(Army) Ok, now we're talking it's an outdoorsman's paradise. Pensacola Florida Military Bases. Keep in mind its very competitive to get stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson but savor the opportunity if it presents itself. Global Firepower tracks total air service strength for each national power taken into consideration for the annual GFP ranking. This is the lowest enlisted rank and includes airman basic (Air Force), private (Army and Marine Corps), seaman recruit (Coast Guard and Navy), fireman recruit, airman recruit or hospitalman recruit (Navy) and specialist 1 (Space Force). Air Force BMT Prep Guide eBook available NOW: https://www.airmanvision.com/store/air-force-bmt-prep-guide What are the top 5 stateside Air Force bases in you. Related: Five worst Navy bases where you can be stationed . 1. Your email address will not be published. The constant rainfall makes the entire region green and lush year-round. I turned town an assignment to Eielson for Andersen.. got rewarded with an assignment to Minot afterwards.. Located some 80 miles away from London and much closer to Cambridge (some 25 miles) this area features towns with populations up to 10,000 and there are many things to do in the local area. ", 3. Word has it that the family-friendly community here is so good that you dont just cry when you get there, you cry when you leave, too. The base's commissary is small, its only medical facility is a clinic, and its small exchange is just a shoppette. He was also one of the first enlisted members in the Air Force to experience working with near real time satellite imagery. Keep in mind that you may not get anything on your list (my wife and I didn't). While in the military, he spent time analyzing imagery from a variety of aircraft such as the SR-71. Overall, it seems that everyone enjoyed their time at Kadena, despite some of the drawbacks. Considering the number of advanced aircraft with large personal strength and the future fleet of IAF, it is one of the most powerful and best air forces in the world. The summers are upward of 100 degrees. (tied) Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. "A lot of people have to have roommates just to not live in a bad area, which Columbus, Mississippi, has many of," Do said. Vacation. And if you like to unwind from desert combat training by driving into more desert to shoot more guns and drive more off-road vehicles, then Fort Irwin is your paradise.Surprise silver lining: The Barstow Tanger Outlets offer soldiers the chance to buy their Air Jordans on discount so they can wear them to Shock Wave, the on-base night club that shows UFC fights without cover and serves food that is not half bad, hit or miss, and meh, according to Yelp! If want to live off base, keep in mind the cost of living is high for junior enlisted families in particular, but youll likely find yourself in gorgeous historic neighborhoods. Here are the top 10 US military base towns overseas. Related Article Pros and Cons of joining the Air Force. If you love the water, youll love it here. Service members also have the choice of journeying north to Alburqurqe and many destinations in Colorado for extended leave vacations. Dyess AFB is located in West-Central Texas on the outskirts of the city of Abilene. 7. Joint Base San Antonio is in the suburb of Lackland, Texas. Oh, and you can walk on the ferry for free to go to Seattle! Dayton also supports its military demographic with plenty of exclusive discounts and promotions for service members and families. If youve always wanted to have the island experience without feeling trapped on the actual island, living in the Keys is the closest you can get to that opportunity. Base: Cannon Air Force BaseUnlucky call sign: AfcannonstanWhy it's not great: Blame the fact that Clovis is more West Texas than New Mexico, that there are limited on-base amenities, or that its completely surrounded by cattle farms and dairies; but airmen know Clovis as a remote base town memorable for the wafting smell of cow manure and the downright biblical wave of pestilence known as fly season.Most common escape: Lubbock and Amarillo, Texas, are the two closest cities, but we cant bring ourselves to see how this is a good thing -- unless you enjoy taking down 72oz of free steak in an hour. It's a very depressed social and economic area. Look at what matters most to you, and then research if those amenities and interests are present in the duty station location. South Korean Air Force - 898. Housing on post often has long waitlists and living off base means more crime. Compared to the other bases on this list, Hanscom is in an area with good schools and low crime. Egyptian Air Force - 1,062. But the area's high cost of living and housing prices partly because it is about a 25-mile drive from Boston landed Hanscom in the bottom five. Pacific Fleet. You have to shop using the Euro. Unlike many other military bases, this one has a great cost of living its actually 18% lower than the U.S. national average. So it is best to be prepared. United Airlines. The year-round sunny weather. On base, youll enjoy access to a private, lifeguarded beach. It's a great base to live on whether you're single, married, or have kids, as there's a lot to do in your downtime. For those who are vegetarian, Godspeed. In fact, one airman told us that he learned how to cook at Cannon since there werent any good restaurants. Those that prefer a small town or rural lifestyle can find plenty of housing in the area for their families. Creating a list of the best Air Force bases in the nation is not an easy task. MacDill AFB is another prime location for the single crowd. Best area perk? Enjoy one of our high quality American, State . Eating organic and local has