Quick answer: The largest military bases in Texas are Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) in Killeen, Fort Bliss in El Paso and Joint Base San Antonio, which combines Fort Sam Houston, Lackland AFB and Randolph AFB. Other major installations include Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Dyess AFB (Abilene), Sheppard AFB (Wichita Falls), Goodfellow AFB (San Angelo), Laughlin AFB (Del Rio), Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base (Houston) and Red River Army Depot (Texarkana).
Texas is home to installations for every branch of the Armed Forces. Its size, central location and military-friendly culture make it one of the most important states for U.S. national defense, with bases focused on training, aviation, logistics, intelligence and research. Below is a guide to the major military bases in Texas, plus what service members and veterans should know about buying or building a home near base.
Stationed at a Texas base? Security America Mortgage is a Houston-based VA lender. Eligible service members and veterans can buy with a VA loan in Texas with $0 down, or build near base with a Texas VA construction loan (one closing, no payments during construction). Call (855) 701-2816.
1. Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood)
Fort Cavazos, located in Killeen, is one of the world’s largest military installations and the headquarters of III Corps and First Army Division West. Established in 1942, it primarily supports heavy armored units and is a premier training facility for armored warfare. The base is home to the 1st Cavalry Division and the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, among other units, and plays a key role in deploying forces for overseas missions.
2. Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)
Joint Base San Antonio is a sprawling military complex that includes three installations: Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base and Randolph Air Force Base. Together they provide critical training, medical and administrative support to all branches of the military.
- Fort Sam Houston: Known as the “Home of Army Medicine,” this San Antonio post is a center of military medical education. It is home to Brooke Army Medical Center and the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence.
- Lackland Air Force Base: Known as the “Gateway to the Air Force,” Lackland AFB is where enlisted Air Force recruits complete basic military training. It also provides specialized training for security forces and intelligence personnel.
- Randolph Air Force Base: Randolph is home to Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and the 12th Flying Training Wing, and is primarily responsible for pilot and instructor training.
3. Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss, based in El Paso, is a large Army post known for air defense and missile training. It is home to the 1st Armored Division, nicknamed “Old Ironsides.” Its vast training areas allow realistic combat scenarios, and the post is central to the development and testing of air and missile defense systems.
4. Naval Air Station Corpus Christi
NAS Corpus Christi is a primary training site for Navy and Marine Corps aviators. Founded in 1941, the base provides advanced flight training for pilots before they move on to operational units. It is also home to the Corpus Christi Army Depot, an essential helicopter maintenance and repair facility.
5. Dyess Air Force Base
Located outside Abilene, Dyess AFB is home to the 7th Bomb Wing, which flies the B-1B Lancer strategic bomber. The base plays a key role in global strike operations, with bombers capable of reaching anywhere in the world. Dyess AFB also hosts C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlift forces.
6. Sheppard Air Force Base
Sheppard AFB, in Wichita Falls, is one of the Air Force’s largest technical training bases. The 82nd Training Wing provides specialized training in aircraft maintenance, civil engineering and logistics. Sheppard is also home to the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program, a multinational program that trains NATO pilots.
7. Goodfellow Air Force Base
In San Angelo, Goodfellow AFB specializes in intelligence training for every branch of the military. The 17th Training Wing trains service members in cryptologic analysis, imagery intelligence and fire protection, preparing intelligence professionals for missions around the world.
8. Laughlin Air Force Base
Laughlin AFB, in Del Rio, is one of the busiest pilot training bases in the Air Force. The 47th Flying Training Wing flies the T-6 Texan II, T-38 Talon and T-1 Jayhawk and trains student pilots before their operational assignments, making Laughlin an essential part of the Air Force’s pilot pipeline.
9. Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base
Ellington Field, near Houston, is a joint reserve base that supports the Air National Guard, Army National Guard and Coast Guard. The base is essential to homeland security, aerospace control and emergency response along the Gulf Coast.
10. Red River Army Depot
Located west of Texarkana, Red River Army Depot focuses on vehicle maintenance and logistics. The depot repairs and refurbishes tactical wheeled vehicles and other military equipment to keep U.S. forces ready around the world.
