The perk? | 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. Here are some of the best bases you will find overseas. The program will embed 16 mental health providers with units across the base. Nellis AFB features more military schools and squadrons than any other Air Force base in the country. 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. U.S. Air Force contracting Airmen search for potential improvised explosive devices June 3, 2015. Also, according to residents, the smell from a nearby water treatment plant makes the area very undesirable, especially during the hot and humid summers. While living on post is extremely safe the base is home to the Defense Intelligence Agency living off post is a different story. Plus, its located at the base of the Rocky Mountains, so the mountain views dont get much better from a military installation than Fort Carson. Here are some of the best bases you will find overseas. The forts Southern gothic landscape matches its history as a prison. It may be fun to have pristine beaches and Disneyland practically in the backyard of your duty station. Altus started out as a scrapyard for World War II aircraft. So even though the base may be a bust, it might just prompt enough personal growth to make a really excellent online dating profile. An island, Okinawa is just about 70 miles long and an average of seven miles wide. This time, though, we wanted to know where they absolutely HATED being sent. McGuire Air Force Base is part of joint base operations with the United States Air Force. Fort Carson, Colorado. We used formulas to convert the raw data from each category into a 10-point scale. The area, along with many parts of Colorado, is rapidly growing and forecasts to eventually replace Denver in terms of population. All air force and military bases are not made the same. But whatever the reason, you are going to be PCSing to one of these horrible hotspots, which are all so bad youll wish you were in Kuwait. This is a USAF KC-10 refueling a Navy FA-18 Hornet. The United States currently operates 59 active Air Force bases. They have a DOD school that serves 9th-12th grade and recently built a new BX. The towns where feral cats circled the moving van when they pulled in. Do says that for airmen stationed in Columbus, it's tough to afford to eat healthily and stay fit. If that is not enough, consider that Elmendorf-Richardson has its own ski area. Not like you typically have a choice, but this list might help anyway. Finally the farther distance between 2 bases is about 219 miles which is well under most air force planes range capacity. The on-base amenities for Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi are disappointing. And the last four categories pollution levels, climate, unemployment rates and sales taxes got no additional weighting. The one that turned Matt Damon into a bad guy? 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. The year-round sunny weather. The massive base serves 20,000 American service members and families so youll never feel alone. You have to shop using the Euro. Langley AFB, VA Randolph AFB TX MacDill AFB, FL Charleston AFB, SC Patrick AFB, FL. Aircraft types considered include fighters (multirole, interceptors . From an amazing median home cost of just over 57K near Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, to having access to major league sports teams in every field at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, there's some amazing bases across the country that have a lot to offer. 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. 6. There are at least a dozen other locations where airmen receive more not just places like New York City and Honolulu, but also West Point, New York; Oakland, California; Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; and New Haven, Connecticut. The winter weather in the area can be pretty brutal as well. Why it's not great: The base with the most misleading name, Fort Bliss is located in the border town of El Paso, Texas. The base is rural yet only about an hour from London as well as other countries in the area like Scotland. Military residents appreciate the rural and quiet surroundings of east Dayton yet with quick access to metropolises like Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Columbus, and Indianapolis. Some even deliver to your door. reviewers. To help airmen mitigate the cost of living which Westervelt acknowledged can sometimes make it tough to make ends meet Hanscom offers an on-base fitness center, Olympic-size swimming pool, bowling alley, movie theater, community center, several playgrounds, and a bank, as well as a commissary and medical clinic. 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. "A lot of people have to have roommates just to not live in a bad area, which Columbus, Mississippi, has many of," Do said. 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. Staff Sgt. By Here are some of the worst overseas bases. Share with us in the comments below! This is a large base that does not have a lot of Westernized shopping. On-base housing is privatized here and is open to active-duty families, DoD civilians, and active duty bachelors. Everything on base is within walking distance, which is perfect for those who dont have transportation, including the commissary, barber shop, automotive shop, chapels, and a fitness center. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Regardless of how tough our soldiers are, no one should feel completely discounted at their military base. Youll never regret a day at Lackland if you are single and looking to mingle. 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. There is a lot to do on the island and the people are very friendly. 