Military Bases in North Carolina
North Carolina boasts one of the most significant military presences of any state in the nation, encompassing three of the four branches of the armed forces and totaling 129,049 personnel in 2016. The military and defense sectors rank as the second largest employers in our state, contributing an impressive $66 billion to the economy each year. The military installations in North Carolina serve as vital catalysts for our communities, enabling families and businesses to prosper through the collaborative relationships that have evolved over time among local and state governments, military and defense industries, and local enterprises.
Marine Corps Air Station New River
Around 7,000 Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and 1,000 civilian staff are dedicated to fulfilling the operational needs of the Corps’ sole East Coast rotary wing and tiltrotor Air Station. Marine Corps Air Station New River hosts two Marine Aircraft Groups, numerous top-tier training units, and the inaugural operational MV-22 squadrons, ensuring readiness and excellence in aviation operations.
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
The 4th Fighter Wing serves as the primary unit at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, executing its training and operational tasks with F-15E Strike Eagles. Among the four fighter squadrons within the wing, two are operational units that can deploy globally on short notice and rapidly generate combat capabilities. The remaining two squadrons focus on training all F-15E aircrews for the Air Force. Additionally, the 916th Air Refueling Wing, a tenant unit at Seymour, operates under the Air Force Reserve Command and is part of Air Mobility Command. This wing is equipped with 10 KC-135R Stratotankers, tasked with conducting air-to-air refueling missions. The 916th Air Refueling Wing is prepared for global deployment to support joint coalition military operations, as well as various maintenance functions that assist both domestic and international needs. The base spans 3,300 acres. Currently, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is home to over 530 active duty officers and more than 3,800 enlisted personnel and their families. Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Appalachian Mountains, it lies on the coastal plains of North Carolina.
Fort Liberty, formerly Fort Bragg
The mission and primary goal of Fort Liberty is to deliver reliable combat and support forces in alignment with America’s Contingency Corps. Key units stationed at Fort Liberty consist of the 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, FORSCOM, USARC, 18th Aviation Brigade, 4th Medical Command, and the US Army Special Operations Command. Located in North Carolina, Fort Liberty serves as the sole Joint Strategic Deployment Platform, granting the National Command Authority the capability to respond within hours rather than days, weeks, or months. This readiness allows the US Military to take the initiative and secure victory in the initial battle of future conflicts. Fort Liberty is recognized as the largest military installation (by personnel) within the US Military. It ranks among the largest military complexes globally and is home to the only Airborne Corps and Airborne Division, the 82nd Airborne Division, which conducts approximately 100,000 parachute jumps annually. Spanning 160,700 acres or 251 square miles, the installation is so expansive that it extends into four different counties. The base features seven Drop Zones, four Impact Areas, and 82 Ranges, including 16 Live Fire Ranges. Additionally, Fort Liberty accommodates the largest Military Housing unit worldwide, with 10 percent of the Army’s forces stationed there, comprising 50,662 military personnel and 14,036 DOD civilian employees.
Air Station Elizabeth City
Located in the heart of Northeastern North Carolina, Base Elizabeth City provides a wide variety of mission support services to units and personnel, including general administration and personnel management, medical/dental, supply, procurement and warehousing, industrial services, facilities maintenance, computer/electronics support. Base Elizabeth City coordinates and provides regional mission support activities within the Fifth Coast Guard District.
Marine Corps Camp Lejeune
Located in southeastern North Carolina, near the City of Jacksonville. Camp Lejeune and the City of Jacksonville are adjacent to the New River flowing to the Onslow Beach area. Camp Lejeune occupies about 153,439 acres with 14 miles of beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Camp Lejeune is the largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast; the base plays an important role in the Marine Corps’ expeditionary abilities. Several training schools are housed at Camp Lejeune, including Camp Geiger, the Marine Corps School of Infantry, East; and Camp Johnson, the Marine Corps Combat Service Support School. The mission of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is to support the various Marine Corps commands, a major Navy command and a Coast Guard command as well as the Marine Corps Base (MCB) itself. The largest command on the base is the II Marine Expeditionary Force. Its mission is to deploy as a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) in support of Combatant Commander (CCDR) requirements for contingency response or Major Theater War. Marine Corps Air Station New River provides aviation support, force protection, infrastructure, and community services, which promote the readiness, sustainment and quality of life for II MEF and other military forces, tenant commands, personnel and their families.
U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center
The Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) is the hub for Coast Guard Aviation Logistical Support. US Coast Guard Aviation Provide Support through Depot-Level Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Procurement, Information Services and Acquisition Project Execution; sustaining and maintaining the airworthiness of the USCG Base Elizabeth City Fleet.
Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point is a 13,164-acre military reservation north of the town of Havelock, in southeastern Craven County, North Carolina. Commissioned in 1942, MCAS Cherry Point currently provides support facilities and services for the Second Marine Aircraft Wing, houses facilities for training and supporting the Atlantic Fleet Marine Force aviation units and is designated as a primary aviation supply point. MCAS Cherry Point is also home to the Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE, formerly the Naval Aviation Depot (NADEP). Units at the Air Station include: (1) Combat Logistics Company 21 (CLC 21), which provides logistics support to the Second Marine Aircraft Wing; (2) Marine Transport Squadron One (VMR 1), which provided Search and Rescue support (known operationally as “Pedro”) to MCAS Cherry Point-based aircraft and currently provides transport of key personnel and critical logistics support to DoD; and (3) Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATT), which provides specialized training in aviation maintenance to operate and maintain weapons systems.
United States Coast Guard Sector North Carolina
Primary missions include Search and Rescue, Marine Safety, Ports and Waterways Coastal Security, Marine Environmental Protection, Aids to Navigation, Maritime Law Enforcement, and Recreational Boating Safety. USCG Sector has Cutter Diligence, which is a 210-foot medium endurance cutter with a crew of approximately 76 Coast Guard members. USCG cutter’s Diligence primary missions consist of Counter Drug and Migrant Interdiction, Enforcing Federal Fishery Laws and conducting Search and Rescue Operations.
Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point
The largest military terminal in the world. The Sunny Point facility is operated by the 596th Transportation Brigade, on a 16,000-acre, Army-owned site. The facility opened in 1955 and is the key ammunition shipping point on the Atlantic Coast for the Department of Defense. MOTSU is the largest ammunition port in the nation, and the Army’s primary east coast deep-water port. MOTSU is the Department of Defense’s key Atlantic Coast ammunition shipping point. It provides worldwide trans-shipment of DOD ammunition, explosives, and other dangerous cargo under the command of the 1303d Major Port Command.
Pope Army Air field
The 440th Air Reserve Wing with its C-130E Hercules aircraft continues to provide total forces mission ready combat airlifter and equipment, anywhere and anytime to the Fort Bragg community. The 440th Airlift Wing works side-by-side with the 43rd Airlift Group. Pope Field is home for approximately 2,100 active duty members and their families. Pope also has approximately 500 plus civilians, non-appropriated fund and contract personnel supporting the mission of the 43 Airlift Group.
145th Airlift Wing Charlotte
Establish policies, exercise command and control, oversees the mobilization of operational units, facilitates family and employer support, and encourage active community involvement. The 145th Airlift Wing direct and support North Carolina Air National Guard units in their service to the nation, the state and the community. Establish policy, exercise command and control, oversee the mobilization of operational units and facilitate family and employer support. The 145th Airlift Wing maintains an optimal force structure of over 1400 members, over 300 full-time, between charlotte and the geographically separated units in Stanly County, North Carolina. The 145th Airlift Wing stand ready to answer the call to the state nation or country. The year of 2018 brought many first to North Carolina Air National Guard. Among those first were the NCANG’s First Female Wing Commander, First Female Wing Command Chief and First Female Chief of the Maintenance Group. The retention rate for the 145th Airlift Wing is 87% and the End Strength is 98.6%. The 145th Airlift Wing is 78% male and 22% female as of January 2019.
108th Training Command Charlotte
Provide professionally trained and ready Drill Sergeant units, Instructors, Leader Trainers, and Command expertise to conduct Initial Entry Training, Cadet Training, and Theater Security Cooperation Training. The 108th Training Command supports Training & Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Five Core Function Leads: The Center for Initial Military Training and Cadet Command, providing professionally trained and ready drill sergeant units, Instructors, Leader Trainers, and command expertise to conduct Initial Entry Training, Cadet Training, and Theater Security Cooperation Training.
North Carolina National Guard
Military force comprised of citizen Soldiers and Airmen sworn to support and defend the Constitutions of the United States and the State of North Carolina. North Carolina National Guard trace its heritage back to the 1663 Carolina Charter granting authority to levy, muster, and train men.
Army Research Office
Comprising 150 staff members, including both Active and Reserve Components, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory’s Army Research Office (ARO) is tasked with being the Army’s main extramural basic research organization. It focuses on engineering, physical, information, and life sciences, aiming to develop and leverage innovative advancements to maintain the Nation’s technological edge. Proposals for basic research from educational institutions, nonprofit entities, and private companies are chosen through a competitive selection process and receive funding. ARO’s research mission embodies the Army’s most forward-looking perspective on technological evolution.