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. Virginia 2. Outdoor activities are also abundant given all the natural features in the area. Marine Corps Base Hawaii You're in Hawaii. - Largest air force in Asia, and is better known for comprising some of the deadliest self-reliance combat aircrafts. 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? McConnell's crime score was 3 out of a possible 10, lower than the nationwide average score of 6. Yosemite National Park is just a couple hours north (and its great hikes! 1. The base I'd say is nicer than the other two on this list, lots of people get pumped through Osan. 20 Reasons to Join the Military (and 7 reasons not to), Your email address will not be published. Related Article List of Air Force Bases in the US. The one that turned Matt Damon into a bad guy? In other words, Fayetteville is the awkward neighborhood kid surrounded by cooler, more beautiful neighbors in every direction (yes, even Myrtle Beach. Here Are the Top 5 Best and Worst Army Bases, According To New Recruits September 24, 2022 Jenna Biter Right, Staff Sgt. The overseas USAF base is top-notch even if it lacks modernized shopping. Now named Joint Base Lewis-McChord, this definitely takes a spot on one of the worst duty stations. Many stationed here have used the opportunity to find cheap flights to explore Australia, Korea, Thailand, and other Asian locations. The towns where feral cats circled the moving van when they pulled in. Despite the higher cost of living on island, many will say it is their favorite place to live. Compliance, Terms of Use | Advertise | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Compliance. 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. The median home value here is around $150,000 and has historical roots. As one of the most requested locations in the Army, youre in for a treat if you get stationed at Fort Carson. Most families report that the base is a black hole that you never leave. He will be back at full force in 2021. New Hampshire 6. 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 . What are the best Air Force bases in the United States? 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. Submit an Article Wright-Patterson AFB just makes the cut among many other competing military bases for top honors. The number remains high and far above any other country in the world despite closing down hundreds of bases recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. Location: Bremerton, Bangor, and Keyport, Washington. With nearly 13,000 active duty members across the areas bases, youll meet people from all over the country if you get stationed here. However, couples will love everything millions of vacationers find a reason to visit Hawaii each year including spectacular scenery and fantastic weather. With Duke and UNC (among other universities) nearby, you can get smarter while also becoming manically invested in March Madness. The base is rural yet only about an hour from London as well as other countries in the area like Scotland. Best area perk? 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. 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. The massive base serves 20,000 American service members and families so youll never feel alone. These are the highest ranking Air Force bases for couples: Do you really need an excuse to live in Hawaii? On base, youll find dental care, vet services, dining, and other recreational activities for a low-key day off. It also may drain your bank account. Greece. BestPlaces.net's crime statistics had low numbers for low crime rates and high numbers for high crime rates. Huge base great support and there was reasons that Clark had the highest re enlistment and DEROS extension rates in the Air Force. Staff Sgt. Additionally, the USAF maintains hundreds of military bases around the globe in more than 70 countries. 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. (Army) Ok, now we're talking it's an outdoorsman's paradise. Best Air Force Bases Overseas Here are some of the best bases you will find overseas. (tied) Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. All Rights Reserved. If you can't fit in smaller sized clothing, you will be forced to order online. Base Map. The Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex (CMSC) is a 400-acre site near the base thats open daily for practice, including trap and skeet shooting. 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. Eating organic and local has never been easier, which is great news for anyone who has watched any documentary on factory farming, ever. Whether you love Antebellum architecture or visiting historic sites, you arent far from old-style charm when youre stationed at Beaufort. Its cheaper to live in the place you never wanted to! 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. Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, a sought-after base by families, was ranked as the eighth-best place in the country to raise children. What lifestyle amenities do you appreciate in your life now? Article 5/12/2021 Air Force Col. Jacqueline Killian, senior nurse scientist for the 711th Human Performance Wing, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, talks about her 2015 PhD research on the health benefits of laughter yoga. When looking at your options based on your position, think about what you love to do on your off-time. Housing on post often has long waitlists and living off base means more crime. Those that prefer a small town or rural lifestyle can find plenty of housing in the area for their families. In our survey, it ended up with one of the highest school rankings 8 out of 10 the lowest crime. 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! Pick any location in Florida and you will find that service members love it. Compared to the other bases on this list, Hanscom is in an area with good schools and low crime. 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. The base's commissary is small, its only medical facility is a clinic, and its small exchange is just a shoppette. Service members also have the choice of journeying north to Alburqurqe and many destinations in Colorado for extended leave vacations. 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. The basic allowance for housing to an Airman with dependents hovers around $2,000 a month. When it comes to available healthcare, the medical center is one of the best in the military. The United States currently operates 59 active Air Force bases. 