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. 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. RAF Lakenheath is located in Suffolk County in East Anglia. A huge Navy exchange and commissary 100,000 square feet to be exact was built in 2011. Orlando is also within a long days drive from MacDill Air Force Base. Unlike many other military bases, this one has a great cost of living its actually 18% lower than the U.S. national average. The military complex has a ton of history and its evolution has transformed into one of the largest bases in the world. Everyone has interests based on where they are in life. 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 . Florida. Ft Rucker/Ft McClellan, AL - These bases have long been on the BRAC closure list, not many gyms and mwr's on post. However, what helps Guam is that its a territory of the United States with English as the predominant language. 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. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. Youll have occasional lockdowns and curfews imposed, but most people seem to enjoy their time spent here. Consequently, narrowing down a list of hundreds of overseas USAF bases is not a simple matter. Location: Bremerton, Bangor, and Keyport, Washington. If you have children, they will have to drive roughly an hour to the nearest international school. Serving the United States Air Force could land you in one of these premium locations depending on what you are seeking during service. 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. If thats not enough to get you excited about this duty station, just remember youre living in one of the top-rated cities along Floridas coastline. Located in the middle of nowhere the Mojave Desert, 29 Palms is where tanks outnumber sedans and sunburns happen through car windows. 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. 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. Single soldiers, in particular, will love Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers (BOSS), an organization where soldiers can volunteer and participate in leisure activities together. Sometimes you end up drawing the short straw when it comes to military assignment locations. MacDill AFB is another prime location for the single crowd. The site has roots dating back to the Revolutionary War, and now hosts more than 700 Marines, sailors, and civilians. Capt. Each branch has a variety of billets they must fill, so keep in mind you wont necessarily get your first choice. Flickr/U.S. Patrick Air Force Base. Its a great base for singles because of its proximity to downtown San Antonio and Austin which are paradises for this type of crowd. The summers are upward of 100 degrees. This accrues at 2.5 days per month. Having an open mind and a willingness to explore on and off base will make your duty station experience all the better. Many people join the military to travel and see the world which is most desirable for active-duty members that are single. You will learn to hate this slice of northeastern sensibility located in the mystical hills of Jefferson, New York. 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. 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. Marine Crops photo by Cpl. And the schools are middling, with average ranking of 5 within 10 miles. Ranking the premier Air Force bases in the United States is not an easy task as there are several worthy of top honors. Eglin Air Force Base is another excellent choice for military couples. Come along for the ride! BestPlaces.net's crime statistics had low numbers for low crime rates and high numbers for high crime rates. Of course, not all categories are equally important to service members. In fact, one airman told us that he learned how to cook at Cannon since there werent any good restaurants. 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. Ft Greely, AK - 4 hours . The constant rainfall makes the entire region green and lush year-round. The next most important categories crime, health care facilities, commute times and exchanges were doubled in value. Enjoy one of our high quality American, State . Alaska Airlines. Theres skiing at Dry Hill, tubing at Maple Ridge Snow Park, and plenty to explore in the Adirondack Mountains. If you love the water, youll love it here. If you love the great outdoors and dont mind a little rain, Naval Base Kitsap is one of the prettiest places to be stationed. 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. "It's more of a celebration," Pizarro said. 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. 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. In reality, it is where Marines go to learn to hate the Corps. Answer (1 of 26): I've been hearing from plenty of Air Force retirees that Minot is THE worst. However, couples will love everything millions of vacationers find a reason to visit Hawaii each year including spectacular scenery and fantastic weather. And it's hot, too. Best area perk? Related: Five worst Navy bases where you can be stationed . We think there is so much chatter about Fayetteville because it houses the biggest population in the Army -- and the naysayers are loud simply because there are so many of them. Best area perk? It isn't the base itself that was the problem from what I was told, but the airmen at the base that was t. The fact that it feels like a prison has earned it the nickname AlcaTravis. There are reportedly dicey areas off post, but most families who live on base have few complaints. What lifestyle amenities do you appreciate in your life now? The unique wildlife that calls Alaska home. Meanwhile, others like single personnel have quick access to St. Louis and a variety of entertainment options. Pensacola Florida Military Bases. Driving along the roads, dont be surprised if you see herds of moose or elk wandering along the side of the road. Most families report that the base is a black hole that you never leave. 