American Military Bases: How Many Are There Around the World?

Ascension Island

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Starting our list of American military bases around the world is Ascension Island. The island itself is home to the Ascension Island Auxillary Airfield. This airbase is a jointly-operated facility staffed by British and American aviators alike.

British Indian Ocean Territory

*The naval support facility here is a vital point of anchor for ships in the area.*
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The British Indian Ocean Territory is a small piece of land situated between Tanzania and Indonesia. It plays host to one of the sole American military bases in the area, Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia. This is leased from the British government to the American military.

Bulgaria

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This country plays host to a few different facilities that serve as American military bases. Notable facilities include Altos Logistic Center, Bezmer Air Base, and Graf Ignatievo Air Base. Frankly, Bulgaria makes for a fantastic staging point for European air spaces.

Cuba

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Cuba and the United States have a frosty relationship to put it lightly. However, the country serves as the home of one of the more notorious American military bases in recent memory. Guantanamo Bay Naval Base has entered popular history as a place of infamy but still operates in the modern era.

Curacao

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Located in the Dutch Caribbean, Curacao is home to the U.S. Air Force Forward Operating Base. This is one of the largest American military bases that directly serves aviators and also serves as the only operational airport for the entire island.

El Salvador

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CSL El Salvador is another of the joint American military bases, much like the one found in Curacao. It serves as both a civilian airport alongside a military airfield. This helps citizens of El Salvador have access to an airport while also allowing for another staging point for American air power.

Greenland

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We often don’t think about the newly established Space Force and its American military bases. However, the Pituffik Space Base is one of the rare facilities dedicated solely to use by the Space Force. It also holds the distinction of being the Space Force’s northernmost base in the world.

Honduras

*The Honduran airbase trains aviators for the country as well as serves as a staging point for American flights.*
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Established originally in 1940, Soto Cano Air Base is a well-established American military base located in Honduras. It serves both as a staging point for American personnel and as a training facility for the Honduran Air Force Academy.

Iceland

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Iceland is home to Naval Air Station Keflavik, which until 2006 was one of the largest American military bases to be found in Scandinavia. These days it serves as a facility for the Icelandic government, which is no doubt greatly appreciated for the infrastructure already in place.

Jordan

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Muwaffaq Sati Air Base entered popular consciousness when it served as a staging point for the American air power utilized in the Gulf War. These days it is primarily operated by the Jordanian military, but still serves as another example of strategically located American military bases around the world.

Kenya

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Kenya plays host to two of the larger American military bases you’ll find in Africa. Camp Simba serves as a joint facility between American and Kenyan armed forces. More importantly, it is home to the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, which conducts crucial research and mitigates disease outbreaks in other nations.

Niger

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You’ll only find one of the many global American military bases in Niger. It serves as the home of Niger Air Base 201, an airbase entirely dedicated to unmanned aerial vehicles and drones for the United States Air Force. Any drone launched in the conflicts waged in the last twenty years has likely been launched from this base.

Norway

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There is only a Marine Corps garrison at Vaernes Air Station, but this is still one of the more notable American military bases located across Europe. Having a Marine garrison serves as a vanguard against aggression from hostile forces, and would likely be the first staging point for actions in Eastern Europe.

Poland

*It is fascinating to see a former Soviet state serve as a host for an American missile defense system.*
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While Poland is a former Soviet satellite, it serves as an important site for two notable American military bases. NSF Redzikowo is a missile defense base, an interesting holdover from Cold War politics. Lask Air Base is a joint facility operated by Polish and American forces.

Singapore

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Singapore is a strategic location for American military bases. It plays host to four American facilities. These are predominantly centered around naval and air power, with facilities like Changi Naval Base and Changi Air Base being instrumental in force projection in the region.

Australia

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Interestingly, Australia has quite a few American military bases, a holdover from the Second World War. This presence is still maintained in the modern era, with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin and Pine Gap serving as a bulwark for the region.

Bahamas

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AUTEC is one of the most interesting American military bases you’ll find on this list. It serves as a research facility for submersibles, allowing the US Navy to conduct tests for combat trials. AUTEC sees regular use, especially as the United States Navy is working to refurbish its submarine fleet.