never been easier, which is great news for anyone who has watched any documentary on factory farming, ever. Its a great base for singles because of its proximity to downtown San Antonio and Austin which are paradises for this type of crowd. You are forced to travel to an Army base an hour and a half away to go to the commissary or shop. Oh, and theres also that small thing about the contaminated drinking water.Most common escape: Although theres basically nothing to do in Jacksonville except get a fresh tattoo or payday loan, Wilmington is just an hour away, Myrtle Beach is a little over two, and Nicholas Sparks lives nearby where he pens novels for your romantic escapism, I mean, for your reading pleasure. It is in Burlington County, New Jersey which might not sound all that terrific for young couples but keep in mind its proximity to New York City and Philadelphia. Grand Forks Air Force Base is a hidden gem in North Dakota. Below, we rounded up the best military bases categorized by interests. The one that turned Matt Damon into a bad guy? To come up with a school quality score, we used the website GreatSchools.com, a respected resource for ranking and comparing schools used by real estate agents and real estate websites such as Zillow and Realtor.com. Outdoor activities are also abundant given all the natural features in the area. Whats your dream duty station and why? Schriever AFB is among several USAF bases in the Colorado Springs metropolitan. Single life has its advantages and disadvantages. Having an open mind and a willingness to explore on and off base will make your duty station experience all the better. This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. The Air Force also offers multiple programs for tuition assistance to airmen. But that food is much more expensive than junk food, he said, meaning he sometimes has to make a choice between eating healthily and making ends meet. Base: Naval Air Station LemooreUnlucky call sign: Armpit of the Navy -- supposedly because of the smell and air qualityWhy it's not great: Never heard of Lemoore? The next most important categories crime, health care facilities, commute times and exchanges were doubled in value. The average commute in the Washington area is roughly half an hour, and hits nearly 40 minutes in the area right around Bolling well longer than the average 25-minute commute nationwide. This is where NORAD and USAFA is located. And Do said the Basic Allowance for Housing in the Columbus area he gets $807 a month is far too low for airmen to live on. The former England Air Force Base in Alexandria, Louisiana was the most severely contaminated place we visited, with 10,970,000 parts per trillion of PFAS in the groundwater. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Check out online forums like Reddit for open discussions. On base, youll find everything from medical care to housing to take care of your daily needs, and off base youll discover a world rich in music, French culture, and history that cant be found elsewhere. The military base has multiple things going for it as mentioned above. 5. You also wont be far from beautiful natural attractions like the Florida Keys and the Everglades. Base: Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine PalmsUnlucky call sign: 29 Stumps or The StumpsWhy it's not great: Marines call The Stumps the place for the best training and arguably the worst social life. Do says that for airmen stationed in Columbus, it's tough to afford to eat healthily and stay fit. Upon landing, assuming you dodged the tornado, you can find exactly one Applebee's to toss your 51-dollar per diem at. Luke Air Force Base has an excellent location west of Glendale and the greater Phoenix metro area. Colorado Springs is also home to the scenic Air Force Academy and right along the southern edge of the Rocky Mountains. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kirby Turbak. The UK Royal air force is also referred to as the Royal Air Force and it boasts of over 890 aircraft and a large number of workers, making it Europe's largest air force. But until that day of reckoning comes, feel free to bribe whoever is in charge of selecting assignments to avoid these locales and avoid hating the duration of your contract. Best area perk? Marine Crops photo by Cpl. A enlisted thinktank brought to you by Task & Purpose. Nearby towns include: Special Report: The top 5 best bases for airmen. And since that Canadian border is only 30 minutes away, youre never in short supply of maple syrup.Surprise silver lining: The way to survive Fort Drum is to bundle up, get outside, and start adding ice to the front of all your favorite activities: ice fishing, ice climbing, ice walking, ice dining. The base is rural yet only about an hour from London as well as other countries in the area like Scotland. All air force and military bases are not made the same. San Antonio is one of the most underrated cities in the United States with mild year-round temperatures, entertainment options, and a thriving nightlife. The site has roots dating back to the Revolutionary War, and now hosts more than 700 Marines, sailors, and civilians. This is a large base that does not have a lot of Westernized shopping. The base is on the smaller side, so youll get a chance to know your fellow service members and their families well. | Some even deliver to your door. People's Liberation Army Air Force ( China) - 1991. A huge Navy exchange and commissary 100,000 square feet to be exact was built in 2011. When youre stationed in a stunning location like Hawaii, get outdoors as much as possible. Sometimes you end up drawing the short straw when it comes to military assignment locations. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. The scenery is not only gorgeous but the weather is decent (by Alaska standards) and wildlife is abundant. They have a DOD school that serves 9th-12th grade and recently built a new BX. Their rankings look at all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Craig currently resides in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and runs his own business. Langley AFB, VA Randolph AFB TX MacDill AFB, FL Charleston AFB, SC Patrick AFB, FL. This is a USAF KC-130 Tanker refueling 2 F-35's. The press is silent, and people don't know they're being poisoned. Fixed-wing and rotary-wing (helicopters) aircraft types are factored in from all branches of service (Air Force, Army Aviation, Navy, Marine). Cost of living and housing prices are through the roof around Los Angeles Air Force Base, helping to land it at the bottom of our list of Air Force bases. On your days off duty, you can explore more than 40 of the areas museums or take a history and heritage tour to learn about the rich culture that is NOLA. Minot is a missile base located in a desolate region of the least-populated, most-rural, least-visited state in America, so its pretty similar, dontchaknow. Members of the Air Force receive 30 days of vacation with pay each year. McGuire Air Force Base is part of joint base operations with the United States Air Force. Housing is also surprisingly affordable in parts of San Antonio and soldiers that are single will cherish the live music scene in nearby Austin. The coastal military base provides that Florida weather with plenty of charm. To compile our ranking of 68 Air Force bases, we collected and analyzed hundreds of pieces of information. Hanscom Air Force Base near Bedford, Massachusetts, has a lot going for it. Base: Fort BlissUnlucky call sign: Fort Piss, Hell PasoWhy it's not great: The base with the most misleading name, Fort Bliss is located in the border town of El Paso, Texas. There are 2,744 people assigned to Columbus, including 1,447 military service members, 598 contractors, and 472 civil servants. At Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Air Force and Army installations that merged in 2010 to form a single post, Task Force True North was recently created to address suicide, Air Force Col. Gregory Beaulieu, commander for the joint base, said in a statement Sunday. Bedford is a great place to raise children, said Lisa Pizarro, the school liaison officer at Hanscom. What someone that serves the military and is single wants is drastically different from a service member with a wife and kids. If you want to experience the culture, you will need to learn to drive on the opposite side of the road and cope with the narrow roadways. A well-guarded military base can imply that such areasincluding the nearby military townsare safe and secure. For a complete directory of U.S. and overseas military installations, visit the Department of Defense Military OneSource network. Savings may be hard to come by, as local shopping and driving are both very expensive. 6. When you arent working, swing by MWR to snag clearance tickets to Miami Dolphins games and other attractions like concerts, shows, and sports events in Miami. What are your hobbies? They simply said, "Do not come here!" What I am seeing from the majority of reviews indicates that Ramstein is very unsanitary. Being that its Los Angeles, and very close to LAX airport, its a fairly pricey area especially if you choose to live off post. Though the concept of moving to Alaska may overwhelm some families it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Lovely Fort Polk in blazing hot Louisiana is about as inviting as the mujahideen, unless youre a tropical disease virus. Published Jun 5, 2018 7:48 PM EDT. The veteran poverty rate is 15.1%, the eighth highest in the nation, and VA expenditures are among the 10 lowest cities. It is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters. However, what helps Guam is that its a territory of the United States with English as the predominant language. The 9 percent sales tax and 7.6 percent unemployment rate are also high. McConnell's crime score was 3 out of a possible 10, lower than the nationwide average score of 6. Republic of Korea Air Force. Just up the road from base youll find the beautiful Harborside Fountain Park with its waterside plaza where you can watch ferries depart to and from Seattle. The base often runs out of supplies at the PX and has been considered not family-friendly. Tyndall Air Force Base. And an Arlington, Virginia, house hits a punishing median cost of $583,400 well over triple the $170,100 median home cost nationwide. Kadena Air Base is another location in Asia to get lost in along with Guam. 2. "Everything closes early on base and around town. Fort Carson main gate. Operation Military Kids was founded to be a resource for teens and young adults who are interested in joining the military, but don't know where to begin. RAF Mildenhall (Air Force) Just a 45-minute drive to Cambridge, Suffolk is a quaint little village surrounded by cottages and castles straight out of a fairytale. According to some respondents, its an overly religious area with a high number of evangelical Christian churches. Best area perk? In the summertime, you can even hit the beach on the shores of Lake Ontario for some exciting ice swimming!!! In an interview, Debra Westervelt, Hanscom's capital asset manager, acknowledged that the Bedford housing market is "pretty tight," and said many airmen assigned there choose to live on base for that reason. As the second-oldest city in South Carolina, history lovers will adore Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort located 70 miles southwest of Charleston. This time, though, we wanted to know where they absolutely