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? Egyptian Air Force - 1,062. There are about 26,000 US military. The hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque is also within reach, but it will take you at least eleven attempts to spell Albuquerque correctly before your GPS will be any help.Surprise silver lining: From what we can tell, Fort Bliss has the best on-base amenities of any military installation ANYWHERE. Typically, nothing is open in the city from noon to three. ), and Kings Canyon is the same distance east. We'd wager school quality, for example, is a greater concern than the sales tax rate. 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. 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. Updated Nov 24, 2021 10:41 AM EST, Editors note: This article was originally published in March 2016. Though the concept of moving to Alaska may overwhelm some families it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. 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. Here are the five worst Air Force installations where you can be stationed, according to their responses. Eating organic and local has never been easier, which is great news for anyone who has watched any documentary on factory farming, ever. 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. A few months back we asked current and former military personnel where in the US they most enjoyed being stationed, and why. "Everything closes early on base and around town. Jason Do has been stationed at Columbus for five years and called it "one of the worst bases" in the Air Force. So, its like Aladdin, except without a genie to help you.Most common escape: Ruidoso, New Mexico offers all sorts of outdoor activities plus a casino and horse racetrack. Therefore, if you really like city life then youll find many of the USAF bases on the list problematic for their rural settings. There was one positive review that indicates that, for the right price, you can find a nice place to live. A static Curtiss P-40E Warhawk is displayed outside of the front gate at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Nov. 3, 2020. Top 10 Worst Bases. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) Based on Air Force Times research, these are the five least-popular . The Americans there are rude and begging to leave. Housing on post often has long waitlists and living off base means more crime. Learn more here and be sure to check out more great stories on our homepage. Twentynine Palms, California, sounds like a nice place to take a cheap family vacation. South Korea's air force has come a long way in the same timeframe as China. Best area perk? 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. Learn more about Naval Air Station Pensacola here. In other words, Fayetteville is the awkward neighborhood kid surrounded by cooler, more beautiful neighbors in every direction (yes, even Myrtle Beach. When looking at your options based on your position, think about what you love to do on your off-time. Bases:Fort Bragg, Pope AirfieldUnlucky call sign:Fort Drag,No hope Pope"Why it's not great: Fort Bragg is like the Kardashians -- everybody in the Army knows about it, talks about it, and either loves it or hates it passionately. Traffic is notorious for being some of the worst in the entire country. Luke AFB is a major training facility for the military branch and has excellent amenities. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. 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. Families love living here for many reasons, including affordable housing. 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. 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. It is a great place if your spouse does not want to work. Landscaping and repainting the parking lots was one of many projects for the Dorm Transformation process. The scenery is not only gorgeous but the weather is decent (by Alaska standards) and wildlife is abundant. Plus, the Kitsap Peninsula isnt far from multiple day trip options, including Seattle, local mountain ranges, water trails, and even Canada. 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. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Base: Fort PolkUnlucky call sign: Fort PukeWhy it's not great: The Army has some pretty terrible duty locations, but they were more unanimous than any other branch of the service on which post qualified as THE WORST. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Yosemite National Park is just a couple hours north (and its great hikes! (tied) Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, formerly Bolling Air Force Base, ends up in our bottom five primarily due to the Washington area's abysmal traffic year after year, ranked the worst in the country and high cost of housing. This list is subjective, of course there are too many duty stations to post here so do your research before submitting your wishlist. When you fill out your "dream sheet," you are forced to list 10 stateside bases as well as 10 overseas bases. To enjoy all that the area has to offer, dress accordingly on and off base to explore the best parts of this beautiful region. 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. And just like those Germans learned, once you are in, there is no point in trying to escape.