th aerial spray mission fact sheet](https://www.youngstown.afrc.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Article/1807880/aerial-spray-mission/). ### 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](https://www.121arw.ang.af.mil/) and the [121st Air Refueling Wing About Us page](https://www.121arw.ang.af.mil/About-Us/). ### 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](https://www.178wing.ang.af.mil/) and the [178th Wing fact sheet](https://www.178wing.ang.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/1234575/178th-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. **Key Missions:** - The first cyberspace wing in the Air National Guard - Cyber defense and cyberspace operations - Ohio Air National Guard readiness and training Read more on the [179th Cyberspace Wing website](https://www.179cw.ang.af.mil/) and the [Air Force news on the cyberspace wing conversion](https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2747082/mansfield-lahm-ang-base-named-preferred-location-for-cyber-warfare-wing/). ## Defense Logistics Agency Installations in Ohio ### Defense Supply Center Columbus Defense Supply Center Columbus, in **Whitehall**, near Columbus, is the home of **DLA Land and Maritime** (also called DLA Weapons Support), part of the **Defense Logistics Agency**. The center manages the supply chain for **land and maritime weapon systems**, providing parts and support to all the military services. The Columbus depot first opened in **1918** and has supported the warfighter through every major conflict since. **Key Missions:** - Supply chain management for land and maritime weapon systems - Parts and logistics support for all military services - Defense Logistics Agency operations Details are on the [Defense Supply Center Columbus page](https://www.dla.mil/Land-and-Maritime/About/Locations/Columbus/) and the [DLA Land and Maritime About page](https://www.dla.mil/Land-and-Maritime/About/). ## Moving to Ohio? Let Us Help You Find a Home Relocating to Ohio 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 Ohio, **contact us today** to connect with an **agent or lender** who understands the unique needs of military families. ## Plan Your PCS to Ohio Most military families with Ohio orders are headed to the Dayton area for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, so your move starts with a clear plan. Keep the timeline on track with the [ultimate PCS checklist and timeline](/blog/the-ultimate-pcs-checklist-and-timeline-for-active-duty-military-personnel), and if you have never moved before, our guide on [what you need to know to prepare to PCS](/blog/preparing-to-pcs-what-you-need-to-know) walks you through the basics. If you plan to buy near base, start with [the benefits of a VA loan](/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-va-loan) and our [complete guide to buying your first home with a VA loan](/blog/complete-guide-to-buying-your-first-home-with-a-va-loan). Picking the right local expert matters too, so see [how to choose the right real estate agent for your military PCS move](/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-real-estate-agent-for-your-military-pcs-move). When you are ready for a local read on a specific base or neighborhood, you can ask Ashley O'Hara, a VeteranPCS agent in Dayton, for current listings and prices. Know another family with orders to Ohio? 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 Ohio? **Wright-Patterson Air Force Base**, near Dayton, is the largest military installation in Ohio. It is the largest single-site employer in the state, with more than **30,000 military, civilian, and contractor employees**, and it serves as the headquarters of Air Force Materiel Command. ### 2. How many military bases are in Ohio? Ohio is home to **six major active installations**, supporting the Air Force, the Air Force Reserve, the Air National Guard, and the Defense Logistics Agency. ### 3. What is the main Air Force base in Ohio? **Wright-Patterson Air Force Base** is the main Air Force base in Ohio. It hosts Air Force Materiel Command, the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Air Force Institute of Technology, and the National Museum of the United States Air Force. ### 4. Does Ohio have any Army bases? Ohio does not have a major active-duty **Army** post. Its active installations are tied to the **Air Force**, the **Air Force Reserve**, the **Air National Guard**, and the **Defense Logistics Agency**, with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as the anchor. [**Connect with our Agents & Lenders in Ohio Today**](https://veteranpcs.com/ohio) and make your move stress-free.