The United States has one of the most powerful militaries on the planet, and part of that comes from the ability to project force around the globe at any time. As such, the United States needs plenty of military bases worldwide to protect its foreign interests. Today, we’re examining which countries have the most American military bases.
Shifting Alliances
The world is a different place than it was just 80 years ago. What used to be allies are now enemies and vice versa. As such, maintaining an international show of force across the world makes sense to keep our allies safe.
International Cooperation
The added benefit of these international bases is the ability of American forces to instruct local militaries. Nations like Poland, Bulgaria, and Saudi Arabia have received world-class instruction when it comes to war gaming and air operations. While it can seem intrusive to establish a foreign military base, it aids in maintaining the forces of our allies abroad.
Constant Training
While the United States has no shortage of environments for training, it doesn’t beat some of the toughest terrain the world has to offer. Simply put, the means to train abroad makes for better warfighters.
33. Poland
- Number of US military installations: 4
- First US base opened: 2012
- US active-duty personnel in country: 226 – 30. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Lask, Powidz
32. Syria
- Number of US military installations: 4
- First US base opened: 2016
- US active-duty personnel in country: 900 – 18. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Al-Tanf 1, Dier Ezzour
31. Bulgaria
- Number of US military installations: 4
- First US base opened: 2005
- US active-duty personnel in country: 2,500 – 11. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Bezmer Air Base, Aitos Logistics Center
30. Spain
- Number of US military installations: 4
- First US base opened: 1953
- US active-duty personnel in country: 3,353 – 9. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Moron AB, Naval Station Rota
29. N. Mariana Islands
- Number of US military installations: 5
- First US base opened: 1944
- US active-duty personnel in country: 45 – 51. out of 80
- Notable base(s): NAVBASE Guam Tinian
28. Somalia
- Number of US military installations: 5
- First US base opened: 2013
- US active-duty personnel in country: 71 – 46. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Bosasso, Camp Baledogle, Mogadishu
27. Oman
- Number of US military installations: 6
- First US base opened: 1981
- US active-duty personnel in country: 25 – 56. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Masirah Island Mpt Site 1, Al Mussanah AB
26. The Bahamas
- Number of US military installations: 6
- First US base opened: 1966
- US active-duty personnel in country: 56 – 49. out of 80
- Notable base(s): AUTEC Main Base, AUTEC Big Wood Cay
25. Israel
- Number of US military installations: 6
- First US base opened: 1979
- US active-duty personnel in country: 127 – 40. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Haifa, Mashabim Air Base
24. Romania
- Number of US military installations: 6
- First US base opened: 2007
- US active-duty personnel in country: 165 – 36. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Smardan Training base, Cincu Training Base, Campia Turzii
23. Netherlands
- Number of US military installations: 6
- First US base opened: 1954
- US active-duty personnel in country: 641 – 22. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Eygelshoven Army Depot, Schinnen Emma Mine
22. Virgin Islands
- Number of US military installations: 6
- First US base opened: 1973
- US active-duty personnel in country: 787 – 20. out of 80
- Notable base(s): NG Bethlehem Military Compound, NG Sprat Hall
21. Iraq
- Number of US military installations: 6
- First US base opened: 2014
- US active-duty personnel in country: 2,500 – 11. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Al Asad AB, Anbar, Abu Ghraib, Camp Taji
20. Norway
- Number of US military installations: 7
- First US base opened: 2018
- US active-duty personnel in country: 167 – 35. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Rygge
19. Australia
- Number of US military installations: 7
- First US base opened: 1963
- US active-duty personnel in country: 1,736 – 16. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Alice Springs, Robertson Barracks, Tindal Air Base
18. Niger
- Number of US military installations: 8
- First US base opened: 2012
- US active-duty personnel in country: 21 – 57. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Dirkou, Arlit
17. Philippines
- Number of US military installations: 8
- First US base opened: 2002
- US active-duty personnel in country: 155 – 38. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Basa Air Base, Camp Navarro
16. Greece
- Number of US military installations: 8
- First US base opened: 1969
- US active-duty personnel in country: 446 – 24. out of 80
- Notable base(s): NSA Souda Bay, NATO Ordnance Area
15. Kuwait
- Number of US military installations: 10
- First US base opened: 1991
- US active-duty personnel in country: 2,054 – 13. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Camp Arifjan, Camp Patriot, Camp Virginia
14. Panama
- Number of US military installations: 11
- First US base opened: 2007
- US active-duty personnel in country: 35 – 52. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Panama City Support Complex, North Coast Area Test Sites
13. Saudi Arabia
- Number of US military installations: 11
- First US base opened: 1951
- US active-duty personnel in country: 693 – 21. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Drone Base, Jeddah, Prince Sultan AB
12. Belgium
- Number of US military installations: 11
- First US base opened: 1962
- US active-duty personnel in country: 1,869 – 14. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Brussels, Zutendaal, Chievres AB
11. Marshall Islands
- Number of US military installations: 12
- First US base opened: 1944
- US active-duty personnel in country: 96 – 43. out of 80
- Notable base(s): US Army Kwajalein Atoll, Meck Island
10. Bahrain
- Number of US military installations: 12
- First US base opened: 1948
- US active-duty personnel in country: 4,603 – 8. out of 80
- Notable base(s): NSA Bahrain, Sheik Isa Air Base
9. Turkey
- Number of US military installations: 13
- First US base opened: 1951
- US active-duty personnel in country: 1,758 – 15. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Batman AB, Incirlik AB, Izmir AB
8. Portugal
- Number of US military installations: 21
- First US base opened: 1944
- US active-duty personnel in country: 256 – 29. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Lajes Air Base, Cinco Picos Globecom Annex
7. United Kingdom
- Number of US military installations: 25
- First US base opened: 1942
- US active-duty personnel in country: 10,770 – 7. out of 80
- Notable base(s): RAF Alconbury, RAF Molesworth, RAF Mildenhall
6. Puerto Rico
- Number of US military installations: 34
- First US base opened: 1902
- US active-duty personnel in country: 13,571 – 5. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Mayaguez AFRC, Fort Buchanan, MTA Camp Santiago Rq
5. Italy
- Number of US military installations: 44
- First US base opened: 1951
- US active-duty personnel in country: 14,756 – 4. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Camp Darby, Aviano Air Base, NAS Sigonella
4. Guam
- Number of US military installations: 54
- First US base opened: 1899
- US active-duty personnel in country: 11,295 – 6. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Agana, Andersen AFB, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz
3. South Korea
- Number of US military installations: 76
- First US base opened: 1946
- US active-duty personnel in country: 28,503 – 3. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Camp Casey, Camp Humphreys, Kunsan AB
2. Germany
- Number of US military installations: 119
- First US base opened: 1945
- US active-duty personnel in country: 46,562 – 2. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Duelmen Tower Barracks, Kaiserslautern, Spangdahlem AB
1. Japan
- Number of US military installations: 119
- First US base opened: 1946
- US active-duty personnel in country: 63,690 – 1. out of 80
- Notable base(s): Camp Fuji, Camp Hansen, Kadena AB
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