California is a large state, and with that come a large number of military bases.
The military bases in California have a diverse background, serving all five branches of the US military and having been founded at widely different times in history.
Like many states, a large number of military bases in California were started around the time of World War II. Others were founded in the early 1900s (One as early as 1842) and some were even started as late as the late 1900s.
Below, you’ll find a quick rundown on each of the military bases in California. They are organized by military branch, with California’s one joint-branch military base at the end.
Feel free to click on the links to the bases’ official websites if there are installations you’d like to learn more about.
Air Force Bases in California
Beale Air Force Base
Location:Marysville, California
In Use:1942- Present
Overall Mission: This base works to provide the best air, space, and cyber services for combat commanders. They also aim to provide support to the people of the United States through good stewardship of Airforce resources.
Units Stationed:
- 9th Recon Wing
- 940th Air Refueling Wing
Official Site: https://www.beale.af.mil/
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Channel Islands Air National Guard Base
Location:Oxnard, California
In Use:1943- Present
Overall Mission: The main units at this base work to support the US and allies through combat when necessary.
Units Stationed:
- 146th Airlift Wing
Official Site: https://www.goang.com/locations/california/channel-islands-air-guard-station.html
Edwards Air Force Base
Location:Kern County, California
In Use:1933- Present
Overall Mission: Each of the units stationed at Edwards Air Force Base holds its own, unique mission.
Units Stationed:
- 412th Mission Support Group
- 412th Medical Group
- 412th Test Wing Legal Office
- 772nd Test Squadron
Official Site: https://www.edwards.af.mil/
Fresno Air National Guard Base
Location:Fresno, California
In Use:1948- Present
Overall Mission: This base, along with the California Air National Guard, works to provide air defense for its home state of California.
Units Stationed:
- 144th Fighter Wing
Official Site: https://www.144fw.ang.af.mil/
Los Angeles Air Force Base
Location:El Segundo, California
In Use:1962- Present
Overall Mission: This base maintains space force and runs the Space and Missile Systems Center.
Units Stationed:
- 61st Air Base Group
- Space and Missile Systems Center
Official Site: https://www.losangeles.af.mil/
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March Air Reserve Base
Location:Riverside, California
In Use:1917- Present
Overall Mission: This base works to organize, train, and equip air refueling systems.
Units Stationed:
- 452nd Air Mobility Wing
- 4th Air Force
- Air Force Reserve Command
- Air National Guard units
Official Site: https://www.march.afrc.af.mil/
Travis Air Force Base
Location:Solano County, California
In Use:1942- Present
Overall Mission: The main unit at this base has a mission of “Rapidly projecting American power anytime and anywhere.”
Units Stationed:
- 60th Air Mobility Wing
- 349th Air Mobility Wing
- 621st Contingency Response Wing
Official Site: https://www.travis.af.mil/
Vandenburg Air Force Base
Location:Lompoc, California
In Use:1941- Present
Overall Mission: This base has units focusing on construction and space force, “creating the range of the future.”
Units Stationed:
- 30th Space Wing
- 30th Medical Group
- 30th Operations Group
- 30th Mission Support Group
Official Site: https://www.vandenberg.af.mil/
Army Bases in California
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Camp Parks
Location: Dublin, California
In Use:1943- Present
Overall Mission: This base runs under the command of Fort Hunter Liggett. It hosts excellent academics, battlefield simulation, and an intelligence facility.
Units Stationed:
- California Reserve units
Official Site: https://home.army.mil/parks/index.php
Camp Roberts
Location:San Miguel, California
In Use:1940- 1970 (Active Units), Used by the National Guard 1970- Present
Overall Mission: This base started as a support base in WWII, and is now used for National Guard training and civilian hunting and fishing.
Units Stationed:
- California National Guard
Official Site: https://calguard.ca.gov/cr/
Camp San Luis Obispo
Location:San Luis Obispo, California
In Use:1928- Present
Overall Mission: This camp was founded for the first National Guard troops in California, and was later used by Active units during the Vietnam war. Now, the base serves as a training site for the California National Guard.
