The United States Air Force (USAF) ranks third among the branches of the US Armed Forces, with a troop count exceeding 300,000 active-duty service members. The Navy leads slightly with around 350,000, while the Army tops the list with more than 450,000 troops. As an essential component of the Department of Defense, the Air Force maintains a significant presence across its largest bases, which are crucial to national defense. In 2025, the USAF became the highest-funded branch, surpassing the Army, which enhances the capabilities and infrastructure of these major installations.
Among the seven largest Air Force bases by personnel, each plays a unique role in supporting the overall mission of the USAF. Below is a detailed overview of these installations, highlighting their troop counts and primary functions.
1. Joint Base San Antonio: 67,000 Personnel
Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) is the largest military installation in the United States by population, combining three major facilities: Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, and Randolph Air Force Base. Under the command of the USAF’s 502nd Air Base Wing, JBSA supports approximately 67,000 personnel.
The base comprises around 32,000 active-duty military members from all branches, over 25,000 civilian employees, and nearly 12,000 National Guard and Reserve personnel. JBSA-Lackland is known as the sole location for all Air Force enlisted Basic Military Training, while the 37th Training Wing trains over 80,000 students annually. Additionally, JBSA-Randolph houses the headquarters of the Air Education and Training Command, overseeing critical aviation training programs.
2. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson: 40,000 Personnel
Located in Anchorage, Alaska, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) is a strategic power projection platform for US interests in the Arctic and Pacific regions. Formed in 2010 from the merger of Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson, JBER supports a military-affiliated community of over 40,000, including 22,000 active-duty military members and 7,400 civilians.
JBER is home to the Headquarters for the Alaskan Command and the Alaskan NORAD Region. The base’s 3rd Wing provides combat-ready airpower and operates advanced aircraft, including the F-22 Raptor and C-17 Globemaster III. The Alaska Air National Guard also plays a vital role, conducting search and rescue operations and strategic airlift missions.
3. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base: 38,000 Personnel
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, situated near Dayton, Ohio, is one of the USAF’s most significant installations. It supports a workforce of approximately 38,000 personnel, including military, civilian, and contractors, focused on research, development, and logistics.
As the headquarters for the Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson oversees the entire lifecycle of Air Force weapon systems. The base hosts the Air Force Research Laboratory, a leader in scientific research, and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, which analyzes foreign air and space threats. It is also home to the National Museum of the US Air Force, the world’s largest military aviation museum.
4. Hill Air Force Base: 27,000 Personnel
Hill Air Force Base in Northern Utah is a key installation for logistics, sustainment, and F-35 operations. With a workforce of approximately 27,000, it is the largest single-site employer in Utah.
Hill AFB is primarily associated with the Air Force Materiel Command, with the Ogden Air Logistics Complex as its largest organization. The base provides support for a wide range of aircraft and weapon systems, including depot maintenance for the F-35 Lightning II and the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile program. The 75th Air Base Wing is the host unit, while the 388th and 419th fighter wings operate F-35s.
5. Eglin Air Force Base: 20,000 Personnel
Eglin Air Force Base, located in the Florida Panhandle, is the USAF’s largest installation by land area and a primary site for testing and developing conventional air-delivered weapons. The base supports a community of over 20,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel.
The 96th Test Wing, the host unit, is responsible for testing all Air Force air-delivered weapons. Eglin is also home to the 33rd Fighter Wing, which trains pilots and maintainers for the F-35 Lightning II across multiple branches of the military. The base collaborates with nearby special operations forces and hosts various non-Air Force units.
6. Nellis Air Force Base: 14,000 Personnel
Nellis Air Force Base, situated just outside Las Vegas, Nevada, serves as a hub for advanced combat aviation training. Known as the “Home of the Fighter Pilot,” Nellis oversees extensive training exercises, including the well-known Red Flag and Green Flag-West programs.
The base manages the Nevada Test and Training Range, a vast area for military training and testing. Nellis employs approximately 14,000 personnel, including military, civilian, and contractors. It is also the home of the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds.
7. Travis Air Force Base: 13,000 Personnel
Travis Air Force Base, located in Northern California, is often referred to as the “Gateway to the Pacific.” It is the busiest air terminal in the US military and the largest wing in the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command.
With over 13,000 military and civilian personnel, Travis AFB’s primary mission is to provide rapid global mobility through strategic airlift and air refueling operations. The 60th Air Mobility Wing operates a fleet that includes C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. The base is also home to the David Grant USAF Medical Center, which employs over 2,400 personnel.
Each of these installations plays a vital role in maintaining the effectiveness of the United States Air Force, ensuring readiness and support for various missions across the globe.
