There are a total of 13 active military bases in Hawaii, and the majority of them are operated by the Army or Navy.
However, all five branches of the armed forces have a presence on the islands.
Army Bases In Hawaii
Fort Shafter
Location: Honolulu, HI
In Use: 1907-Present
Overall Mission: Fort Shafter is the headquarters and main garrison of the US Army pacific forces.
Its main role is the command and support of all US Army operations in the Pacific.
Units Stationed:
- 8th Army
- S. Army Alaska
- S. Army Japan
- 8th Theater Sustainment Command
- 311th Signal Command
- 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command
- 9th Mission Support Command
- 18th Medical Command
- 196th Infantry Brigade
- 500th Military Intelligence Brigade
- 5th Battlefield Coordination Detachment.
Official Site: https://home.army.mil/hawaii/index.php
Related Article – Military Bases In Texas
Fort DeRussy
Location: Honolulu, HI
In Use: 1911-Present
Overall Mission: Most of Fort DeRussy is a military reservation, consisting of open, unrestricted space.
During the attack on Pearl Harbor, Fort DeRussy was the site of defensive battery installments but they were decommissioned shortly after the war.
The main active element of the base is currently the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, which hosts cooperative research and training.
Units Stationed:
- Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies
Official Site: https://www.nps.gov/places/fort-derussy.htm
Pohakuloa Training Center
Location: North Central Hawaii, HI
In Use: 1955-Present
Overall Mission: Pohakuloa Training Center is used for training exercises and live-fire tests for a variety of weapons, including artillery
It is also the home of Bradshaw Army Airfield.
The base is also involved in land and wildlife conservation efforts, which at times puts limits on the types of weapons used on base.
Units Stationed:
- 25th Infantry Division (In part, most of the 25th Infantry is stationed elsewhere)
- Hawaiian Army National Guard Hilo
- 45th Support Group
Official Site: https://home.army.mil/pohakuloa/index.php
Related Article – Military Bases In Alaska
Schofield Barracks
Location: Oahu, HI
In Use: 1909
Overall Mission: Schofield Barracks hosts the majority of US Army personnel operating in Hawaii.
The base has a total population of over 16,000, making it the largest military base in Hawaii.
Schofield barracks also contains training areas and an airfield.
Units Stationed:
- 25th Infantry
Official Site: https://home.army.mil/hawaii/index.php
Wheeler Army Airfield
Location: Honolulu, HI
In Use: 1941-Present
Overall Mission: Wheeler Army Airfield was built in 1941, and was one of the primary targets of the Japanese attack on December 7th.
The base was under control of the USAF from 1947 to 1991.
The units stationed at the base perform airlift and air support operations for the US Army and Army National Guard.
Units Stationed:
- 25th Combat Aviation Brigade
- Detachment 55 Operational Support Airlift
- 193rd Aviation Regiment
- 169th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron
- 30th Signal Battalion
- 599th Transportation Brigade
- Defense Information Systems Agency
Official Site: https://aviation.hawaii.gov/airfields-airports/oahu/wheeler-field/
Navy Bases In Hawaii
Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands
Location: Kekaha, HI
In Use: 1940-Present
Overall Mission: Barking Sands Missile Range began life as a US Army airfield, because a USAF base in 1954, and was transferred to the US Navy in 1964.
Currently, it is a testing and training missile range, and is both the largest and most popular of its kind.
Almost 50 missile programs test and operate out of PMRF Barking Sands.
It also hosts electronic warfare training exercises.
Units Stationed:
- 293rd Combat Communications Squadron
Official Site: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrh/installations/pacific_missile_range_facility_barking_sands.html
Related Article – Military Bases In Florida
Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific
Location: Wahiawa, HI
In Use: 1906-Present
Overall Mission: Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific, or NCTAMS PAC is the definitive station for all Naval information and communications in the Pacific.
It supports both defense communications, and telecommunications for the US Navy throughout the Pacific.
Units Stationed:
- NAVSECGRU
Official Site: https://www.public.navy.mil/fltfor/nctamspac/Pages/Home.aspx
Naval Station Pearl Harbor
Location: Honolulu, HI
In Use: 1899-Present
Overall Mission: Perhaps the single most well-known Navy Base in the country, NS Pearl Harbor war joined with Hickam AFB in 2010, and comprises the Navy section of Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam.
