This Military Base in the Middle of Nowhere Has Over 12,000 Active-Duty Personnel
If you’ve been watching the news recently, you’ve more than likely seen reports of drones flying across the East Coast. These drones, many of which are said to be extremely large in size, have been spotted in various states and near different government or political installations. This has caused widespread panic that the drones could be a result of foreign militaries attempting to gain power or control over U.S. knowledge. But while these sightings are nervewracking, drone surveillance has also become increasingly commonplace near U.S. military bases. USA Today reports that hundreds, if not thousands, of drone incursions have been seen above military installations — yet the Pentagon has been hesitant to simply shoot down the drones to identify where they’re coming from. The issue, one military official said, is that “spy drones could collect sensitive information on U.S. military activities that could tip off adversaries to future deployments.” Given growing global tensions, addressing this issue sooner rather than later is a necessity. (What is the future of military guns and weaponry?) This is especially true considering the importance of American military installations for national security, both within and beyond our country’s borders. All American states are home to at least one military base, and 750 military bases exist globally. While America isn’t rushing to build any new military bases on a national scale, there have been a limited number built in the last 75 years. These highlight the evolving needs of our country. So let’s protect them, right? To identify America’s newest military bases constructed since 1950, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed and independently verified the history of active military installations listed on MilitaryBases.com. Bases were ordered by the year they opened, from least to most recently opened. The number of active-duty personnel assigned to each base came from the 2022 Demographics Report, compiled by Defense Department contractor Military OneSource., as well as additional base-specific information from Military OneSource. Finally, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed specific unit information from each base on the below list via the base website. Installations with less than 1,000 active duty personnel where that data is classified or those outside the 50 states were not considered. Newly joined bases were also not included. Why We’re Covering Military Bases The placement of military installations across the United States reveals how our defense priorities shift and adjust in real time. More than reshaping our focus on national security, military installations affect the economy on national and statewide levels. Nationally, defense spending creates job opportunities across a range of industries. Locally, military outposts often employ civilians, increase residents, and encourage spending on locally made goods. At 24/7 Wall St., we’re covering the newest military bases to help you understand how a new military installation could affect your wealth. Check out the newest American military installations in the United States: 11. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms Year Opened: 1952 Location: Twentynine Palms, California Total active-duty personnel: 12,500 Military branch: Marines About the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) Twentynine Palms This base was built at the site of a former airbase used to train glider crews and Army pilots during World War II and was later used as a bombing range for the U.S. Navy. The U.S. Marine Corps took over the site in 1952 as a training center. Today, the combined arms training facility trains Marines in communications and electronics. 10. Little Rock Air Force Base Year Opened: 1955 Location: Jacksonville, Arkansas Total active-duty personnel: Between 5,000 and 7,200 Military branch: Air Force About the Little Rock Air Force Base Little Rock AFB is home to not only the largest fleet of C-130s but also numerous wings and groups of the U.S. Air Force, including the 19th Airlift Wing, which can deploy massive transport aircraft throughout the world. The base trains aircrews, including members of the Coast Guard and service members from dozens of foreign nations. 9. Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Year Opened: 1979 Location: Camden County, Georgia Total active-duty personnel: 2,918 Military branch: Navy About the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay The NSB Kings Bay is the home port for the U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet’s ballistic missile nuclear subs armed with Trident nuclear missiles. The base is the home port for six Ohio-class Trident submarines, and the USS Florida and USS Georgia guided missile subs. This U.S. naval base has been operating for over five decades. 8. Grand Forks Air Force Base Year Opened: 1957 Location: Grand Forks, North Dakota Total active-duty personnel: 2,500 Military branch: Air Force About the Grand Forks Air Force Base The Grand Forks AFB is home to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing, which provides operational and infrastructural support for the Global Hawk high-altitude remotely piloted surveillance aircraft. The Global Hawk is still used over Afghanistan in intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance operations following the U.S. pullout of ground forces in August 2021. 7. Minot Air Force Base Year Opened: 1957 Location: Ward County, North Dakota Total active-duty personnel: 5,391 Military branch: Air Force About the Minot Air Force Base The Minot AFB is the headquarters of the 5th Bomb Wing Mission and its fleet of B-52H Stratofortress bombers, which can be deployed anywhere in the world to deliver precision nuclear-guided bombs and other types of artillery and munitions. Base units also maintain and operate the Minuteman III ICBMs located in underground launch facilities scattered across the northwest part of the state and other advanced cruise missiles. 6. Naval Air Station Meridian Year Opened: 1961 Location: Meridian, Mississippi Total active-duty personnel: 3,000 Military branch: Navy About the Naval Air Station Meridian Initially opened as an airfield in 1961, the NASM grew to become an official Naval Air Station in 1967. It is one of the U.S. Navy’s air strike fighter pilot training centers and operates a military airport for this purpose. The base also has a counterdrug training center and a support center for naval operations. 5. Naval Air Station Lemoore Year Opened: 1961 Location: Kings County, Fresno County, California Total active-duty personnel: 6,123 Military branch: Navy About the Naval Air Station Lemoore NAS Lemoore was initially established to support the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet and supports the Strike Fighter Wing Pacific that maintains combat-ready carrier- or shore-based warplanes in the Pacific Rim. Lemoore was identified as an ideal central California location because it has ideal year-round weather for aircraft deployment and less air traffic. 4. Los Angeles Air Force Base Year Opened: 1964 Location: El Segundo, California Total active-duty personnel: 1,435 Military branch: Space Force About the Los Angeles Air Force Base The Los Angeles AFB was first designated as an Air Force air station on the site of a former air research development command center dating back to 1954. It was re-designated as an Air Force base in 1987. The base includes Fort MacArthur, 20 miles south of the main base. The base supports U.S. Space Force operations. 3. Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs Year Opened: 1974 Location: Saratoga Springs, New York Total active-duty personnel: 3,000 Military branch: Navy About the Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs NSA Saratoga Springs supports naval command activities in New York’s Capital Region in upstate New York. The base supports the nearby Naval Propulsion Training Unit in Ballston Spa, New York, one of two facilities used to train officers in the design, operation, and maintenance of nuclear propulsion systems used by submarines and aircraft carriers. 2. Schriever Space Force Base Year Opened: 1985 Location: El Paso County, Colorado Total active-duty personnel: 1,853 Military branch: Space Force About Schriever Space Force Base Though the U.S. Space Force was established in 2019 as the eighth and most recent U.S. military branch, the Schriever Space Force Base was always intended to be part of military space programs dating back to the 1970s when the Department of Defense sought to consolidate operations involving military satellites. The name of the base was changed in 2021 to reflect its realigned affiliation from the Air Force to the new Space Force. 1. Naval Station Everett Year Opened: 1994 Location: Everett, Washington Total active-duty personnel: 2,576 Military branch: Navy About Naval Station Everett Naval Station Everett was selected as an ideal location on the West Coast for homeporting a naval battle group. The base is the home port of seven guided missile destroyers, including the USS John McCain, and two Coast Guard ships patrolling the Northwest coast and tending to navigational buoys. This naval installation is considered the Navy’s most modern facility. Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored) Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today. Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month. Click here now to get started. The post This Military Base in the Middle of Nowhere Has Over 12,000 Active-Duty Personnel appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..
Dec 26, 2024 | 247wallst.com