There are 15 active military installations 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 is based here.
The base is still a fundamental part of the training structure of the U.S. Army and its Commanders.
Units Stationed:
- U.S. Army War College
- Dunham U.S. Army Health Clinic
- Logistics Readiness Center
- U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command
- U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command
Official Site: https://home.army.mil/carlisle/index.php
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 Army depots, Letterkenny is considered one of the smallest military bases in Pennsylvania.
The facility has over 300 civilian employees but only one Army member in command.
Units Stationed: N/A
Official Site: https://www.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.
The installation employs around 3,000 civilians and 100 Army personnel.
Units Stationed:
- Administrative Support Center East
- Eastern Distribution Center
Official Site: https://www.dla.mil/Distribution/Locations/Susquehanna/
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:
- Army Sustainment Command Packaging, Storage, and Containerization Center
- Defense Contracts Management Agency
- Defense Logistics Agency / Disposition, Distribution, Land & Maritime Office
- 55th Network Support Company, PA Army National Guard
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- 80th Training Command, U.S. Army Reserves
- 392nd Signal Battalion, U.S. Army Reserves
Official Site: https://www.tobyhanna.army.mil/
Navy Bases In Pennsylvania
Joint Reserve Base 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 after the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendation. Active duty units relocated their assets elsewhere, and the base was handed over to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.
Units Stationed:
- 111th Fighter Wing
- 201st Red Horses
- 270th Engineering Squadron
- 158th Aviation Regiment
- 913th Airlift Wing
Official Site: https://www.bracpmo.navy.mil/BRAC-Bases/Northeast/Former-Naval-Air-Station-Joint-Reserve-Base-Willow-Grove/
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Naval Support Activity 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:
- Naval Supply Systems Command
- Weapon Systems Support
- Business Systems Center
- NAVSEA Logistics Center
- 382nd Engineer Company
Official Site: https://cnrma.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NSA-Mechanicsburg/
Naval Support Activity Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia, PA
In Use: 1942-present
Overall Mission: The mission of NSA Philadelphia is to provide shore infrastructure for Navy activities in the area, including the Philadelphia Navy Yard Annex.
It also offers services in the form of support for any Navy members and their families.
This base is a big part of the logistics chain of the U.S. Navy and it offers some of this support to other branches of the Armed Forces.
One division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corp is located on this base, offering the training required for Sea Cadets.
Units Stationed:
- Defense Contract Management Agency
- Defense Logistics Agency
- Naval Supply Systems Command
- Navy Recruiting Command
- NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk
- Naval Foundry and Propeller Center
- NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support
- Squadron 104, Civil Air Patrol
- U.S. Navy Sea Cadet Corps
Official Site: https://cnrma.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NSA-Philadelphia/
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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 and headquarters of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
It is also the headquarters for the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans.
Units Stationed:
- 148th Air Support Operations Squadron
- 201st RED HORSE Squadron
- 203rd Weather Flight
- 211th Engineering Installation Squadron
- 271st Combat Communications Squadron
- 553rd Air Force Band
- Bollen Air-to-Ground Weapons Range, Detachment 1
- 193rd Special Operations Medical Group, Detachment 1
Official Site: https://www.pa.ng.mil/Air-National-Guard/
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 an Air Force Graduate school and housing facility.
Units Stationed: N/A
Official Site: N/A
Air Station State College
Location: State College, PA
In Use: 1917-present
Overall Mission: Home to the 112th Air Operations Squadron, this Air National Guard facility focuses on operational-level Command and Control.
It also assists ground forces and joint service air operations globally.
Units Stationed:
- 112th Air Operations Squadron
Official Site: N/A
Harrisburg ANG Base
Location: Harrisburg, PA
In Use: 1917-Present
Overall Mission: Located on the grounds of the former Olmsted AFB, Harrisburg ANGB is now split between civilian activities and Air National Guard use.
The base was closed in 1969 and turned over to the Pennsylvania ANG.
It is currently the home of the 193d Special Operations squadron, flying the MC-130J Command II aircraft. They are an intelligence-gathering unit, focusing on psychological operations.
Units Stationed:
- 193rd Special Operations Squadron
Official Site: https://www.193sow.ang.af.mil/
Biddle Air National Guard Base
Location: Horsham, PA
In Use: 1928 – present
Overall Mission: Originally a U.S. Naval Base, Biddle ANGB hosts myriad Guard units from both the Air National Guard and Army National Guard.
Once known as Horsham Air Guard Station, it was renamed in honor of the founder of the Pennsylvania ANG 103rd Observation Squadron, Charles Biddle.
The base provides logistic support to any branch of the Armed Forces that is in the area.
Units Stationed:
- 111th Attack Wing
- 201st Red Horse Squadron
- 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team
- 270th Engineering Installation Squadron
- 412th Engineer Command
- 316th Sustainment Command
- 3rd Medical Command
- 11th Aviation Command
Official Site: https://www.111attackwing.ang.af.mil/
Pittsburgh AIP Air Reserve Station
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
In Use: 1944-present
Overall Mission: Pittsburgh IAP Air Reserve Station is the home of the 911th Airlift Wing, hosting over 1,200 USAF Reserve personnel.
The station operates an average of 20 military flight operations every week, hosting various defense units around the area.
This is a full-time and active base, with various units headquartered there.
This base also participates in yearly civilian air shows based on 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://www.pittsburgh.afrc.af.mil/
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 of Echo Company is to train units and individuals to conduct wartime operations.
Units: 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, Echo Company
Official Site: https://www.marforres.marines.mil/Units/4th-Marine-Division/25th-Marine-Regiment/2nd-Battalion/Company-E/
US Marine Corps Reserves, Lehigh County, PA
Location: Allentown, PA
Overall Mission: Training Marines to conduct wartime operations. Includes weapons qualifications, maneuvering, physical fitness, and more.
Official Website: https://www.marforres.marines.mil/Units/4th-Marine-Division/14th-Marine-Regiment/3rd-Battalion/Battery-I-3rd-Bn-14th-Marines/
Coast Guard Bases In Pennsylvania
USCG Sector Delaware Bay
Location: Philadelphia, PA
In Use: 2005-present
Overall Mission: This integrated operations command center hosts 570 active duty and 195 reserve Coast Guard members.
The station oversees several stations, five patrol and tug teams in the bay, as well as two navigation teams.
This base does offer lifesaving capabilities to the surrounding area as well as aiding in navigation and providing security and law enforcement in Delaware Bay.
It’s also considered one of the smallest military bases in Pennsylvania.
Official Site: https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/District-5/District-Units/Sector-Delaware-Bay/
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 Coast Guard units.
It has its own on-base housing and access to all the civilian markets 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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