What Military Bases are in New Mexico?

New Mexico has a long and rich history with the military. The state was home to several key facilities of
the Manhattan Project, which developed the world’s first atomic bomb, and was the site of the first nuclear test, Trinity. Today, the state is home to four major military installations:

• Cannon Air Force Base
• Holloman Air Force Base
• Kirtland Air Force Base
• White Sands Missile Range Army Base

Cannon Air Force Base

Cannon Air Force Base was established in 1942 as Clovis Army Air Base. It was renamed Cannon Air Force Base in 1957. The base was initially used as a training field for Army Air Corps pilots. Cannon Air Force Base is home to the 27th Special Operations Wing, which is responsible for conducting special operations missions around the world. The base is also home to the 70th Operations Group, which is responsible for training special operations aircrew. It is home to the Melrose Air Force Range, which is approximately 70,000 acres and is used for a variety of training activities, including air-to-ground, small arms, and electronic combat.

For more information visit the base website: Cannon Air Force Base

Holloman Air Force Base

Holloman Air Force Base was established in 1942 as Alamogordo Army Air Field. It was renamed Holloman Air Force Base in 1953. The base was initially used as a training field for Army Air Corps pilots. Holloman Air Force Base is home to the 49th Wing, which is responsible for training F-16 pilots and other aircrew. The base is also home to the 54th Fighter Group, which is responsible for the operational testing and evaluation of the F-16. It is home to the world’s longest and fastest high speed test track. The track is 13.5 miles long and can reach speeds of up to 6,453 mph.

For more information visit the base website: Holloman Air Force Base

Kirtland Air Force Base

Kirtland Air Force Base is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 5 miles southeast of downtown. It was established in 1917 as Albuquerque Airfield. It was renamed Kirtland Field in 1925, and Kirtland Air Force Base in 1947. The base was initially used as a training field for Army Air Corps pilots. Kirtland Air Force Base is home to the 377th Air Wing, which is responsible for providing nuclear deterrence and global strike capabilities. The base is also home to the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, which is responsible for the development, testing, and maintenance of nuclear weapons. Sandia National Laboratories is also located here, which is a national laboratory that conducts research in a variety of fields, including nuclear weapons, energy, and national security.

For more information visit the base website: Kirtland Air Force Base

White Sands Missile Range Army Base

White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) is located in southern New Mexico, about 30 miles north of Las Cruces. WSMR encompasses 3,200 square miles (8,300 km2) and is the largest military installation in the contiguous United States. It was established in 1945 as White Sands Proving Ground, and renamed White Sands Missile Range in 1958. The base was initially used to test and develop missiles and other weapons systems. WSMR is used to test and develop a wide variety of weapons systems, including missiles, aircraft, and ground vehicles. The base is also used to train military personnel in the use of these systems.

For more information visit the base website: White Sands Missile Range

Written by:
Sean Majer