military bases in new jersey
General Military Questions

Military Bases In New Jersey

There are a total of 10 active military bases in New Jersey. The US Marine Corps is the only branch of the military without an official base in the state, but  the Corps does have reserve units attached to other bases in the state.

Army Bases In New Jersey

Fort Dix

Location: Trenton, NJ

Fort Dix
Image: Wikimedia.org

In Use: 1917-Present

Overall Mission: Fort Dix is the US Army segment of the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

The base is a joint facility between the US Army, US Navy, and US Air Force, but all five branches of the US Military have a presence on the Base.

It is a major training facility, and also a mobilization and deployment base for all the branches it serves.

Units Stationed:

  • 174th Infantry Brigade
  • 99th Readiness Division
  • Army Contracting Command – New Jersey
  • First Army Division East
  • NJ ARNG Aviation Unit
  • U.S. Army Recruiting Command
  • United States Army Reserve Command
  • United States Military Entrance Processing Command

Official Site: https://home.army.mil/dix/index.php

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Picatinny Arsenal

Location: Wharton, NJ

Picatinny Arsenal, Wharton, NJ
Image: Wikimedia.org

 

In Use: 1880-Present

Overall Mission: Picatinny Arsenal began life as the Picatinny Powder Depot, and has at various points been controlled by both the Army and US Navy.

It is a major research and manufacturing facility for both the Army and Navy.

The facility produces both small arms and long-range, large-caliber munitions.

It also produces weapons and armor.

Units Stationed:

  • US Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Directorate

Official Site: https://www.pica.army.mil/

Air Force Bases In New Jersey

Atlantic City ANG Base

Location: Atlantic City, NJ

In Use: 1958-Present

atlantic city air national guard base in new jersey
Image: Wikimedia.org

Overall Mission: Atlantic City Air National Guard Base is the home of 177th Fighter Wing, flying F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft.

The wing has supported active military operations, including Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

The base also supports Homeland Security defense missions and the North American Aerospace Defense Command. 

Units Stationed:

  • 177th Fighter Wing

Official Site: https://www.177fw.ang.af.mil/

McGuire Air Force Base

Location: Trenton, NJ

McGuire Air Force Base
Image: Wikimedia.org

In Use: 1937-Present

Overall Mission: McGuire Air Force Base is the Air Force segment of the Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst.

McGuire’s major operations are supporting eastward mobility and is a major staging area for air operations heading to the east.

Every air mission for the past 15 years has been launched, in whole or in part, from Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst.

Mcguire AFB also happens to be the largest military base in New Jersey.

Units Stationed:

  • 108th Wing
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing
  • 373rd Training Squadron
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing
  • 57 Weapons Squadron
  • 621st Contingency Response Wing
  • 87th Air Base Wing
  • Air Force Office of Investigations Det 307
  • AMC Test and Evaluation Squadron
  • Civil Air Patrol – N.J. Wing
  • Joint Forces Headquarters / NJ Air National Guard

Official Site: https://www.jbmdl.jb.mil/

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Navy Bases In New Jersey

Naval Weapons Station Earle

Location: Colts Neck, NJ

NWS Earle
Image: Wikimedia.org

In Use: 1943-Present

Overall Mission: Naval Weapon Station Earle’s primary function is loading and unloading weapons from Navy warships.

To support this function, the base has a nearly three-mile pier, which allows ships of any size to dock, and allows sufficient spacing for the safe loading and unloading of munitions.

Munitions for every currently active Navy ship are stored at the base.

Units Stationed:

  • Navy Munitions Command
  • USNS Supply (T-AOE 6)
  • USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8)
  • Combat Logistics Squadron 2

Official Site: https://cnrma.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NWS-Earle/

Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst

Location: Manchester Township, New Jersey

Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst
Image: Wikimedia.org

In Use: 1918

Overall Mission: Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst is the Navy segment of the Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst.

In their current role, they provide air support for naval operations.

They are also a training facility for Navy pilots, specializing in helicopters.

Units Stationed:

  • CNATT Detachment Lakehurst
  • Consolidated Logistics Training Facility
  • Fleet Logistics Squadron (VR) 64
  • Fleet Readiness Center East & Aviation Support Detachment
  • Naval Air Systems Command
  • Naval Branch Health Clinic Lakehurst
  • Naval Cargo Handling Battalion EIGHT
  • Naval Information Force Reserve Region Mid Atlantic Northeast Det
  • Navy Reserve Center

Official Site: https://www.jbmdl.jb.mil/

Coast Guard Bases In New Jersey

USCG Air Station Atlantic City

Location: Egg Harbor Township, NJ

USCG Air Station Atlantic City
Image: Wikimedia.org

In Use: 1998-Present

Overall Mission: Air Station Atlantic City operates out of the Atlantic City International Airport.

The station opened when Coast Guard Air Stations in Brooklyn and Cape May closed and were merged.

Their main role is to provide a 30-minute response to emergencies, including environmental incidents and search and rescue operations.

They also assist with law enforcement and border patrol operations.

Official Site: https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/District-5/District-Units/Air-Station-Atlantic-City/

Related ArticleMilitary Bases In Maryland

USCG Station Manasquan

Location: Manasquan, NJ

USCG Station Manasquan
Image: Wikimedia.org

In Use: 1840-Present

Overall Mission: The main role of Coast Guard Station Manasquan is to provide emergency support for recreational boaters.

They also perform other roles typically performed by the US Coast Guard, including law enforcement and environmental incident response.

USCG Station Manasquan is considered the smallest military base in New Jersey.

Official Site: https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=053-16-07

USCG Training Center, Cape May, NJ

Location: Cape May, NJ

USCG Training Center, Cape May, NJ
Image: Wikimedia.org

In Use: 1917-Present

Overall Mission: There has been some form of US naval presence around Cape May, specifically Sewell Point, the location of the Cape May Training Center, since the Revolutionary War.

In 1917 the base was designated as a section base providing training, communication facilities, and other essential forms of support.

It is currently the home of the US Coast Guard Enlisted Corps and is the only accession point and training center for enlisted Coast Guard personnel.

Official Site: https://www.forcecom.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/FORCECOM-UNITS/TraCen-Cape-May/

Loran Support Unit

Location: Wildwood, NJ

In Use: 1948-Present

Overall Mission: The Loran Support unit is home to the west coast’s Long Range Navigation System.

The Long Range Navigation System supports both aircraft and watercraft in all branches of the armed forces, as well as private aircraft and watercraft.

The station is in the process of being phased out, with many units currently using GPS instead of the LRNS.

Units Stationed:

  • LRNS

Official Site: https://www.uscgaux-wwnj.org/

Rob V.
New Jersey Military Bases

New Jersey Military Bases

4.9 out of 5 (71 Ratings)

New Jersey is home to 10 major US military bases. They include bases for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.
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