Luke Air Force Base has an excellent location west of Glendale and the greater Phoenix metro area. We used formulas to convert the raw data from each category into a 10-point scale. Patrick Air Force Base. After McChord Air Force Base joined Fort Lewis in 2010, the military base has become one of the most sought after for both branches, especially singles. Everyone has to settle down eventually, right? Should you make a base of preference, that will be your assigned duty station for the next two years. ", 3. Related: Five worst Navy bases where you can be stationed . Learn more about Naval Air Station Key West here. 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. The 7 percent sales tax is higher than the nationwide average of 6 percent, and summer hits hard, averaging 92-degree temperatures in July. Housing is also surprisingly affordable in parts of San Antonio and soldiers that are single will cherish the live music scene in nearby Austin. Langley AFB, VA Randolph AFB TX MacDill AFB, FL Charleston AFB, SC Patrick AFB, FL. Its competitive to get stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson but worth giving it a shot. Creating a list of the best Air Force bases in the nation is not an easy task. In our survey, it ended up with one of the highest school rankings 8 out of 10 the lowest crime ratesreceiving 9 points out of 10, far greater than the nationwide average of 6 and lowest unemployment rates 3.9 percent compared with 6.1 percent nationally. "Everything closes early on base and around town. The massive base serves 20,000 American service members and families so youll never feel alone. Yet these are the top Air Force bases overseas relying on the same factors as the top-rated in the U.S.: Anderson AFB also serves as naval headquarters yet is largely considered the premier place to live and serve overseas in the USAF. Yeah, most havent. 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. *The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. It isnt technically an AFB, so they dont have the normal base facilities that you would typically see. As a service member, theres a good chance youre going to move around a lot. So even though the base may be a bust, it might just prompt enough personal growth to make a really excellent online dating profile. And sales taxes there are 7.15 percent, higher than the usual 6 percent. Located in Miami-Dade County, get an introduction to the melting pot that is nearby Miamis culture. 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. People's Liberation Army Air Force ( China) - 1991. The base's commissary is small, its only medical facility is a clinic, and its small exchange is just a shoppette. Colorado Springs is also home to the scenic Air Force Academy and right along the southern edge of the Rocky Mountains. This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. (tied) Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. Here are some of the worst overseas bases. It also may drain your bank account. Base: Fort Irwin National Training CenterUnlucky call sign: A string of expletives that we cannot repeatWhy it's not great: Fort Irwin is the vast desert training area for the Army, a severe and remote landscape that could easily double as the Mad Max set. Aircraft types considered include fighters (multirole, interceptors . Hurlburt Field. 10 Worst Cities. It is one of the finest Air Force bases in the country similar to Scott Air Force Base and Joint Base San Antonio Lackland because of low housing, superb medical facilities, and a large commissary. The commissary isnt great and the types of food are limited. With nearly 13,000 active duty members across the areas bases, youll meet people from all over the country if you get stationed here. Perhaps you parked in the By Located on the Canadian border, winters here are long and brutal as the snow piles up and temps dip down to thirty below. The towns where feral cats circled the moving van when they pulled in. A static Curtiss P-40E Warhawk is displayed outside of the front gate at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Nov. 3, 2020. 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. This is a USAF KC-130 Tanker refueling 2 F-35's. In other words, Fayetteville is the awkward neighborhood kid surrounded by cooler, more beautiful neighbors in every direction (yes, even Myrtle Beach. The program will embed 16 mental health providers with units across the base. On-base housing is privatized here and is open to active-duty families, DoD civilians, and active duty bachelors. With Duke and UNC (among other universities) nearby, you can get smarter while also becoming manically invested in March Madness. Global Firepower tracks total air service strength for each national power taken into consideration for the annual GFP ranking. Though Air Force bases are considered to be some of the best installations among all the services, the branch still has a number that fall below par. We searched for all rated schools within a 10-mile radius of each base and averaged their scores to come up with an overall school score. Melanye Martinez. A enlisted thinktank brought to you by Task & Purpose. Joint Base San Antonio is in the suburb of Lackland, Texas. Here are the five worst Air Force installations where you can be stationed, according to their responses. Military personnel get a discount, too. South Korean Air Force - 898. When looking at your options based on your position, think about what you love to do on your off-time. 