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. What are the best Air Force bases in the United States? RAF Lakenheath. Unlucky call sign: "Fort Piss," "Hell Paso". The weather is tropical and can become very humid in the summer. This is a large base that does not have a lot of Westernized shopping. One review did happen to indicate that there is government housing, but there is usually a one to two-year wait. Bekah DiFelice is a writer, military spouse, and recovering addict to the word "literally." Yeah, most havent. 10 Worst States for Military Veterans and Retirees 2022: Vermont; Nevada; District of Columbia; Oregon Those that prefer a small town or rural lifestyle can find plenty of housing in the area for their families. It's a very depressed social and economic area. From mountain climbing to whitewater rafting, youll find some of the best outdoor adventures here. 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. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class J.T. Best area perk? Share with us in the comments below! Surfing, hiking, ziplining the list is endless. 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. Sweltering summers the average high temperature in July hits an always-muggy 89 degrees and high crime rates in the District of Columbia also dragged Bolling's score down. 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. You can find her riding her Vespa around San Diego, on Facebook and Instagram at @bekahdifelice, or on her blog bekahdifelice.com. However, I enjoy the prospect of increasing my odds of being stationed somewhere deemed suitable. source GAIA package: Sx_MilitaryTimes_M6201410307210028 . Fort Bragg | Flickr/Dvidshub, badass psychedelic funhouses/art collectives, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Ft Rucker/Ft McClellan, AL - These bases have long been on the BRAC closure list, not many gyms and mwr's on post. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. 10 Worst Cities. If you can't fit in smaller sized clothing, you will be forced to order online. Do warm days and sunny skies year-round sound appealing? Junior sailors, geographical bachelors, and families can all find base housing here, too. Luke AFB is a major training facility for the military branch and has excellent amenities. Welcome to Fort Drum. On-base housing is rumored to be nice and the post boasts a brand new commissary, PX, and a really good hospital. The press is silent, and people don't know they're being poisoned. Pacific Fleet. Look at what matters most to you, and then research if those amenities and interests are present in the duty station location. In fact, one airman told us that he learned how to cook at Cannon since there werent any good restaurants. Best area perk? I would like to indicate that I will not be listing bases that are considered "deployments." Its a great base for singles because of its proximity to downtown San Antonio and Austin which are paradises for this type of crowd. Nellis AFB features more military schools and squadrons than any other Air Force base in the country. Traveling can be a pain due to traffic; the on-base facilities are spread out and can be cumbersome to travel around. Compared to the other bases on this list, Hanscom is in an area with good schools and low crime. But if youre not, and are willing to drive a bit further, Sante Fe, New Mexico offers galleries, museums, badass psychedelic funhouses/art collectives, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains -- popular for hiking, biking, and skiing.Surprise silver lining: Isnt it always true that in the face of misery, communities pull together? Related Article US Military Bases in Germany. The on-base amenities for Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi are disappointing. Not like you typically have a choice, but this list might help anyway. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Best area perk? Sarah Sicard The United States currently operates 59 active Air Force bases. 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. Schriever AFB is among several USAF bases in the Colorado Springs metropolitan. Nearby Northern Virginia's schools are popularly known as among the best in the country, and some live up to that reputation. And the last four categories pollution levels, climate, unemployment rates and sales taxes got no additional weighting. 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? 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. Related Article List of Air Force Bases in the US. Best Military Bases for Outdoor Enthusiasts 1. Meanwhile, others like single personnel have quick access to St. Louis and a variety of entertainment options. It's so small that there is no chow hall. 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. But he estimated food and housing expenses there were easily three to four times as much as in the Scott area. Off base, youll find nearby volcanoes to hike, waterfalls to swim in, and beach shores to surf along. Langley AFB is near Hampton, Virginia. It also may drain your bank account. 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. Locals are friendly to soldiers serving in the USAF 18th Wing, 353rd Special Operations Group, and other units. All the bases are on flat land no matter what terrain is surrounding it. Why it's not great: The base with the most misleading name, Fort Bliss is located in the border town of El Paso, Texas. Top 10 Largest Air Forces in the World (by number of Military Aircraft) - Flight International 2022: United States Air Force - 5,217. Most families report that the base is a black hole that you never leave. While living on post is extremely safe the base is home to the Defense Intelligence Agency living off post is a different story. Related: Five worst Navy bases where you can be stationed . Craig currently resides in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and runs his own business. Though the concept of moving to Alaska may overwhelm some families it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. | Want to keep your sharp shooter status? 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. Having an open mind and a willingness to explore on and off base will make your duty station experience all the better. When looking at your options based on your position, think about what you love to do on your off-time. As for day-to-day operations, the commands area of responsibility includes Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, including U.S. resources located in those areas. 