Military Bases in Kansas
Your unofficial field manual for Kansas.
Air Force Bases
McConnell AFB
Located in Wichita, Kansas
McConnell AFB in Wichita, Kansas, is a major United States Air Force installation known as the home of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing. This base plays a vital role in global air mobility with its KC-46 Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker missions.
Army Bases
Fort Leavenworth
Located in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
Fort Leavenworth in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, is a historic U.S. Army installation known as the "Intellectual Center of the Army." It houses the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and supports a vibrant military community with on-base housing, excellent schools, and access to local amenities. The base is respected for its educational mission and scenic setting on the Missouri River.
Fort Riley
Located in Fort Riley, Kansas
Fort Riley in Fort Riley, Kansas, is a major U.S. Army installation known as the home of the 1st Infantry Division, the "Big Red One." The base plays a vital role in Army ground operations and offers on-base housing, quality schools, and easy access to off-base amenities. Fort Riley is recognized for its strong community and historical significance in the Midwest.
Kansas’ Heartland Military Bases
For U.S. military members and families on PCS or TDY to Kansas, McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Fort Leavenworth in Leavenworth, and Fort Riley in Junction City are key installations, anchoring Air Force refueling, Army leadership training, and combat readiness. These bases drive Kansas’ strategic importance in the nation’s heartland. This guide to military bases in Kansas offers insights into their roles, historical significance, economic impact, and community support, ensuring a rewarding assignment in the Sunflower State.
Historical Foundations
Kansas’ military history began with frontier forts and expanded through global conflicts. Fort Leavenworth, established in 1827 by Colonel Henry Leavenworth, served as a supply post for westward expansion and later became the Army’s intellectual hub. Fort Riley, founded in 1853, protected the Santa Fe Trail and trained cavalry units, named for Major General Bennett C. Riley. McConnell Air Force Base, activated in 1941 as Wichita Army Airfield, supported WWII B-29 training and was renamed in 1951 for brothers Fred and Thomas McConnell, WWII airmen from Wichita. These bases have shaped Kansas’ defense legacy.
Economic Impact
Kansas’ bases contribute over $4 billion annually, employing 30,000 personnel. Fort Riley, spanning 100,656 acres, generates $1.8 billion and 15,000 jobs in Junction City and Riley County. McConnell Air Force Base, covering 3,466 acres, adds $1.5 billion and 10,000 jobs in Wichita and Sedgwick County, supporting the aviation industry. Fort Leavenworth contributes $800 million and 5,000 jobs in Leavenworth County. Families access 2,500 housing units, DoDDS schools (e.g., Geary County Schools, Wichita Public Schools), and TRICARE clinics. MWR programs, like 2025 McConnell air shows and Fort Leavenworth’s Oregon Trail tours, enrich community life.
Key Military Facilities
McConnell Air Force Base (Wichita): Hosts the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, operating KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-46A Pegasus tankers, with 10,000 personnel.
Fort Leavenworth (Leavenworth): Home to the Combined Arms Center and Command and General Staff College, training 1,200 officers annually, with 5,000 personnel.
Fort Riley (Junction City): Hosts the 1st Infantry Division, training 15,000 soldiers for combat operations, with 15,000 personnel.
Kansas Army Ammunition Plant (Parsons): A reserve facility for munitions storage, with 200 personnel.
Strategic Importance
Kansas’ bases are critical to U.S. defense. McConnell Air Force Base’s 22nd Air Refueling Wing conducts 3,000 KC-135 and KC-46A missions annually, supporting global air refueling, with 2024 operations enhancing NATO interoperability. Fort Leavenworth’s Command and General Staff College trains 1,200 officers yearly, shaping Army leadership, with 2024 courses advancing joint doctrine. Fort Riley’s 1st Infantry Division prepares 15,000 soldiers for rapid deployment, conducting 2025 exercises with M1 Abrams tanks. The Kansas Army Ammunition Plant stores 10% of Army munitions. These bases maintain readiness despite unconfirmed 2024 drone reports.
Notable Distinctions
Fort Leavenworth, the Army’s oldest active post, hosts the “Intellectual Center of the Army” for leadership training. Fort Riley is home to the storied 1st Infantry Division, the “Big Red One.” McConnell Air Force Base is a premier tanker base, transitioning to KC-46A Pegasus aircraft. The bases offer 2,500 housing units, school partnerships, and MWR events like Junction City’s 2025 Flint Hills rodeos and Wichita’s aviation museums, fostering vibrant communities in Kansas’ prairies.
U.S. service members on PCS to Kansas or TDY in Kansas will find mission-critical roles and welcoming communities at McConnell, Fort Leavenworth, and Fort Riley. From Wichita’s aviation heritage to Leavenworth’s historic trails, Kansas’ bases provide robust support, quality education, and rich cultural experiences for military families.