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. Air Force Times evaluated statistics in a dozen categories: school quality, cost of living, housing costs, commissary size, base exchange size, size of on-base health care facilities, crime rates, commute times, pollution levels, climate, unemployment rates and sales taxes. Near Washington, D.C., Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is unpopular among airmen. Best area perk? 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. Nearby towns include: Off base, youll find nearby volcanoes to hike, waterfalls to swim in, and beach shores to surf along. Nearby Northern Virginia's schools are popularly known as among the best in the country, and some live up to that reputation. And the schools are middling, with average ranking of 5 within 10 miles. This is a large base that does not have a lot of Westernized shopping. The U.S.'s northern fortress of military strategic solitude, Minot Air Force Base, has long been a prime destination for career-ending mishaps. 7. Sometimes you end up drawing the short straw when it comes to military assignment locations. However, what helps Guam is that its a territory of the United States with English as the predominant language. In reality, it is where Marines go to learn to hate the Corps. There are just under 60 active U.S. Air Force bases in the country. Location: Bremerton, Bangor, and Keyport, Washington. Well send you our daily roundup of all our favorite stories from across the site, from travel to food to shopping to entertainment. The purpose of any great military base is to serve the country yet the location should also boost morale by offering amenities and other perks. Jul 23, 2014. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. Housing on base can be good, but inhabitants say it depends on a service members rank, and the D.C. school system has a less-than-stellar reputation. So we weighted each category. Best area perk? Being that its the only active-duty base in the Northeast, housing on post is limited, forcing service members and their families to live elsewhere. "I also know that a lot of enlisted members have a second job to support their families.". A ROKAF T-50 at the Singapore Air Show. Do said Columbus' exchange is horrible, and he usually goes to Wal-Mart instead. Ft Rucker/Ft McClellan, AL - These bases have long been on the BRAC closure list, not many gyms and mwr's on post. 6. 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. 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. These are the highest ranking Air Force bases for couples: Do you really need an excuse to live in Hawaii? While in the military, he spent time analyzing imagery from a variety of aircraft such as the SR-71. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. 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. 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. The weather is tropical yet really pleasant in the winters if youre not a fan of the cold or snow. Luke AFB is a major training facility for the military branch and has excellent amenities. Fort Bragg | Flickr/Dvidshub, badass psychedelic funhouses/art collectives, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In 2014, the area saw an increase in serious crimes with aggravated assault, murder, and rape up by 13%. "It's more of a celebration," Pizarro said. You are able to get gardeners and maids for a fairly cheap price to come clean and do yardwork once a week (about $50 for both). "It's easier sometimes to ask a friend to get you something when they are TDY.". As with virtually every other town on this list, Lemoore is almost indiscernible on a map. Its a great base to live on whether youre single, married, or have kids, as theres a lot to do in your downtime. Home of the Space and Missile Systems Center and the 61st Air Base Group, Los Angeles Air Force base is situated in El Segundo, California. Fort Polk resides in Louisiana where the hot summers and mosquito problems can make the area unpleasant. 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. The military site hosts the Royal Air Force but also supports U.S. personnel including the 48th Fighter Wing. Check out our list of the best Air Force bases to live on for couples, singles, and families. The 5th Civil Engineer Squadron removes snow from the flightline before a training sortie at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Jan. 14, 2016.U.S. While families may find Hawaii expensive and difficult to spend time with extended family, most military couples love getting stationed on one of the islands. Surfing, hiking, ziplining the list is endless. | If you have children, they will have to drive roughly an hour to the nearest international school. Copyright 2023 www.OperationMilitaryKids.org. One review did happen to indicate that there is government housing, but there is usually a one to two-year wait. 