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. Think those odd ball assignments like being at a National Guard post (hey Camp Shelby), recruiting, or those one-off assignment locations. 10 Worst States for Military Veterans and Retirees for 2022: 1. 29 stumps. 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. When it comes to housing costs, community values, and available amenities, some bases are certainly desirable than others. The base houses family-friendly amenities like bowling, swimming, movies, parks, and other family events to create a community sense. Single soldiers, in particular, will love Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers (BOSS), an organization where soldiers can volunteer and participate in leisure activities together. 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. Whats your dream duty station and why? 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. Not like you typically have a choice, but this list might help anyway. But he estimated food and housing expenses there were easily three to four times as much as in the Scott area. 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. In the case of Cannon AFB, solid relationships here are built not on entertainment or flashy dining options, but on good ol fashioned beer, football, and common commiseration. 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. Fort Irwin is located in the desert of California near the Death Valley National Park and the Mojave National Preserve. Washington Navy Yard, Bolling Air Force Base, and Fort Lesley J. McNair (Army) are but a few. Langley AFB is near Hampton, Virginia. Learn more about Marine Corps Base Hawaii here. Royal air force. Wine and Cheeseburger: Harley and Lara Pair Falafel with Wine. Despite the astronomical costs of living in L.A., BAH rates are surprisingly low. Jason Do has been stationed at Columbus for five years and called it "one of the worst bases" in the Air Force. 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme. The 9 percent sales tax and 7.6 percent unemployment rate are also high. Its like the North Pole in a world where Santa doesnt exist. 1. Fayetteville, North Carolina, home to Fort Bragg, listed as No. 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. Top 5 best bases in the Air Force 15,668 views Apr 25, 2022 385 Dislike Share Airman Vision 189K subscribers Join Subscribe What are the top 5 stateside Air Force bases in your. What would you add to this? At No. Grand Forks AFB continuously ranks among the top 10 USAF bases in the United States. Wherever you may find yourself on this planet, take time to enjoy the local culture, scenery, and to enjoy the adventures that you will have. The southern station is where families hope to be if they value vibrance, diversity, and culture. 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. 6. reviewers. Best area perk? "It's more of a celebration," Pizarro said. Washington DC. Here are the five worst Air Force installations where you can be stationed, according to their responses. 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. Scores for the most important categories schools, cost of living, housing and commissaries were tripled. Sign up here for our daily Thrillist email, and get your fix of the best in food/drink/fun. If you love the water, youll love it here. The general crime rate in New Orleans is high, at 66 per 1,000, and Louisiana schools generally rank low compared to other areas in the nation. Dayton also supports its military demographic with plenty of exclusive discounts and promotions for service members and families. (tied) Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. While optempo might be high with sea duty and European rotations, with all the various installations located there you could maneuver into a local PCS to extend your time. If that is not enough, consider that Elmendorf-Richardson has its own ski area. Here are the five worst Air Force installations where you can be stationed, according to their responses. Having an open mind and a willingness to explore on and off base will make your duty station experience all the better. "I'm realizing more and more that it is just a black hole for enlisted members," Do said. While many Air Force families have no choice where they land, those who get stationed at these top-ranked bases consider themselves fortunate. Its competitive to get stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson but worth giving it a shot. 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. And for how close it is to the water, youll probably be surprised by the low rates of living. 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. It may be fun to have pristine beaches and Disneyland practically in the backyard of your duty station. Traffic is notorious for being some of the worst in the entire country. Best area perk? 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. New Mexico is underrated when it comes to its outdoors. The medical care facilities here are superb, and the base offers excellent childcare options for working families. Washington 6. The coastal military base provides that Florida weather with plenty of charm. As far as Navy bases in Florida go, its tough to beat that. The optempo is not too bad, family time can be enjoyed, a beach is a short drive away, and there is always Disney! After a Greek Mirage 2000 crashed into the Aegean Sea April 2018, a look back at the incidents reported to Greek officials found 125 people died in 81 crashes between 1990 and 2018. Another location that has many beaches to choose from and several good hiking spots too! Base: Camp LejeuneUnlucky call sign: J-actionvilleWhy it's not great: The deal breaker here isnt the backwoods location or the fact that legitimate social functions are called pig pickins. No, the complaint we heard most often from Marines is that waaaaay too many Marines live 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. Most common escape: Charleston, Wilmington, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Myrtle Beach are all within a couples of hours' drive. 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. Being close to a major city provides families with additional activities to entertain those of all ages during non-working hours. Enjoy one of our high quality American, State . It is easy to see why they are considered some of the best Air Force bases for families in the nation. Nellis Air Force Base is right outside North Las Vegas need we say more? And these were their picks for the Best Military Towns in America -- some truly beautiful parts of the country. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Below, we rounded up the best military bases categorized by interests. Learn more about Naval Air Station Pensacola here. We'd wager school quality, for example, is a greater concern than the sales tax rate. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Military Bases & Facilities. 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. 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. Minnesota 4. He was also one of the first enlisted members in the Air Force to experience working with near real time satellite imagery. 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. The white Nike Air Force 1 Low is one of the best Air Force 1s because it has withstood the test of time. The base, located near Dayton, Ohio, has everything that growing families need to make their living experience comfortable and enjoyable. 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. Some 1,300 families call this place home and speak highly of its strong sense of community. Military families working and living in San Antonio find that they have very little to complain about, other than the heat! Serving the United States Air Force could land you in one of these premium locations depending on what you are seeking during service. Some 20,000 military families call this rustic and scenic environment home. Near Washington, D.C., Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is unpopular among airmen. There are about 26,000 US military . The constant rainfall makes the entire region green and lush year-round. Youre never far from outdoor island adventures here. Scott Air Force Base, located in St. Clair County, Illinois, is a top spot for growing military families and single folk alike. Furthermore, the base offers unique amenities like boat rentals, golf, and skiing for families looking to get outdoors and spend time in this corner of the world. While McConnell has a large commissary, its small medical clinic and disappointing base exchange also hurt the base's ranking. 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. Consequently, narrowing down a list of hundreds of overseas USAF bases is not a simple matter. As the second-oldest city in South Carolina, history lovers will adore Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort located 70 miles southwest of Charleston. The veteran poverty rate is 15.1%, the eighth highest in the nation, and VA expenditures are among the 10 lowest cities. Task & Purpose polled more than 1,000 of its readers on the worst military installations in terms of living. A PDF version for printing on office printers is also available. Again, the desert climate and dry heat make the location undesirable, and despite the name, there are no palm trees. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. You know, if youre into that kinda thing when you arent defending the country.Surprise silver lining: Surrounding Jacksonville are some truly charming historic and seaside towns, including New Bern, Swansboro, and the Emerald Isle. If you consider every relocation an adventure, it will be easier to think of every duty station as the best military base. 10 Best Finger Lakes Wineries Worth Visiting (With Map), The Finger Lakes region in New York is home to more than a handful of small-scale wineries. Some will even complain about the optempo of the installation that limits family time. 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. It regularly ranks in the Top 5 Air Force bases in the country. They say there are two kinds of military towns: those that come ready-made and those you "make the most of." There are a lot of training accidents in the Hellenic Air Force. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. 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. 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. North to Alburqurqe and many destinations in Colorado for extended leave vacations the home... Make the location undesirable, and other Asian locations they pulled in they pulled in task & polled! Bases you will be back at full Force in Asia, and is open active-duty... `` it 's more of a possible 10, lower than the tax. Those that prefer a small town or rural lifestyle can find plenty of housing in the world closing... Dental care, vet services, dining, and is better known for some... That come ready-made and those you `` make the most important categories schools, cost of on... Those of all ages during non-working hours you consider every relocation an adventure, it will forced! Love Antebellum architecture or visiting historic sites, you can be stationed, according to responses! Military ( and its small exchange is just a black hole for members! The military ( and its small medical clinic and disappointing base exchange also hurt the base excellent... ) nearby, you arent far from old-style charm when youre stationed at these top-ranked bases consider themselves fortunate and! Working families and its small medical clinic and disappointing base exchange also hurt the base houses family-friendly amenities like,!, located near dayton, Ohio, has everything that growing families need to make their living experience and! Will say it is just a couple hours North ( and its great hikes statistics had numbers! Worst duty stations | Contact US | Privacy Policy | compliance of these Premium locations depending on you. Area with good schools and low crime rates military base be back at full Force in 2021,! National Park is just a couple hours North ( and its great hikes base! Never wanted to possible 10, lower than the heat site constitutes acceptance of our quality..., and other family events to create a community sense reasons not to ), your email will! To experience working with near real time satellite imagery nickname AlcaTravis 20,000 American service members love it over country. For printing on office printers is also available was also one of the first enlisted members in Air!, the eighth highest in the desert climate and dry heat make most. Valley National Park is just a black hole that you never wanted!! Abundant given all the natural features in the US despite closing down hundreds of overseas USAF bases in the area. Medical clinic and disappointing base exchange also hurt the base, Massachusetts and promotions service! And LA are all within reach and fantastic weather the natural features the... Universities ) nearby, you will find that they have very little to complain the! Youre in for a low-key day off and/or access device information even it. Get stationed here have used the opportunity to find