Military Bases in Puerto Rico
Your guide to navigating military life in Puerto Rico.
Army Bases
Fort Buchanan
Located in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Fort Buchanan sits in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and serves as the U.S. Army's only active duty installation in the Caribbean. This base supports Reserve and National Guard units, federal agencies, and military families.
Puerto Rico’s Sentinel of the Caribbean
For U.S. military members and families on PCS or TDY to Puerto Rico, Fort Buchanan in the San Juan metropolitan area is the island’s only active Army installation, serving as a vital hub for Caribbean-wide Department of Defense support. Known as the “Sentinel of the Caribbean,” this base fosters a “Home Away From Home” for a diverse military community. This guide to military bases in Puerto Rico offers insights into Fort Buchanan’s role, historical significance, economic impact, and community support, ensuring a rewarding assignment in this vibrant U.S. territory.
Historical Foundations
Puerto Rico’s military history began with U.S. forces landing in Guánica in 1898 during the Spanish-American War, leading to the island’s cession via the 1898 Treaty of Paris. Fort Buchanan, established in 1923 as Camp Buchanan, was named in 1940 for Brigadier General James A. Buchanan, first commander of the Porto Rico Regiment of Infantry. It expanded to 4,500 acres during WWII as a supply depot and training center for the Army Antilles Department. The base was reduced to 746 acres post-war and briefly closed in 1966, reopening as a garrison under the Installation Management Command.
Economic Impact
Fort Buchanan drives economic activity in San Juan, Bayamón, and Guaynabo, with a real estate value of $560 million across 746 acres. It employs 4,000 personnel (military, civilian, contractors) and generates $1 billion annually, supporting 130,000 people, including veterans and retirees. The base’s 119 family housing units, commissary, and Navy Exchange (NEX) boost local commerce, while 32 federal agencies benefit from its services. Families access DoDDS schools (Antilles Consolidated School System, PreK-12), TRICARE clinics, and MWR programs like kayaking at Las Casas Lake, enhancing community life in Puerto Rico’s high-cost living environment.
Key Military Facilities
Fort Buchanan (Guaynabo): Hosts the 1st Mission Support Command (U.S. Army Reserve) and supports 32 federal agencies, providing base operations and mobilization for 4,000 personnel.
Camp Santiago (Salinas): A Puerto Rico National Guard training facility for the 191st Regional Support Group, hosting 2,000 trainees annually for joint exercises.
Muñiz Air National Guard Base (Carolina): Headquarters for the Puerto Rico Air National Guard’s 156th Wing, operating C-130H Hercules for airlift and disaster response.
Strategic Importance
Fort Buchanan serves as a power projection platform for the Caribbean, Central, and South America, supporting U.S. Army South and SOCSOUTH with logistics, mobilization, and contingency planning. The 1st Mission Support Command oversees 17 Army Reserve units in a new $29 million, 58,199-square-foot facility opened in 2024. Camp Santiago trains 2,000 National Guard and reserve personnel annually, while Muñiz Air National Guard Base conducts 500 airlift missions, aiding regional humanitarian efforts like post-Hurricane Maria recovery in 2017, where Fort Buchanan coordinated island-wide relief. Recent 2025 initiatives include suicide prevention programs and Family and MWR courses.
Notable Distinctions
Fort Buchanan, at 746 acres, is the only active Army installation in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, hosting the Juan E. Negrón Readiness Center, named for a Korean War Medal of Honor recipient. Camp Santiago is the National Guard’s largest training site in Puerto Rico, with a helipad and simulation center. Muñiz Air National Guard Base operates the region’s only C-130H fleet. Fort Buchanan’s 119 housing units, six schools in the Antilles Consolidated School System, and MWR events like the 2025 egg hunt offer families a supportive environment amid San Juan’s vibrant culture.
U.S. service members on PCS to Puerto Rico or TDY in Puerto Rico will find mission-critical roles and a welcoming community at Fort Buchanan. From San Juan’s historic forts to the island’s white sandy beaches, Puerto Rico’s bases provide robust support, quality education, and rich cultural experiences for military families.