US States IMPOSSIBLE To Invade

As a nation, the United States stands resolute,  even if all of the country's enemies raised their forces and struck simultaneously. The vast  resource is formidable. Military and resilient spirit of the nation would undoubtedly prevail  as a whole.

The U. S. is nigh on unenviable, but that's the important part only as a whole. 

But what about the individual states? How would they fare in the face of an invasion? Today we're going to find out which U.

S. state would be the most vulnerable in the face  of a modern invasion, and which would stand as an impenetrable bastion. There are virtually  no lists discussing the hardest U.

S. states to invade that don't rank this noncontiguous  U. S.

state, at least near the top and for good reason. Alaska's location in the far northwest of  North America provides a formidable defense. Its rugged terrain thousands upon thousands of  miles of icy landscapes and vast, uninhabited expanses creates natural fortifications that  would challenge even the most determined invader.

The state's freezing temperatures, which once  reached nearly 80 degrees below zero Fahrenheit or 62 degrees below zero Celsius in Prospect Creek,  serve as an additional deterrent, making any attempted invasion a perilous endeavor. That's not  to mention how challenging getting the invasion forces to Alaska would be in the first place. Most of the 34,000 miles of Alaska's shorelines are virtually impossible to land on.

At the same  time, any ground invasion would have to go through the 1450 mile long Canada Alaska border, which  features some of the wildest and most challenging terrain in North America. Simply put, invading  Alaska would be a logistical nightmare. But for argument's sake, let's say the invading force does  get through the rugged terrain and icy weather.

Somehow. What will wait for them on the other  side is a rather robust military presence, with over 665,000mi² of land, but only 733,000  inhabitants. Alaska is the most sparsely populated state in the U.

S. . However, this also means  that it has the second highest concentration of military servicemen in the U.

S. , with 20,757  active duty service members and another 7266 National Guard and Reserve members. There are also nine military bases based in Alaska.

Clean Air Force Station, base in  Denali Borough, USCG Juneau Coast Guard Base, in Juneau. Marine Safety unit, Valdez.  Coast Guard Base in Valdez ISK Kodiak, Coast Guard base, in Kodiak Island.

Fort  Greely Army base, Eielson Air Force Base, and Fort Wainwright Army Base, all near or  in Fairbanks, and the Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson in Anchorage at Fort Greely. The Army houses the ground based Midcourse Defense anti-ballistic missile system, making Alaska one  of only two U. S.

states to possess such a crucial defense capability. This major component of the  U. S.

missile defense strategy enhances Alaska's own defenses, which are already formidable.  Fairbanks, where Fort Greely is located, is also one of the top defense spending locations  in Alaska, with $451. 4 million spent in 2022.

While Anchorage accounts for about a quarter of  the state's $4 billion defense spending in 2022. Besides the heavily fortified military bases,  Alaska boasts quite a few forts that can be used as defensive strongholds. These include  Fort Hall, located on the Kenai Peninsula, and Fort Abercromby on Kodiak Island. 

As you can see, Alaska is a heavily fortified hub that can withstand an intense  and prolonged invasion attempt on its own. But that's just the thing. Alaska would have to  do it mostly on its own, just as the enemy forces would have a hard time reaching the state. 

Any reinforcements and resources would also face significant challenges due to the state's  isolation. Since Alaska shares no land border with the US, the only four interstates in the  state A1, A2, A3 and A4 are severely limited in their reach and connectivity, and that's why  Alaska doesn't actually claim the title of the hardest U. S.

state to invade on our list. The next state will discuss certainly has no issues with connectivity. One of the busiest  interstates in the U.

S. , I-95 hugs its southern coast. Does that advantage make it one of the most  difficult to invade?

Let's head to Connecticut and find out. In addition to I-95, Connecticut  is served by five more interstates I-84 and I-90 one I2 91, I3 84, and I6 91. Connecticut's strategic location in the Northeast Corridor also provides it with access to  major urban centers like New York City and Boston, further enhancing its logistical advantages. 

Unfortunately, that's about it for Connecticut. The 48th smallest U. S.

state has only  four major military installations, with only two of them being traditional military  bases. The Marine Safety Center, Marine Base, and the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton. The remaining two, the Coast Guard Academy in New London and the Research and Development  Center Coast Guard in Groton do contribute to Connecticut's defense, but focus more on  training and research rather than active military operations.

And in fact, the U. S. Army,  Navy, and Marine Corps all have precisely zero bases in the state of Connecticut.

