There are 15 military bases in Pennsylvania.
The Marine Corps does train some of its reserve units on other bases in the state but does not have an active base in the state.
Some of the oldest and most prestigious bases in the country are here.
All military bases in Pennsylvania are vital in aspects of training the U.S. Armed Forces.
Army Bases In Pennsylvania
Carlisle Barracks
Location: Carlisle, PA
In Use: 1757-present
Overall Mission: The base is proud to hold the second oldest active military base in the Nation.
The U.S. Army War College and Training and Doctrine Command are based here.
The base is still a fundamental part of the training structure of the U.S. Army and its Commanders.
Units Stationed:
Official Site: https://army.mil/carlisle
Letterkenny Army Depot
Location: Letterkenny Township, PA
In Use: 1942-present
Overall Mission: The base started as an ordnance depot and a site for the Nation’s air defense system.
Its main purpose now is in the repairing of missile systems for the Department of Defense
Like many other Amy depots, Letterkenny is considered one of the smallest military bases in Pennsylvania.
Units Stationed:
Official Site: https://letterkenny.army.mil
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New Cumberland Army Depot
Location: Harrisburg, PA
In Use: 1918-present
Overall Mission: The base was originally built because of its strategic location as a storage depot in 1918.
They also provide and do repairs on parts, electronics, medical supplies, clothing, and more.
They are the single largest distributor for the Department of Defense in the United States.
Units Stationed:
Official Site: https://army.mil/newcumberland
Tobyhanna Army Depot
Location: Tobyhanna, PA
In Use: 1953-present
Overall Mission: They overhaul, repair, manufacture, and design electronic systems for the Department of Defense.
They operate for all branches of the Armed Forces of America and its allies.
It is also a testing site for new and old radar systems, giving the Department of Defense a testing facility on the eastern seaboard.
Units Stationed:
Official Site: https://army.mil/tobyhanna
Navy Bases In Pennsylvania
JRB Willow Grove
Location: Horsham Township, PA
In Use: 1928-2011
Overall Mission: The base and airfield were originally constructed as a place to test experimental aircraft.
The Department of Defense bought the property and turned it into an Anti-Submarine training facility.
The base was closed in 2011 since all the Armed Forces branches had moved out the area, for the last few years of it being open, it hosted National flying shows.
Units Stationed:
- 111th Fighter Wing
- 201st Red Horses
- 270th Engineering Squadron
- 158th Aviation Regiment
- 913th Airlift Wing
Official Site: https://navy.mil/willowgrove
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NSA Mechanicsburg
Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
In Use: 1942-present
Overall Mission: This base is a major supply depot for the U.S. Navy with over 8 million feet of storage capacity.
They also hire thousands of civilian employees and contractors on a yearly basis.
The base also offers its support to other branches of the Armed Forces and their allies, however most of their as a supply depot is done domestically.
Units Stationed:
- Weapon and Business System Supports
- Defense Logistics Agency
- 382nd Engineer Company
Official Site: https://navy.mil/mechanicsburg
NSA Northeast Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia, PA
In Use: 1942-present
Overall Mission: One division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corp is located on this base, offering the training required for Sea Cadets.
It also offers services in the form of support for any Navy units that need it, specifically in the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
This base is a big part of the logistics chain on the U.S. Navy and it offers some of this support to other branches of the Armed Forces.
Units Stationed:
- Defense Logistics Agency
- Naval Supply Systems Command
- Navy Recruiting Command
- Civil Air Patrol
- S. Navy Sea Cadet Corp
- Defense Contract Management Agency
- Office of Civilian Human Resources
Official Site: https://navy.mil/philidelphia
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Air Force Bases In Pennsylvania
Air Station Fort Indiantown Gap
Location: Indiantown, PA
In Use: 1931-present
Overall Mission: The base is an active National Guard Training Center.
It is also headquartering for the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans.
The base is the headquarters and main training facility of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Units Stationed:
- Pennsylvania National Guard
- Eastern Army National Guard Training Institute
- 166th Regiment Training Institute
- Northeast Counterdrug Training Center
Official Site: https://af.mil/Indiantown
Air Station Middletown
Location: Middletown, PA
In Use: 1898-1969
Overall Mission: The base was first used by the U.S. Army Signal Corps in the late 1800s.
The base later played a large support installation role for the U.S. Armed Forces, also providing emergency supplies for civilians.
Before closing for good, the base was used as a Air Force Graduate school and housing facility.
Units Stationed:
- Army Signal Corps
- Bureau of Aircraft Production
- Army Air Service
- Air Corps Maintenance Command
- Air Service Command
- Army Air Forces Material and Services
Official Site: https://af.mil/middletown
Air Station State College
Location: State College, PA
In Use: 1917-present
Overall Mission: The base provides air and technical support for all branches of the Armed Forces.
Providing training for pilots and proving storage facility for logistics.
Is also subdivision of the bigger base, Horsham Air Guard Station.
Units Stationed:
- 112th Air Operations Squadron
Official Site: https://af.mil/statecollege
Harrisburg ANG Base
Location: Harrisburg, PA
In Use: 1917-1969
Overall Mission: This base was home to one of the groups that operate the Hercules aircraft for the Armed Forces.
This base now serves as the civilian market for the Capital City Airport.
Before the base was closed in 1969, it was the home of the Air Force Logistics Command.
Units Stationed:
- 11th Air Force
- 60th and 315th Transport Group
- 6th and 10th Transport Squadron
Official Site: https://193sow.ang.af.mil
Horsham Air Guard Station
Location: Horsham, PA
In Use: 2011-present
Overall Mission: This a transfer and holding base for many of the state’s guard units.
They also provide logistic support to any branch of the Armed Forces that is in the area.
It is currently home to 9 full time and active units.
Units Stationed:
- 111th Attack Wing
- 201st Red Horse Squadron
- 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team
- 412th Engineer Command
- 200th Military Police Command
- 3rd Medical Command
- 11th Aviation Command
Official Site: https://af.mil/horsham
Pittsburgh ANG Base
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
In Use: 1944-present
Overall Mission: This is the base where they train for the Civil Air Patrol, having done so since 1943.
This is a full time and active base, with 2 active units being headquartered there.
This base also participates in yearly civilian air shows based around its military heritage.
It’s considered one of the biggest military bases in Pennsylvania.
Units Stationed:
- 911th Airlift Wing
- 171st Air Refueling Wing
Official Site: https://af.mil/pittsburgh
Marine Corps Bases In Pennsylvania
US Marine Corps Reserves, Harrisburg, PA
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Overall Mission: Like most other Marine reserves units, the core mission for Echo company is to train units and individuals to conduct wartime operations.
Units: 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, Echo Company
US Marine Corps Reserves, Lehigh County, PA
Location: Lehigh County, PA
Overall Mission: Training Marines to conduct wartime operations. Includes weapons qualifications, maneuvering, physical fitness, and more.
Official Website: N/A
Coast Guard Bases In Pennsylvania
USCG Station Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia, PA
In Use: 2002-present
Overall Mission: This is one unit in the states National Guard service.
This base does offer lifesaving capabilities to the surrounding area.
It holds the same high standards as the Coast Guard itself, even though it is a part time reserve unit.
It’s also considered one of the smallest military bases in Pennsylvania.
Official Site: htttp://uscg.mil/Philadelphia
USCG Station Erie
Location: Erie, PA
In Use: 1915-present
Overall Mission: They offer support and services in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue and Environmental efforts.
The station also offers supply and logistics support for the other members of the 9th district guard units.
It has its own on base housing and access to all the civilian market just outside the base walls.
Official Site: https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/District-9/Ninth-District-Units/Sector-Buffalo/Units/Erie/
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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