Djibouti

*There is no shortage of airbases around the world for rapid deployment it would seem.*
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Located in the Horn of Africa, Djibouti is home to Camp Lemonnier and CSL Chabelley. These air bases serve as an important location in terms of force projection for the United States Air Force. These bases allow for rapid deployment of air resources for fire support and logistics purposes.

Israel

*While this country operates its airbases, the radar equipment used is administered by American staff.*
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Israel is one of America’s major allies in the MENA region, so it makes sense there is a strong contingent of American military bases in the country. Currently, Israel has the Dimona Radar Facility. This is operated by American forces but provides data and intelligence to major allies as well.

Qatar

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When looking at American military bases in the MENA region, Qatar has two of the most vital. Al Udeid Air Base was a crucial staging point for fire missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Camp As Sayliyah was where material bound for both Iraq and Afghanistan ended up, before moving to its intended location.

Spain

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There is no shortage of American military bases in Europe. Spain only has two major facilities, with Moron Air Base and Naval Station Rota. There aren’t any land-based forces in Spain, but that’s simply due to the presence of Army bases in other allied European countries.

United Arab Emirates

*The bases found in the UAE serve as a training facility for local pilots.*
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The UAE is home to vital air power and naval resources for the American military. Al Dhafra Air Base serves as a joint facility for UAE and American air power, while the Port of Jebel Ali and Fujairah Naval Base help provide ports for naval vessels.

Turkey

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Turkey has been a major American ally for decades now, so it only makes sense that it would house some important American military bases. The bases you’ll find in Turkey are predominantly centered on air power with Incirlik Air Base and Izmir Air Station providing staging points for American aircraft.

Greece

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Greece covers all major branches when it comes to American military bases. The Larisa Air Base, Souda Bay Naval Base, and Alexandroupoli Army Base are important staging points for American assets in the event of a European war.

Netherlands

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The American presence throughout Europe is quite strong, as you’ll see with the multitude of American military bases coming up. The Netherlands has USCG Activities Europe and Volkel Air Base among its many facilities operated by the American military.

Romania

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There is no shortage of American air assets throughout Europe. Romania’s Deveselu Military Base is among the largest facilities operated by American forces in Europe. It serves as a vital missile defense point, preventing any ballistic or ICBM attacks in Europe.

Kuwait

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The Gulf War taught quite a few lessons when it came to where American assets needed to be located. Shortly after forces were repelled from Kuwait, an American military presence was established with Camp Arifjan and Kuwait Naval Base being among the largest facilities.

Marshall Islands

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Located in Micronesia, the Marshall Islands wouldn’t seem like an ideal location for American military facilities. However, the country has quite a few facilities, with Kwajalein Airfield serving as the largest in the area.

Portugal

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Interestingly, Portugal seems to have more American bases than its neighbor on the Iberian Peninsula. Lajes Field is the largest of the American facilities found in Portugal, serving as an important staging point for air power.

Bahrain

*This country has major naval and air assets at its American-administered bases.*
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Bahrain is our last entry in the MENA and also has the most facilities for the region. You’ll find Naval Support Activity Bahrain and Isa Air Base both in the country, establishing the need for strong staging points for naval and air power.

Belgium

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Interestingly, Belgium was originally established as a buffer zone between France and Germany. These days it serves as a staging point for American air power with Chieveres Air Base and Kleine Brogel Air Base.

United Kingdom

*One of the US’s oldest allies is also home to some of its most developed airfields.*
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Despite the acrimonious start, the United Kingdom is one of America’s strongest allies. American military presence started with the establishment of joint facilities during the World Wars and has continued into the modern day. Some of the more notable bases found in the area are RAF Alconbury and RAF Croughton.

Italy

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The American military presence in Italy started around the Second World War, which will be a repeat occurrence for some of the remaining items on this list. Some of the notable military bases you’ll find are Darby Military Community, Naval Air Station Sigonella, and Aviano Air Base.

South Korea

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The Americans were first in the fight when it came to defending South Korea during the Korean War. As such, there is a massive military presence you’ll find with United States Forces Korea in the country.

Japan

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Part of the terms of Japan’s surrender following the Second World War was the reduction of armed forces. American troops are the first line of defense in the event of a foreign invasion of Japan. This is spearheaded by United States Forces Japan.

Germany

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Arising after the Second World War, the American presence in Germany is the largest out of any country on the planet. Some notable bases are Ramstein Air Base, Baumholder Army Post, and Sembach Army Post.