We then assigned each category a score on a 10-point scale. Location: Bremerton, Bangor, and Keyport, Washington. Beaufort was also named as the Souths Best Small Town by Southern Living Magazine. Edwards. Air Force Services is an especially important and necessary job on bases that consist of hundreds of service members just not elegant or deeply fascinating. The 9 percent sales tax and 7.6 percent unemployment rate are also high. Find out about these awesome picks. Langley AFB is near Hampton, Virginia. Oh, and you can walk on the ferry for free to go to Seattle! Below, we rounded up the best military bases categorized by interests. 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme. A not cool thing about Minot it seems to have an endless winter being so far north in North Dakota. Kids can freely run and play without parents worrying much. "It's better for my family.". As with virtually every other town on this list, Lemoore is almost indiscernible on a map. And it's hot, too. At SOUTHCOM, you can expect to meet a lot of different people as its a joint base. Huge base great support and there was reasons that Clark had the highest re enlistment and DEROS extension rates in the Air Force. On base, youll enjoy access to a private, lifeguarded beach. Base Operations at Scott AFB, Ill. Photo by Karen Petitt Air Force Image. 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. Regardless, they're all ones you won't want to miss: 1. Outdoor activities are also abundant given all the natural features in the area. Kadena, Japan This is a large base that does not have a lot of Westernized shopping. 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. Fort Hood Visitor Center. 40 Niece Quotes & Captions to Show Your Unique Connection. If the base had stayed open I would have stayed and retired right there . The year-round sunny weather. Best area perk? This on-base perk also has beach volleyball courts, cabanas with grills, and a full bathhouse. Driving along the roads, dont be surprised if you see herds of moose or elk wandering along the side of the road. Though the weather isnt terrific its still a fantastic place to get stationed if you have to go outside the United States. Dayton also supports its military demographic with plenty of exclusive discounts and promotions for service members and families. Florida 3. Many of its products are locally-sourced thanks to the U.S.'s massive industrial base. The military base is also close to the Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree National Park for family vacations when the time allows. Compared to Pakistan Air Force's 2.5 pilots per aircraft, the IAF is at a ratio of 1.5. 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. Brighten up your posts with a perfect niece quote or caption. Life at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina, is hard to beat. Washington Navy Yard, Bolling Air Force Base, and Fort Lesley J. McNair (Army) are but a few. Best reason to be . Sign up here for our daily Thrillist email, and get your fix of the best in food/drink/fun. 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. As a service member, theres a good chance youre going to move around a lot. The USAF features a broad mix of aircraft types as well as balance strengthened by overall numbers (quantity). Privacy Policy Oh, and theres also that small thing about the contaminated drinking water.Most common escape: Although theres basically nothing to do in Jacksonville except get a fresh tattoo or payday loan, Wilmington is just an hour away, Myrtle Beach is a little over two, and Nicholas Sparks lives nearby where he pens novels for your romantic escapism, I mean, for your reading pleasure. ), and Kings Canyon is the same distance east. The base is rural yet only about an hour from London as well as other countries in the area like Scotland. The New Orleans area is a hub of such! However, many despise the climate as usually being wet, cold, and gloomy. Holloman AFB is deserving even if Luke AFB and MacDill AFB also need to get considered on this list. Related Article Best Army Bases for Families, Couples and Singles. Learn more about Naval Air Station Key West here. 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? Wine and Cheeseburger: Harley and Lara Pair Falafel with Wine. Again, the desert climate and dry heat make the location undesirable, and despite the name, there are no palm trees. Best area perk? (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isaiah Miller). 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. Task & Purpose polled more than 1,000 of its readers on the worst military installations in terms of living. ", 3. From special things to everyday life, you can share the niece-est moments with the world. Additionally, the USAF maintains hundreds of military bases around the globe in more than 70 countries. As the Home of the Rugged Professional, this base is perfect for adventurous service members who dont mind the cold. Royal air force. Families can take advantage of events like family trivia nights at the base or check out numerous museums in the Tacoma area. The military site hosts the Royal Air Force but also supports U.S. personnel including the 48th Fighter Wing. MacDill AFB is another prime location for the single crowd. Bekah DiFelice is a writer, military spouse, and recovering addict to the word "literally." Were sorry, Fayetteville -- you didnt deserve that. On-base housing is privatized here and is open to active-duty families, DoD civilians, and active duty bachelors. Those living on base have many housing options to choose from, ranging from small duplexes to lakeside, four-bedroom abodes. Being a military family isn't easy and often comes with plenty of hardships, but the work that these great people do is crucial. An island, Okinawa is just about 70 miles long and an average of seven miles wide. Copyright 2023 www.OperationMilitaryKids.org. 