Serving the United States Air Force could land you in one of these premium locations depending on what you are seeking during service. 20 Reasons to Join the Military (and 7 reasons not to), Your email address will not be published. It has all the usual complaints of a remote base town with one notable difference: it is regularly ranked among the nations worst for air pollution.Most common escape: We could talk about the nearby cities of Visalia or Fresno, but who cares about that when the most beautiful place on earth is literally in your backyard? (We also plied them for their military packing pro-tips. Grandparents can make amazing babysitters, but there are some things to keep in mind. McGuire Air Force Base is part of joint base operations with the United States Air Force. Best area perk? Army Reserve Center. Ask anyone who has PCSd a couple of times, and they will give you their favorite and least favorite duty stations where theyve been stationed. "I'm realizing more and more that it is just a black hole for enlisted members," Do said. However, the Turkish Air Force's fleet is only a very tiny fraction of the size of the United States Air Force - Turkey only has 1,056 aircraft compared to the USAF's 13,362 aircraft. Located on the other side of the Mojave National Preserve in California sits this Marine Corps base which is home of the Air Ground Combat Center. Learn more about Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans here. There are dozens of excellent schools to choose from in the Goldsboro district, including two high schools rating 9/10 on the GreatSchools index. Yosemite National Park is just a couple hours north (and its great hikes! 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. Of course, not all categories are equally important to service members. The commissary isn't great and the types of food are limited. Traffic is notorious for being some of the worst in the entire country. Key West the very last Key on the string is the dream station for anyone who loves warm weather and blue coastal waters and is one of the nicest military bases in Florida. The United States currently operates 59 active Air Force bases. Some residents have taken to calling the area Smell Segundo. The main issue, however, is really the money. The USAF features a broad mix of aircraft types as well as balance strengthened by overall numbers (quantity). 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! Military personnel get a discount, too. The overseas location is also instrumental to military operations on the Western Pacific. While there are numerous overseas locations worth considering for singles, this list focuses on bases in the United States. Privacy Policy It also maintains dedicated strategic-level bombers, CAS . The military base has multiple things going for it as mentioned above. 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. (tied) Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. At No. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. best Clark Air Base 1980-1985 and 1989-1991 sad to see it close. Grand Forks AFB continuously ranks among the top 10 USAF bases in the United States. Do warm days and sunny skies year-round sound appealing? Below, we rounded up the best military bases categorized by interests. Yeah, most havent. A few months back we asked current and former military personnel where in the US they most enjoyed being stationed, and why. The on-base amenities for Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi are disappointing. Of the fifty-nine possible Air Force bases in the United States, these bases reign supreme, checking off all possible family-friendly boxes. The towns where feral cats circled the moving van when they pulled in. The base sits only a few feet above sea level, subjecting it to occasional flooding. 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. Related Article Pros and Cons of joining the Air Force. Were sorry, Fayetteville -- you didnt deserve that. On base, youll enjoy access to a private, lifeguarded beach. If you love the great outdoors and dont mind a little rain, Naval Base Kitsap is one of the prettiest places to be stationed. Nestled just outside of busy and vibrant St. Louis, Scott provides military families with the freedom to live in the peaceful countryside or the bustling cityscape, all while centering their work at the famous base. Task & Purpose polled more than 1,000 of its readers on the worst military installations in terms of living. Junior sailors, geographical bachelors, and families can all find base housing here, too. And these were their picks for the Best Military Towns in America -- some truly beautiful parts of the country. 6. For example, a staff sergeant without dependents in L.A. gets a monthly BAH of $1,704 and a chief master sergeant without dependents gets $2,373. Check out our list of the best Air Force bases to live on for couples, singles, and families. 10. An island, Okinawa is just about 70 miles long and an average of seven miles wide. For those that like to hunt and fish, there are plenty of outdoor activities. Of course the National Museum of the United States Air Force is on Wright Patterson too with over 300 different aircraft, but none are flying. The military base serves as the host for the 6th Air Refueling Wing. So even though the base may be a bust, it might just prompt enough personal growth to make a really excellent online dating profile. 34 April Fools' Jokes That Are Fool of Fun. The only downside mentioned has been the possibility of hurricanes. In the summertime, you can even hit the beach on the shores of Lake Ontario for some exciting ice swimming!!! Its a poo pond created from the open sewage of a water treatment facility.Most common escape: If you are the rugged sort that enjoys inhaling sand and spotting rattlesnakes, there are miles of desert to explore on a dirt bike or four-wheeler, along with the trails and famous rock climbing available at Joshua Tree National Park.Surprise silver lining:Although 120-degree heat brings out the best in no one, the high desert does bring out the stars in an unforgettable night sky. 