Nature  is also not much of a help when it comes to defending the state of Connecticut. Sure, there are some natural barriers, like the Connecticut River, which cuts through  the center of the state, and the Bear Mountain, which is some 20 300ft in elevation. However,  these features are relatively minor compared to the more substantial geographical defenses  found in other states.

Connecticut is also the fourth most densely populated state in  the U. S. , which makes any defense logistics planning a lot more complicated.

All right, it's not looking great for Connecticut in the event that they're  invaded. But to be fair, Connecticut seems to be well aware of its shortcomings, which is  why the state has seen the highest increase in Department of Defense spending in 2022. The state  ranked among the top ten spenders for the year, with $22.

3 billion spent primarily in three  locations New London, Hartford and Fairfield. This willingness to invest more in defense  has saved Connecticut from being ranked as the easiest U. S.

state to invade on our list. Though  Connecticut is escalating its military spending, it's still far from matching the next state.  We'll discuss it.

California with $56. 2 billion spent on defense in 2022, more than twice that  of Connecticut. California ranks as the third biggest spender in the US, given the sheer number  of defense contractors, research institutions and military bases located in California.

This figure shouldn't be surprising in terms of contract spending. As much as $11. 9 billion  was spent just in San Diego in 2022.

San Diego is where some of the largest U. S. military  installations are based.

The installations in question are the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base,  with over 42,000 active duty military personnel, and the San Diego Naval Base with  over 24,000 military personnel. But these two military bases are only  a tiny fraction of California's insane military presence. In fact, the state is ranked  number one for the total number of military bases within a single state.

Some of these bases  include the Sierra Army Depot, Army Base, and along the Military Ocean Terminal. Concord  Navy Base in Concord, Los Alamitos joined forces in Los Alamitos camp San Luis Obispo Army base  in San Luis Obispo, camp Robert's army base in Monterey, Los Angeles, the Air Force base in  El Segundo, Edwards Air Force Base in Edwards, and Fort Irwin Army Base in Barstow. And that's not even all of them.

As you can see, if an invasion of the state was ever attempted,  California appears more than ready for the challenge. This readiness is also the result  of the highest number of active duty personnel stationed within a single state, with 158,784  troops. If more troops or equipment are necessary, they can arrive in California hassle free.

After all, almost 30 interstates crisscross the state, providing a seamless network  for rapid troop movements and logistical support, including major thoroughfares like I-5, I-10,  and I-15. The same goes for the many coastal bases that enable quick naval and Air Force  deployment. However, California's 840 mile Coast can be seen as a disadvantage, while the rest  of the state's geography, which includes both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous  US Mount Whitney and Death Valley respectively, mostly works in its favor.

The easily accessible coastline introduces numerous defense vulnerabilities. That's why  California, despite all its military might, isn't ranked number one on our list of the hardest  U. S.

states to defend. Speaking of military might, that's precisely what the next U. S. 

state will examine. LAX. With only 290 active duty personnel stationed in  the state, Vermont has one of, if not the weakest military presences in the entire U.

S. . It doesn't get better when discussing the total number of military bases available in the state. 

There are only two. One is located in Burlington and the other in Northfield, and they both  housed the Vermont Air National Guard. The biggest threat the last base poses is that  it houses the 158th Fighter Wing, which was the first Air National Guard unit to serve as  home to the F-35a lightning two fighter jets, aka the world's most advanced combat aircraft.

However, that's pretty much where the military and technological achievements of Vermont end in 2022.  This state was ranked last by the Department of Defense based on defense spending. Only about  $600 million was spent for these purposes, with 90% going to equipment and supplies. 

In terms of defense personnel locations, Chittenden in northwest Vermont  had the most significant presence with $276. 7 million spent on defense contracts  and $130. 2 million spent on personnel.

Since Vermont would be in desperate need of more  troops and equipment in case of an invasion, it's worth examining the state's connectivity network.  In a word, this network can be described as poor. Only four interstates serve the state.

I-80, nine,  I-91, I-93, and a small segment of I1 89. These highways, while crucial for regional travel,  do not provide the extensive infrastructure necessary for rapid, large scale troop movements  or the transport of heavy military equipment. Additionally, Vermont's rural and mountainous  terrain further complicates logistics, making it challenging to quickly mobilize and support  military forces within the state.

This terrain, however, can be somewhat of a lifeline to Vermont  in case of an invasion, especially when you consider how well Vermont's militia has adapted  to these conditions. Remember, this wouldn't be the first time guerrilla warfare managed  to successfully repel an invading force. So although Vermont ranks last on many national  lists, it doesn't rank last among our easiest states to invade.

