Army Forts in Georgia US: Military Bases and Their Locations
Georgia plays a big role in the U.S. military. The state has many army bases that help keep the country safe. These bases also help the towns nearby by giving people jobs and supporting local businesses. Let’s learn about some of these important military places in Georgia.
Fort Benning, Georgia Army Base
Fort Benning is a really big army base near Columbus, Georgia. It started in 1918 and has grown a lot since then. The base covers more than 182,000 acres of land. That’s about the size of 137,000 football fields.
At Fort Benning, soldiers learn important skills. They train to be better leaders, get stronger, and learn how to fight. The base has special schools for different types of soldiers, like those who fight on foot (infantry) and those who use tanks (armor).
Fort Benning is also home to some famous army groups. The Army Rangers, who are super tough soldiers, train here. The base helps the local area too. It gives jobs to over 33,000 people, including both soldiers and regular workers.
Camp Frank D Merrill Army Base
Camp Frank D. Merrill is in a beautiful forest near Dahlonega, Georgia. It started in 1952 and was named after a brave army leader from World War II. This base is special because it’s in the mountains.
Soldiers come to Camp Merrill to learn how to fight in tough mountain areas. They practice climbing, shooting on steep hills, and surviving in rough places. The camp is most famous for training Army Rangers, who are some of the toughest soldiers in the U.S. military.
The forest around the camp helps make the training feel real. Soldiers learn skills they might need in actual mountain battles. The camp also teaches soldiers from other countries how to fight in mountains.
Dobbins Air Reserve Base
Dobbins Air Reserve Base is in Marietta, Georgia. It started in 1943 and has changed a lot over time. Today, it’s an important place for Air Force reservists and the Georgia Air National Guard.
The main job of Dobbins is to train air reserve members. These are people who aren’t full-time soldiers but can be called to help when needed. They learn to fly planes and support different kinds of missions.
The base has big planes called C-130 Hercules. These planes can do many jobs, like helping after natural disasters or supporting soldiers in battle. Dobbins makes sure these planes and their crews are always ready to help.
Fort Gordon Army Base
Fort Gordon is a special army base in Augusta, Georgia. It started in 1941 and has changed a lot over time. Today, it’s all about teaching soldiers how to use computers and technology to protect our country.
At Fort Gordon, soldiers learn some really cool and important skills:
- Cyber Skills: This means learning how to protect computer systems from bad guys who might try to hack them.
- Signal Skills: Soldiers learn how to use special equipment to send secret messages and keep in touch with each other.
- Electronic Warfare: This is about using technology to confuse enemy computers and radios.
The base has super modern training areas where soldiers can practice these skills. It’s like a high-tech playground for grown-ups!
Fort Gordon helps keep our country safe in the digital world. Just like we need soldiers to protect us in the real world, we also need experts to protect us online. That’s what Fort Gordon does – it trains these digital defenders.
Hunter Army Airfield Army Base
Hunter Army Airfield is in Savannah, Georgia. It started as a regular airport in 1929, but the army took it over in 1940. They named it after a brave pilot from World War I.
Hunter Army Airfield has one of the longest runways on the East Coast. It’s so long that even the biggest planes can land there. This makes it really important for sending soldiers and supplies all over the world quickly.
The base is home to lots of helicopters, like the Black Hawk and Apache. These helicopters are used for all sorts of missions, from fighting to helping people after disasters.
Hunter Army Airfield helps the army move fast. If there’s trouble anywhere in the world, soldiers and equipment from Hunter can get there quickly. It’s like having a big airport just for the army.
Kings Bay Submarine Base
Kings Bay Submarine Base is in Kings Bay, Georgia. It started in 1978 and is all about submarines. But these aren’t just any submarines – they’re some of the most powerful in the world.
Kings Bay is home to big submarines that carry missiles. These submarines are like underwater fortresses. They help keep America safe by making other countries think twice before starting trouble.
The base also has a special place called the Trident Refit Facility. This is where they fix and upgrade the submarines to keep them working perfectly.
Kings Bay plays a big part in keeping America safe. The submarines there are so powerful that they help prevent wars from starting. It’s like having a really strong guard dog – just knowing it’s there makes people behave!
Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany
Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany is in southwest Georgia. It started in 1952 and covers a lot of land – more than 3,600 acres!
This base is all about fixing and taking care of Marine Corps equipment. They work on all sorts of things:
- Tanks
- Amphibious vehicles (these can drive on land and swim in water)
- Light armored vehicles
MCLB Albany makes sure Marines have the equipment they need to do their job. Without this base, Marines might not have working vehicles and gear when they need them most.
