Military bases in Tennessee include Houlston Army Ammunition Plant, Kingston Demolition Range, Arnold Air Force. The volunteer state has a population of over 6million. Tennessee is a southern state with Kentucky to the North, Arkansas to the west, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina to the South. And North Carolina to the East.
Map of Military Bases in Tennessee
More Information About Military Bases in Tennessee
Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell is located both in Tennessee and Kentucky click here for more information.
Holston Army Ammunition Plant
Holston Army Ammunition Plant, or Holston Ordnance Work, near Kingston, Tennessee supplies the Department of Defense with explosive material. This Plant began in 1942 as a result of America’s growing involvement in World War II. During this time, the plant experienced its highest ever rates of employment and just close to half the employees were women. After the war ended in 1945, the plant was shut down for a time, not to be reopened until the 1950’s as the Cold War began to brew. The plant has been up and running ever since.
Kingston Demolition Range
Kingston Demolition Range, also known as the Clinton Engineering Works (CEW) or Oak Ridge, Tennessee, was one of the many sites that was part of the Manhattan Project. This particular site was responsible for preparing the necessary amount of uranium for the atom bombs that would later be used in Hiroshima, Japan in 1945. Operated under the supervision of the US Army, the site was strategically selected as it met a series of requirements: It was a large, mostly rural area. Only a few surrounding families had to be relocated, and the otherwise remote area seemed perfect for them carry out this highly secretive project. They were correct in this assumption. Although it became home to nearly 75,000 people, this 60,000 acre area didn’t appear on any map, leaving most people unaware of its existence. Many of the people who worked there weren’t even aware of what they were constructing – and if they did know, they were forbidden to tell anyone.
Today the town of Oak Ridge, Tennessee doesn’t appear so different than others, but the residents are still aware of its unique history as a nuclear city. Oak Ridge remains home to some of the original uranium plants and a museum that lays out the fascinating part this place played in American history.
Milan Army Ammunition Plant
The Milan Army Ammunition Plant began in 1942, just outside of Milan, Tennessee. It began as a privately owned plant that produced ammunition, charges, and processed certain chemicals for the military during World War II. Soon after the war, the government began operating the plant, though it continued to employ some civilian employees. The plant continued to function through the 1950’s and into the -60’s, and today much of it is still off-limits to the general public. However, as it transitions into a commercial site, there are some areas that do allow hunting and fishing.
Arnold Air Force Base
Arnold Air Force Base began with an idea. That idea belonged to Henry “Hap” Arnold, the commanding general of the Army Air Forces during World War II. Years before the war officially ended, Arnold considered it already “won” and focused his vision on the future. While in Germany, Arnold had seen the advanced aerospace technology that the Axis power had invented; he became determined to bring this technology to the United States and use it to make America a leader in Aircraft development.
In 1944, Arnold invited Dr. Theodore von Kármán to the Pentagon to begin working on his vision. It wasn’t long until and associate of Dr. von Kármán, Dr. Frank Wattendorf joined in their collaboration, beginning with a trip to Germany to survey the German aeronautical test facilities. Wattendorf ended up leaving Europe hastily after receiving news about the death of his father, so he summarized his findings on the flight home. It became known as the Trans-Atlantic Memo, a tangible plan for what would become the Arnold Air Force Base, home to the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC).
After a lengthy debate over location, construction finally began in Coffee and Franklin county, Tennessee. The base was dedicated in 1951, and named for the man whose vision made this base possible. After developing strong ties with surrounding universities, such as the University of Tennessee, the AEDC became one of the world’s premier sites for aerospace technology development. It aided in research and testing during the Space Race in the 1960’s, though it didn’t receive much recognition until the ‘80’s after contracting with Pan Am. Desert Storm furthered AEDC’s international recognition, and today it remains one of the most prestigious of its kind.
NSA Mid-South
Naval Support Activity Mid-South is located in Millington, Tennessee, a classic military town. Since 1941, it has been the largest inland Naval base in the US. Although this site’s history dates back as early as World War II, it’s had many varying functions in the course of its days. Initially commissioned as a Navy Reserve Air Base, today it serves as Navy’s Human Resource Center of excellence. Military personnel, civilian personnel, and private contractors work to support Navy activity for the surrounding region.
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