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 military base is also close to the Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree National Park for family vacations when the time allows. We converted the statistics so lower crime rates would result in higher scores for bases. The base is on the smaller side, so youll get a chance to know your fellow service members and their families well. 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. Related Article Top 15 Military Schools For Boys And Girls. Beaufort was also named as the Souths Best Small Town by Southern Living Magazine. Average winter temps hover in the low teens in a place where cows outnumber people three to one.Most common escape: Only ninety minutes away is the Worlds Largest Buffalo monument, in case your version of escape is looking at a larger version of your natural surroundings.Surprise silver lining:For a while Minot was at the center of the North Dakota oil boom, jolting the local economy into overdrive, providing loads of jobs for military dependents, and causing rent prices to soar. Scores for the most important categories schools, cost of living, housing and commissaries were tripled. In the summertime, you can even hit the beach on the shores of Lake Ontario for some exciting ice swimming!!! This city has one of the highest veteran populations in the U.S. and is home to . Shop here and skip paying sales tax on everything from electronics to groceries. 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. According to Sperling's Best Places, average July temperatures in Wichita hit a scorching 93 degrees. It may be fun to have pristine beaches and Disneyland practically in the backyard of your duty station. Langley Air Force Base - Virginia. Location: Bremerton, Bangor, and Keyport, Washington If you love the great outdoors and dont mind a little rain, Naval Base Kitsap is one of the prettiest places to be stationed. This list is subjective, of course there are too many duty stations to post here so do your research before submitting your wishlist. There is a lot to do on the island and the people are very friendly. All Rights Reserved. United Airlines. "I also know that a lot of enlisted members have a second job to support their families.". Indian Air Force - 1,715. The scenery is not only gorgeous but the weather is decent (by Alaska standards) and wildlife is abundant. The weather is great as well as the beaches. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. Related Article Best Army Bases for Families, Couples and Singles. This time, though, we wanted to know where they absolutely HATED being sent. 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. The Air Force also offers multiple programs for tuition assistance to airmen. A home in nearby Fairfax County, Virginia, has a median cost of $455,300. BestPlaces.net's cost of living score for nearbyEl Segundo, California, is 218, more than double the nationwide average of 100. 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. Travel comes easy as you can reach Japan and Korea in a few short hours. Theres skiing at Dry Hill, tubing at Maple Ridge Snow Park, and plenty to explore in the Adirondack Mountains. Finally the farther distance between 2 bases is about 219 miles which is well under most air force planes range capacity. 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! A home in Bedford will run you a median cost of $546,500. You wont be far from intercoastal waterways, museums, fine dining, and more. GreatSchools evaluates schools on a 10-point scale based on a combination of their standardized test scores, whether students are improving from year to year, and college readiness, defined as how well students take and score on SAT and ACT tests, and their graduation rates. So even though the base may be a bust, it might just prompt enough personal growth to make a really excellent online dating profile. Each branch has a variety of billets they must fill, so keep in mind you wont necessarily get your first choice. Because its an island, the cost of living is high but can be offset if you live with roommates or use base housing and budget wisely. Fort Lewis is easily one of the best Army bases in the United States. Holloman AFB is between White Sands National Park and Lincoln National Forest. Base Operations at Scott AFB, Ill. Photo by Karen Petitt Air Force Image. Nevertheless, it is great during the winter. The base is one of the oldest bases in the nation, and a portion of the homes on base are historic homes. 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. Image: Wikimedia.org. 1. Bedford is a great place to raise children, said Lisa Pizarro, the school liaison officer at Hanscom. The program will embed 16 mental health providers with units across the base. Kadena Air Base is another location in Asia to get lost in along with Guam. Grand Forks Air Force Base is a hidden gem in North Dakota. 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. According to the Military Family Advisory Network, 78% of surveyed military personnel still live off base and in the surrounding cities. On base, youll find dental care, vet services, dining, and other recreational activities for a low-key day off. Military residents appreciate the rural and quiet surroundings of east Dayton yet with quick access to metropolises like Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Columbus, and Indianapolis. Nearby towns include: Located in the southern part of Colorado Springs, this mountainous area is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. With nearly 13,000 active duty members across the areas bases, youll meet people from all over the country if you get stationed here. The summers are upward of 100 degrees. While there are numerous overseas locations worth considering for singles, this list focuses on bases in the United States. Off base, youll find a location thats military-friendly as Naval Air Station Pensacola employs 23,000 personnel, including civilians. If you love it, perhaps youll be lucky enough to get extended there. We pulled information on cost of living, housing, crime rates, commute times, pollution levels, climate, unemployment rates and sales taxes from the website Sperling's Best Places, which compiles demographic and other data on communities around the country. Hickam Air Force Base is the highest rated Air Force base in Hawaii yet not for everyone which is why it doesnt rank tremendously high overall. 