Special Report
America’s Largest Military Bases Around the World
March 9, 2020 5:04 pm
Last Updated: March 13, 2020 4:19 pm
Source: marine_corps / Flickr
40. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan
> Base size: 1,177 acres
> Cost of base: $1.7 billion
> Service branch: Marine Corps
> Nearest city: Futenma Okinawa
Marine Corps Air Station at Futenma began as an airfield constructed after the American victory over the Japanese at Okinawa. The base was renamed Futenma Air Base and mostly used in support of adjacent Kadena Air Base, another U.S. installation. In 1957, the Air Force transferred custody of the base to the Marines. Futenma is part of the Camp S.D. Butler complex that comprises 10 installations in Okinawa.
Source: BrasilNut1 / Getty Images
39. Aviano Air Force Base, Italy
> Base size: 1,226 acres
> Cost of base: $1.7 billion
> Service branch: Air Force
> Nearest city: Aviano
The American military presence at Aviano, about 50 miles north of Venice in the Dolomite Mountains, began after World War II. In 1954, the Italian and American governments signed a joint-use agreement, and a year later the base became the headquarters for the U.S. Air Force in Europe.
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38. Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan
> Base size: 1,237 acres
> Cost of base: $2.8 billion
> Service branch: Navy
> Nearest city: Atsugi
Naval Air Facility Atsugi in Japan is the only U.S. military facility in Asia with an entire air wing unit. The base, built in 1938 by the Japanese Imperial Navy on the island of Honshu, hosts a community of 10,000 people, including American and Japanese military personnel. Because of its strategic importance, facilities, and logistic services, this base is considered to be the “Tip of the Sword” of American security forces in the Western Pacific.
Source: 39955793@N07 / Flickr
37. Camp Foster, Japan
> Base size: 1,347 acres
> Cost of base: $5.3 billion
> Service branch: Marine Corps
> Nearest city: Zukeran
Camp Foster, located on Okinawa Island, is part of a complex of military installations that were developed after the United States defeated Japan in World War II. The facility was originally called Camp Zukeran, but changed its name to Camp Foster in honor of PFC William A. Foster, who won the Medal of Honor for flying perilous missions over Okinawa during the battle for the island. The camp had been the center of Marine Corps operations on Okinawa but its presence has diminished as the U.S. has consolidated military facilities on the island.
Source: 39955793@N07 / Flickr
36. Osan Air Force Base, South Korea
> Base size: 1,523 acres
> Cost of base: $3.5 billion
> Service branch: Air Force
> Nearest city: Gyeonggi-do
Osan Air Force Base, one of several active Air Force facilities operated by the U.S. military in South Korea, is located 40 miles from Seoul. The United States built the base from the ground up in 1953 up after capturing the area from communist troops. Osan Air Force Base hosts the 51st Fighter Wing.
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