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. Wichita, KA. Additionally, the USAF maintains hundreds of military bases around the globe in more than 70 countries. Grand Forks Air Force Base is a hidden gem in North Dakota. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Travel comes easy as you can reach Japan and Korea in a few short hours. The nonprofit group America's Promise Alliance, which was founded by Colin Powell, has listed Bedford as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People five times. 1. Best Military Bases OCONUS: Okinawa, Japan. 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. For those that like to hunt and fish, there are plenty of outdoor activities. Nellis Air Force Base is right outside North Las Vegas need we say more? Unlike other services, where most complaints stem from life on and off post, most issues with the Air Forces bases come from being the cost of living in the areas and high rates of crime. Naval Base Kitsap . Not like you typically have a choice, but this list might help anyway. Thanks guys!). If you find yourself stationed on the beautiful island of Oahu, consider yourself among the lucky few who get this coveted duty station. One review compared it to Hawaii but without the crowds. They say there are two kinds of military towns: those that come ready-made and those you "make the most of." Joint Base San Antonio. The commissary isn't great and the types of food are limited. Finally the farther distance between 2 bases is about 219 miles which is well under most air force planes range capacity. What someone that serves the military and is single wants is drastically different from a service member with a wife and kids. Whether you take a trolley tour or explore on foot, the minute you step off Naval Air Station Key West, youll be greeted by colorful old Florida culture that cant be missed. From misplaced nuclear weapons to security forces losing grenades, this snowy wonderland has suck tattooed on its forehead. A few months back we asked current and former military personnel where in the US they most enjoyed being stationed, and why. Bedford is a great place to raise children, said Lisa Pizarro, the school liaison officer at Hanscom. 5. Housing is affordable with high-quality schools and excellent features on the base. A huge Navy exchange and commissary 100,000 square feet to be exact was built in 2011. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. At a mere 44 miles long, it can be easy to get island fever here if you arent actively seeking adventure while stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. San Antonio is one of the most underrated cities in the United States with mild year-round temperatures, entertainment options, and a thriving nightlife. We saw impoverished communities served by well water near that base. 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. Team Little Rock Airmen help landscape the dormitory parking lot for Dorm Transform at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas July 17, 2020. Jason Do has been stationed at Columbus for five years and called it "one of the worst bases" in the Air Force. There was one positive review that indicates that, for the right price, you can find a nice place to live. When you fill out your "dream sheet," you are forced to list 10 stateside bases as well as 10 overseas bases. The rest are civilian government employees and contractors. A well-guarded military base can imply that such areasincluding the nearby military townsare safe and secure. As the only active-duty military base in New England, spokesman Justin Oakes said, Hanscom hosts many civilians and service members from other branches of the military, which also leads to a high occupancy rate on base. Since there's no chow hall, he tries to find healthy foods off base. Some residents have taken to calling the area Smell Segundo. The main issue, however, is really the money. The coastal military base provides that Florida weather with plenty of charm. RAF Mildenhall. Landscaping and repainting the parking lots was one of many projects for the Dorm Transformation process. Okinawa, Japan is a favorite. U.S. Marines with Combined Anti-Armor Team, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division practice ground fighting techniques during a deployment for training exercise at Twentynine Palms, CA., Feb. 22, 2018U.S. And just like those Germans learned, once you are in, there is no point in trying to escape. BestPlaces.net's crime statistics had low numbers for low crime rates and high numbers for high crime rates. Base Operations at Scott AFB, Ill. Photo by Karen Petitt Air Force Image. From misplaced nuclear weapons to security forces . It's so small that there is no chow hall. Shop here and skip paying sales tax on everything from electronics to groceries. The median home cost there is a whopping $766,000. On base, youll find dental care, vet services, dining, and other recreational activities for a low-key day off. "A lot of people have to have roommates just to not live in a bad area, which Columbus, Mississippi, has many of," Do said. The winter weather in the area can be pretty brutal as well. All the bases are on flat land no matter what terrain is surrounding it. Also worth mentioning: Freedom Crossing, the first-ever, on-base, open-air shopping center offers tons of restaurants and shops. Depends on your AFSC honestly, generally speaking, Andersen AFB, Hickam AFB, Yokota AB, anywhere in England, and Germany is the best (Ramstein is the most American place in Germany) Avoid Ghedi, incerlick, and Eielson. 6. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. You will learn to hate this slice of northeastern sensibility located in the mystical hills of Jefferson, New York. It may be fun to have pristine beaches and Disneyland practically in the backyard of your duty station. Its like the North Pole in a world where Santa doesnt exist. You may or may not like the summers, but the rest of the year offers some of the best mild temperatures in the United States. Members of the Air Force receive 30 days of vacation with pay each year. Wright-Patterson AFB just makes the cut among many other competing military bases for top honors. In the surrounding areas, you can see everything from pre-Civil War forts to the southernmost point of the continental U.S. Driving along the roads, dont be surprised if you see herds of moose or elk wandering along the side of the road. Off base housing is nice, but expensive. Overall, it seems that everyone enjoyed their time at Kadena, despite some of the drawbacks. At SOUTHCOM, you can expect to meet a lot of different people as its a joint base. The military bases on this list range in size from 62,435 acres to more than 3.5 million and are operated by one of the military's four branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines . This versatility has earned Delta Force a reputation as one of the top 10 elite special operations units in the US Military, and it is considered a highly classified Tier 1 unit. According to some respondents, its an overly religious area with a high number of evangelical Christian churches. Though military life is extremely hard on families there are thousands that make it work every year. The IAF has ordered 689 aircraft in which there will be Su-57 (144), Tejas Mk.1 (99), Rafale (35), Su-30MKI (8), and other helicopters and aircraft. United Airlines. Low housing costs and phenomenal support from the local community makes Luke AFB an ideal place for military families. While living on post is extremely safe the base is home to the Defense Intelligence Agency living off post is a different story. Learn more about Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans here. reviewers. Fairbanks is near the base which also provides an outstanding commissary and exchange with a mall and shoppette. And if your spouse hopes to find a job in the local community, that's going to be tough Columbus' unemployment rate is a staggering 12.9 percent, more than double the nationwide rate. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class J.T. The secludedness makes you feel like you have an island to yourself with phenomenal beaches and splendid weather. Flickr/U.S. Whether you have shore or sea duty, sailors have a good chance in getting stationed here thanks to a large fleet that includes aircraft carriers and submarines. They also said that traveling was easy. This list is subjective, of course there are too many duty stations to post here so do your research before submitting your wishlist. Related Article Pros and Cons of joining the Air Force. There are about 26,000 US military. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Altus, Oklahoma Cannon, New Mexico Dyess, Texas (to replace with Grand Forks) Eielson, Alaska Ellsworth, South Dakota (convinced-removed) Ft.Polk, Louisiana Holloman, New Mexico Malmstrom, Montana Minot, North Dakota (edit-How did I forget??) Its cheaper to live in the place you never wanted to! The United States currently operates 59 active Air Force bases. The perk? On base, youll enjoy access to a private, lifeguarded beach. Base pay starts at $1,650 per month and will increase to $1,785 per month after four months. He was also one of the first enlisted members in the Air Force to experience working with near real time satellite imagery. And New Orleans is a five-hour drive, so at least you can get a beignet for your troubles.Surprise silver lining: In recent years, Fort Polks base amenities have undergone an impressive facelift. The military base is also close to the Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree National Park for family vacations when the time allows. If you consider every relocation an adventure, it will be easier to think of every duty station as the best military base. Nellis AFB features more military schools and squadrons than any other Air Force base in the country. An island, Okinawa is just about 70 miles long and an average of seven miles wide. Thankfully, many of the USAF bases in the United States have quick access to the outdoors and are in rural locations. One soldier put it this way, If God had to give the Earth an enema, he would attach the hose to Fort Polk. Yeesh. "That's more money I