CoBases – US Military Bases

Category: Illinois

There are three military bases in Illinois.

Illinois plays an important role in the United States military structure through its various installations and contributions to logistics, training, and research. Here are some key aspects of Illinois’ involvement with the military:

  1. Scott Air Force Base: Located near Belleville, Scott AFB is one of Illinois’s most prominent military installations. It is home to the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), responsible for global transportation logistics for the U.S. military. The base also hosts the Air Mobility Command (AMC) and the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC). These commands play critical roles in the deployment and sustainment of U.S. forces worldwide.
  2. Great Lakes Naval Training Center: Situated near North Chicago, Great Lakes is the U.S. Navy’s only boot camp, officially known as the Recruit Training Command. It is the largest military installation in Illinois and one of the largest training centers in the Navy. The base trains thousands of recruits annually and is also home to several “A” and “C” schools, where sailors receive technical training in their chosen fields after basic training.
  3. Rock Island Arsenal: Located on an island in the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa, the Rock Island Arsenal is a major U.S. Army installation. It is home to the U.S. Army Sustainment Command and the U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command, among other units. The Arsenal is a center for manufacturing and procuring military equipment, including weapons and vehicle parts, and it plays a significant role in logistics and readiness.
  4. Illinois National Guard: The Illinois National Guard comprises the Illinois Army National Guard and the Illinois Air National Guard. These citizen-soldiers and airmen serve community and country, providing trained units to the state and the nation during times of need. Their roles include domestic emergency response and overseas deployment in support of military operations.
  5. Research and Development: Illinois is home to several academic and research institutions that contribute to military technology and R&D. For example, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has a history of collaboration with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies in areas such as engineering, cyber security, and advanced materials.
  6. Military and Veterans Affairs: Illinois has a strong commitment to supporting military personnel, veterans, and their families. This includes state-run programs and services to assist veterans with education, employment, and health care.

In summary, Illinois’ contribution to the U.S. military encompasses a mix of training, logistics, manufacturing, and R&D, which are essential to maintaining the readiness and operational capabilities of the armed forces. The state’s installations and services support military objectives and play a significant role in the local and state economy.

  • Scott Air Force Base

    Scott AFB Facts

    • Location: St. Clair County, near Mascoutah, Illinois
    • Website:
      Visit Scott AFB Website ›
    • Phone: (618) 256-1110
    • Longitude:
      -89.835278
    • Latitude:
      38.545278
    • DSN:
      576-1110

    This is a United States Air Force named after the first person killed in an airplane crash, Corporals Frank S. Scott. Illinois Scott is located in St. Clair County, near St. Louis Metropolitan area and is under the operation of the 375th Air Mobility Wing. The center’s residential section has a population of 3,612 at the 2010 census. The 932d Airlift Wing of the Air Force Reserve Command and the 126th Air Refueling Wing of the Air National Guard are operated at the base by the Air Mobility command. The Base served as an airfield during the 1st World War. It also trained pilots for airplanes from 1917 but was discontinued in 1937 when lighter aircrafts were introduced. The aircrafts used during the training were used as ambulances to lift disaster victims to healthcare facilities. The Scott field became the headquarters of the United States Air Forces in 1938, and in preparation to that, most of the old buildings were demolished for new ones to be built. In all, 73 buildings were built in the restructuring exercise.

    Scott AFB Welcome Sign next to main gate

    C-17 Plane at Scott AFB

    Civilian aircrafts are allowed to use the facility, with the civilian airport referred to as the Mid America St. Louis Airport. It has however not been supporting commercial airlines since January 3rd, 2009 when the Allegiant Air pulled out of the base. Scott is also headquarters of many military organizations including the United States Transport Command, Air Mobility Command, the United States Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command and the 18th Air Force. Others are the Air Force Global Logistics Support center and the Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization. The 375th Air Mobility Wing, which is the operating unit of the Illinois Scott Airforce Base hosts over 30  other units including the Airforce Reserve Command, the Illinois Air National Guard, the 3rd Investigations Region and the 3rd manpower requirements Squadron.

