The Most Popular Air Force Base, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the Air Force Base you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:28
For families and individuals connected to the military, choosing an Air Force base to call home can significantly impact their lives. The right base offers crucial amenities, education, and community support that make everyday life better. A list of the top-ranked Air Force bases can assist them in making informed decisions based on shared experiences.
This site lets you cast a vote for the Air Force base that you believe stands out, helping others in the community make their choice with real, peer-sourced information. Each vote contributes to a live ranking, reflecting real-time preferences and opinions from those who know these bases best.
What Is the Most Popular Air Force Base?
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145votes
United States Air Force · Public domainLocated in San Antonio, Texas, JBSA is the largest Air Force base in the United States, with over 80,000 personnel and over 250 aircraft. It is home to a number of Air Force schools and training centers and is a hub for Air Force medical services.Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) is a military installation located in San Antonio, Texas. It is a result of the joint basing initiative where multiple military installations were merged to increase efficiency and reduce costs. The base serves as an important hub for the United States Air Force, Army, and Navy.- Location: San Antonio, Texas
- Operated by: United States Air Force
- Type: Joint military base
- Established: 2010
- Size: Over 12,000 acres
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215votes
United States Geological Survey (USGS) · Public domainBarksdale Air Force Base
United States Air ForceLocated in Bossier City, Louisiana, Barksdale AFB is home to the 2nd Bomb Wing, which flies B-52H Stratofortress bombers. It is also the headquarters for the Air Force Global Strike Command.Barksdale Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in northwest Louisiana. It is named after Lieutenant Eugene Hoy Barksdale, a World War I aviator and Shreveport native. The base is known for its strategic importance and plays a crucial role in nuclear deterrence capabilities and global strike operations.- Location: Bossier Parish, Louisiana
- Year Established: 1932
- Size: 22,000 acres
- Primary Purpose: Nuclear deterrence and global strike operations
- Operations: 24/7
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318votes
Eglin Air Force Base
United States Air ForceLocated in Valparaiso, Florida, Eglin AFB is the largest Air Force base in terms of land area. It is home to the Air Force Materiel Command's Armament Center and a number of testing and evaluation facilities.Eglin Air Force Base is a popular and highly active United States Air Force Base located in Florida. It spans over 724 square miles and is situated near Valparaiso and Niceville. The base was created in 1935 as Valparaiso Bombing and Gunnery Base but was later renamed to honor Lieutenant Colonel Frederick I. Eglin, a pioneer in military aviation. Eglin AFB serves as a hub for various Air Force activities, including research, development, testing, and evaluation. The base is known for its extensive range complex, making it one of the largest military installations in terms of land area.- Location: Florida, United States
- Established: 1935
- Named after: Lieutenant Colonel Frederick I. Eglin
- Size: 724 square miles
- Activities: Research, development, testing, and evaluation
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424votes
United States Geological Survey (USGS) · Public domainLackland Air Force Base
United States Air ForceLocated in San Antonio, Texas, Lackland AFB is the primary training center for new Air Force recruits. It is home to the 37th Training Wing and the Air Force Security Forces Center.Lackland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in San Antonio, Texas. It is one of the most popular Air Force bases in the country, primarily known for its role in training enlisted Basic Military Training (BMT) personnel. Lackland Air Force Base is also home to several other important units and functions.- Location: San Antonio, Texas
- Role: Training enlisted Basic Military Training personnel
- Other Units: Multiple important units and functions
- Area: Over 8,000 acres
- Population: Approximately 25,000 personnel
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519votes
United States Air Force · Public domainLuke Air Force Base
United States Air ForceLocated in Glendale, Arizona, Luke AFB is the largest fighter pilot training base in the world. It is home to the 56th Fighter Wing and trains pilots on the F-16 and F-35 fighter jets.Luke Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in Glendale, Arizona. It is named after the first aviator to be awarded the Medal of Honor, Lieutenant Frank Luke Jr.- Location: Glendale, Arizona
- Established: 1940
- Area: 4,198 acres
- Mission: The training of pilots for the United States Air Force and international allies
- Aircraft: F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-35 Lightning II
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612votes
United States Geological Survey (USGS) · Public domainNellis Air Force Base
United States Air ForceLocated in Las Vegas, Nevada, Nellis AFB is home to the USAF Warfare Center and the 57th Wing, which trains fighter pilots and conducts advanced air combat training. It is also the site of the annual Red Flag air combat exercise.Nellis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation located in Clark County, Nevada. It is the largest and most prominent Air Force Base for combat training and operational readiness. Nellis AFB is home to the USAF Warfare Center and operates the prestigious Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team.- Location: Clark County, Nevada
- Size: Approximately 5,000 acres
- Primary Purpose: Combat training and operational readiness
- Operational Units: USAF Warfare Center, Air Force Thunderbirds
- Runways: 2 asphalt/concrete runways
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77votesLocated in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Peterson AFB is home to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). It is also the site of the Cheyenne Mountain Complex.