The base also helps the local community by providing jobs and supporting businesses in the area.
Fort Mcpherson Army Base
Fort McPherson was an important army base in Atlanta, Georgia. It opened in 1885 and was named after a brave Union general from the Civil War, James Birdseye McPherson.
For over 100 years, Fort McPherson helped keep America safe. During World War I and World War II, it was a busy place where soldiers trained for battle. The base also held prisoners of war during these times.
After the big wars, Fort McPherson became even more important. It was the headquarters for some big army groups, like the Third Army and the Forces Command. These groups helped plan and manage army operations all over the world.
However, things changed in the 2000s. In 2005, the government decided to close many military bases to save money. Fort McPherson was on this list. In September 2011, after more than a century of service, the base finally closed its gates.
Moody Air Force Base
Moody Air Force Base is a big and busy place near Valdosta, Georgia. It started in 1941 to train pilots for World War II. Now, it’s where the Air Force prepares for modern battles and rescue missions.
The base is huge – it covers over 12,000 acres! More than 5,000 people work there, including both military members and regular civilians.
The main group at Moody is called the 23d Wing, nicknamed the “Flying Tigers.” They’re experts at helping ground troops from the air, searching for and rescuing people, and guiding other aircraft in battle.
Moody has some really cool planes:
- The A-10C Thunderbolt II: This plane is great at helping soldiers on the ground.
- The HC-130J Combat King II: This one is used for search and rescue.
- The HH-60G Pave Hawk: This helicopter is also used for rescue missions.
These aircraft make Moody really important. They can be sent quickly to help wherever they’re needed around the world.
NAS Atlanta
NAS Atlanta was a Navy base in Marietta, Georgia. It opened in 1955 to help train Navy and Marine Corps reserve pilots. These are pilots who aren’t full-time military but can be called up when needed.
Over the years, NAS Atlanta had many different types of planes. Some of these were the A-4 Skyhawk, F-14 Tomcat, and C-130 Hercules. Each of these planes had different jobs, from fighting in the air to carrying cargo.
In 2005, the government decided to close NAS Atlanta. All its jobs were moved to another nearby base called Dobbins Air Reserve Base, which is also in Marietta.
It’s important to note that NAS Atlanta didn’t have the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division. That group is actually based at Fort Stewart, which is a different base in Georgia.
Robins Air Force Base
Robins Air Force Base is a really important place for the U.S. Air Force. It’s located near Warner Robins, Georgia, and it’s been around since 1942. The base is named after Brigadier General Augustine Warner Robins, who was an important Air Force leader.
Robins AFB has a big job: it takes care of a lot of Air Force planes, missiles, and equipment. Think of it like a giant repair shop for military stuff. This work is done by the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, which is part of the Air Force Materiel Command.
The base is home to several important groups:
- The 78th Air Base Wing: They keep the whole base running smoothly.
- The 116th Air Control Wing: This is a special team that includes both full-time Air Force members and part-time Georgia Air National Guard members.
- The 461st Air Control Wing: They fly special planes called E-8C Joint STARS.
These E-8C Joint STARS planes are really cool. They can see enemy movements from far away and help coordinate different parts of the military during battles.
Robins AFB also has the Museum of Aviation. It’s the second-biggest Air Force museum in the country, with over 90 planes on display. Anyone can visit to learn about Air Force history.
Fort Stewart, Georgia Army Base
Fort Stewart is a huge Army base in coastal Georgia. It’s the biggest Army base east of the Mississippi River, covering more than 280,000 acres. That’s about the size of New York City!
The base started in 1940 as a place to train soldiers how to use anti-aircraft guns. During World War II, it also held German and Italian prisoners of war.
After the war, Fort Stewart became a place where soldiers learned to use tanks and fight on foot. In 1996, a famous Army group called the 3rd Infantry Division moved to Fort Stewart.
The 3rd Infantry Division, also known as the “Rock of the Marne,” has a long and proud history. They’ve fought in many wars, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Gulf War, and more recent conflicts.
Today, Fort Stewart is where soldiers learn to use modern tanks and fighting vehicles. The base is always busy, with soldiers training hard to be ready for any mission they might be given.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Georgia’s army forts play an essential role in the defense and security of the United States while contributing significantly to the local communities and economies.
These installations, each with its unique history and mission, showcase the dedication and capabilities of the U.S. military. As symbols of strength and unity, the army forts in Georgia serve as a reminder of the sacrifices and commitment made by the service members to protect our nation and its values.
