CoBases – US Military Bases

Category: New Jersey

How many military bases are in New Jersey?

There are nine military bases in New Jersey.

  • Picatinny Arsenal

    It is basically American military research and development facility located near Lake Denmark in New Jersey. It is also headquarter of United American Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center. The facility was founded in 1880 and has been in operation since then. It is also home to experts in US Army small size ammunitions, especially a small part of weapon known as Picatinny rail, which is designed to hold cartridges for the gun.

    Picatinny Arsenal Facts

    Initially a part of the facility was acquired by Navy to build a gun powder manufacturing company under the name Lake Denmark Naval Ammunition Storage. The company was expended to manufacture larger ammunitions during World War I. The company also started conducting research and development activities to find ways to build better ammunitions for the war. The company initially started with 18,000 employees.

    It is now manufacturing ammunitions for US Armed Forces; it is also manufacturing armors and weapons. Another feature New Jersey Picatinny Arsenal has is that it was first used to store gun powder for military in north east of US. But a bad tragedy occurred in 1926 when lightening stuck and all the stored ammunitions were destroyed. After the accident the facility was given under the command of US Armed Forces for better protection of the storage.

    Military Machinery at Picatinny Arsenal

    Gun in front of Picatinny Arsenal

    Sign in front of Picatinny Arsenal

    Soldiers in front of PC at Picatinny Arsenal

    The facility offered its services in research activities and played major role in both World Wars. It also played a major part in producing more useful munitions such as smokeless powder and more. After the World War II the company focused on manufacturing weapons for US soldiers stationed in Korea. The company also focused on improving its previous weapons including bazooka, which is one of the most widely used weapons in the world especially in Vietnam War. Infact the US Army still uses ammunitions made at New Jersey Picatinny Arsenal.

  • McGuire Air Force Base

    It is basically an US Air Force Base commissioned 87th Air Base Wing with Air Mobility Command. Its main purpose is to provide support to on-going military operations. The 87th Air Base Wing comprise of 3100 officers and civilians from Army, Naval and Air Force. The base is also home to other Air Force wings working together on the base. The base has two runways that are used by both military and civilians. The base is also used to station overseas military forces from Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines to travel to other parts of the world.

    McGuire Air Force Base Facts

    • Website: Visit McGuire AFB Website ›
    • Location: Wrightstown, New Jersey
    • Phone: (609) 754-1100
    • Latitude: 40.029421
    • Longitude: -74.589072
    • DSN: 650-1100

    During World War II the base was first used to give support to air missions named as Civilian Conservation Corps. After the World War II the base was used for training purposes under First Air Force comprising of advance aircrafts such as F-16, F15 and more. At the time of the start of training program there were around 30 officers and around 400 officers, and the program continued till 1944.

    The Air Technical Service Command also used the base in 1943 for maintenance of aircrafts for overseas operations especially North Africa and United Kingdom, which then continues till 1945 and started for Europe.

    McGuire AFB - Plane C-17

    Areal View of McGuire Air Force Base

    McGuire AFB Sign

    Aviation simulator at McGuire AFB

    Talking about Strategic Air Command, the base was focused to turn into station for newly developed air crafts, and temporarily structures and buildings were converted into permanent buildings. Some of the planes that were stationed on New Jersey Mcguire such as Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and Boeing B-29 Superfortress, were moved to other bases. The base also received major changes in their wings and air craft fleets, some wings were replaced with others while some new air planes were stationed on the base.

    Today there are number of command wings assigned to the base, which includes First Air Force, Air Force Command, Military Air Transport Service, Air Mobility Command and more.

  • USCG Loran Support Unit

    It is also known as USCG Loran Support Unit, its main purpose it to support Long Range Navigational System stations in the West Coast of United States. It helps ships find their location in the sea. The station works by sending low frequency signals out in the sea that is caught by ships and helps them find their location. The navigational system uses transmitters and receivers to calculate the location, the whole system is usually known as LORAN. It also helps aircraft find their location and the station ensures the correct transmission of LORAN frequencies.

    Loran Support Unit Facts

    • Website: Visit LORAN Website ›
    • Location: Wildwood, New Jersey
    • Phone: (609) 523-7230
    • Latitude: 38.985715
    • Longitude: -74.829413
    • DSN: N/A

    Today there are more advance and accurate navigational systems than LORAN such as GPS (global positioning system). There are few issues regarding New Jersey Loran station as GPS is already easily available but the government decided to keep the station. Infact the military forces are no longer using LORAN for navigation as they have more accurate positioning system that is GPS. Today it is used by less advanced ships and aircrafts, which makes up small group of people and organizations. What is more interesting is that the new yearly budget has very less budget for LORAN-C systems and it is advised to discontinue all outdated systems.