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86votes
Ramstein Air Base
United States Air ForceLocated in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany, Ramstein AFB is the largest U.S. Air Force base outside of the United States. It is home to the 86th Airlift Wing and provides support to a number of U.S. and NATO operations in Europe and Africa.Ramstein Air Base is one of the largest and most important United States Air Force bases outside of the United States. It is located in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, near the town of Ramstein-Miesenbach. Established in 1949, the base plays a crucial role in supporting U.S. and NATO operations in Europe and serves as the headquarters for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA).- Location: Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany
- Year Established: 1949
- Size: 54.2 square miles
- Runways: 2 (10,000 feet and 13,123 feet)
- Command: U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA)
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911votes
United States Geological Survey (USGS) · Public domainScott Air Force Base
United States Air ForceLocated near Belleville, Illinois, Scott AFB is home to the Air Mobility Command and the U.S. Transportation Command. It serves as a hub for military airlift and logistics operations.Scott Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located near Belleville, Illinois. It is named after Corporal Frank S. Scott, a prominent Army Air Corps pilot who died during a test flight in 1917. The base serves as the headquarters for the United States Transportation Command, the Air Mobility Command, and the Eighteenth Air Force. It is also home to the 375th Air Mobility Wing and supports a variety of other units and mission partners.- Location: Belleville, Illinois
- Established: 1917
- Namesake: Corporal Frank S. Scott
- Headquarters: United States Transportation Command
- Major Command: Air Mobility Command
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102votes
United States Geological Survey (USGS) · Public domainWright-Patterson Air Force Base
United States Air ForceLocated near Dayton, Ohio, Wright-Patterson AFB is the headquarters for the Air Force Materiel Command and the Air Force Research Laboratory. It is also home to the National Museum of the United States Air Force.Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in Greene and Montgomery counties in Ohio. It is one of the largest and most diverse Air Force bases, serving as the headquarters of the Air Force Materiel Command, the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, and the Air Force Research Laboratory. The base covers an area of approximately 8,000 acres and has a population of over 27,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel.- Location: Greene and Montgomery counties, Ohio
- Size: Approximately 8,000 acres
- Population: Over 27,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel
- Headquarters: Air Force Materiel Command, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Air Force Research Laboratory
- Facilities: Multiple hangars, runways, research labs, and administrative buildings
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Ranking factors for popular Air Force Base
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Size and capacityThe number of personnel, aircraft, and facilities can be an indicator of a base's popularity and importance.
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LocationBases located in strategic and easily accessible locations are usually more popular, as they can efficiently cater to the needs of the military, personnel, and their families.
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Mission and functionsBases with important missions, roles, and unique capabilities often draw more attention and can be considered more popular.
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Economic impactThe contribution of the base to the local economy, job opportunities, and overall development can make a base more popular within the surrounding community.
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Training and development opportunitiesBases that offer comprehensive training and education programs, as well as opportunities for career growth, can be considered more popular among service members.
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Quality of lifeBases that provide comfortable living accommodations, a variety of recreational activities, and good schools in the surrounding area are likely to be more popular among military families.
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Historical significanceBases with historic value or strong traditions and heritage can be considered more popular among military enthusiasts and the general public.
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Public perception and reputationThe way a base is portrayed in the media and the public opinion can affect its popularity. Bases with a good reputation and positive public perception are more likely to be popular.
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Partnership and exchange opportunitiesBases that have strong relationships with allied countries, providing opportunities for international cooperation and exchange, can make a base more popular among service members.
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Environmental initiativesBases that prioritize sustainability and environmental protection efforts can be considered more popular among environmentally conscious individuals and organizations.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Air Force Base. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Base is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 4634 views
- 148 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Base once every 24 hours. The rank of each Base is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular air force base
When it comes to the United States Air Force, there are a multitude of bases located throughout the country. These bases serve as the home for the men and women who serve our country as members of the Air Force. Each base has its own unique features and offerings, making them all important in their own right. With so many options, it can be difficult to determine which Air Force base is the most popular. However, through the use of StrawPoll, we can gather data and insights to help us understand which base is the most beloved by those who serve and support the Air Force.
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