WHAT ARE THE MILITARY BASES IN ALABAMA?

Alabama is home to several military bases across multiple branches of service. You’ll find multiple military bases in Alabama, and there is even an Army depot there – Anniston Army Depot in Bynum, AL – which serves as a place for the U.S. Army to repair vehicles and store chemical weapons. Although the state shares a small coastline with the Gulf of Mexico, there isn’t a Marine Corps base in Alabama, nor is there a base for the U.S. Navy. Still, many other service personnel are represented here, and Alabama continues to play an intricate role in protecting our country.

Is There a Military Base in Alabama?

Yes, there are many bases in Alabama. In total, Alabama is home to five different military bases. The bases in Alabama serve many different purposes, including training facilities for the U.S. Army and the U.S. Coast Guard. Although the closest military institution would be the Anniston Army Depot, there is no military base in Birmingham, Alabama.

What Are the Military Bases in Alabama?

With multiple military installations across the state, there are plenty of military bases in Alabama to dive into. Explore all five and their purposes in serving the United States below.

Fort Rucker

For Rucker first operated for the United States during World War II, but it was deactivated following the end of the war. It would come back into service once the United States became involved in the Korean War. Ultimately, it would earn the name Fort Rucker and become famous for being a helicopter training ground in 1955. Today, it is still known as one of the most important military bases for the Army, focusing on helicopter training and operations. In addition to training troops for some of the riskiest helicopter operations, the U.S. Army School of Aviation Medicine also operates here. Found in Dale, Alabama, Fort Rucker is the predominant installation of Alabama Army bases.

Fort McClellan

These days, Fort McClellan is part of the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge, with some training taking place by the Alabama National Guard. The history of this military base, however, is a bit more complex. It began operations during the Spanish-American War as Camp Shipp before gaining its McClellan name during World War I when it was used to train troops in the U.S. Army. During World War II, it was used to house troops, although it did so inadequately, and to hold enemy POWs. After WWII, Fort McClellan would become inactive until it was ultimately shut down in 1995.

Maxwell-Gunter AFB

Maxwell-Gunter AFB is home to an aviation university where experienced pilots can go and learn some of the most advanced techniques in the world. Although it doesn’t train as many airmen as it once did, the history of the airbase falls in line with its current use. The installation played a major role in preparing already-experienced pilots with advanced techniques to become better pilots and serve during WWII. There aren’t any other Air Force bases in Alabama.

Redstone Arsenal

What was once home to the development of chemical weapons has become one of the elite places for the development and testing of missiles by the U.S. Army. Of the Army bases in Alabama, Redstone Arsenal was one of the leading posts that helped develop chemical weapons for both World War II and the Korean War. As the laws of war continue to crack down on the use of such weapons, the facility continues to research missiles that can be used in modern warfare.

Aviation Training Center

To understand how the Aviation Training Center for the U.S. Coast Guard came to be in Mobile, Alabama, you first have to understand what happened in Savannah, Georgia. It was in Savannah that the U.S. Coast Guard gathered for a basic training site until it became clear that expansion was necessary. After determining that the site in Georgia was insufficient for an expansion, the U.S. Coast Guard took months to find a new location before deciding upon Mobile. With proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, it is a great location for the training center, as it has adequate space for housing aircraft, future expansion, and training ranges.

Military Bases in Alabama Prepare Troops for Action

If you see a military base in Alabama, you are looking at dedicated training branches that help keep our Armed Forces ready for anything. They are also home to many weapons and testing facilities that both keep weapons out of the wrong hands and help our military adapt to changing rules of engagement. The military bases in Alabama aren’t the largest in the country, but they produce huge results through education, research, and training.

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