Other Military Installations in Texas
- Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth: A joint reserve base in Fort Worth supporting Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Army reserve and Guard units.
- Naval Air Station Kingsville: A Navy jet pilot training base in South Texas.
- Corpus Christi Army Depot: The Army’s main helicopter repair and overhaul facility, located on NAS Corpus Christi.
- Camp Mabry: Headquarters of the Texas Military Department in Austin.
- Camp Bullis: A training area in north San Antonio that is part of Joint Base San Antonio.
Buying or Building a Home Near a Texas Military Base
Many service members stationed in Texas choose to buy instead of rent. With a VA loan in Texas, eligible service members and veterans can buy with $0 down and no monthly mortgage insurance, subject to entitlement and approval. You can start the process with PCS orders before you arrive, and your housing allowance can count as income (estimate yours with our BAH calculator).
If you would rather build, a Texas VA construction loan lets eligible veterans finance the land and the new home with one closing and no mortgage payments during construction. Security America Mortgage is a Houston-based lender that has closed more than 100 VA construction loans, and we work with VA-approved builders in Texas.
Stationed at a Texas Base: Should You Buy, Build or Rent?
“There are several factors. First, how long will you be stationed here? If it’s less than a year, in my opinion you should rent, unless you’re an experienced landlord. An experienced landlord may consider buying while stationed in Texas and renting the home out when they leave, building equity while a renter pays, but long-distance rentals create challenges that aren’t for first-time landlords. If you’ll be there one to two years, buying may make sense. Building makes sense if you’ll be at the station longer than one to two years; it gives you time to build, live in the home and hopefully build enough equity to sell when you leave. The longer you’ll be there, the more building makes sense.”
Jason Noble, COO and VA Loan Specialist, Security America Mortgage, NMLS #352672
| Base | Nearest city | Branch |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Cavazos | Killeen (housing guide) | Army |
| Fort Bliss | El Paso | Army |
| Joint Base San Antonio | San Antonio | Army and Air Force |
| NAS Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi | Navy and Marine Corps |
| Dyess AFB | Abilene | Air Force |
| Sheppard AFB | Wichita Falls | Air Force |
| Goodfellow AFB | San Angelo | Air Force (joint intelligence training) |
| Laughlin AFB | Del Rio | Air Force |
| Ellington Field JRB | Houston (Houston home loans) | Guard, Reserve and Coast Guard |
| Red River Army Depot | Texarkana | Army |
Get pre-approved for a VA loan or call (855) 701-2816 to talk with a VA loan officer.
Strategic Importance of Military Bases in Texas
Texas military installations contribute substantially to national defense through training, logistics, aviation, intelligence and research. They also support tens of thousands of jobs and help drive local economies. Texas remains a military-friendly state, with education, healthcare and support programs for active-duty members, veterans and their families.
Conclusion
Texas military bases are central to U.S. defense. From major Army posts such as Fort Cavazos and Fort Bliss to Air Force training bases such as Sheppard AFB and Laughlin AFB, these installations maintain military readiness and support operations worldwide. Whether training pilots, conducting intelligence work or providing logistics and support, Texas remains a cornerstone of American military power.
What is the largest military base in Texas?
By land area, Fort Bliss in El Paso is the largest, covering more than 1 million acres across Texas and New Mexico. Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) in Killeen is one of the most populous U.S. military installations and is home to III Corps and the 1st Cavalry Division.
How many military bases are in Texas?
Texas has more than a dozen major military installations. The largest include Fort Cavazos, Fort Bliss, Joint Base San Antonio, NAS Corpus Christi, Dyess AFB, Sheppard AFB, Goodfellow AFB, Laughlin AFB, NAS JRB Fort Worth, NAS Kingsville, Ellington Field JRB and Red River Army Depot.
Can I use a VA loan to buy a home near a Texas military base?
Yes. Eligible service members and veterans can use a VA loan in Texas to buy with $0 down and no monthly mortgage insurance, subject to entitlement and approval. You can apply with PCS orders, and your BAH can count as income.
Can I build a new home near base with a VA loan?
Yes. A VA One-Time Close construction loan lets eligible veterans finance the land and construction with one closing and no mortgage payments during the build. The home must be built by a VA-approved builder.