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. The primary duties of this station include supporting the Alaska National Guard with its key mission of monitoring security and operation of the Missile Defense Site. You also wont be far from beautiful natural attractions like the Florida Keys and the Everglades. The United Kingdom Air Force is ranked 6 in the 10 best air forces in the world and is the world's oldest air force. Patrick Air Force Base. Therefore, if you really like city life then youll find many of the USAF bases on the list problematic for their rural settings. You are forced to travel to an Army base an hour and a half away to go to the commissary or shop. 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. 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. And despite the lure of perfect weather here, if you decide to move on base, the housing waiting list is only about a month for 3-bedrooms or less! A few months back we asked current and former military personnel where in the US they most enjoyed being stationed, and why. It isn't the base itself that was the problem from what I was told, but the airmen at the base that was t. Wichita ranks as the worst city for veterans health care, largely because veterans make up just 0.03% of the city's population. Related Article How To Join The US Air Force. 7. If you consider every relocation an adventure, it will be easier to think of every duty station as the best military base. 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. So it is best to be prepared. 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. 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. A enlisted thinktank brought to you by Task & Purpose. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. "It's hard to find anything that'll fit, and there isn't much selection" at the exchange, Do said. (We also plied them for their military packing pro-tips. Its competitive to get stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson but worth giving it a shot. What are your hobbies? For service members who love to travel, youll be happy to know youre only 1 mile away from Miami International Airport. WA Eglin AFB, FL. Best Air Force Bases Overseas. The base is small but accommodating. 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. 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. 3. Eglin Air Force Base. Many people join the military to travel and see the world which is most desirable for active-duty members that are single. 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. A huge Navy exchange and commissary 100,000 square feet to be exact was built in 2011. 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. Driving along the roads, dont be surprised if you see herds of moose or elk wandering along the side of the road. As one of the most requested locations in the Army, youre in for a treat if you get stationed at Fort Carson. Published Jun 5, 2018 7:48 PM EDT. 6. Top 10 Worst Bases. It isnt technically an AFB, so they dont have the normal base facilities that you would typically see. 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. Grand Forks AFB continuously ranks among the top 10 USAF bases in the United States. Housing on post often has long waitlists and living off base means more crime. The 9 percent sales tax and 7.6 percent unemployment rate are also high. Youll have occasional lockdowns and curfews imposed, but most people seem to enjoy their time spent here. (Army) Ok, now we're talking it's an outdoorsman's paradise. Besides the unique cultural tensions of living in a border town, service members reported that Fort Bliss was hot, isolated, and subject to sandstorms. Consequently, narrowing down a list of hundreds of overseas USAF bases is not a simple matter. There are 2,744 people assigned to Columbus, including 1,447 military service members, 598 contractors, and 472 civil servants. Melanye Martinez. On the clearest of days, the Bremerton base has a beautiful view of the snow-capped Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. And for how close it is to the water, youll probably be surprised by the low rates of living. Learn more about Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans here. On base, youll enjoy access to a private, lifeguarded beach. Its also open seven days a week, so youre able to relax on this piece of paradise on your days off. Come along for the ride! So if youre unimpressed by Louisiana, at least you can benefit from some military-issued, updated hospitality. Related: What Is Accrued . Housing is affordable with high-quality schools and excellent features on the base. Capt. On-base housing is privatized here and is open to active-duty families, DoD civilians, and active duty bachelors. The U.S.s northern fortress of military strategic solitude, Minot Air Force Base, has long been a prime destination for career-ending mishaps. Though military life is extremely hard on families there are thousands that make it work every year. As the Home of the Rugged Professional, this base is perfect for adventurous service members who dont mind the cold. The current version has been updated to reflect the change. There are several military bases that have a lot to offer to military personnel and their families. RAF Mildenhall. 6. The military complex has a ton of history and its evolution has transformed into one of the largest bases in the world. And the schools are middling, with average ranking of 5 within 10 miles. 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. Special Report: The top 5 best bases for airmen. Now c. 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. The secludedness makes you feel like you have an island to yourself with phenomenal beaches and splendid weather. 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. The constant rainfall makes the entire region green and lush year-round. Plus, youll have about 200+ days of sunshine here to enjoy most every day youre outside on base or off. 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. This is where NORAD and USAFA is located. However, couples will love everything millions of vacationers find a reason to visit Hawaii each year including spectacular scenery and fantastic weather. 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F-5s and F-4s have been replaced by F-16s, and they developed the T-50 Golden Eagle, which is a very capable advanced trainer so much so it has also been turned into a multi-role fighter as well. If you cant fit in smaller sized clothing, you will be forced to order online. Outdoor activities are also abundant given all the natural features in the area. Whether youre on or off base, youll find activities to fulfill your need to explore the great outdoors in this mountainous terrain. You have to shop using the Euro. Best area perk? Nellis Air Force Base is right outside North Las Vegas need we say more? 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.