    USCG Loran Support Unit Logo

    USCG Loran Support Unit Areal View

    Loran Support Unit Plane

    Soldiers of USCG Loran

    Scientists testing some strange things at USCG Loran Support Unit

    The termination of the system was also supported by other national organizations, but US Coast Guard finds a good potential in New Jersey Loran stations as it is still useful for smaller ships and aircrafts.

    But there are few small organizations and ships still using LORAN systems such as US Coast Guard. Their aircrafts, ships and helicopters are equipped with advance GPS systems but they still use LORAN systems for training purposes and small scale navigations.

    The staff of the station comprise of both civilians and naval personnel. And it is located on the shore for easy transmission out in the sea.

  • Army Installation Fort Dix

    Fort Dix is one of the United States of installation of the Army placed in New Hanover’s Parts Township, Pemberton’s Municipality, and Springfield’s municipality, in the Burlington’s county, the zone of New Jersey, etc. Also it is a place notable census, and as of the United States, registers display that in 2000, the population of installation was 7464.

    Fort Dix Facts

    • Website: Visit Fort Dix Website ›
    • Location: Townships of New Hanover, Pemberton, and Springfield, in Burlington County, New Jersey
    • Phone: (609) 562-1011
    • Latitude: 40.010398
    • Longitude: -74.614838
    • DSN: 944-1011

    Fort Dix calls this way for the John Adams Dix. The construction began during the June, 1917. Camp Dix, since it was known in this then, was a formation and putting in scene of land for the units during the First World War the camp turned into a center of demobilization after the war. Between both world wars, the Camp Dix was the receipt; the formation and the center of unload for the Civil Body of Conservation. Camp Dix turned into Fort Dix on March 8, 1939, and the installation turned into a permanent position of the Army. During and after the Second World War the strength served the same intention that in the First World War. It served as the formation.

    Sign of Fort Dix

    Soldiers practice at Fort Dix

    solar panel plant at Fort Dix

    main gate of Fort Dix

    It served as the formation and the operational headquarters during the war and a center of demobilization after the war.  On July 15, 1947, Fort Dix turned into a Center of Basic training and of the house of 9 ª Division of Infantry. In 1954, the ninth one it changed and 69 ª Division of Infantry did the strong house, until it deactivated on March 16, 1956. During the rapid expansion of the war of Vietnam it was carried out. A model of the people of Vietnam was built and the soldiers received specific formation of Vietnam before being unfolded. From Vietnam, Fort Dix actually sent soldiers to fulfill the specific Operation Shield of the Desert, Storm of the Desert, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq.

  • Fort Monmouth

    Fort Monmouth is on the coast of Jersey only ten minutes West somehow like 20-30 minutes in a super sunny day weekend in July or August of the Atlantic Ocean. Fort Monmouth is the home the AMC that is the Army of Command of the material of communication and electronics of control the CECOM. To see this category, without prejudice of: Great unit and announcements in order to obtain a list of units and activities in Fort Monmouth.

    Fort Monmouth Facts

    Vision: To be the recognized great supplier of the best of the world Communications, Command and Control,  Intelligence, Computer science, electronic war, and the specific sensor which is C4IEWS the products and services to War fighter of The United States.

    The mission of the USA of Communications of the Army – electronics of commands is to investigate, to develop, to acquire, the area and to keep Command and Control, Communications,  technologically top high-integrated, Computer science, Intelligence, electronic war, and the capacities of the sensor the C4IEWS for War fighter of The United States.

    Monument at Fort Monmouth

    Areal View of Fort Monmouth

    Building at Fort Monmouth

    Mane Gate of Fort Monmouth

    Sign of Fort Monmouth

    In addition, CECOM provides the architectural frame and of systems engineering to guarantee the joint interoperability and the horizontal integration of technology across the battle. CECOM executes his mission in the whole life cycle of the systems warlike and platforms across an integrated process of generation of technology to guarantee the joint interoperability and the horizontal integration of technology across the battle. CECOM executes his mission in the whole life cycle of the systems warlike and platforms across an integrated process of generation of technology and the application, the excellence and the projection of the power of acquisition of logistics.

    Fort Monmouth’s community is composed by the active service of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marinade, the Coastal Guard, Components of the Reservation, retired military man, the Department of Defense adapted and not adapted of used funds, contractors and members of the family.

  • Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst

    The New Jersey Lakehurst is a naval Air Engineering facility and the origins date back to the beginning of 1917 when command came to existence like Naval Aircrafts Factory. This Navy spot was great, the aircraft manufacturer and factories are always very busy constructing the airplanes for the USA Army. This is why they decided to go for a facility like this to operate only and aircraft factory completely owned by the United States Government.

    Lakehurst Facts

    • Website: Visit Lakehurst Website ›
    • Location: Lakehurst, Orange County, New Jersey
    • Phone: (732) 323-2313
    • Latitude: 40.026563
    • Longitude: -74.398384
    • DSN: 624-2313

    Also, the secretary of Navy, called Josephus Daniels, was the one who authorized this establishment: Naval Aircraft Factory located in Philadelphia, back on July 1917: the ground was totally broken August  1917, & even much less than 8 months later a great airplane, actually the very 1st one which was H-16 fly Boat, was the one to flew to war.

