Military Bases in Honduras
Essential info for life on and off base in Honduras.
Army Bases
Soto Cano Air Base
Located in Comayagua, Honduras
Soto Cano Air Base sits near Comayagua, Honduras and serves as a key installation for the U.S. Air Force. The base is home to Joint Task Force-Bravo, supporting counter-narcotics, humanitarian, and disaster relief operations across Central America.
Honduras’ Central American Mission Hub
For U.S. military members and families on PCS or TDY to Honduras, Soto Cano Air Base, also known as Palmerola Air Base, is the primary U.S. military installation, located 5 miles south of Comayagua. Operated by Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-Bravo) under a U.S.-Honduran handshake agreement, this joint base hosts U.S. Air Force and Army units alongside the Honduran Air Force Academy, supporting counter-narcotics, humanitarian aid, and regional security. This guide to military bases in Honduras offers insights into its role, historical significance, economic impact, and community support, ensuring a rewarding assignment in this Central American ally.
Historical Foundations
Soto Cano Air Base became operational in 1981, relocating the Honduran Air Force Academy from Toncontín, Tegucigalpa, to Palmerola, a former WWII-era airstrip. U.S. and Honduran forces began combined training exercises in 1965, escalating in 1983 amid regional tensions. In 1984, the U.S. established JTF-Bravo to coordinate operations, initially as JTF-11, supporting counterinsurgency and anti-drug efforts. The base’s semi-permanent status, governed by a 1954 military assistance agreement annex, reflects a delicate U.S.-Honduran partnership, with the U.S. funding 96% of operations since the 1980s.
Economic Impact
Soto Cano Air Base contributes over $100 million annually to Comayagua’s economy, employing 600 U.S. troops, 650 U.S. and Honduran civilians, and local contractors. The base’s operations, including a 2024 kindergarten donation in Olanchito, create jobs and stimulate local markets. U.S. personnel live on-base in modern barracks, with 2024 infrastructure upgrades replacing older “hooches.” Families access limited on-base housing, a consolidated school, and a clinic, with MWR programs like 2025 5K fun runs and Comayagua cathedral tours fostering community ties.
Key Military Facilities
Soto Cano Air Base (Comayagua): Hosts JTF-Bravo, including the 612th Air Base Squadron and 1-228th Aviation Regiment, with 600 U.S. personnel for air operations and humanitarian missions.
612th Air Base Squadron Area (Soto Cano): Maintains a C-5 Galaxy-capable runway and provides weather forecasting and fire protection, with 200 personnel.
JTF-Bravo Medical Element (Soto Cano): Offers primary care and supports medical readiness exercises, serving 835 patients in Tela in 2024, with 50 personnel.
1-228th Aviation Regiment Hangar (Soto Cano): Operates UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters for 1,000 annual airlift missions, with 150 personnel.
Strategic Importance
Soto Cano Air Base is a critical U.S. hub for Central American operations. The 1-228th Aviation Regiment conducts 1,000 airlift missions yearly with UH-60 and CH-47 helicopters, supporting counter-narcotics and disaster relief, as seen in 2024’s Chapel Hike 99, delivering 3,100 pounds of food to 150 Honduran families. The 612th Air Base Squadron maintains a 24-hour runway for C-5 Galaxy aircraft, facilitating 400 annual flights. JTF-Bravo’s 2024 CENTAM Guardian exercise with Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador enhanced interoperability. Despite a March 2025 UH-60L emergency landing with minor injuries, operations remain robust.
Notable Distinctions
Soto Cano Air Base, spanning 1,200 acres, is the only U.S. military hub in Honduras, operating under a unique semi-permanent agreement despite Honduras’ constitutional ban on foreign bases. It hosts the Honduran Air Force Academy and JTF-Bravo, with 2024 PFAS water monitoring ensuring safety. The base offers 200 housing units, a clinic, and MWR events like 2025 cultural exchanges, creating a close-knit community. Its 2024 medical engagements, treating 835 patients in Tela, highlight its humanitarian impact.
U.S. service members on PCS to Honduras or TDY in Honduras will find mission-critical roles and a supportive community at Soto Cano Air Base. From Comayagua’s colonial architecture to Tegucigalpa’s bustling markets, Honduras’ base offers robust support, education options, and unique cultural experiences for military families in this Central American heartland.