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. Everyone has to settle down eventually, right? The medical care facilities here are superb, and the base offers excellent childcare options for working families. Combining Fort Sam Houston the Lackland and Randolph Air Force Bases, Joint Base San Antonio is home to some of the best and brightest service members in the country, including the 5th Army, 25th Air Force and 37th Training Wing. The military facility is in the Fort Walton and Destin area with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. While the state is usually not the top choice for many military families youll find a welcoming community with plenty of support. Best area perk? Population: 22,000. (which would have added up to about an extra 300) Osan- Korea's pretty great even if the work sucks. On base, youll find dental care, vet services, dining, and other recreational activities for a low-key day off. What lifestyle amenities do you appreciate in your life now? In the surrounding areas, you can see everything from pre-Civil War forts to the southernmost point of the continental U.S. 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. 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. Camp Lejeune. Delta Air Lines; Southwest Airlines; United Airlines; We'd wager school quality, for example, is a greater concern than the sales tax rate. 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. Yeah, most havent. Most of these assignments do not yield your normal military installation and community, and everything is on the economy. Contact Us 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? When youre stationed in a stunning location like Hawaii, get outdoors as much as possible. If you love the water, youll love it here. Military Bases & Facilities. Matthew Robins assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, is ready to go at the skijoring event at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. To come up with a school quality score, we used the website GreatSchools.com, a respected resource for ranking and comparing schools used by real estate agents and real estate websites such as Zillow and Realtor.com. If you love the great outdoors and dont mind a little rain, Naval Base Kitsap is one of the prettiest places to be stationed. Nevada 3. It's so small that there is no chow hall. (We also plied them for their military packing pro-tips. The MTFs awarded . Any time you want to participate in any outdoor activity, you can pretty much guarantee the weather will be ideal to spend time outside. The amenities at the military base are excellent and Colorado Springs is an excellent community to call home since so many residents are either active duty or retired military personnel. Some 1,300 families call this place home and speak highly of its strong sense of community. Orlando is also within a long days drive from MacDill Air Force Base. The veteran poverty rate is 15.1%, the eighth highest in the nation, and VA expenditures are among the 10 lowest cities. Considering the average price of a two-bedroom apartment in Dayton is about $700 a month, it is easy to see how military families can comfortably live and work here. 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. Air Force 1 07 White. 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. While relocating to Las Vegas is maybe a good or bad thing its impossible to resist the urge for young singles of the USAF. You can rent a van from FSS for a few hundred a week, all road tolls paid. Related Article Pros and Cons of joining the Air Force. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. 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. Base: Cannon Air Force BaseUnlucky call sign: AfcannonstanWhy it's not great: Blame the fact that Clovis is more West Texas than New Mexico, that there are limited on-base amenities, or that its completely surrounded by cattle farms and dairies; but airmen know Clovis as a remote base town memorable for the wafting smell of cow manure and the downright biblical wave of pestilence known as fly season.Most common escape: Lubbock and Amarillo, Texas, are the two closest cities, but we cant bring ourselves to see how this is a good thing -- unless you enjoy taking down 72oz of free steak in an hour. Still, Scott makes the transition easier with its affordable housing options, low crime rate, top-notch hospital, and on-base amenities like a mini-mall and shopping center. "I also know that a lot of enlisted members have a second job to support their families.". The cost of living here hovers slightly below the national average, and the schools are well ranked. Technically located in Belle Chasse, this joint station is bustling with activity that includes the Navy Reserve, Coast Guard, Marine Corps Reserve, and the Louisiana Air National Guard. Phan Rang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam (Closed 1972) Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, (Closed 1971, Reopened 1972-1974) Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam (Closed 1973) Tuy Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam (Closed 1970) U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield, Thailand, (Closed 1976)**. Know the Pros & Cons, The transportation industry is a broad mark segment that involves moving freight and/or people from one place to another. By JSD47630. 