HATED being sent. What lifestyle amenities do you appreciate in your life now? While living on post is extremely safe the base is home to the Defense Intelligence Agency living off post is a different story. "You might be leaving, but you're always part of the community. Best reason to be stationed there: The . Though the weather isnt terrific its still a fantastic place to get stationed if you have to go outside the United States. There are tons of national parks, plus all the skiing and rock climbing you can . Russian Air Force - 3,863. According to Sperling's Best Places, average July temperatures in Wichita hit a scorching 93 degrees. Best area perk? The remote base is on the little island of Guam in the middle of nowhere on the Pacific. Off base housing is nice, but expensive. Nellis Air Force Base is right outside North Las Vegas need we say more? Learn more about Naval Air Station Pensacola here. Soldiers say the operational tempo is punishing, the single ladies are few, and the nearest town is 45 minutes away -- and that town is Barstow, CA, a place that frequently holds the title of meth capital of the world.Most common escape: Like many of the desert base towns on our list, Fort Irwin is located in the middle of nowhere but in the middle of everything. Big Bear, San Diego, Vegas, and LA are all within reach. Though military life is extremely hard on families there are thousands that make it work every year. American Airlines. 6. Related Article How To Join The US Air Force. Eglin Air Force Base. Melanye Martinez. Wichita, KA. Eglin Air Force Base is another excellent choice for military couples. In other words, Fayetteville is the awkward neighborhood kid surrounded by cooler, more beautiful neighbors in every direction (yes, even Myrtle Beach. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. *The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Best Military Bases OCONUS: Okinawa, Japan. You wont know how you like a place until you go it might be the best location the military could have ever picked for you. "For such a small base, we do have quite a lot of amenities," Oakes said. Shop here and skip paying sales tax on everything from electronics to groceries. Youll never regret a day at Lackland if you are single and looking to mingle. 10 Worst States for Military Veterans and Retirees 2022: Vermont; Nevada; District of Columbia; Oregon Sure, there are dozens of barbers that will give you a tight fade, but theres really nowhere to be off duty and allow your face to fade into a five oclock shadow. If youre getting ready to pick your dream list for your very first duty station, you may be a little unsure of what locations to choose for your top choices. Located just outside Abilene, Texas, Dyess Air Force base was voted the worst among Task & Purpose readers. You wont want to miss a minute of taking in the natural beauty of Hawaiis third-largest island. Southwest Airlines. air force bases ranked best to worst 2020 Publicado el 30 de junio, 2022 Autor tequila sword bottle. You will learn to hate this slice of northeastern sensibility located in the mystical hills of Jefferson, New York. Florida. And these were their picks for the Best Military Towns in America -- some truly beautiful parts of the country. Hurlburt Field. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Technically located in Belle Chasse, this joint station is bustling with activity that includes the Navy Reserve, Coast Guard, Marine Corps Reserve, and the Louisiana Air National Guard. The overseas location is also instrumental to military operations on the Western Pacific. The Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex (CMSC) is a 400-acre site near the base thats open daily for practice, including trap and skeet shooting. Most blame the misery on the humidity, the bugs, or the fact that chain gangs are not at all uncommon in this swampy, far-from-everything town.Most common escape: Lake Charles and Alexandria, both proper towns, are about an hour away. If that is not enough, consider that Elmendorf-Richardson has its own ski area. The military complex has a ton of history and its evolution has transformed into one of the largest bases in the world. Indian Air Force - 1,715. You'll find the living to be a bit of a slower pace, but there's plenty of opportunities to travel to the bigger UK cities as well as other destinations throughout Europe. Basic allowance for housing is nowhere near enough to foot the bill of an area that has a housing purchase median cost of $766,000. All Rights Reserved. So if youre unimpressed by Louisiana, at least you can benefit from some military-issued, updated hospitality. Typically, nothing is open in the city from noon to three. Here are the top Air Force bases in the nation: Located in St. Clair County, Illinois, Scott Air Force Base tops the list of the best Air Force Bases in the U.S. overall. At SOUTHCOM, you can expect to meet a lot of different people as its a joint base. Location: Bremerton, Bangor, and Keyport, Washington And with Vegas, Palms Springs, Lake Havasu, Big Bear, and Los Angeles all within a two- to three-hour drive, there really are lot of places to get away. Grand Forks AFB continuously ranks among the top 10 USAF bases in the United States. Related: What Is Accrued . Located in the southern part of Colorado Springs, this mountainous area is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. A ROKAF T-50 at the Singapore Air Show. The on-base amenities for Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi are disappointing. Its cheaper to live in the place you never wanted to! And sales taxes there are 7.15 percent, higher than the usual 6 percent. This is a large base that does not have a lot of Westernized shopping. For those that like to hunt and fish, there are plenty of outdoor activities. No more Tattoo Taboo: Air Force and Space Force to allow neck and hand tats, How will I do when that time comes? Thanks guys!). The median home cost there is a whopping $766,000. But he estimated food and housing expenses there were easily three to four times as much as in the Scott area. And at the end of each school year, Pizarro said, Bedford High School holds a party for students whose families are transferring away from Hanscom, which is attended by base leaders. There are no schools on base. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Junior sailors, geographical bachelors, and families can all find base housing here, too. Located in the middle of nowhere the Mojave Desert, 29 Palms is where tanks outnumber sedans and sunburns happen through car windows. "I also know that a lot of enlisted members have a second job to support their families.". Most families report that the base is a black hole that you never leave. While McConnell has a large commissary, its small medical clinic and disappointing base exchange also hurt the base's ranking. Why it's not great: The base with the most misleading name, Fort Bliss is located in the border town of El Paso, Texas. Aircraft types considered include fighters (multirole, interceptors . Do said Columbus' exchange is horrible, and he usually goes to Wal-Mart instead. For the most part, you will have to live off base and may feel that Italian houses are not up to par with Western style housing. The unassuming military base in small-town Illinois is a hidden gem based on those who have served at the location. If you love blues music and jazz history, delight in the fact that theres no shortage of that all around Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans. One review stated that the school system is out of date (but I am unsure as to what that means). We then assigned each category a score on a 10-point scale. Single soldiers, in particular, will love Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers (BOSS), an organization where soldiers can volunteer and participate in leisure activities together. Then look no further than the Sunshine State. This post is responsible for training all Air Force B-1 crews and is commonly referred to as the Home of the B-1. Residents report that the base is small and theres nothing to do in the area, unless you want to drive to Dallas or Houston. Related Article Top 15 Military Schools For Boys And Girls. And for how close it is to the water, youll probably be surprised by the low rates of living. Base: Fort DrumUnlucky call sign: Fort Drunk (due to the number of alcohol-related incidents on base in the 1990s)Why it's not great: As the old joke goes, Fort Drum has two seasons: winter and July. Joint Base San Antonio Lackland is such a great place to get stationed that it makes the list twice. Serving the United States Air Force could land you in one of these premium locations depending on what you are seeking during service. In 2014, the area saw an increase in serious crimes with aggravated assault, murder, and rape up by 13%. According to a new survey, about 1 in 25 adults say they recently fell asleep while driving. Learn more about Marine Corps Base Hawaii here. Dirty Myrtle has cleaned up its act in the past few years).Surprise silver lining: Besides offering easy access to both major cities and ocean views, Fayetteville might be the best place to further your education. Disappointing schools, higher-than-average crime rates, and high taxes combined to place McConnell Air Force Base, located near Wichita, Kansas, near the bottom of our list. Mountain Home, Idaho Whiteman, Missouri. As the Home of the Rugged Professional, this base is perfect for adventurous service members who dont mind the cold. We saw impoverished communities served by well water near that base. Based on Air Force Times research, these are the five least-popular bases from fifth worst to worst to be stationed in the Air Force: 5. The amenities at the military base are excellent and Colorado Springs is an excellent community to call home since so many residents are either active duty or retired military personnel. One review did happen to indicate that there is government housing, but there is usually a one to two-year wait. If you have time to research, do the following: The above list is by no means an exhaustive list of the potential options for duty stations. Youll have occasional lockdowns and curfews imposed, but most people seem to enjoy their time spent here. Ranking the premier Air Force bases in the United States is not an easy task as there are several worthy of top honors. You can increase your odds of success by helping your family relocate to a place with affordable housing, family-friend amenities, good schools, and low crime rates. Here are some of the best bases you will find overseas. Fayetteville is one of the few bases on our list thats located in an actual town, or as a Marine spouse in neighboring Camp Lejeune put it, at least they have a mall and a Discount Tire. Still, soldiers insist that the place reminds them of every combat zone the US has visited in the past four decades.Most common escape: Charleston, Wilmington, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Myrtle Beach are all within a couples of hours drive. Well send you our daily roundup of all our favorite stories from across the site, from travel to food to shopping to entertainment. The forts Southern gothic landscape matches its history as a prison. But Westervelt said if someone really wants an off-base home, her office can usually find something for them within 20 or 30 minutes of Hanscom. Required fields are marked *. Travis is in Solano County, California.