Military Bases in San Antonio: Joint Base San Antonio & More
San Antonio is "Military City, USA" — home to Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), the Department of Defense's largest joint base, plus additional installations.
Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)
Formed 2010 (BRAC 2005); 502nd Air Base Wing host; 80,000+ personnel; $30B+ economic impact.
| Component | Former Name | Primary Mission | Key Units |
|---|
| JBSA-Fort Sam Houston | Fort Sam Houston | Army medicine, command, training | US Army North, Medical Command (MEDCOM), AMEDD Center & School |
| JBSA-Lackland | Lackland AFB | Air Force basic training, cyber, ISR | 37th Training Wing (BMT), 16th Air Force (Cyber), 24th/25th Air Forces |
| JBSA-Randolph | Randolph AFB | Pilot training, personnel management | 12th Flying Training Wing, Air Force Personnel Center, AETC HQ |
Additional Installations
- Camp Bullis (28,000 acres, NW):
- Field training, ranges, maneuver areas for JBSA units
- Critical for medic, security forces, EOD, Special Warfare training
- Endangered species (golden-cheeked warbler) management
- Lackland Air Force Base:
- Often used interchangeably with JBSA-Lackland
- Historically separate; now component of JBSA
- Includes Port San Antonio (former Kelly AFB) — 1,900-acre aerospace/industrial campus
Strategic Significance
- Medical: Largest DoD hospital (Brooke Army Medical Center); burn center; combat casualty research
- Training: All USAF enlisted BMT (35K+/yr); pilot instructor training; cyber warriors
- Cyber: 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) HQ — offensive/defensive cyber ops
- Intelligence: 24th/25th Air Forces (ISR)
- Jointness: Model for Army-Air Force integration
Community Impact
- 150K+ military retirees in region
- Veterans Affairs: Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital
- Military-friendly city: hiring preferences, education (UTSA, A&M-SA), discounts
JBSA isn't just bases — it's San Antonio's economic and cultural backbone.
Wanderlust World