can spend on my daughter now, on after-school events," Vargas said. A nearby town or city with fun things to do. Single soldiers, in particular, will love Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers (BOSS), an organization where soldiers can volunteer and participate in leisure activities together. The press is silent, and people don't know they're being poisoned. Plus, the Kitsap Peninsula isnt far from multiple day trip options, including Seattle, local mountain ranges, water trails, and even Canada. Finally, we added up the scores and stacked the bases. The summers are upward of 100 degrees. On-base housing is rumored to be nice and the post boasts a brand new commissary, PX, and a really good hospital. The constant rainfall makes the entire region green and lush year-round. For a complete directory of U.S. and overseas military installations, visit the Department of Defense Military OneSource network. (tied) Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. Holloman AFB is between White Sands National Park and Lincoln National Forest. Find out about these awesome picks. The remote base is on the little island of Guam in the middle of nowhere on the Pacific. Consequently, narrowing down a list of hundreds of overseas USAF bases is not a simple matter. Here are the finest locations for the outdoors: What else could you want in an outdoor paradise than Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and its incredible backyard to the Great Outdoors? Because everything is bigger in Texas, the post has the largest on-base bowling alley, fitness center, and Post Exchange (PX) in the whole Army. Both families and singles can easily find plenty of on-base housing, including single-family, duplex, and townhome floor plans (up to 5 bedrooms). Regardless of how tough our soldiers are, no one should feel completely discounted at their military base. If you drive to the middle of nowhere, then keep driving a little farther, youll hit Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma, considered by many airmen to be one of the least desired military bases in the nations vast expanse. Learn more about Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort here. source GAIA package: Sx_MilitaryTimes_M6201410307210028 . Perhaps this is due to D.C.s abysmal traffic, the ridiculous cost to rent or buy a house, and the high levels of crime associated with Anacostia. This city has one of the highest veteran populations in the U.S. and is home to . Of all the branches of the military, the Air Force always had really nice bases including Minot. Therefore, if you really like city life then youll find many of the USAF bases on the list problematic for their rural settings. Fort Carson, Colorado. 20 Reasons to Join the Military (and 7 reasons not to), Your email address will not be published. 4. If you love it, perhaps youll be lucky enough to get extended there. Population: 448,759 Veteran Population: 94,938 Median Home Price: $222,100 Unemployment Rate: 4.8% Crime Rate: Safer than 10% of U.S. cities Military Bases Near Colorado Springs: Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base; Colorado Springs is one of the best places for military retirement! Lovely Fort Polk in blazing hot Louisiana is about as inviting as the mujahideen, unless youre a tropical disease virus. Share with us in the comments below! Columbus is a career-ending base, where many have retired [or] separated due to just being stuck at the base.". The unassuming military base in small-town Illinois is a "hidden gem" based . Bolling's crime score was 3 out of 10, much lower than the nationwide average of 6. Keep in mind its very competitive to get stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson but savor the opportunity if it presents itself. ASVAB Scores For Air Force Jobs: All 130+ For 2022, How To Choose The Right Military Branch For You, Best Air Force Bases in the U.S. Overall, #1 Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, #1 Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, Texas, #1 Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, #3 Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, #1 Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Best Army Bases for Families, Couples and Singles, Top 15 Military Schools For Boys And Girls, Air Force Jobs List:A List Of All 135 AFSCs In The Air Force (2022), Army Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) Repairer (MOS 94P), List Of 9 Army Patches And Their Meanings, Army Sharpshooter Badge: 6 Things To Know, Army Service Ribbon (ASR): 5 Things To Know, Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM): 8 Things To Know. When you arent heading out to the coastline, youll find theres plenty to see and do on base, including bowling, swimming, working out, movie-going, and dining. For service members who love to travel, youll be happy to know youre only 1 mile away from Miami International Airport. The Best And Worst Airlines in America in 2021. After much consideration, these are the five bases that should count as a deployment if they manage to survive the next round of base closures.
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