Units Stationed:
- California National Guard
Official Site: https://calguard.ca.gov/cslo/
Fort Hunter Liggett
Location: Southern Monterey County
In Use:1940- Present
Overall Mission: This base is a place to “live, work, and train.” Its main goals are mission readiness and an excellent quality of life for its soldiers and families.
Units Stationed:
- 91st Training Division
- 80th Training Command
- Army Corps of Engineers
- Logistics Readiness Center
Official Site: https://home.army.mil/liggett/index.php
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Fort Irwin
Location:Barstow, California
In Use: 1800s- Present
Overall Mission: This base aims to provide “tough and realistic” training, prepare Brigade Combat Teams for combat, and to take care of the community, including soldiers, families, and civilians.
Units Stationed:
- 1st Squadron
- 57th WG “Ravens Air Warriors”
- 11th ACR “Ironhorse”
- 11th ACR “Eagkehorse
- NTC Support Battalion
Official Site: https://home.army.mil/irwin/index.php
Presidio of Monterey
Location:Monterey, California
In Use:1846- Present
Overall Mission: This base provides BASPOS support to the units and people they serve, and to enhance overall readiness.
Units Stationed:
- 29th Military Intelligence Battalion
- 517th Training Group
- Center for Intelligence Dominance Detachment
- Defense Military Pay Office
Official Site: https://home.army.mil/monterey/index.php
Sierra Army Depot
Location:Susanville, California
In Use:1942- Present
Overall Mission: This base holds an important role in the readiness of equipment operations, craftsmen, machinists, and support personnel.
Units Stationed:
- 104th Quarter Master
- Combat Support Units
- Medical Material Agency
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
Official Site: https://www.sierra.army.mil/index.html
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Navy Bases in California
Navy Air Facility El Centro
Location:Southern California’s Imperial Valley
In Use:1946- Present
Overall Mission: This base has a mission to “support combat training and readiness of the Warfighter,” including air operations, operational fleet, and training.
Units Stationed:
- Navy Region Southwest
- Blue Angels
- Training Squadrons
Official Site: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrsw/installations/naf_el_centro.html
Naval Air Station Lemoore
Location:Lemoore, California
In Use:1961- Present
Overall Mission: This base supports the Strike-Fighter Wing, US Pacific Fleet, and shares its mission to train, man, and equip all of the west coast Strike-Fighter squadrons.
Units Stationed:
- Strike Fighter Wing, Pacific Fleet
Official Site: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrsw/installations/nas_lemoore.html
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
Location:Western Mojave Desert Region, California
In Use:1943- Present
Overall Mission: This base is the provider and maintainer of facilities and land that are used for Navy research, testing, acquisition, and evaluation of weapons systems.
Units Stationed:
- Naval Air Weapons Division
- Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Three One
- Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine
- Marine Aviation Department
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal
- Navy Facilities Engineering Command
Official Site: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrsw/installations/naws_china_lake.html
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Naval Base Coronado
Location:San Diego, California
In Use:1997- Present
Overall Mission: Naval Base Coronado supports the services and programs that ensure the readiness of both afloat and ashore squadrons.
Units Stationed:
- 16 Helicopter Squadrons
- 2 Fixed Wing Squadrons
- 4 SEAL Teams
- 2 Aircraft Carriers
- Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Squadrons
Official Site: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrsw/installations/navbase_coronado.html
Naval Base Point Lama
Location:San Diego, California
In Use:1959- Present
Overall Mission: This base provides maximum fleet combat readiness by providing top-level support to shore and fleet commands.
Units Stationed:
- Submarine Base
- Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command
- Fleet Combat Training Center- Pacific
- SPAWAR
- Naval Consolidated Brig, Miramar
- Fleet Intelligence Command- Pacific
Official Site: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrsw/installations/navbase_point_loma.html
Naval Base San Diego
Location:San Diego, California
In Use:1922- Present
Overall Mission: Naval Base San Diego is committed to providing both the best support and the best quality of life to the “Fleet, Fighter, and Family.”
Units Stationed:
- Pacific Fleet
Official Site: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrsw/installations/navbase_san_diego.html
Naval Base Ventura County
Location:Port Migu, San Nicolas Island, and Port Hueneme
In Use: 1941 (First Built), 2000- Present (in use)
Overall Mission: This base has a mission to “deliver proactive quality support” to tenants, allowing them to complete safe, secure, and diverse base operations.