While Vermont may see  some immense benefits from its geography, our next state does as well. So let's go  to the state that you may be surprised to learn has arguably the most natural defenses  of any state in the country. Virginia.

To the west there are the Appalachian Mountains,  which are legendary in their own right. The dense forests and rugged terrain of the Appalachians  are ideal for defense strategies and guerrilla tactics, providing ample cover and challenging  pathways for enemy movements. Additionally, the Shenandoah Valley, nestled within the  Appalachians, serves as a natural corridor that can be easily defended.

Similarly, the  Chesapeake Bay, located to the east, offers extensive river systems that can be strategically  used to control access and movement. That's why it shouldn't be surprising this  bay houses quite a few historical forts, such as Fort Wall, which could be used to  bolster defensive efforts. The entire 7213 mile long coastline is fortified by naval bases  and ports, creating a virtually impenetrable shield.

Speaking of military bases, Virginia  has dozens of them ranging in the top five of US states in this category. More importantly, Virginia is home to the country's largest military base,  the Naval Station Norfolk, which houses over 82,000 military personnel. Other notable  bases distributed across all military branches include the Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico  in Quantico, Fort Belvoir Army Base in Fairfax, Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, NAS Oceana  Naval Base in Virginia Beach, and the National Maritime Center Coast Guard in Arlington.

Besides an impressive number of military bases, Virginia also boasts a significant number  of active duty troops 125,162 to be precise, according to these 2022 estimates. Virginia is  second only to California. However, when it comes to military spending in 2022, Virginia comes on  top.

But Virginia doesn't just trump California in military spending. It trumps all the US  states. With $62.

7 billion spent in 2022. Almost 10% of its state gross domestic product, or  GDP. Virginia demonstrates unparalleled commitment to national defense.

Approximately 26% of  this figure was allocated to equipment and technological advancements, with as many as eight  cities scoring defense contracts worth at least $1 billion. Those eight cities are as follows  Fairfax with $17. 8 billion.

Arlington with $4. 4 billion. Newport News City at $3.

6 billion. Norfolk at $3. 2 billion.

Virginia Beach City at $2. 2 billion. Prince William at $2.

1  billion. Alexandria City at $1. 7 billion.

And Loudon with $1. 2 billion. Of course, all  these figures are warranted given that the headquarters of the very epicenter of the U.

S.  military strategy and operations, the Pentagon, is located in Arlington County. Though  there are a few reasons for this, Virginia's strategic location is chief among them.

You see, Virginia is located within easy reach of important military defense hubs thanks to major  transportation networks. As many as 16 interstate routes crisscross the state, facilitating rapid  movement of troops and equipment. These routes include I-64, I-66, and I-95, which connect  Virginia with key military installations and supply routes across the eastern Seaboard and  beyond.

As impressive as Virginia is, it lacks the sheer resilience and tradition of disaster  preparedness that our number one choice has. But before we reveal the hardest U. S.

state  to invade, let's spend some more time on the opposite end of the spectrum. Among the states  that, while vital in other respects, simply don't offer the same level of defense against  potential invasion. Delaware might be known as a financial services hub, but it certainly doesn't  match up when it comes to defensive capabilities in the entire 20 500mi² of Delaware.

There's only one major military base, the Dover Air Force Base in Dover. This  means there are no Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard bases in the state. Approximately  3339 military personnel are assigned to this base, which is 96.

6% of all active duty soldiers in  the state, according to 2022 estimates. Delaware doesn't excel in technological capabilities  either. The 2022 military budget saw only $700 million spent on defense, with only 11%  of it going to supplies and equipment.

These funds were distributed among three  locations New Castle, Kent and Sussex, with the third one receiving only a tiny fraction  of the total budget compared to the first two. But the lack of technological capabilities  isn't the only aspect that makes Delaware vulnerable. A lack of significant natural  barriers, flat terrain and high population density also contribute to that vulnerability.

With this in mind, it shouldn't be surprising that this second smallest state in the  US could be invaded relatively easily. The only saving grace for Delaware is its  proximity to major metropolitan areas, which could potentially facilitate a rapid  response or intervention from nearby states, potentially via one of the three interstates  in the state I-95, I-295, and I-495. The same can't be said for the weakest state on our list,  which is located further away to the northeast, but we won't travel there just yet.

For now, we'll travel in the opposite direction on the map, the southwest, to  reveal the state we deem the hardest to invade in the US. If you know anything about  the US's history, geography, and military, you probably won't be surprised by our number  one pick. It's the one and only Texas trying to invade the Lone Star State would probably be  the biggest mistake any adversary could make.

