Fort Huachuca

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active

Overview

Fort Huachuca is located in Cochise County in southeastern Arizona, within the city of Sierra Vista, approximately 75 miles southeast of Tucson near the U.S.-Mexico border. Established in 1877 as a base for operations against the Apache and as a frontier cavalry post, it is one of the oldest continuously operating Army installations in the United States. Today Fort Huachuca is the Army’s center for intelligence and information operations, hosting the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE) and a major concentration of Department of Defense intelligence and communications capabilities.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Train Army Military Intelligence soldiers and leaders and serve as the Army’s center for intelligence, electronic warfare, and information operations.
Major Units: U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE); 11th Signal Brigade; 1st Intelligence Battalion; Military Intelligence Readiness Command (MIRC)
Tenant Units: Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) field elements; National Security Agency (NSA) elements; U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM); Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC); 111th Military Intelligence Brigade (USAR)

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Tucson, AZ — approximately 75 miles northwest; Sierra Vista is immediately adjacent to the installation
Nearest Commercial Airport: Tucson International Airport (TUS) — approximately 75 miles northwest; Sierra Vista Municipal Airport/Libby Army Airfield supports military and limited general aviation
Gate Access: Multiple access control points; 24-hour operations at main gates. Valid CAC, military ID, or visitor pass required. Visitors must present valid identification and be sponsored by an authorized person; visitor passes issued at designated Visitor Control Center. Some areas of the installation require additional access clearances.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 7,000-9,000
Family Members: Approximately 10,000-13,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 6,000-8,000 (including large contractor workforce supporting intelligence mission)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 25,000-30,000

Key Facilities

Medical: Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center — provides comprehensive primary care, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, and some specialty services; complex inpatient care referred to Tucson area civilian facilities
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary on post
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — full Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) main store, shopping mall-style exchange with food court and multiple retail outlets
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers; outdoor pools; tennis and basketball courts; golf course (Cochise Stronghold Golf Course); bowling alley; movie theater; youth sports programs; outdoor recreation rentals
Schools: DoDEA schools on post include Cochise Elementary School and Huachuca Mountain Elementary School; Buena High School and other Sierra Vista Unified School District schools serve older military children
Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers on post; School Age Services available; waitlists are common and early enrollment upon PCS orders is strongly recommended
Veterinary Services: Fort Huachuca Veterinary Treatment Facility — full-service clinic providing wellness exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and general care for privately owned pets of eligible beneficiaries; appointments required
Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Huachuca — provides legal assistance by appointment; powers of attorney, wills, consumer law, and tax assistance available; walk-in powers of attorney may be available on limited basis

Housing

On-Post Housing: Managed by Hunt Companies (formerly Actus Lonestar); neighborhoods include a mix of single-family homes and townhomes in varying sizes; generally in good condition with ongoing renovation programs
Average Wait Time: Varies by bedroom count and rank; typically several weeks to 2-3 months for most grades; some larger homes may have shorter waits
Off-Post Housing: Sierra Vista offers an affordable off-post housing market compared to most CONUS installations. Average rent ranges from approximately $1,000-$1,700/month for 2-3 bedroom homes or apartments. Bisbee, Tombstone, and surrounding communities also have rentals.
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Request a sponsor through gaining unit S1 upon receipt of orders; USAICoE schoolhouse and units maintain sponsorship programs.
In-Processing: Report to the Soldier and Family Readiness Center or designated in-processing location on first available duty day; in-processing typically takes 3-5 duty days covering medical, finance, housing, and clearance verification.
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Army Community Service EFMP office on post; Sierra Vista has specialized medical and educational support for special needs families; enrollment required prior to PCS; contact ACS early for Tucson-area resource referrals.

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Semi-arid high desert at approximately 4,600 feet elevation. Mild winters with occasional frost; warm to hot summers (highs in the 90s°F) with July-August monsoon season bringing afternoon thunderstorms. Generally sunny and pleasant year-round.
Cost of Living: Low to moderate — Sierra Vista is among the more affordable military communities in the American Southwest; housing, food, and services cost less than national average.
Nearby Attractions: Tombstone, AZ (“The Town Too Tough to Die”) — approximately 30 miles east; Kartchner Caverns State Park — approximately 45 miles northwest; Coronado National Memorial and hiking in the Huachuca Mountains; Bisbee historic mining town — approximately 25 miles southeast; birdwatching (Sierra Vista is world-renowned for birding).
Spouse Employment: Moderate employment opportunities in Sierra Vista; major employers include the installation itself, healthcare sector, retail, and education. The smaller community limits opportunities in some professional fields. Tucson offers broader options with a commute.

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/huachuca/
Main Installation Phone: (520) 533-2000 (Operator: 520-538-7111)
MWR Website: https://forthuachuca.armymwr.com/
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), Fort Huachuca — (520) 533-2024; located in the Family and MWR complex on post

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army Installation Management Command (home.army.mil/huachuca), USAICoE Public Affairs, Army Community Service Fort Huachuca; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law