Units Stationed:
- Pacific Seabees
- E-2C Hawkeyes
- Naval Surface Warfare Center- Port Hueneme
- Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center
- Naval Air Warfare Center- Weapons Division
Official Site: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrsw/installations/navbase_ventura_county.html
Naval Support Activity Monterey
Location: Monterey, California
In Use:1942- Present
Overall Mission: This base aims to provide high-quality operations for on-base missions as well as to care for the quality of life of its tenants, employees, and customers.
Units Stationed:
- Naval Post Graduate School
- Defense Training Recourse Analysis
- FISC San Diego Detachment- Monterey
- Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center- Monterey
Official Site: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrsw/installations/nsa_monterey.html
Naval Weapons Station Seal Branch
Location:Seal Beach, California
In Use:1944- Present
Overall Mission: This bases’ mission is to provide infrastructure support to both the Naval Ordnance mission and fleet support missions and activities.
Units Stationed:
- Navy Munitions Command
Official Site: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrsw/installations/nws_seal_beach.html
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Marine Corps Bases in California
Camp Pendleton
Location: North San Diego County, California
In Use:1942- Present
Overall Mission: This base serves as a place for training and aims to promote combat readiness, as well as the missions of all tenants and training units.
Units Stationed:
- 1st Marine Division
- 1st Marine Logistics Group
- I Marine Expeditionary Force
- Marine Corps Installations- West
- 1st Marine Raider Battalion
- Wounded Warrior Battalion- West
- Marine Corps Air Station- Camp Pendleton
Official Site: https://www.pendleton.marines.mil/
Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow
Location:Barstow, California
In Use: 1942- Present
Overall Mission: This base provides infrastructure, logistics, and services that support Marine Corps operational readiness.
Units Stationed:
- 1st Force Storage Battalion
- DLA Disposition Services
- Production Plant Barstow
Official Site: https://www.mclbbarstow.marines.mil/
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Location:San Diego, California
In Use:1917- 1920 (as Camp Kearny), 1929- Present
Overall Mission: This base supports contingency operations and the units that are deployed to do the same.
Units Stationed:
- 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
- 3rd MAW
- CLC-11
- Naval Brig Miramar
- MCI- West
Official Site: https://www.miramar.marines.mil/
Twentynine Palms
Location:San Bernadino County, California
In Use:1952- Present
Overall Mission: This base serves as one of the largest deployment training facilities in the country.
Units Stationed:
- Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center
- 7th Marine Regiment
- 1st Tank Battalion
- 3rd LAR Battalion
- 3rd Battalion 11th Marines
- 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion
- 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion
- CLB-7
- MCCES
- 4th Tank Battalion
Official Site: https://www.29palms.marines.mil/
Coast Guard Bases in California
Integrated Support Command Alameda
Location:Alameda, California (Coast Guard Island)
In Use:1926- Present
Overall Mission: This base provides direct support to the US Coast Guard in a multitude of fashions.
Units Stationed:
- Coast Guard District 11
- Training Team One
- Electronics Support Unit- Alameda
- Commander- Pacific Area
- Commander- Maintenance and Logistics Pacific Command
Official Site: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/our-organization/director-of-operational-logistics-dol/bases/base-alameda/
Training Center Petaluma Coast Guard Base
Location:Petaluma, California
In Use:1942- Present
Overall Mission: This base “trains and supports leaders” of and for the US Coast Guard.
Units Stationed:
- Coast Guard training units
Official Site: https://www.forcecom.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/FORCECOM-UNITS/TraCen-Petaluma/
Joint Military Bases in California
Joint Forces Training Base- Los Alamitos
Location:Los Alamitos, California
In Use:1942- Present
Overall Mission: This base aims to operate an air field that also suits the needs of the US Army.
Units Stationed:
- California Air and Army National Guard
Official Site: https://calguard.ca.gov/jftb_losalamitos/
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Rob V.
Rob V. is the founder of OperationMilitaryKids.org. While he never actually served in the US Military, he has a passion for writing about military related topics.
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
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California Military Bases
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California has close to 100 military bases, but only 31 of them are considered large US military installations. See a list of all 31 major US military bases in CA.
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