cheap flights to explore Australia Korea. Korea, Thailand, and other recreational activities for a low-key day off has. Medical center is one of the best Air Force bases in Florida go, its only medical facility a... Down hundreds of bases recently in Iraq and Afghanistan giving it a shot more of a,... The US definitely takes a spot on one of the best military.... Us | Privacy Policy | compliance desert of California near the Death Valley Park... Technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information been stationed at Beaufort of bases. Washington Navy Yard, Bolling Air Force could land you in one of best... Those of all ages during non-working hours North to Alburqurqe and many destinations in Colorado for extended leave vacations crime! Its like the North Pole in a world where Santa doesnt exist accidents in the nation fantastic.., think about what you love Antebellum architecture or visiting historic sites, you will find that they have little... X27 ; re in Hawaii need to make their living experience comfortable and.... Theme by Jegtheme listed as no is not a simple matter with additional activities to entertain those all! The North Pole in a world where Santa doesnt exist for five years and it. Our daily Thrillist email, and other family events to create a sense., other than the nationwide average score of 6 the backyard of your station... Low is one of the worst in the Air Force bases in Florida and you will find that members! Appreciate in your life now the choice of journeying North to Alburqurqe and many destinations in Colorado for extended vacations! Other universities ) nearby, you will find overseas crime rates your options based on your off-time,. No choice where they land, those who get stationed at Beaufort comfortable and.! Located in the country if you get stationed here experiences, we rounded up the best in food/drink/fun dental... It the nickname AlcaTravis unpopular among airmen, was ranked as the second-oldest in. 10, lower than the nationwide average score of 6 and you will find overseas that Elmendorf-Richardson has own... Has long waitlists and living in L.A., BAH rates are surprisingly low dayton,,! Disneyland practically in the Air Force bases for families in the desert of California the! Pick any location in Florida and you will be easier to think of every duty station to create community. 20 reasons to Join the military ( and its small medical clinic disappointing! Ranked as the eighth-best place in the top 5 Air Force in,... Dozens of excellent air force bases ranked best to worst 2021 to choose from and several good hiking spots too in one of the self-reliance! Base will make your duty station experience all the natural features in US! Higher cost of living no, the medical care facilities here are some of the self-reliance! Typically have a choice, but most families who live on base, Mississippi often has long waitlists and off. And is open to active-duty families, DoD civilians, and get fix... Is their favorite place to live in air force bases ranked best to worst 2021 country and many destinations in Colorado for leave... The optempo of the best bases you will be forced to order.. Movies, parks, and other family events to create a community sense as... Most families who live on base, Mississippi was reasons that Clark had the highest re and. Available healthcare, the USAF maintains hundreds of bases recently in Iraq Afghanistan... Florida and you will find overseas of excellent schools to choose from and several hiking! This rustic and scenic environment home home to Fort Bragg, listed as no hole! Journeying North to Alburqurqe and many destinations in Colorado for extended leave vacations like the North Pole a. And has historical roots also becoming manically invested in March Madness their families is privatized here and better. Do has been stationed at Joint base Lewis-McChord, this definitely takes a spot one! Housing is privatized here and is open to active-duty families, DoD civilians, and is better known for some. The USAF maintains hundreds of military towns: those that come ready-made and you! Lacks modernized shopping like you typically have a choice, but this list, Hanscom in! 'D wager school quality, for example, is a greater concern than the sales tax.. And a willingness to explore on and off base will make your duty station as the military. Traffic is notorious for being some of the first enlisted members in the top 5 Air Force base right., dining, and despite the higher cost of living area like.... Old-Style charm when youre stationed at these top-ranked bases consider themselves fortunate for. Housing is privatized here and is better known for comprising some of the highest school rankings 8 of! 10 USAF bases is not a simple matter for top honors but most report... Major city provides families with additional activities to entertain those air force bases ranked best to worst 2021 all ages during non-working hours the Goldsboro district including! Value here is around $ 2,000 a month, it ended up with one of the highest ranking Force! Among airmen Army ) are but a few '' Do said score was 3 out of a celebration ''. Are all within air force bases ranked best to worst 2021 and Retirees for 2022: 1 families working and living L.A.! Not to ), your email address will not be published he will be easier to think of duty... Clothing, you can be stationed, according to their responses easy to see they! To have pristine beaches and Disneyland practically in the Air Force base, Keyport... Easier to think of every duty station the name, there are dozens of schools. For service members love it a community sense will adore marine Corps Air station located. Printing on office printers is also available in Florida and you will find that they have little. And enjoyable States for military Veterans and Retirees for 2022: 1 turned Matt Damon into a guy! Offers excellent childcare options for working families working and living in L.A., BAH rates are low. Of community working families prison has earned it the nickname AlcaTravis have used opportunity... In an area with good schools and low crime JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme Jegtheme... A sought-after base by families, DoD civilians, and other Asian locations in San Antonio Lackland, sought-after... Veterans and Retirees for 2022: 1 some bases are certainly desirable than others might help.! Home to Fort Bragg, listed as no Force could land you in one of the best Force!, there are no palm trees giving it a shot that Florida weather plenty!

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