Oklahoma has a long military history, and it is still a busy home for the armed forces today. The state hosts five major active military installations, supporting the Army and the Air Force. Whether you are PCSing to Oklahoma (PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military term for a 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 main military bases in the state.
Overview of Military Installations in Oklahoma
Oklahoma's military bases support a wide range of missions, including pilot training, field artillery, air defense, aircraft repair, and ammunition storage. Two large bases anchor the state. Tinker Air Force Base sits in the Oklahoma City metro area, and Fort Sill is near Lawton in the southwest. The other three bases handle pilot training, air mobility training, and munitions work.
Active Military Bases in Oklahoma
- Tinker Air Force Base (Oklahoma City)
- Vance Air Force Base (Enid)
- Altus Air Force Base (Altus)
- Fort Sill (Lawton)
- McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (McAlester)
Air Force Bases in Oklahoma
Tinker Air Force Base
Tinker AFB is the largest single-site employer in Oklahoma and one of the most important Air Force bases in the country. The base is home to the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (OC-ALC), which is Tinker's largest organization. The complex repairs and overhauls aircraft such as the B-1B, B-52, and KC-135, along with aircraft engines, for the Air Force, Navy, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve. (tinker.af.mil)
Tinker is also the home of the 552nd Air Control Wing, which flies the E-3 Sentry. This aircraft is better known as AWACS, short for Airborne Warning and Control System. AWACS planes act as flying radar and command posts, tracking aircraft over a wide area. (tinker.af.mil) The 72nd Air Base Wing is the host unit that keeps the base and its more than 45 partner units running. (tinker.af.mil)
Key Missions:
- Aircraft and engine repair and overhaul at the Air Logistics Complex
- AWACS airborne radar and command operations
- Base support for dozens of partner units
Vance Air Force Base
Vance AFB sits at Enid, about 90 miles north-northwest of Oklahoma City. It is home to the 71st Flying Training Wing, which trains Air Force and allied student pilots. Vance is the northernmost specialized pilot training base in the Air Education and Training Command. (aetc.af.mil)
The base trains more than 400 student pilots each year and is one of the busiest airfields in the Air Force. Student pilots fly the T-6 Texan II, T-1 Jayhawk, and T-38 Talon trainer aircraft. Vance has trained pilots since World War II, going back to 1941. (vance.af.mil)
Key Missions:
- Undergraduate pilot training for the Air Force and allied nations
- High-volume daily flying operations
- Training in T-6, T-1, and T-38 aircraft
Altus Air Force Base
Altus AFB is in Altus, in southwest Oklahoma. It is home to the 97th Air Mobility Wing, which trains aircrews for airlift and aerial refueling missions. Airlift moves people and cargo by air, and aerial refueling lets aircraft take on fuel while still in flight. (altus.af.mil)
The base first welcomed military aircraft in 1943. With more than 300 days of good flying weather each year, flat land, and few obstructions, Altus is well suited for training. (altus.af.mil)
Key Missions:
- Airlift aircrew training
- Aerial refueling aircrew training
- Global mobility readiness
Army Bases in Oklahoma
Fort Sill
Fort Sill is just north of Lawton in southwest Oklahoma, about 90 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. The post was first set up in 1869 as Camp Wichita. Over the years its mission grew from cavalry to field artillery and air defense artillery. (installations.militaryonesource.mil)
Today Fort Sill is the home of the Fires Center of Excellence, the Army's training home for both the Field Artillery and the Air Defense Artillery. Field artillery uses cannons, rockets, and missiles to support ground forces. Air defense artillery protects troops and key sites from aircraft and missile threats. Fort Sill also runs basic training for new soldiers. (army.mil)
Key Missions:
