There are eight active military bases or installations in the state of Tennessee.
Neither the Marine Corps nor the Coast Guard have active stations there.
Although, they do send some of their units to other bases in the state for training and logistic purposes.
The bases here are vital in all-weather training that is so important to U.S. Armed Forces.
It is also a vital central hub in troop and equipment movements across the country.
Army Bases In Tennessee
Army National Guard Armory
Location: Cookeville, TN
In use: 1999 – present
Overall Mission: This is not a normal base, rather it is a storage and transition spot for men and supplies.
It is owned and operated by the Tennessee Army National Guard so they can supplement active duty personnel when needed.
It houses weapons, vehicles, and logistics supplies for the U.S. Army.
Official Site: N/A
Related Article – Military Bases In Texas
Holston Army Plant
Location: Kingsport, TN
In use: 1942-present
Overall Mission: This plant was originally designated as a base to manufacture high explosives.
To this date, the plant still produces many of the explosives used by the U.S. Armed Forces and its allies.
It is mostly operated by civilian contractors while being under a Department of Defense commander.
Official Site: https://jmc.army.mil
Milan Army Ammunition Plant
Location: Jackson, TN
In use: 1941-2019
Overall Mission: This plant manufactured and repaired all different forms of explosives for the United States Army.
It specialized in the 40mm, 60mm, and 125mm shells.
The plant is still open and considered active, however, it does not produce ordnance for the military any longer.
Official Site: https://www.jmc.army.mil/
Air Force Bases In Tennessee
Arnold AFB
Location: Tullahoma, TN
In use: 1950 – present
Overall Mission: The base was considered an active airfield for the U.S. Air Force, but flights stopped operating in 2009. Recently, however, in May 2023, the Army began using the airfield for helicopter landings in support of activities at Fort Campbell as well as the Tennessee National Guard.
The base primarily serves as a testing facility for aerodynamics and space environment chambers.
They also test rockets and wind tunnels, some for space exploration and some for advanced skydiving training.
At one point, Arnold Air Force Base was considered the largest military base in Tennessee.
Units Stationed:
- 704th Test Group
- 804th Test Group
Official Site: https://arnold.af.mil
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Berry Field, Nashville, TN
Location: Nashville, TN
In use: 1937-present
Overall Mission: The base is home to an active support wing. This wing supports all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces during times of war.
When the unit is not actively deployed, they conduct ongoing training for themselves and other branches of the military.
The base also houses the MQ-9 Reaper squadron, which serves as unmanned aerial support to all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Units Stationed:
- 118th Wing
Official Site: https://118wg.ang.af.mil
Memphis ANG Base
Location: Memphis, TN
In use: 1961-present
Overall Mission: While the base is primarily used to house an air transport squadron, it does house an active fighter group as well.
Both of these units are available to supplement active duty forces whenever the need may arise.
The base also serves as a training facility for all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Units Stationed:
- 164th Airlift Wing
- 155th Airlift Wing
Official Site: https://164aw.ang.af.mil
Mcghee Tyson ANG Base
Location: Knoxville, TN
In use: 1952-present
Overall Mission: The base is home to several active units, from various branches of the military.
It was originally designated as the headquarters for a fighter wing to provide security to the Atomic Energy Commission.
Currently, it’s the home of the 134 Air Refueling Wing, featuring the KC-135 Stratotanker. Along with delivering fuel worldwide, it is also used in aeromedical evacuations.
Units Stationed:
- 134th Air Refueling Wing
- 241st Engineering Installation Squadron
- 119th Command and Control Squadron
- I.G. Brown Training and Education Center
- 572nd Air National Guard Band
Official Site: https://134arw.ang.af.mil
Related Article – Military Bases In California
Navy Bases In Tennessee
NSA Mid-South Naval Base
Location: Millington, TN
In use: 1917 – present
Overall Mission: This base is one of the biggest employers in the state of Tennessee.
It is home to several active duty command units, as well as a lot of civilian contractors.
Units from all over the world come here for training and for logistic purposes, and it is considered the largest military base in Tennessee.
Units Stationed:
- Navy Personnel Command
- Navy Recruiting Command
- Navy Manpower Analysis Center
- 4th Marines Logistics Group
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Finance Center
Official Site: https://navy.mil/nsa_mid_south
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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