Fort Huachuca

Camp Huachuca was built in 1877 to defend against the Chiricahua Apaches and to guard the Mexican border. It was renamed Fort Huachuca in 1882. Geronimo’s 1886 surrender ended the Apache resistance, but the fort remained because of its strategic location near the border.

From 1913 to 1933, Fort Huachuca was the home of the 10th Calvary Regiment. These African-American soldiers were nicknamed Buffalo Soldiers by Cheyenne warriors in 1867. The name expressed the tribe’s respect for the soldiers’ great fighting ability; it also referred to their curly dark hair that looked like the buffalo’s coat.

The fort was a supply base for General Pershing during his unsuccessful Mexican Expedition against Pancho Villa from 1916 to 1917. During this time, Colonel Charles Young was the base commander; he was the first African-American ever promoted to this rank. In 1933, the 10th Cavalry Regiment departed and the 25th Infantry Regiment took command.

During World War II, the African-American 92nd and 93rd Infantry Divisions trained at Fort Huachuca, including approximately 1,200 officers and 24,000 soldiers. In 1947, the Army closed the post and transferred ownership to the Arizona Fish and Game Department. As the Korean War began, the Air Force took possession in January 1951. Command returned to the Army, and the fort reopened in May for aviation engineer training. In 1953, it closed again.

In February 1954, Fort Huachuca began a new life when the Army opened its Electronic Proving Ground. Between 1960 and 1966, the Army Security Agency Test and Evaluation Center, the Combat Surveillance and Target Acquisition Training Command, and the Electronic Warfare School arrived. The U.S. Army Strategic Communications Command established its headquarters there in 1967; this is now the U.S. Army Communications Command. In 1984, the U.S. Army Systems Command headquarters opened. This has become the United States Army Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Army Signal Command.

In 1976, Fort Huachuca became a National Historic Landmark.

The population of Fort Huachuca is about 6,500 active duty members, 5,000 civilians, and 7,400 family members. It is one of the most active transient military installations, often having over 18,000 people on post during business hours.

Points of Interest at Fort Huachuca

Two museums are located on the post. Fort Huachuca Museum chronicles the U.S. Army’s history in the Southwest. The U.S. Army Intelligence Museum depicts the development of Army intelligence.

The post has all the usual military amenities, including housing, food courts, gas stations, credit union and commissary. The William Bliss Army Community Hospital is also there.

Other Nearby Points of Interest

Adjoining Fort Huachuca is the city of Sierra Vista, with a population of approximately 44,000. Public schools include six elementary schools, a middle school and a high school, in addition to private and charter schools. There are four universities, a community college and a public library.

Affordable housing is available in Sierra Vista, including apartments and houses for sale or rent. Furnished houses are available for short-term rentals, appropriate for temporary duty assignments. There are many motels in the area, with varying prices and amenities.

The canyons and mountains surrounding Sierra Vista provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, including bird watching, amateur astronomy, camping and hiking.

Major Units and Tenants

Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center (AATTC), Western Division
1st Battalion, 210th Aviation
11th Signal Brigade
111th Military Intelligence Brigade
Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM)
Electronics Proving Ground
Information Systems Engineering Command (ISEC)
Joint Interoperability Test Command
Libby Army Airfield
Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) Headquarters
United States Army Intelligence Center