Washington State sits at the center of America's defense in the Pacific Northwest. It is home to seven major active military installations that support the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. From the South Sound to the Kitsap Peninsula to eastern Washington, these bases handle everything from submarine patrols to air refueling to search and rescue. Whether you are PCSing to Washington, weighing a move, or just curious about the state's military presence, this guide walks you through the key bases. A PCS is a Permanent Change of Station, the military term for moving from one duty station to another.
Overview of Military Installations in Washington
Washington's bases cover a wide mix of missions. The state hosts the only Army power-projection platform west of the Rocky Mountains, the West Coast home of the Navy's submarine fleet, and the largest tanker unit in the Air Force. Many of these installations sit on or near the water, which reflects how much the Navy and Coast Guard rely on the Puget Sound region.
Active Military Bases in Washington
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Army and Air Force, near Tacoma)
- Naval Base Kitsap (Navy, Bremerton and Bangor/Silverdale)
- Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (Navy, Oak Harbor)
- Naval Station Everett (Navy, Everett)
- Fairchild Air Force Base (Air Force, near Spokane)
- Yakima Training Center (Army, near Yakima)
- Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound (Coast Guard, Seattle)
Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Army in Washington
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, often called JBLM, is the Department of Defense's premier military installation on the West Coast. It began operating in October 2010 when Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base combined into one joint base. Today it supports the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines, and it is the only Army power-projection platform west of the Rocky Mountains, according to the JBLM mission page. The Army side traces its roots to Fort Lewis, while the Air Force side runs airlift missions through the 62nd Airlift Wing based at McChord Field.
Key Missions:
- Training and mobilization for all military branches
- Deployment operations and power projection on the West Coast
- Air mobility and airlift through McChord Field
Yakima Training Center
The Yakima Training Center sits in eastern Washington and works as a training arm of JBLM. It is a 327,000-acre training site with 25 ranges, including a Multi-Purpose Range Complex and a Shoot House. Military training support is its primary mission, and units from all branches and components, plus allied forces, train here to build readiness, according to the Yakima Training Center site. The site was renamed from the Yakima Firing Center in 1990 to better describe its mission.
Key Missions:
- Live-fire and maneuver training
- Range support for all branches and allied units
- Building and sustaining unit readiness
Navy Bases in Washington
Naval Base Kitsap
Naval Base Kitsap, or NBK, is the Navy's main installation on the Kitsap Peninsula, spread across Bremerton, Bangor, Keyport, Manchester, and Jackson Park. Its mission is to support the warfighter by providing reliable base services for ships, submarines, and shore commands, according to the NBK mission page. Bangor is a key homeport for the Navy's ballistic-missile submarine fleet, while Bremerton supports surface ships and ship repair at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
Key Missions:
- Homeport and support for submarines and surface ships
- Base operating services for fleet and shore commands
- Ship maintenance and repair
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, or NAS Whidbey Island, in Oak Harbor is the premier naval aviation installation in the Pacific Northwest. It is the home of all Navy tactical electronic attack squadrons flying the EA-18G Growler, the aircraft built for airborne electronic attack. The base also hosts eight Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance squadrons flying the P-8 Poseidon and other patrol aircraft, according to the NAS Whidbey Island site.
Key Missions:
- Airborne electronic attack with the EA-18G Growler
- Maritime patrol and reconnaissance
- Naval aviation training and support
Naval Station Everett
Naval Station Everett, or NS Everett, is a deep-water Navy port on Puget Sound. It serves as a homeport for Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers that deploy with carrier strike groups, according to the Navy's announcement on Everett. The Navy has also named Everett as the future homeport for the next generation of Constellation-class guided-missile frigates, a new class of small surface combatant ships.
Key Missions:
- Homeport for guided-missile destroyers
- Fleet support for carrier strike group operations
- Future homeport for new guided-missile frigates
