Military Bases in California – Strategic Locations and Operations

The military bases in northern California and southern California play an important role in defense of the United States and its interests around the world.

From the sandy shores of Camp Pendleton to the rough desert terrain of Fort Irwin, the military bases are a significant aspect of the state’s identity.

In this article, we will tackle the different military bases in California, their missions, military units that have used the bases as their home, and more.

California Naval Bases

1. Naval Air Station Lemoore

• In Use: 1961 – Present
• Location: Lemoore
• Mission: Support, train, and maintain all military units stationed in its base, such as the U.S. Pacific Fleet and Strike-Fighter squadrons. Its primary focus is fleet carrier squadrons and can house up to 20 units at once.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
  • Strike Fighter Squadrons
  • Pacific Fleet Carrier Air Groups

2. Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake

• In Use: 1942 – Present
• Location: Western Mojave Desert
• Mission: Test, investigate, and assess Navy missions to equip the Warfighter with advanced weaponry. It’s also one of the best army bases for tourists to visit.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31 (VX-31) “The Dust Devils”
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile (EODMU) Unit 3 Detachment

3. Naval Base Coronado

• In Use: San Diego
• Location: 1997 – Present
• Mission: Provide the right support (including training and combat preparation) for the Fleet, Fighter and Family of the U.S. Navy to guarantee troops are ready for on-land and at-sea operations.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Squadron
  • Helicopter Squadrons

4. Naval Base Point Loma

• In Use: 1959 – Present
• Location: San Diego
• Mission: Support and service the U.S. Navy, their families, and the general public as a premier tourism destination and training base for fleet combat readiness.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command
  • Fleet Intelligence Training Center Pacific

5. Naval Base San Diego

• In Use: San Diego
• Location: 1922 – Present
• Mission: Provide excellent support and services to the U.S. Navy’s “Fleet, Fighter and Family” based on their personal needs.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • Pacific Fleet Surface Navy

6. Naval Base Ventura County

• In Use: 2000 – Present
• Location: Port Hueneme, Point Mugu, and San Nicolas Island
• Mission: Offers reliable, state-of-the-art facilities and services to accommodate tenants’ operations. Provides mobilization site for the Pacific Fleet.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • Pacific Seabees
  • Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division
  • West Coast E-2C Hawkeyes

7. Naval Air Station North Island

• In Use: 1917 – Present
• Location: San Diego
• Mission: Equip and ready the operational forces of the U.S. Navy, as well as support the Fleet, Fighter, and Family.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • Fighter Squadron 52 (VF-52)
  • USS VALLEY FORGE

8. Navy Air Facility El Centro

• In Use: 1946 – Present
• Location: Imperial Valley
• Mission: Provides state-of-the-art facilities and base support for operational fleets, squadrons, and allied forces.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • Fleet Gunnery Unit
  • TD2 Devastator Torpedo Aircraft

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California Army Bases

1. U.S. Army Garrison Presidio Of Monterey

• In Use: 1846 – Present
• Location: Monterey
• Mission: Boost preparedness and exceptional BASOPS assistance and guidance to the military units with cost-effective innovations.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • Criminal Investigation Command (Cid)
  • 229th Military Intelligence Battalion

2. U. S. Army Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett

• In Use: 1940 – Present
• Location: Jolon
• Mission: As the largest of all US army bases in California, Fort Hunter Liggett aims to develop the latest and most efficient training environment. Simultaneously, they serve as a training site for joint exercises.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • 80th Training Command
  • 31st Seabee Readiness Group

3. Fort Irwin

• In Use: 1940 – Present
• Location: Barstow
• Mission: At Fort Irwin, soldiers receive tough and advanced training exercises for combat. The training center seeks to improve combat readiness to ensure successful operations.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
  • 916th Support Brigade

4. Sierra Army Depot

• In Use: 1942 – Present
• Location: Near Herlong, California
• Mission: Provide innovative sustainment solutions and rapid readiness to support operations, logistics, maintenance, and preservation of equipment.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM)
  • 104th Quarter Master

5. Camp Roberts

• In Use: 1940 – Present
• Location: Monterey
• Mission: Support mission readiness for military activities, including maintaining and restoring military equipment.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • 100th Troop Command
  • California National Guard

6. Camp Parks

• In Use: 1943 – Present
• Location: Dublin
• Mission: Support military operations in the base, providing installation services and conducting training for the USAR, other DoD agencies, and communities.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • 84th Training Command
  • 368th Military Intelligence Battalion
  • 368th Military Intelligence Battalion

7. Camp San Luis Obispo

• In Use: 1928 – Present
• Location: San Luis Obispo
• Mission: Provide the best training and facilities for the readiness of the U.S. active army, army reserve units, their families, and the community.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • 40th Infantry Division
  • California National Guard

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California Coast Guard Base

Integrated Support Command Alameda

• In Use: 1926 – Present
• Location: Coast Guard Island (Alameda)
• Mission: Supports all U.S. Coast Guard operations and other allied installations.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • Coast Guard 11th District
  • Pacific Area Command

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California Marine Corps Bases

1. Camp Pendleton

• In Use: 1942 – Present
• Location: North San Diego County, Southern California
• Mission: Camp Pendleton is the largest among marine bases. It serves as the headquarters for housing and training the Fleet Marine Forces and other military personnel stationed there. Also, the facility provides specialized classes and additional training programs approved by the Marine Corps Commandant.

