# Foreign military bases in the US? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 24, 2011, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713 "2011-01-24T00:07:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![automagic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a698b9/32.png) [@automagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/automagic)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/1 "2011-01-24T00:07:52Z")
The US military has bases all over the world. I suppose that the UK and other super powers do the same. Are there any foreign military bases in the US? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/2 "2011-01-24T00:19:38Z")
No. Any country wishing to establish a military base on US soil would have to either: a) defeat the US in war and make the military bases part of the terms of surrender; or b) receive permission from the US government to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/3 "2011-01-24T00:28:11Z")
Cheeky answer perhaps being that [Canada shares one](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Aerospace_Defense_Command)? ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/4 "2011-01-24T00:31:05Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > No. Any country wishing to establish a military base on US soil would have to either: > > a) defeat the US in war and make the military bases part of the terms of surrender; or > > b) receive permission from the US government to do so. :rolleyes: Duh. The OP is asking if ‘b’ has happened. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/5 "2011-01-24T00:36:08Z")
> [@automagic](#): > > The US military has bases all over the world. I suppose that the UK and other super powers do the same. Are there any foreign military bases in the US? here is an earlier thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=527620&highlight=military+bases](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=527620&highlight=military+bases) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/6 "2011-01-24T00:55:19Z")
And two others: > **[Is the US the only country to have military bases in other countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=445122)** > > I’m just curious if the US is the only country to have military bases all over the world in other countries. I know, for example, France may have bases in many places around the globe, but they also have territory that is quite far from the... > **[Why is the U.S. allowed to have military bases in other countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=279754)** > > After Kerry mentioned in the first presidential debate that the U.S. was building military bases in Iraq I started wondering why the U.S. has military bases in other countries. I know there are American military bases in Belgium, Cuba, Germany,... ---
**Author:** ![automagic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a698b9/32.png) [@automagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/automagic)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/7 "2011-01-24T01:02:01Z")
> [@Pushkin](#): > > Cheeky answer perhaps being that [Canada shares one](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Aerospace_Defense_Command)? I am an ignorant american. What does “cheeky” mean in this context? And what is a pillac? How about " a bit of a faff later"? ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/8 "2011-01-24T08:58:20Z")
Not bases, but I remember that at some point after 9/11, some european countries (I’m pretty sure it included Germany) had planes deployed in the USA to protect its airspace, in replacement of American airforces deployed elsewhere. However, I can’t remember in what instance. Possibly at the beginning of the operations in Afghanistan. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/9 "2011-01-24T14:08:38Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Not bases, but I remember that at some point after 9/11, some european countries (I’m pretty sure it included Germany) had planes deployed in the USA to protect its airspace, in replacement of American airforces deployed elsewhere. > > However, I can’t remember in what instance. Possibly at the beginning of the operations in Afghanistan. Not sure if this is correct. But there is a Luftwaffe training training center at Holloman AFB in New Mexico. [Link](http://www.militaryaircraft.de/pictures/AFB-Holloman/AFB-Holloman.html) ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/10 "2011-01-24T14:43:02Z")
This is a hijack, but the UK is not really a superpower (even if this sometimes appears hard to swallow to the British post-imperial collective psyche). Major power maybe, and also a nuclear power, but it takes more than that to qualify as a superpower, even though there is no clear-cut yes/no definition of what a superpower is. The term was (AFAIK) first use for the USA and the USSR during the Cold War, and common wisdom has it that with the collapse of the Communist bloc the US remained as the only superpower. Common wisdom also has it that you have at least one, maybe two, emerging superpowers in Asia. But surely the UK has nowhere near the political, military, or economic influence in the world as the US. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/11 "2011-01-24T16:53:05Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Not bases, but I remember that at some point after 9/11, some european countries (I’m pretty sure it included Germany) had planes deployed in the USA to protect its airspace, in replacement of American airforces deployed elsewhere. Cite? I have no recollection of this at all, and if it’s true I’d like to know. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/12 "2011-01-24T16:55:59Z")
> [@automagic](#): > > I am an ignorant american. What does “cheeky” mean in this context? And what is a pillac? How about " a bit of a faff later"? It means Kimstu was being cheeky (fresh, smartassed, wiseassed,etc). ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/13 "2011-01-24T17:05:08Z")