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), Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM): 8 Things To Know, Army Achievement Medal (AAM): 6 Things To Know. There are just under 60 active U.S. Air Force bases in the country. On the clearest of days, the Bremerton base has a beautiful view of the snow-capped Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. The southern station is where families hope to be if they value vibrance, diversity, and culture. For service members who love to travel, youll be happy to know youre only 1 mile away from Miami International Airport. You're in a tropical paradise with great weather and. We used formulas to convert the raw data from each category into a 10-point scale. . 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. 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme. 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. On your off-duty days, you can do everything from tasting the best key lime pie around to snorkeling, diving, or fishing off the coastline. New Mexico 7. 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. Scores for the most important categories schools, cost of living, housing and commissaries were tripled. This little city has it all:beautiful scenery, protected beaches, and historic sites all over. We'd wager school quality, for example, is a greater concern than the sales tax rate. Wine and Cheeseburger: Harley and Lara Pair Falafel with Wine. While many Air Force families have no choice where they land, those who get stationed at these top-ranked bases consider themselves fortunate. Fort Polk resides in Louisiana where the hot summers and mosquito problems can make the area unpleasant. Theres skiing at Dry Hill, tubing at Maple Ridge Snow Park, and plenty to explore in the Adirondack Mountains. The current version has been updated to reflect the change. Did you know that there are nearly 800 Air Force bases around the globe? This on-base perk also has beach volleyball courts, cabanas with grills, and a full bathhouse. 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. Here are the five worst Air Force installations where you can be stationed, according to their responses. Housing on post often has long waitlists and living off base means more crime. While they may seem cool and different, and might make for good family time, it can be a struggle if you are not ready to live the civilian life. Here are the five worst Air Force installations where you can be stationed, according to their responses. Low housing costs and phenomenal support from the local community makes Luke AFB an ideal place for military families. Base: Minot Air Force BaseUnlucky call sign: Why Not Minot? It seems like a rhetorical question, but: Freezins the reason.Why it's not great: Remember the ice planet in Intersteller? Without further ado, let's take a look at the 10 biggest Air Force bases in the world, and how many people call them home. Learn more here and be sure to check out more great stories on our homepage. Housing is also surprisingly affordable in parts of San Antonio and soldiers that are single will cherish the live music scene in nearby Austin. Fort Irwin is located in the desert of California near the Death Valley National Park and the Mojave National Preserve. Best Military Bases for Outdoor Enthusiasts 1. While in the military, he spent time analyzing imagery from a variety of aircraft such as the SR-71. The 7 percent sales tax is higher than the nationwide average of 6 percent, and summer hits hard, averaging 92-degree temperatures in July. Hanscom Air Force Base near Bedford, Massachusetts, has a lot going for it. 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. The year-round sunny weather. Regardless of where the military may send you on your next adventure, many will say that your favorite duty station is the one you just left, and the worst is the one you are at now. Meanwhile, others like single personnel have quick access to St. Louis and a variety of entertainment options. If you love the water, youll love it here. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Very cold and very sad.Most common escape: Syracuse is the closest town, although Lake Placid, Niagara Falls, and Montreal are a little over three hours away. Hanscom has a total workforce of 5,828, including 922 active duty service members and 92 reservists. Related: Five worst Navy bases where you can be stationed . Not like you typically have a choice, but this list might help anyway. Scouring the earth, here are the duty stations that have been deemed the best and worst. Among those most contaminated are Vandenberg, Naval Weapons Air Station China Lake, Travis Air Force Base, Naval Air Station Alameda, and Edwards Air Force Base. BestPlaces.net's crime statistics had low numbers for low crime rates and high numbers for high crime rates. Thankfully, many of the USAF bases in the United States have quick access to the outdoors and are in rural locations. Located on the other side of the Mojave National Preserve in California sits this Marine Corps base which is home of the Air Ground Combat Center. Scott Air Force Base, located in St. Clair County, Illinois, is a top spot for growing military families and single folk alike. Home of multiple installations for various service branches (Ft. Eustis, Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, Langley AFB, Norfolk, Little Creek, Dam Neck, Fort Story), the Hampton roads is one of the favorite locations for service members. Fort Greely is also considered a remote duty station as the next closest large city Fairbanks is 100 miles away. When you view any duty station as your new home, youll be able to better embrace the local culture and unique base aspects. 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. Capt. A home in Bedford will run you a median cost of $546,500. Minnesota 4. The next most important categories crime, health care facilities, commute times and exchanges were doubled in value. 12 St. Patrick's Day Crafts for Kids & Adults That Are Pure Gold. So yeah, Lemoore might not be much to look at, but you are just down the road from some spectacular #nofilter #views.Surprise silver lining: Another perk of living in the agriculture-heavy Central Valley of California is access to fresh, local eggs and produce through farm co-ops. The average GreatSchools.com ranking of schools within a 10-mile radius was 4 out of a possible 10. The military facility is in the Fort Walton and Destin area with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. 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. 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. Bring giggles and glee with these hilarious April Fools' Day jokes! 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