Military Bases in Washington
Discover what makes Washington unique for military families.
Air Force Bases
Fairchild AFB
Located in Fairchild Af Base, Washington
Fairchild AFB sits near Fairchild Af Base, Washington and serves as a key installation for the U.S. Air Force’s air refueling and mobility missions. Home to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, the base supports global operations and hosts robust on-base housing, quality schools, and access to Spokane’s amenities.
Army Bases
JBLM
Located in Tacoma, Washington
JBLM in Tacoma, Washington is a major joint Army and Air Force installation. This base is home to I Corps and the 62nd Airlift Wing, supporting rapid deployment and global mobility.
Navy Bases
NAS Whidbey Island
Located in Oak Harbor, Washington
NAS Whidbey Island sits in Oak Harbor, Washington, serving as a major hub for the U.S. Navy's maritime patrol and electronic attack missions. The base is home to the P-8A Poseidon and EA-18G Growler squadrons, offering both on-base and off-base housing options, and access to quality schools and family amenities.
Naval Base Kitsap
Located in Bangor, Washington
Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, Washington, is a key U.S. Navy installation supporting submarines, aircraft carriers, and surface ships in the Pacific Northwest. The base is known for its strategic nuclear deterrence mission and houses the Navy's largest West Coast Trident submarine base.
Naval Station Everett
Located in Everett, Washington
Naval Station Everett is located in Everett, Washington, and serves as a key U.S. Navy installation in the Pacific Northwest. The base is home to guided-missile destroyers and support vessels, offering modern on-base housing, access to quality schools, and proximity to Seattle's amenities.
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
Located in Bremerton, Washington
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, is a major U.S. Navy installation specializing in ship maintenance, modernization, and recycling of naval vessels. The base supports a large civilian and military workforce, offers on-base and off-base housing options, and is close to quality schools and local amenities.
Washington State Military Legacy
Washington State’s military bases, including Fairchild AFB, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Naval Base Kitsap, Naval Station Everett, and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, are critical hubs for PCS and TDY assignments. Home to eight major installations, the state blends a rich military history with cutting-edge operations across Army, Navy, and Air Force missions. This guide to bases showcases Washington’s pivotal role in national defense and local economies.
Historical Foundations
Washington’s military presence began with frontier forts and expanded during global conflicts. Fort Lewis, established in 1916 at what is now Joint Base Lewis-McChord, trained troops for World War I and grew into a major mobilization center by WWII, per the U.S. Army. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, commissioned in 1942, supported PBY Catalina seaplanes and Grumman F4F Wildcats during WWII, named Ault Field after Commander William B. Ault, lost in 1942. Bremerton Naval Shipyard, founded in 1891, built warships for the Spanish-American War and became Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, a WWII powerhouse.
Economic Powerhouse
Washington’s bases contribute over $13 billion annually to the state’s economy, employing 120,000 personnel, per Washington State government estimates. Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma supports 56,000 jobs and $7 billion in economic activity, boosting Pierce County’s businesses and schools. Naval Base Kitsap and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton employ over 15,000, driving Kitsap County’s economy with ship repair contracts. Fairchild AFB in Spokane sustains 5,200 jobs, while Naval Station Everett and NAS Whidbey Island support Snohomish and Island Counties, fostering community growth.
Additional Military Facilities
Yakima Training Center (Yakima): A 324,000-acre Army range under JBLM, training units like the 2nd Infantry Division in desert and mountain warfare.
Camp Murray (Tacoma): Headquarters for the Washington National Guard’s 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, supporting disaster response and training.
Naval Outlying Landing Field Coupeville: A satellite of NAS Whidbey Island, used for EA-18G Growler field carrier landing practice.
Strategic Roles
Washington’s bases are linchpins of national defense. Joint Base Lewis-McChord hosts I Corps and the 62nd Airlift Wing, mobilizing units like the 1st Special Forces Group for Indo-Pacific operations. Fairchild AFB operates the 92nd Air Refueling Wing with KC-135 Stratotankers, supporting global missions, and the SERE School for survival training, per the U.S. Air Force. Naval Base Kitsap maintains nuclear submarines and the Navy’s largest fuel depot, while NAS Whidbey Island supports EA-18G Growler squadrons for electronic warfare. Naval Station Everett and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard ensure fleet readiness with Nimitz-class carrier maintenance.
Notable Distinctions
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, spanning 87,000 acres, is the largest military base in Washington State, hosting elite units like the 1st Special Forces Group. Naval Base Kitsap is the Navy’s third-largest base, managing one of two U.S. strategic nuclear weapons facilities. Fairchild AFB is the Air Force’s largest air refueling wing, with 29 KC-135 aircraft, per the U.S. Air Force. These distinctions underscore Washington’s strategic prominence.
Service members on PCS to Washington State or TDY in Washington State will find dynamic missions and thriving communities. From Tacoma’s urban vibrancy to Whidbey Island’s scenic shores, Washington’s bases offer robust support and unparalleled opportunities for military families.