    Back then, total production was of around 150 twin engines H-16 Flying Boats & also 33F5L Patrolled airplanes. The experimental researched along with new type’s development in terms of airplanes kinds and models were somehow the thrust right after the terrible war.

    Helicopter at Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst

    lakehurst transport plane

    naval air engineering station lakehurst areal view

    Hangar, building at naval air engineering station lakehurst base

    In 1953 this was changed along with the specific activity that was renamed as the Naval Air Center. Later, in 1962 this center actually became, like more appropriately when the mission of researching together with development, Air and Naval Engineering facility situated in Philadelphia.

    This Air Engineering Center ended up being fully reorganized. The Aero nautical structure together with the crew equipment laboratories went directly to the Development Center known as the NADC, in Warminster, Philadelphia. The Aeronautical engines laboratories were later sent right to Naval Propulsion Testing Center. The, this facilities were disestablished & consolidated together with the NAEC, this took place on March 1977, it was when the NAEC became as host command. Yet, it existed till Jan 1992, it was when it became the New Jersey Engineering Station, that is in the proper NJ.

  • Naval Weapons Station Earle

    The New Jersey Earle Naval Station is great; this facility is located at northern zone of New Jersey shore it is also next to Sandy Hook Bay. It received the command chief name and it was later changed when 1974 started from a Naval Ammunition to Depot the Naval Weapon Station. The water front place is today homeport to Seattle USS the AOE 3, the USS Detroit AOE 4, the USS Supply which is the AOE 6, the USS Arctic which is the AOE 8, & it also housed the high-tech Combat Logistics Groups number 2. It started to be effective back in June 1997 and the USS Supply ended up moving to Earle. This place provides the logistical, the technical along with material supportive tasks for the fleet, this is in many areas and they range from several combat subsystems & retail ammunition managements to packaging, and also handling to later consider storage.

    Naval Weapons Station EarleFacts

    • Website: Visit NWS Earle Website ›
    • Location: next to Sandy Hook Bay New Jersey
    • Phone: (732) 866-2000
    • Latitude: 40.279967
    • Longitude: -74.171588
    • DSN: 449-2000

    The Earle spot is like any weapon station, but magnificent since it handles, also stores, even transports, and fully renovates many items, it is able to do so by using and issuing all sorts of ammunition and weapons. Moreover, the USS moved later in 1998. This was the result of decisions, so the importance of the facility started to increase a lot.

    Areal View of Naval Weapons Station Earle

    NSW Earle Areal View

    Naval Weapons Station Earle Areal View

    Soldier parade near NWS Earle

    It is also important to mention the Sandy Hook Channels specific entrance. This was what actually led to the Terminal Channel & the Earle Pier. The terminal Channel, later entered coming from the Sandy Hook path located like around one mile west or more precise southwest tip, this leads to turning basins, & 2 different deep water ammunitions handling pier of United States Naval Depot at Earle. The project which was federal had a depth of 35 feet this is connected by trestle which is somehow extensive.

  • USCG Training Center Cape May

    The area that is occupied by New Jersey Cape May, has a lot of history linked to naval presence. Going back to American Revolution & through nineteenth century, the Cape May was once used like a harbor to refuge. Later in 1917, Navy established this like a section force base right there in the great Cape May, in order to provide with the proper training, the right vessel support & communication places meant for the coastal defense.

    USCG Training Center Cape May Facts

    • Website: Visit Cape May Website ›
    • Location: Cape May, New Jersey
    • Phone: (609) 898-6969
    • Latitude: 38.985802
    • Longitude: -74.906163
    • DSN: N/A

    At first Navy converted abandoned the amusement center, they built this along oceanfront, and it was for military usage. Old skating rinks became mess halls and the sleeping quarters, a stage was actually made into the galley, it was like the human huge roulette wheels – even a scrubbing table & the fun barrel which became a total brig. Yet, the old wooden special structure was burned later in 1918, this Navy constructed in a standard manner along with military facilities that were in the extensive harbor front, however, some are still standing.

    Areal View of Training Center Cape May Areal View

    Soldiers at USCG Training Center Cape May

    Soldiers speech at Training Center Cape May

    Training Center Cape May Anchor

    Right after World War 1, this base ended up being adapted in such a way to fully accommodate the dirigibles. The most hangers worldwide, it was like 700 feet and it was developed so they could fully accommodate airship below the construction that was in Britain. Unluckily, ZR-2 happened to crash while they were testing it so they were never really fully adapted to navy usage.

    According to sources, for more than 50 years, the specific Coast Guard education and Training Center right there in Cape May has being able to fulfill the main mission:

    To train people properly in such a way so they can become leaders and rule everything the right way. Codes and regulations are to be accepted and this spot is simply an example of professionalism and high-tech development.