It is the headquarters for all US Navy operations in the Pacific and is the homeport for 25 vessels.
It is the only medium level station for submarine repair in the mid-pacific.
Naval Station Pearl Harbor is considered one of the largest military bases in Hawaii, and even the world.
Units Stationed:
- Navy Region Hawaii
- USS John Paul Jones
- USS Hopper
- USS Wayne E. Meyer
- USS Preble
- USS Chafee
- USS Chung-Hoon
- USS Halsey
- USS William P. Lawrence
- USS Michael Murphy
- USS Port Royal
- USS Olympia
- USS Chicago
- USS Louisville
- USS Jefferson City
- USS Columbus
- USS Santa Fe
- USS Charlotte
- USS Tucson
- USS Columbia
- USS Greeneville
- USS Cheyenne
- USS Texas
- USS Hawaii
- USS North Carolina
- USS Missouri
- USS Mississippi
- USS Illinois
- Afloat Training Group, Middle Pacific
- Center for Surface Combat Systems
- Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303
- Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1
Official Site: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrh/installations/jb_pearl_harbor_hickam.html
Air Force Bases In Hawaii
Bellows AF Station
Location: Waimanalo, HI
In Use: 1917-Present
Overall Mission: From 1917-1958, Bellows Field was a key Air Force base, and played a significant role in operations during WWII.
Recently, Bellows AFS has had its role scaled back, and primarily serves as a training and recreation space for all branches of the armed forces.
Units Stationed:
- 18th Mission Support Group
- Hawaii Army National Guard 298th Regiment
Official Site: https://www.bellowsafs.com/
Hickam AFB
Location: Honolulu, HI
In Use: 1938-Present
Overall Mission: Hickam Air Force Base is now the Air Force segment of Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam.
The base supports air support and airlift for units throughout the Pacific.
Units Stationed:
- 15th Operations Group
- 15th Maintenance Group
- 15th Medical Group
- 15th Wing Staff Agencies
- 154th Wing Hawaii Air National Guard
- 3rd Space Operations Squadron/Operating Location-Bravo
- 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing
- 624th Regional Support Group
- 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command
Official Site: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrh/installations/jb_pearl_harbor_hickam.html
Marine Corps Bases In Hawaii
MCB Hawaii
Location: Honolulu, HI
In Use: 1918-1949, 1952–Present
Overall Mission: Marine Corps Base Hawaii was closed briefly after WWII, but was reopened when the US Marine Corps took control of the base in 1951.
The base performs communication and air support roles for the US Marine Corps.
Units Stationed:
- 3rd Marine Regiment
- Marine Aircraft Group 24
- Combat Logistics Battalion 3
- 3rd Radio Battalion
- Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 2
Official Site: https://www.mcbhawaii.marines.mil/
Coast Guard Bases In Hawaii
USCG Station Maui
Location: Wailuku, HI
In Use: 1964-Present
Overall Mission: USCG Station Maui performs search and rescue and other safety operations for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, & Kaho’olawe and the surrounding waters.
They also often work in cooperation with that Maui Police and Fire Departments, Ocean Safety, and NOAA.
Units Stationed:
- RB-M 45613
- RB-M 45719
Official Site: https://www.pacificarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/District-14/D14-Units/Sector-Honolulu/Sector-Honolulu-Units/Station-Maui/
USCG ISC Honolulu
Location: Honolulu, HI
In Use: 1945-Present
Overall Mission: USCG Honolulu began as a lighthouse, with military and Coast Guard expanding around the lighthouse.
USCG Honolulu also provides healthcare for the surrounding community.
Units Stationed:
- USCGC Kittiwake
- USCGC Oliver Berry
Official Site: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Director-of-Operational-Logistics-DOL/Bases/Base-Honolulu/
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.
- Replacing Dog Tags: 6 Things You Need to Know - June 28, 2024
- Navy OAR Test Study Guide - June 24, 2024
- 10 Best Sniper Movies of all Time - June 20, 2024