• The military units headquartered at this base:
• • Marine Corps Base
  • 1st Marine Division

2. Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command And Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

• In Use: 1952 – Present
• Location: 1551 Fifth St, Twentynine Palms
• Mission: The base’s continuing maintenance of its facilities and services supports the United States Marine Corps’ efforts to boost military combat readiness. It also develops and tests military facilities, such as mountain warfare equipment, for special operations.

• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • MCLOG
  • Tactical Training & Exercise Control Group
  • 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion

3. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

• In Use: 1917 – 1920, 1929 – Present
• Location: San Diego
• Mission: Offer support, training locations, and other military services. At the same time, it manages and preserves the Air Station’s infrastructure.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
  • 1st Marine Logistics Group
  • Marine Wing Support Group 37

4. Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

• In Use: 1942 – Present
• Location: Barstow
• Mission: Support the Marine Corps, the Army, and other government agencies to prepare for military operations by using the base’s supplies, facilities, and other services.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • Fleet Support Division
  • 1st Force Storage Battalion
  • DLA Disposition Services

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California Air Force Bases

1. Travis Air Force Base

• In Use: 1942 – Present
• Location: Fairfield, Solano County
• Mission: Travis Air Force Base, also referred to as “Gateway to the Pacific,” is a military airlift center for the western part of the country and the world.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
  • C-17 Globemaster III
  • KC-10 Extender
  • C-5M Super Galaxy

2. Channel Islands Air National Guard Base

• In Use: 1943 – Present
• Location: Oxnard
• Mission: Offer combat assistance to the United States and its allied nations during wars or national emergencies.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • 146th Airlift Wing

3. Fresno Air National Guard Base

• In Use: 1948 – Present
• Location: Fresno
• Mission: Instruct, train, and empower airmen for their future operations to support the state and nation, especially along the Mexico border.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • 144th Fighter Wing
  • 163rd Attack Wing

4. March Air Reserve Base

• In Use: 1917 – present
• Location: Riverside County
• Mission: Establish and maintain air refueling channels throughout the country at any given time to ensure air mobility.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • 701st Combat Operations Squadron
  • 452d Air Mobility Wing

5. Vandenburg Space Force Base

• In Use: 1941 – Present
• Location: Santa Barbara
• Mission: The base prioritizes military construction and soldiers trained for space missions. It also contributes to satellite communications as well as missile warnings.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • 30th Operations Group
  • 576th Flight Test Squadron

6. Los Angeles Air Force Base

• In Use: 1962 – Present
• Location: El Segundo
• Mission: The base operates in military space systems, such as studying, obtaining equipment, and strategizing for the future. Also, it manages the Space and Missile Systems Center.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • 61st Security Forces Squadron
  • Space and Missile Systems Center

7. Edwards Air Force Base

• In Use: 1933 – Present
• Location: 90 Farrell Dr., Edwards, California
• Mission: AFMC’s primary location for flight research and development, aerospace system testing and evaluation, air education, and related operations.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • 412th Test Wing

8. Beale Air Force Base

• In Use: 1948 – Present
• Location: Marysville, California
• Mission: The base makes sure that its troops and equipment are always ready for national defense and other services in the air, space, and electronic systems.
• Military units headquartered at this base:
• • 9th Recon Wing
  • 610th Air Operations Group

Frequently Asked Questions

What city in California has an active army base?

A few cities in California with an active army base are Monterey, San Diego, Lemoore, Barstow, Dublin, San Luis Obispo, Fairfield, Oxnard, and Marysville.

What is the largest U.S. military base in California?

Fort Hunter Liggett is the biggest army base among all military bases in the state of California.

It spans over 165,000 acres of land that borders the Salinas Valley, Santa Lucia Mountains, San Luis Obispo County, and the Los Padres National Forest.

What are the closed military bases in California?

There are several closed military bases in California, namely: Mather Air Force Base (1918 – 1993), Norton Air Force Base (1942 – 1994), and Onizuka Air Force Station (1960 – 2010).

How many active army bases are there in California?

There are around 32 active army bases in California. Some of the notable active army bases are Fort Irwin, Travis AFB, and Camp Pendleton.

Conclusion

Now we have discussed several important military bases in California.

Each military base around California, from the Naval, Army, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps, to Air Force, has its own mission and purpose for the country.

Military bases are significant to the state’s economy and strategically placed for the optimal movement of soldiers and military units.

If you want to visit one of the military bases, make sure you research the military base first. Use maps to locate them quickly, and use this article to guide your trip!