  • Rock Island Arsenal

    Rock Island Arsenal Facts

    The Rock Island Arsenal was originally set up as a leather field gear and accoutrement manufacturing center as well as an arsenal. It is now the manufacturing center for small arms and many of the military artillery in the United States. It covers 3.83 square kilometers of land and located between the Rock Island, Iowa and the city of Davenport.

    Rock Island Arsenal Buildings

    Rock Island Arsenal Interior and Exterior

    This Base was the site where Fort Armstrong was located, and was originally a government site but now serves as the largest United States Army arsenal for manufacturing weapons. Liberty Mark VIII tanks were made at the Base for the 1st World War and as such recognized as a historic landmark. Arsenal Rock served as an army prison during the American Civil War, where captured soldiers of the Confederation were detained. The facilities were hurriedly built when there is notice of arrival of new prisoners.

    The arsenal is a successful military equipment manufacturing center, with products including M1A1 gun mount and the M119 howitzers and M198. The center also manufactures grenade launchers, recoil mechanisms, artillery, gun mounts and aircraft weapons subsystems. The military staff strength of the artillery is about 250 and about 6,000 civilian workers. A military cemetery, adjacent to the arsenal serves as the burial ground for over 1,964 prisoners of the confederate and Union Guards numbering 125.

    Old School Military Collection at Rock Island Arsenal

    Rock Island Arsenal Areal View

    Also, 49 members of the Colored Troops of the United States who died from diseases of exposure were also buried there. The arsenal also has other historic sites that serve as tourist sites. The Col. Davenport’s House is visited by many people and also where the first bridge was built across the Mississippi. The officers’ quarters which are located along the Mississippi river and the Cemetery of the Confederate are also visited. The Stone Workshops of the 19th Century and the Rock Island National Cemetery, both located on the Rock Island Arsenal are also regarded as historic sites.

  • Naval Station Great Lakes

    Great Lakes Facts

    • Location: Lake County, North Chicago, Illinois
    • Website:
      Visit Great Lakes Website ›
    • Phone: (847) 688-3500
    • Longitude:
      -87.850765
    • Latitude:
      42.308162
    • DSN:
      792-3500

    Build originally with 38 buildings; the Illinois Great Lakes is the host of the boot camp of the United States Navy. Known officially as Naval Station Great Lakes, the first buildings of this base was designed between 1909 and 1911 by the renowned architect, Jarvis Hunt.  Located close to North Chicago, Illinois, this Naval base is made up of 1,153 building structures on a 1,628 acres of land, making it the largest single military station in Illinois and the largest naval training station. The road network spans about 50 miles to provide access to the facilities. Operated as a city on its own, the base has a security force, fire department and public works department. It also has schools and medical facilities to serve occupants of the base. The base also serves as the center for training new Navy recruits.

    Naval Station Great Lakes Soldiers parade

    Naval Station Great Lakes Lucky Graduates Walking

    The Great Lakes Base became the only beginners’ training School for the navy in 1996 and since then, the base trains about forty thousand recruits each year. The workforce of the Naval base is about 7,000 at each point in time. Training is also organized for civilians aspiring to be sailors with about 16,000 of them passing out each year.

    Naval Station Great Lakes Opening Ceremony

    Freshmen parade neat Naval Station Great Lakes

    The center also provides support for some sites with technical training contents which include the Center for Surface Combat systems, the Center for Personal Development Center for Naval Engineering, Center for Naval Leadership, and the Center for Service Support. Among the numerous training facilities are other training institutions like the Electrician’s Mate, the Fire Controlman, Gunner’s Mate, Electronics Technician and Quartermaster, among others. The center has seen an improvement since 2005 with the building of a non-denominational chapel and a reception for civilian families. The Great Lakes Naval Base is listed as one of the historic places in Illinois. It also houses one of the 15 United States Naval Museums, the Great Lakes Naval Museum.