Military Bases in Arizona
The inside scoop on raising a military family in Arizona.
Air Force Bases
Davis-Monthan AFB
Located in Davis-monthan Air Force Base, Arizona
Davis-Monthan AFB is located in Davis-monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, and serves as a key installation for the U.S. Air Force. Known for hosting the 355th Wing and the Air Force's largest aircraft boneyard, this base supports vital air operations, training, and storage missions.
Luke AFB
Located in Luke Air Force Base, Arizona
Luke AFB sits in Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, and serves as a premier training hub for the U.S. Air Force. This base is home to the largest fighter wing in the world, specializing in F-35 and F-16 pilot training.
Army Bases
Fort Huachuca
Located in Sierra Vista, Arizona
Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, Arizona, is a key U.S. Army installation known for intelligence training and electronic testing. The base is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and the Network Enterprise Technology Command.
Yuma Proving Ground
Located in Yuma, Arizona
Yuma Proving Ground in Yuma, Arizona is a major U.S. Army test facility known for its vast desert ranges and year-round testing of military equipment. The installation is a hub for evaluating artillery, munitions, and ground combat systems, making it essential for Army modernization.
Marine Corps Bases
MCAS Yuma
Located in Yuma, Arizona
MCAS Yuma in Yuma, Arizona, is a premier Marine Corps air station known for its year-round flying weather and advanced aviation training. The base supports Marine aviation units and hosts the annual Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course, a cornerstone for Marine Corps aviation.
Arizona’s Desert Defense
For U.S. military members and families on PCS or TDY to Arizona, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Luke Air Force Base, Fort Huachuca, U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma are premier installations, driving air training, intelligence, weapons testing, and Marine aviation in the Southwest. These bases anchor Arizona’s strategic military presence. This guide to military bases in Arizona offers insights into their roles, historical significance, economic impact, and community support, ensuring a rewarding assignment in the Grand Canyon State.
Historical Foundations
Arizona’s military history spans over a century. Fort Huachuca, established in 1877, served as a frontier post during the Apache Wars, named for a nearby canyon. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, founded in 1940, was named for WWI aviators Samuel H. Davis and Oscar Monthan, becoming a key WWII training site. Luke Air Force Base, opened in 1941, trained pilots, named for WWI ace Frank Luke Jr. U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, started in 1928 as a test range, formalized in 1943. Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, activated in 1928, grew into a Marine aviation hub. These bases have shaped Arizona’s defense legacy.
Economic Impact
Arizona’s bases contribute over $3 billion annually, employing 25,000 personnel. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, spanning 10,600 acres, generates $1 billion and 8,000 jobs in Tucson. Luke Air Force Base, covering 4,200 acres, adds $1 billion and 7,000 jobs in Glendale and Maricopa County. Fort Huachuca sustains $500 million and 6,000 jobs in Sierra Vista. U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground and MCAS Yuma collectively contribute $500 million and 4,000 jobs in Yuma. Families access 2,500 housing units, DoDEA school partnerships (e.g., Tucson Unified, Yuma Union), and TRICARE clinics, with MWR programs like 2025 Sonoran Desert hikes.
Key Military Facilities
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (Tucson): Hosts the 355th Wing with A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and HH-60G Pave Hawks, conducting 3,000 sorties, with 8,000 personnel.
Luke Air Force Base (Glendale): Home to the 56th Fighter Wing, training F-35A and F-16 pilots for 4,000 sorties, with 7,000 personnel.
Fort Huachuca (Sierra Vista): Hosts the U.S. Army Intelligence Center, training 5,000 soldiers, with 6,000 personnel.
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (Yuma): Tests 70% of Army ground systems, with 2,000 personnel.
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma (Yuma): Supports the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing with F-35Bs, conducting 2,000 sorties, with 2,000 personnel.
Arizona Air National Guard 162nd Wing (Tucson): Trains F-16 pilots for 1,500 sorties, with 1,500 personnel.
Strategic Importance
Arizona’s bases are linchpins for U.S. defense. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base’s 355th Wing conducts 3,000 A-10 and HH-60G missions annually, with 2024 exercises enhancing close air support. Luke Air Force Base’s 56th Fighter Wing trains 4,000 F-35A and F-16 sorties, producing 25% of Air Force fighter pilots. Fort Huachuca’s Intelligence Center trains 5,000 soldiers in cyber and signals, with 2024 advancements in AI warfare. U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground tests 70% of Army ground systems, including HIMARS, in 2024. MCAS Yuma’s F-35Bs execute 2,000 sorties, supporting Indo-Pacific readiness. These bases ensure mission success despite unconfirmed 2024 security concerns.
Notable Distinctions
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base hosts the “Boneyard,” storing 4,400 aircraft. Luke Air Force Base is the Air Force’s largest F-35 training hub. Fort Huachuca is the Army’s cyber warfare epicenter. The bases offer 2,500 housing units, school partnerships, and MWR events like 2025 Yuma airshows, fostering vibrant communities in Arizona’s desert landscapes.
U.S. service members on PCS to Arizona or TDY in Arizona will find mission-critical roles and welcoming communities at Davis-Monthan, Luke, Fort Huachuca, Yuma Proving Ground, and MCAS Yuma. From Tucson’s Sonoran Desert to Yuma’s Colorado River, Arizona’s bases provide robust support, quality education, and rich cultural experiences for military families.