Pennsylvania has a long and proud military history. The state is home to seven major active installations, supporting the Army, Navy, and Air Force, plus a major Defense Logistics Agency site and reserve and Guard units that train alongside them. Whether you are PCSing to Pennsylvania (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 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania military bases cover a wide range of missions. They include strategic leader education, depot-level repair of electronics and missile defense systems, naval supply and ship engineering, airlift, special operations, and large-scale supply distribution. The state trains senior leaders, fixes the gear that keeps the joint force ready, and keeps thousands of military families moving in and out each year on PCS orders.
Active Military Bases in Pennsylvania
- Carlisle Barracks (home of the U.S. Army War College)
- Tobyhanna Army Depot
- Letterkenny Army Depot
- Naval Support Activity Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station (911th Airlift Wing)
- 193rd Special Operations Wing (Pennsylvania Air National Guard)
- DLA Distribution Susquehanna (New Cumberland)
Army Bases in Pennsylvania
Carlisle Barracks
Carlisle Barracks, in Carlisle near Harrisburg, was established in 1757 and is the second oldest Army post in the United States. Since 1951 it has been the home of the U.S. Army War College, the Army's highest educational institution. The post's job is to support the War College as it educates senior military, civilian, and international leaders for the responsibilities of strategic leadership.
Key Missions:
- Strategic-level leader education at the U.S. Army War College
- Base and life support for students and faculty
- Preparing military, civilian, and allied leaders for joint and multinational service
Learn more from the official Carlisle Barracks mission and vision page and the Carlisle Barracks history page.
Tobyhanna Army Depot
Tobyhanna Army Depot sits in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, near Scranton. It is the Department of Defense's largest center for the repair, overhaul, and fabrication of electronics systems, from tactical field radios to ground terminals for satellite communications. About 3,700 people work there, and its missions support all branches of the armed forces.
Key Missions:
- Repair and overhaul of military electronics and communications systems
- Fabrication, systems integration, and post-production software support
- Full-spectrum logistics support for the joint warfighter
Read more on the Tobyhanna Army Depot website and in the Army's full-spectrum support overview.
Letterkenny Army Depot
Letterkenny Army Depot, in Chambersburg, is the Department of Defense's premier center for air and missile defense ground support equipment and Patriot missile recertification. More than 1,500 people direct repair and modernization work there on systems such as the Avenger and Patriot, supporting U.S. and allied forces.
Key Missions:
- Overhaul and repair of air and missile defense systems
- Patriot missile recertification and precision fires support
- Modernization of tactical systems for multi-domain operations
See the official Letterkenny Army Depot website and the Letterkenny About page.
Navy Bases in Pennsylvania
Naval Support Activity Philadelphia
Naval Support Activity Philadelphia, in South Philadelphia, is the Navy's main footprint in Pennsylvania. It is home to NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support (WSS) Philadelphia, which provides program and supply support for aircraft such as the F/A-18 and V-22 along with engines and avionics. It is also home to the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Philadelphia Division, which engineers and tests shipboard machinery, propulsion, and electric power systems for the fleet.
Key Missions:
- Supply and weapon systems support for Navy and Marine Corps aviation
- Engineering and testing of shipboard machinery and propulsion systems
- Cyber-secure solutions and fleet readiness support
Learn more from the NAVSUP WSS Philadelphia welcome page and the NSWC Philadelphia Division page.
Air Force Bases in Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station
Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, in western Pennsylvania, is home to the 911th Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit. The wing flies the C-17 Globemaster III after converting from the smaller C-130 cargo plane. It provides airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and combat support for missions around the world.
Key Missions:
- C-17 airlift operations and aircrew training
- Aeromedical evacuation
- Agile combat support for the Air Force Reserve
