Many people search for information about military bases. In 2024, the search for information about these bases surged, driven by their influence on international security, technological advancements, and, sometimes, their mysterious or controversial roles.

These installations have captured the public eye, including highly secure sites like Area 51 to key operational centers in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. We used Google Trends to bring you the most popular military bases of 2024.

Here are the most searched-for military bases in the U.S. in countdown style:

Key Points from This Article

• Military bases can become popular for many reasons, including controversies or due to current news surrounding the base.
•  What bases are popular can change at the drop of the hat, especially in unstable regions where bases may come in and out of the news cycle. 
• Also: Read “The Next NVIDIA.”

Why We’re Covering This

The military has a huge impact on the United State’s economy. Military spending can spur on private development, but it can also have a negative impact on the economy as a whole. For these reasons, we regularly cover the military. For instance, we recently covered military growth across different countries. 

18. Hainan Island Naval Base (China)

This Chinese base has recently gained attention for it’s rapid expansion, especially after it was featured in a few news articles. 

17. Fort Wainwright (Alaska, US)

Due to its proximity to the Arctic, this base is vital for military operations in the region. It plays a big role in Arctic defense. 

16. Yokosuka Naval Base (Japan)

Home to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet, this base is essential for maintaining stability in the Asia-Pacific. It’s strategically located near critical shipping lanes.

15. Al Udeid Air Base (Qatar)

Due to instability in the region, this base has seen a fair number of searches. It’s a key hub for U.S. operations in the Middle East.

14. Thule Air Base (Greenland)

This is another Arctic base. Its primary purpose is to monitor missile launches, though it also supports space operations. Its strategic location is becoming more important as governments become more involved in the Arctic.

13. Guantanamo Bay Naval Base (Cuba)

Known for its controversial detention facility, this base is also a strategic outpost in the Caribbean. It supports U.S. naval operations in the region. It isn’t surprising that this base sees a fair number of searches. 

12. Ramstain Air Base (Germany)

This base is an important hub for NATO. It’s where European defense is coordinated, and it also hosts the U.S. Air Forces. 

11. Camp Humphreys (South Korea)

The largest overseas U.S. military base, Camp Humphreys, is critical for U.S.-South Korea military cooperation. It is a very large, modern base that’s tasked with regional security. 

10. Diego Garcia (Indian Ocean)

This remote base is very important for U.S. naval and air operations within the Indian Ocean. It supports long-range bombers and surveillance aircraft, which help the U.S. keep an eye on things. 

9. RAF Lakenheath (England)

This U.S. Air Force base in the UK houses F-35 squadrons and plays a key role in NATO operations. While it might not be the largest, it is strategically significant due to its proximity to mainland Europe. 

8. Camp Pendleton (California)

Camp Pendleton is a training ground for the U.S. Marine Corps. It helps prepare Marines for missions all around the world. Thanks to its coastal location, it’s ideal for amphibious training. 

7. The Pentagon (Virginia)

The Pentagon might not be thought of as a military base, but it technically is. As the headquarters for the U.S. Department of Defense, you can think of it as the headquarters for the military as a whole. It’s the nerve center of all U.S. armed forces. 

6. Edwards Air Force Base (California)

This base is synonymous with cutting-edge aircraft testing. Edwards has been the proving ground for many of the U.S. Air Force’s most advanced technologies.

5. Fort Liberty (North Carolina)

Home to the XVIII Airborne Corps and Special Operations Command, this base plays a pivotal role in rapid-response missions. It’s home to special forces units that are among some of the most elite in the world. 

4. Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (Hawaii)

Pearl Harbor is perhaps one of the most famous military bases in the U.S. due to its role in the Pearl Harbor attack during WWII. Today, it remains an important location for both Navy and Air Force operations in the Pacific. 

3. Naval Base San Diego (California)

As one of the largest naval bases in the world, this base supports the U.S. Pacific Fleet. It’s very important in the overall defense strategy of the Pacific. 

2. Fort Bragg (North Carolina)

Fort Bragg was recently renamed Fort Liberty, but old habits appear to die hard. Fort Bragg still gets more searches than Fort Liberty. This base is one of the largest and is home to tons of different units. 

1. Area 51 (Nevada)

Known for its secrecy and ties to UFO lore, Area 51 continues to spark global curiosity. It isn’t surprising that it’s easily one of the most searched-for bases, no matter what is going on in the world. Its role in advanced military aircraft testing makes it the subject of frequent speculation and conspiracy theories. 

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