Oregon has a smaller military footprint than many states, but the bases here carry important national missions. The state is home to five major active installations, supporting the Air National Guard, Coast Guard, and Army National Guard. Whether you are PCSing to Oregon (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 installations in the state.

Overview of Military Installations in Oregon

Oregon's military presence is built around air defense, pilot training, search and rescue, and Guard readiness. The state's two Air National Guard bases protect the Pacific Northwest skies and train the Air Force's air-to-air fighter pilots. Along the coast, the Coast Guard runs rescue operations day and night, and the Oregon National Guard trains thousands of soldiers and airmen each year. Most of Oregon's installations are Guard or Coast Guard units rather than large active-duty posts, so the moves here often involve smaller, close-knit communities.

Active Military Bases in Oregon

• Portland Air National Guard Base (142nd Wing)
• Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base (173rd Fighter Wing)
• Coast Guard Air Station North Bend
• Coast Guard Sector Columbia River
• Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center

Air National Guard Bases in Oregon

Portland Air National Guard Base

Portland Air National Guard Base sits on the southeast side of Portland International Airport, about six miles northeast of downtown Portland. It is home to the Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Wing, which flies the F-15 Eagle fighter. The base is the North American Aerospace Defense Command's principal Aerospace Control Alert location in the Pacific Northwest, keeping a 24/7 watch over the skies from northern California to British Columbia. The wing is now transitioning to the newer F-15EX Eagle II.

Key Missions:

• 24/7 aerospace control alert and air defense
• F-15 fighter operations for the Pacific Northwest
• Special tactics, air control, and combat support

Learn more from the official 142nd Wing fact sheet and the F-15EX Eagle II unveiling at Portland.

Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base

Kingsley Field, in Klamath Falls in southern Oregon, is home to the 173rd Fighter Wing. It holds a unique place in the Air Force as the sole F-15C training base for the entire service. The wing has been in the fighter training business for decades, and it runs the only F-15C/D schoolhouse, teaching the air-to-air combat pilots who fly the Eagle around the world.

Key Missions:

• Sole F-15C/D pilot training for the U.S. Air Force
• Air-to-air combat training
• Producing mission-ready fighter pilots

See the official 173rd Fighter Wing welcome page and the news on how Kingsley Field accepts all F-15C training.

Coast Guard Bases in Oregon

Coast Guard Air Station North Bend

Coast Guard Air Station North Bend is located at the North Bend Municipal Airport on the southern Oregon coast. The air station flies the MH-65 Dolphin short-range recovery helicopter and covers about 220 miles of shoreline, from Pacific City south to the California border. Its aircrews handle search and rescue along one of the most rugged stretches of coastline in the country.

Key Missions:

• Search and rescue along the southern Oregon coast
• MH-65 Dolphin helicopter operations
• Maritime safety and emergency response

Read more on the Coast Guard Air Station North Bend page and the MH-65 short range recovery helicopter fact sheet.

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River is headquartered in Portland and protects the waters of the Pacific Northwest, including the mouth of the Columbia River, one of the most dangerous river bars in the world. The sector oversees a large network of small boat stations along the Oregon and Washington coasts, including stations at Coos Bay, Depoe Bay, Tillamook Bay, Umpqua River, Yaquina Bay, and Siuslaw River. Its crews stay ready for rescue, law enforcement, and marine safety missions.

Key Missions:

• Search and rescue across the Columbia River region
• Maritime law enforcement and port security
• Marine safety and environmental response

Learn more on the Coast Guard Sector Columbia River page and the U.S. Coast Guard Northwest District page.