Geographical

Official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

Where Are America’s Troops? The World’s Largest US Military Bases

2 minutes

Paratroopers entering a US Air Force C-130 Hercules transport plane on Eindhoven airbase, The Netherlands. Image: Shutterstock

From Okinawa to Ramstein: a global tour of the biggest US military deployments overseas

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As of March 2024, the US maintains approximately 170,000 active-duty troops stationed overseas. These deployments span over 750 military bases across more than 80 countries, reflecting America’s strategic commitments and alliances worldwide.

Largest US military bases overseas (by troop count)

1. 🇯🇵 Japan

  • Troop count: Approximately 52,852 U.S. troops
  • Details: Japan hosts the largest number of U.S. troops overseas, with major installations including Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, which is the largest and most active US Air Force base in East Asia with more than 20,000 US servicemen. It is home to the 18th Wing and various other units.

2. 🇩🇪 Germany

  • Troop count: Approximately 34,894 US troops
  • Details: Germany is home to significant U.S. military installations such as Ramstein Air Base, which serves as the headquarters for US Air Forces in Europe and NATO Allied Air Command. The US Army Garrison in Bavaria has approximately 40,000 personnel, including soldiers and civilians, and is the largest training command base outside of the continental US.

3. 🇰🇷 South Korea

  • Troop count: Approximately 23,732 US troops
  • Details: Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 49 miles south of Seoul, is the largest US overseas military base, serving as the headquarters for United States Forces Korea and United Nations Command.

4. 🇮🇹 Italy

  • Troop count: Approximately 12,319 US troops
  • Details: Italy hosts several U.S. military bases, including Naval Support Activity Naples and Aviano Air Base, supporting US operations in Europe and Africa.

5. 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

  • Troop count: Approximately 10,180 US troops
  • Details: The UK hosts US forces at bases such as RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, which support U.S. Air Force operations in Europe.

6. 🇶🇦 Qatar

  • Troop count: Approximately 10,000 U.S. troops
  • Details: Al Udeid Air Base near Doha is a critical hub for U. air operations in the Middle East, housing the US.Central Command’s Combined Air Operations Center.

7. 🇬🇺 Guam

  • Troop count: Approximately 6,453 US troops
  • Details: As a U. territory in the Western Pacific, Guam hosts significant military installations, including Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam, serving as strategic bases for operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

8. 🇧🇭 Bahrain

  • Troop count: Approximately 3,424 U.S. troops
  • Details: Naval Support Activity Bahrain in Manama serves as the headquarters for US.Naval Forces Central Command and the US Fifth Fleet support naval operations in the Persian Gulf.

9. 🇪🇸 Spain

  • Troop count: Approximately 3,253 US troops
  • Details: Naval Station Rota in southern Spain is a key logistics hub for US Navy operations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and hosts Aegis-equipped destroyers as part of NATO’s missile defence system.

10. 🇹🇷 Turkey

  • Troop count: Approximately 1,683 US troops
  • Details: Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey supports U.S. and NATO operations in the Middle East, including missions in Syria and Iraq.