Why? Because there isn't a single aspect that  works against the formidable defenses of Texas, which is well on its way to becoming the most  powerful state in the entire U. S.

. Let's look at some facts. Texas has a robust military presence,  with 112,583 active duty personnel recorded in 2022.

Add the reservists in and you have 177,072  people ready to defend Texas to the bitter end. These servicemen are deployed across dozens  of military bases, two of which rank among the top ten largest military installations in the  world. The bases in question are the Fort Hood Army base in Killeen, with over 70,000 military  personnel, and Fort Bliss Army Base in El Paso, with over 20,000 servicemen.

However, the U. S.  Army isn't the only branch present in Texas.

One of the favorite states for the military so are  the US Navy and Air Force. Here's a quick overview of the major bases in this military powerhouse.  San Antonio, renowned for its strong military presence, is home to several critical bases  Martindale Army Airfield, Army Base, Camp Bullis Army Base, Lackland Air Force Base, Brooke City  Air Force Base, and Fort Sam Houston Army Base.

And there's many, many other notable bases  to Texas, is also heavily investing in its defense infrastructure, reflecting its strategic  importance. The 2022 $58 billion military budget focused primarily on equipment and supplies,  with 68% spent in this area. Meanwhile, 26% went to the servicemen and 6% to research  and development.

As much as $18. 6 billion in defense contracts was allocated to Tarrant  County, the home of Fort Worth, famous for its aviation and aerospace industries. Though Texas doesn't lack any military force, any additional forces and equipment  could reach the state swiftly thanks to its central location.

Served by over  20 interstates. There's also terrain diversity, from rugged hills and vast deserts to dense  forests and sprawling plains. Each region presents a unique challenge for the invading forces through  the three rivers forming natural state borders the Rio Grande, Red River, and Sabine River.

And it becomes obvious that Mother Nature contributed to Texas being a virtually impregnable  fortress against any would be invaders. And let's not forget about the size of Texas at 268,820mi².  Texas is the second largest U.

S. state, behind only Alaska. So even without all the  military bases, personnel, and technology, the sheer expanse of the Lone Star State  would make it nearly impossible to invade.

And quickly subdue. Though, let's be honest,  even if there was no military, the citizens of Texas might rise to defend the state on their  own. Which brings us to the last reason why this state is ranked number one.

Texas pride. While  this metric admittedly can't be measured as accurately as military might and natural barriers,  it's a force to be reckoned with nonetheless. Texas pride is a powerful, unyielding  sentiment that binds the state's residents together with an almost mythic sense of duty  and resilience.

Captured in two simple words Texas forever. State pride is also precisely  what the weakest state on our list misses, according to many polls. Well, pride and quite  a few other crucial defense aspects.

The less than flattering title of the easiest U. S.  state to invade belongs to Rhode Island.

Why? Simply put, everything about Rhode  Island is small. At 1214mi².

Rhode Island is the smallest U. S. state, instantly making  it an easy target.

The state only has around 3000 active duty personnel, which is a fraction  compared to numbers found in most other states. There are only three military bases, none of  them representing the Army or the Air Force. One among them, the station Point Judith,  USCG.

Narragansett uses only 30 people and a few boats to conduct operations in almost  70 miles of coast. There are also only three interstates crisscrossing the state. I-95  I 195, and I 295, which leaves minimal routes for rapid deployment and defense  reinforcements.

And finally, Rhode Island's military budget for 2022 was $1. 6 billion. Only 23% of which was spent on equipment.

The largest chunk of this money was invested in a  single city, Newport, leaving the rest of Rhode Island to rely on limited resources and minimal  infrastructure. Other aspects of Rhode Island's geography would also do little to help it repel  an invasion on its own. The state is mostly flat, with Jeremy Hill and only 812ft above sea  level, serving as its highest natural point.

Also, virtually the entire Rhode Island can  be quickly reached from the water's edge, allowing a would be invader to easily  approach from multiple directions. In approximately 45 minutes, an invading force  could traverse the states entire perimeter, overwhelming its spare defenses and swiftly  establishing control. There are few, if any, natural barriers to slow them down.

Luckily, this  is all theoretical, and our ocean state likely won't have to deal with any similar scenarios. But what do you think? Are the easiest and hardest U.

S. states to invade? Was our list accurate? 

Share all your thoughts, opinions, and additions in the comment section below and as always,  thanks for watching and take care out there.