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. Some military families go so far as to live in New Hampshire and commute to work. Smog in New Delhi on October 20, 2021. Military Families: Resources, Tips and Beyond, two high schools rating 9/10 on the GreatSchools index. The only downside mentioned has been the possibility of hurricanes. Though the concept of moving to Alaska may overwhelm some families it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. 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. Some 20,000 military families call this rustic and scenic environment home. Families also benefit from no state income or sales tax in the Anchorage area. If you consider every relocation an adventure, it will be easier to think of every duty station as the best military base. The Best And Worst Airlines in America in 2021. And for how close it is to the water, youll probably be surprised by the low rates of living. Hanscom Air Force Base near Bedford, Massachusetts, has a lot going for it. Or towns that led otherwise supportive military spouses to casually be, like, Heeeey, just an idea here, but maaaaaaybe -- now hear me out -- maybe we do the long distance thing until your next assignment, when they got their orders. 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. 2. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. Vermont 2. The base is on the smaller side, so youll get a chance to know your fellow service members and their families well. In the summertime, you can even hit the beach on the shores of Lake Ontario for some exciting ice swimming!!! Life here is charming, but it can be dicey at times. Fort Greely is also considered a remote duty station as the next closest large city Fairbanks is 100 miles away. One soldier put it this way, If God had to give the Earth an enema, he would attach the hose to Fort Polk. Yeesh. The ratings come. Located in Miami-Dade County, get an introduction to the melting pot that is nearby Miamis culture. You will be able to take your time exploring and learn all the good local spots, too! No matter which Air Force Base tickles your fancy, they all have a few essential commonalities that families tend to put at the top of their checklists. If you love it, perhaps youll be lucky enough to get extended there. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. 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. If youre bored around base, catch a flick at the theater, take a walk along a trail, or check out Afterburners, a rec facility with 36 TVs, pool tables, and an outdoor tiki bar. Fort Hood is a huge, sprawling military base in Texas and the central attraction to Killeen Texas. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Similar to other locations mentioned you are surrounded by water, and there is lots to see and do! Youre never far from outdoor island adventures here. Keep in mind its very competitive to get stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson but savor the opportunity if it presents itself. 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. Living at or near a base that focuses on family and work-life balance helps make their occupation choice worthwhile. Finding Balance in the Social-Media-Spiraling Society, Marco Polo App Improves Communication for Military Families. If you can't fit in smaller sized clothing, you will be forced to order online. The quiet countryside serves as a quick escape from the hectic nature of the military base. This list is subjective, of course there are too many duty stations to post here so do your research before submitting your wishlist. For a complete directory of U.S. and overseas military installations, visit the Department of Defense Military OneSource network. 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. In our survey, it ended up with one of the highest school rankings 8 out of 10 the lowest crime ratesreceiving 9 points out of 10, far greater than the nationwide average of 6 and lowest unemployment rates 3.9 percent compared with 6.1 percent nationally. Want to write for Task & Purpose? "It's hard to find anything that'll fit, and there isn't much selection" at the exchange, Do said. Russian forces continue to fail in the Donbas, This is why every veteran should take up archery, Russian offensives continue to fail in Ukraine, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Check out online forums like Reddit for open discussions. Also, according to residents, the smell from a nearby water treatment plant makes the area very undesirable, especially during the hot and humid summers. It may be fun to have pristine beaches and Disneyland practically in the backyard of your duty station. 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. Danielle Kruse, a military wife, living on the base, highlighted this sentiment, saying she appreciates how all families living here go through similar experiences and support one another in deployment times. Meanwhile, others like single personnel have quick access to St. Louis and a variety of entertainment options. When it comes to available healthcare, the medical center is one of the best in the military. According to some respondents, its an overly religious area with a high number of evangelical Christian churches. If that is not enough, consider that Elmendorf-Richardson has its own ski area. 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