> [@anson2995](#): > > Cite? I have no recollection of this at all, and if it’s true I’d like to know. After 9/11, several NATO countries sent AWACS aircraft to the US to assist in airspace patrols. See [Operation Eagle Assist](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Eagle_Assist). ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/14 "2011-01-24T17:11:56Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > > [@Kimstu](#): > > > > No. Any country wishing to establish a military base on US soil would have to either: > > > > a) defeat the US in war and make the military bases part of the terms of surrender; or > > > > b) receive permission from the US government to do so. > > :rolleyes: Duh. > > The OP is asking if ‘b’ has happened. I know. The first word of my post (which was quoted in your own post) answered the OP’s question. > [@Philster](#): > > It means Kimstu was being cheeky (fresh, smartassed, wiseassed,etc). Not me; it was **Pushkin** in post #3 who gave the self-described “cheeky” answer. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/15 "2011-01-24T17:13:58Z")
The closest thing I know of is the NATO-Partnership for Peace exercises that are conducted in Fort Polk, Louisiana. Thousands of troops from many different countries learn to work together jointly through a realistic war simulation on U.S. soil. There have been several of these since 1995 but foreign soldiers aren’t stationed there the rest of the time. ---
**Author:** ![tingbudong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tingbudong/32/520_2.png) [@tingbudong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tingbudong)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/16 "2011-01-24T19:28:36Z")
While it is hardly a foreign military base, there is a NORAD contingent of Canadian Forces personnel stationed at McChord Airforce Base in Washington State. They’ve got their own little section of a building which I visited when I was an Air Cadet. I won’t got as far to say it’s pernament, as I’m not sure if they are there now. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/17 "2011-01-24T20:35:53Z")
My brothers also mentioned to me their surprise at seeing foreign soldiers at various bases within the US. Though apparently, this is more of a “The US will help your military, friendly country, by letting your officer cadre filter through our system to see how we do it” then a foreign base, by any measure. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/18 "2011-01-24T21:55:30Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > After 9/11, several NATO countries sent AWACS aircraft to the US to assist in airspace patrols. See [Operation Eagle Assist](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Eagle_Assist). Consider my ignorance fought. Thanks, Friedo. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/19 "2011-01-24T22:20:37Z")
Singapore seems to have a number of its aircraft stationed permanently in the US: > **[Republic of Singapore Air Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Singapore_Air_Force)** > > The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is the aerial service branch of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) responsible for controlling and defending the airspace of the country, and providing air support to the Army and Navy. It was established in 1968 as the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC) before renaming to its current name in 1975. > As one of the larger and more technologically advanced air forces in Southeast Asia, the RSAF has undertaken a significant role in Singapore's military d... > [@](#): > > Due to severe airspace constraints within Singapore, the RSAF operates its aircraft at several overseas locations in order to provide greater exposure to its pilots. With the F-16C/D Fighting Falcons, KC-135R Stratotankers, AH-64D Apaches and CH-47SD Chinook helicopters based in the USA, the Marchetti S-211s, PC-21s, and Super Puma helicopters in Australia, and the TA-4SU Super Skyhawks in France, almost one third of the force’s inventory is based outside Singapore. Not quite a base, though. - Dr. Strangelove ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713/20 "2011-01-25T02:59:36Z")
I recall that during my training at Ft. Sam Houston in the mid-80s I would spot various non-US uniform patterns every now and then around the mess hall. > [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Not quite a base, though. Right. We allow components of various allied forces the use of facilities _at **American** bases_ as parts of Joint Operations/Commands, as elements temporarily “attached” to some US unit for training or specific-mission purposes, as temporary guest/tenant in US facilities for their own training purposes, or for port-of-call/airspace overflight/landing privileges and the such, with reciprocity being part of the deal. And I believe many militaries that deploy far from home on a “peacetime” footing, even ours, work more under that model – far cheaper than a full fledged extraterritorial base. AFAIK for the NATO nations other than the US, permanent full-blown extraterritorial bases are very few outside of the NATO zone itself and the current war/police action zones (Gulf/Iraq, Afghanistan, Balkans), or places like Lebanon where the operation is UN or otherwise multinationally flagged. Mostly would be in the overseas dependencies of those countries that still have any, and maybe an odd UK or French one in one or another former colony. The US does have by far the most true overseas bases, yet even these days we do the “Joint Ops” thing if feasible. Russia DOES retain full-fledged bases and even major commands (e.g. Black Sea Fleet) at locations in various of the former Soviet republics. China has no known bases overseas. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-military-bases-in-the-us/568713.md?page=2)