Us Military Airports: How Many Are There?

The United States has a vast number of airports, including military airports. As of December 1, 2024, there were 58 military airports across the country. This number includes both sole-use military airports and joint-use civil-military airports. The US Army maintains various aircraft and support facilities, including airfields, even after the creation of the US Air Force as a separate service branch in 1947. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) used to certify military airports but stopped doing so in 2005.

The US has over 19,700 airports, including military airports

The United States has an extensive aviation network, with a vast number of airports spread across the country. As of 2025, there are over 19,700 airports in the US, encompassing everything from small, remote airstrips to bustling international hubs. This large number of airports serves the diverse aviation needs of the country, catering to both domestic and international travel.

Among the over 19,700 airports, about 5,193 are public airports, which include commercial service airports and general aviation airports. These public airports are crucial for connecting people within the US and to international destinations. They range from large, well-known airports like Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to smaller, regional airports such as Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) and Wilmington Airport (ILG).

In addition to public airports, the US also has a significant number of military airports and airfields. The US Army, for example, maintains various aircraft and support facilities, including airfields, even after the establishment of the US Air Force as a separate branch in 1947. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plays a key role in managing military airports and promoting joint-use of existing military air bases. The FAA's Military Airport Program (MAP) facilitates the conversion of military airfields for public use, helping to reduce congestion at busy civilian airports.

The large number of airports in the US reflects the country's vast geography and the importance of air travel in connecting its diverse regions. The US has airports in each state and territory, ensuring that even remote areas have access to air transportation. The breakdown of airports by state demonstrates the extensive reach of the country's aviation infrastructure.

The US also stands out globally in terms of the number of international airports it possesses. With 483 international airports, the US has more international gateways than any other country, providing connections to destinations worldwide. These international airports, such as LAX, JFK, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), are vital for both tourism and trade, facilitating travel and the movement of goods between the US and the rest of the world.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) manages the Military Airport Program (MAP)

The MAP provides financial assistance to civilian sponsors who are converting, or have already converted, military airfields to civilian or joint military/civilian use. The program funds projects such as building or rehabilitating surface parking lots, fuel farms, hangars, utility systems, access roads, and cargo buildings.

The FAA may designate up to 15 joint-use or former military airports to participate each fiscal year. Three of these airports may be general aviation (GA) airports, and the remaining 12 must be commercial service or reliever airports. Selected airports may be designated for a period of 1 to 5 fiscal years. Previously designated airports may apply for redesignation for an additional term.

Since 1991, the FAA has provided approximately $764 million to more than 35 airports through the program. The FAA no longer certificates military airports.

There are 483 international airports in the US

The United States has 483 international airports, which is the most in the world. These airports vary from tiny airstrips in remote locations to sprawling hubs of activity. There are also numerous military airports and airfields in the US, with the US Army maintaining various aircraft and support facilities, even after the creation of the US Air Force as a separate service branch in 1947.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) manages surplus property transfers for airports, military base conversions, and the promotion of joint-use of existing military air bases. The FAA also administers the Military Airport Program (MAP), which is a grant set-aside from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The MAP provides grants to civil sponsors of military airfields to develop aviation facilities for the public and assists in converting former military airfields to public use.

The US has a comprehensive list of airports, including both public-use and military airports in each state and territory. This list is broken down into separate lists due to the large number of airports.

Some notable international airports in the US include:

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), California
• Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois
• Miami International Airport (MIA), Florida
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia
• Denver International Airport (DEN), Colorado

These airports serve as major hubs for international travel, offering connections to destinations around the world.

The US Army maintains various aircraft and support facilities, including airfields

There are several US Army airfields across the United States and its territories. These include:

• Allen Stagefield Army Heliport
• Amedee Army Airfield
• Anniston Army Heliport
• Arrowhead Assault Strip
• Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center
• Bicycle Lake Army Airfield
• Blackstone Army Airfield
• Bradshaw Army Airfield
• Pohakuloa Training Area
• Bryant Army Heliport
• Bucholz Army Airfield
• Cairns Army Airfield
• Camp Blanding Army Airfield
• Camp Peary Landing Strip
• Campbell Army Airfield
• Davison Army Airfield
• Dawson Army Airfield
• Dillingham Army Airfield
• Dillingham Military Reservation
• Felker Army Airfield
• Forney Army Airfield
• Fort Harrison Army Airfield
• Godman Army Airfield
• Grayling Army Airfield
• Hagler Army Airfield
• Henry Post Army Airfield
• Hunter Army Airfield
• Laguna Army Airfield
• Lawson Army Airfield
• Los Alamitos Army Airfield
• Mackall Army Airfield
• Marshall Army Airfield
• Mary Walker Landing Zone
• Michael Army Airfield
• Dugway Proving Ground
• Pentagon Army Heliport
• Phillips Army Airfield
• Aberdeen Proving Ground
• Ray S. Miller Army Airfield
• Redstone Army Airfield
• Robert Gray Army Airfield
• Robinson Army Airfield
• Robinson Maneuver Training Center
• Sherman Army Airfield
• Simmons Army Airfield
• Stallion Army Airfield
• White Sands Missile Range
• Vagabond Army Airfield
• Yakima Training Center
• Wheeler Army Airfield
• Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield
• Wright Army Airfield
• Yoakum–DeFrenn Army Heliport

In addition, the US Army also operates several airfields outside of the United States, including in Germany, such as the:

• Ansbach Army Heliport
• Camp Bondsteel Army Heliport
• Desiderio Army Airfield
• Grafenwöhr Army Airfield
• Hohenfels Army Airfield
• Illesheim Army Heliport
• Kastner Army Heliport
• Patton Army Heliport
• Wiesbaden Army Airfield

The US Army also utilises several civilian airports for its aircraft, such as the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, Blytheville Army Air Field, and the Arkansas International Airport.

Furthermore, the US military has joint-use airfields with civilian aviation, with 21 military installations that allow civilian aircraft activity.

The FAA may designate up to 15 joint-use or former military airports each fiscal year

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for managing the Military Airport Program (MAP), which facilitates the transition of military airfields to civilian use. The FAA may designate up to 15 joint-use or former military airports each fiscal year to participate in the MAP for capital development funding assistance. This is in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 47118, which authorises the FAA to designate up to 15 current or former military airports annually.

Of the 15 airports, three may be general aviation (GA) airports, while the remaining 12 must be commercial service or reliever airports. The MAP is a grant set-aside from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), providing funding for projects such as surface parking lots, fuel farms, hangars, utility systems, access roads, and cargo buildings.

The FAA evaluates applications based on various criteria, including the airport's potential to become a viable civilian airport, its ability to enhance system capacity and reduce delays, the level of operations at the congested airport, and its capability to serve aircraft that would otherwise use a congested airport.

The MAP is a flexible program, allowing airports to be designated for one to five fiscal years. Previously designated airports can also apply for redesignation for subsequent terms, ensuring they continue to receive support as they transition to civilian or joint-use airports.

The FAA's role in managing the MAP is significant, as it helps improve former military facilities and promotes economic growth and job creation in their communities.

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