Military Bases in Hawaii
The inside scoop on raising a military family in Hawaii.
Army Bases
Aliamanu Military Reservation
Located in Honolulu, Hawaii
Aliamanu Military Reservation sits in Honolulu, Hawaii and serves as a key Army installation supporting U.S. Indo-Pacific Command operations. Known for its family housing, the base offers on-post schools, playgrounds, and quick access to amenities in Honolulu.
Fort Shafter
Located in Honolulu, Hawaii
Fort Shafter in Honolulu, Hawaii serves as the headquarters for U.S. Army Pacific, overseeing operations across the Asia-Pacific region. The base is known for its historic palm-lined Palm Circle, on-base housing, and proximity to excellent schools and amenities in Honolulu.
Schofield Barracks
Located in Wahiawa, Hawaii
Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa, Hawaii is a major U.S. Army installation known as the headquarters for the 25th Infantry Division. The base supports ground combat units and offers a range of on-base housing, schools, and family amenities.
Tripler AMC
Located in Honolulu, Hawaii
Tripler AMC in Honolulu, Hawaii is the premier Army medical center in the Pacific, serving as a key referral hospital for military personnel across the region. Known for its iconic pink hospital building, Tripler AMC offers robust on-base and off-base housing options, access to quality DoDEA schools, and proximity to urban amenities.
Marine Corps Bases
Camp Smith
Located in 'aiea, Hawaii
Camp Smith sits above 'aiea, Hawaii, and serves as a key Marine Corps installation in the Pacific. This base is the headquarters for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and Marine Forces Pacific, making it central to regional security.
MCB Hawaii
Located in Kane'ohe, Hawaii
MCB Hawaii in Kane'ohe, Hawaii, is a major Marine Corps installation supporting Pacific operations. The base is home to the 3rd Marine Regiment and Marine Aircraft Group 24, offering on-base housing, top-rated schools, and access to Oahu's unique amenities.
Navy Bases
JBPHH
Located in Pearl City, Hawaii
JBPHH in Pearl City, Hawaii is a joint Navy and Air Force base, known as Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. This installation is pivotal for Pacific defense operations, home to the U.S. Pacific Fleet and the Pacific Air Forces.
NCTAMS PAC
Located in Wahiawa, Hawaii
NCTAMS PAC in Wahiawa, Hawaii, serves as a major hub for Navy telecommunications and cyber operations across the Pacific. This base is home to advanced communications infrastructure supporting fleet operations, with both on-base and off-base housing options nearby.
Other Installations
U.S. Coast Guard Base Honolulu
Located in Honolulu, Hawaii
U.S. Coast Guard Base Honolulu in Honolulu, Hawaii, serves as a critical hub for Coast Guard operations in the Pacific. This base is known for supporting search and rescue, law enforcement, and maritime safety missions across the region.
Hawaii’s Pacific Military Bases
For U.S. military members and families on PCS or TDY to Hawaii, Aliamanu Military Reservation, Fort Shafter, Schofield Barracks, Tripler Army Medical Center, Marine Corps Base Camp H.M. Smith, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific, and U.S. Coast Guard Base Honolulu are key installations, supporting Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard missions. As the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s hub, these bases drive Hawaii’s strategic role. This guide to military bases in Hawaii offers insights into their roles, historical significance, economic impact, and community support, ensuring a rewarding assignment in the Aloha State.
Historical Foundations
Hawaii’s military history began with U.S. expansion in the Pacific. Fort Shafter, established in 1899 after Hawaii’s annexation, became the Army’s first permanent post, named for Major General William R. Shafter. Schofield Barracks, founded in 1908, trained infantry during WWI, named for Lieutenant General John M. Schofield. Pearl Harbor Naval Base, created in 1911, was attacked in 1941, shaping WWII strategy. Hickam Airfield, established in 1935, merged with Pearl Harbor in 2010 to form Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Tripler Army Medical Center opened in 1948, MCB Hawaii in 1952, and MCB Camp H.M. Smith in 1955, cementing Hawaii’s defense legacy.
Economic Impact
Hawaii’s bases contribute over $14 billion annually, employing 100,000 personnel. Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, spanning 12,600 acres, generates $7 billion and 50,000 jobs on Oahu. Schofield Barracks and Fort Shafter add $3 billion and 20,000 jobs, supporting Central Oahu and Honolulu. Tripler Army Medical Center contributes $1 billion and 6,000 jobs. MCB Hawaii and MCB Camp H.M. Smith sustain $2 billion and 15,000 jobs in Kaneohe and Aiea. NCTAMS PAC and Coast Guard Base Honolulu add $1 billion and 9,000 jobs. Families access 5,000 housing units, DoDEA schools, and TRICARE clinics, with MWR programs like 2025 Waikiki beach events.
Key Military Facilities
Aliamanu Military Reservation (Honolulu): Provides housing and logistics for Army families, with 2,000 personnel.
Fort Shafter (Honolulu): Hosts U.S. Army Pacific, managing 5,000 personnel and regional operations.
Schofield Barracks (Wahiawa): Home to the 25th Infantry Division, training 15,000 soldiers, with 20,000 personnel.
Tripler Army Medical Center (Honolulu): A 450-bed hospital serving 700,000 beneficiaries, with 6,000 personnel.
Marine Corps Base Camp H.M. Smith (Aiea): Hosts INDOPACOM and Marine Forces Pacific, with 5,000 personnel.
Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe): Home to 3rd Marine Regiment, training 7,000 Marines, with 10,000 personnel.
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (Honolulu): Supports Pacific Fleet and 15th Wing with F-22s, hosting 50,000 personnel.
Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific (Wahiawa): Manages Pacific communications, with 4,000 personnel.
U.S. Coast Guard Base Honolulu (Honolulu): Oversees maritime safety with cutters, hosting 5,000 personnel.
Wheeler Army Airfield (Wahiawa): Supports Army aviation with AH-64 Apaches, with 3,000 personnel.
Strategic Importance
Hawaii’s bases are linchpins for U.S. Indo-Pacific operations. Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam’s Pacific Fleet conducts 1,500 ship movements and 2,000 F-22 sorties annually, with 2024 upgrades enhancing submarine facilities. Schofield Barracks’ 25th Infantry Division trains 15,000 soldiers for rapid deployment, conducting 2024 jungle exercises. Fort Shafter’s U.S. Army Pacific oversees 100,000 troops across the region, with 2024 cyber initiatives. Tripler Army Medical Center serves 700,000 patients yearly. MCB Hawaii trains 7,000 Marines, MCB Camp H.M. Smith hosts INDOPACOM, and NCTAMS PAC manages 80% of Pacific communications. These bases ensure readiness despite unconfirmed 2024 security concerns.
Notable Distinctions
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam is the Navy’s Pacific headquarters, hosting the iconic USS Arizona Memorial. Schofield Barracks is the Army’s largest Pacific training ground. Tripler Army Medical Center, known for its pink facade, is the Pacific’s premier military hospital. The bases offer 5,000 housing units, DoDEA schools, and MWR events like 2025 Kaneohe hula festivals, fostering vibrant communities in Hawaii’s tropical paradise.
U.S. service members on PCS to Hawaii or TDY in Hawaii will find mission-critical roles and dynamic communities across Oahu’s bases. From Waikiki’s beaches to Kaneohe’s Hawaiian heritage, Hawaii’s bases provide robust support, quality education, and unforgettable cultural experiences for military families.