air force bases ranked best to worst 2020

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. Here are the top Air Force bases in the nation: Located in St. Clair County, Illinois, Scott Air Force Base tops the list of the best Air Force Bases in the U.S. overall. The median home cost there is a whopping $766,000. Its like the North Pole in a world where Santa doesnt exist. Do says that for airmen stationed in Columbus, it's tough to afford to eat healthily and stay fit. 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. Jul 23, 2014. This accrues at 2.5 days per month. While living on post is extremely safe the base is home to the Defense Intelligence Agency living off post is a different story. air force bases ranked best to worst 2020 Publicado el 30 de junio, 2022 Autor tequila sword bottle. 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. The military complex has a ton of history and its evolution has transformed into one of the largest bases in the world. 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. Most families report that the base is a black hole that you never leave. If you find yourself stationed on the beautiful island of Oahu, consider yourself among the lucky few who get this coveted duty station. Altus started out as a scrapyard for World War II aircraft. If want to live off base, keep in mind the cost of living is high for junior enlisted families in particular, but youll likely find yourself in gorgeous historic neighborhoods. Oh, and you can walk on the ferry for free to go to Seattle! Want to keep your sharp shooter status? For those who are vegetarian, Godspeed. Perhaps you parked in the admin NCOs parking spot. The base's commissary is small, its only medical facility is a clinic, and its small exchange is just a shoppette. If you love the water, youll love it here. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 www.OperationMilitaryKids.org. (tied) McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The on-base amenities for Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi are disappointing. 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. 1. Population: 448,759 Veteran Population: 94,938 Median Home Price: $222,100 Unemployment Rate: 4.8% Crime Rate: Safer than 10% of U.S. cities Military Bases Near Colorado Springs: Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base; Colorado Springs is one of the best places for military retirement! According to the Military Family Advisory Network, 78% of surveyed military personnel still live off base and in the surrounding cities. Housing is also surprisingly affordable in parts of San Antonio and soldiers that are single will cherish the live music scene in nearby Austin. The military base has multiple things going for it as mentioned above. The number remains high and far above any other country in the world despite closing down hundreds of bases recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. 6. Despite the astronomical costs of living in L.A., BAH rates are surprisingly low. The constant rainfall makes the entire region green and lush year-round. Additionally, the USAF maintains hundreds of military bases around the globe in more than 70 countries. Bekah DiFelice is a writer, military spouse, and recovering addict to the word "literally." 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. The commissary isnt great and the types of food are limited. Housing is affordable with high-quality schools and excellent features on the base. This city has one of the highest veteran populations in the U.S. and is home to . Having an open mind and a willingness to explore on and off base will make your duty station experience all the better. Lovely Fort Polk in blazing hot Louisiana is about as inviting as the mujahideen, unless youre a tropical disease virus. Location: Bremerton, Bangor, and Keyport, Washington. 20 Reasons to Join the Military (and 7 reasons not to), Your email address will not be published. Besides the unique cultural tensions of living in a border town, service members reported that Fort Bliss was hot, isolated, and subject to sandstorms. 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? Why is Russia wasting so many troops to capture Bakhmut? People's Liberation Army Air Force ( China) - 1991. Its cheaper to live in the place you never wanted to! Travel comes easy as you can reach Japan and Korea in a few short hours. And an Arlington, Virginia, house hits a punishing median cost of $583,400 well over triple the $170,100 median home cost nationwide. Best Military Bases OCONUS: Okinawa, Japan. While the state is usually not the top choice for many military families youll find a welcoming community with plenty of support. Fort Lewis is easily one of the best Army bases in the United States. 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. Scores for the most important categories schools, cost of living, housing and commissaries were tripled. The military base is also close to the Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree National Park for family vacations when the time allows. Joint Base San Antonio. In the summertime, you can even hit the beach on the shores of Lake Ontario for some exciting ice swimming!!! Vacation. 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? E-2: $2,070 per . Families also benefit from no state income or sales tax in the Anchorage area. The veteran poverty rate is 15.1%, the eighth highest in the nation, and VA expenditures are among the 10 lowest cities. The weather is tropical yet really pleasant in the winters if youre not a fan of the cold or snow. The press is silent, and people don't know they're being poisoned. MacDill Air Force Base. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. Located in St. Clair County, Illinois, Scott Air Force Base tops the list of the best Air Force Bases in the U.S. overall. Staff Sgt. Thanks guys!). 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. Wichita ranks as the worst city for veterans health care, largely because veterans make up just 0.03% of the city's population. Mountain Home, Idaho Whiteman, Missouri. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. You are forced to travel to an Army base an hour and a half away to go to the commissary or shop. Korean People's Army Air Force ( North Korea) - 946. With nearly 13,000 active duty members across the areas bases, youll meet people from all over the country if you get stationed here. Basic allowance for housing is nowhere near enough to foot the bill of an area that has a housing purchase median cost of $766,000. A enlisted thinktank brought to you by Task & Purpose. 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. 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. Base: Fort DrumUnlucky call sign: Fort Drunk (due to the number of alcohol-related incidents on base in the 1990s)Why it's not great: As the old joke goes, Fort Drum has two seasons: winter and July. Creating a list of the best Air Force bases in the nation is not an easy task. A home in nearby Fairfax County, Virginia, has a median cost of $455,300. 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. (tied) Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. There are no schools on base. 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. The secludedness makes you feel like you have an island to yourself with phenomenal beaches and splendid weather. The program will embed 16 mental health providers with units across the base. Best area perk? Also, according to residents, the smell from a nearby water treatment plant makes the area very undesirable, especially during the hot and humid summers. The current version has been updated to reflect the change. 10 Worst States for Military Veterans and Retirees 2022: Vermont; Nevada; District of Columbia; Oregon Related Article How To Join The US Air Force. Single life has its advantages and disadvantages. Published Jun 5, 2018 7:48 PM EDT. Here are some of the worst overseas bases. One review went as far as to refer to it as the gates of hell, but did not indicate much more than that. Were sorry, Fayetteville -- you didnt deserve that. There is nothing like spending leisure time in the outdoors. Unlucky call sign: "Fort Piss," "Hell Paso". 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. Travis is in Solano County, California. Overall, it seems that everyone enjoyed their time at Kadena, despite some of the drawbacks. 2. 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. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. San Antonio is one of the most underrated cities in the United States with mild year-round temperatures, entertainment options, and a thriving nightlife. While most residents acknowledge that it has nice, temperate weather, there isnt much else said about it. In alphabetical order-. Located on the Canadian border, winters here are long and brutal as the snow piles up and temps dip down to thirty below. Do you enjoy the indoors or outdoors more? The Grand Canyon and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are also within reason. Many people join the military to travel and see the world which is most desirable for active-duty members that are single. South Korean Air Force - 898. 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. Apra Harbor, Guam. On-base housing is privatized here and is open to active-duty families, DoD civilians, and active duty bachelors. I turned town an assignment to Eielson for Andersen.. got rewarded with an assignment to Minot afterwards.. 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. 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. 6. Orlando is also within a long days drive from MacDill Air Force Base. By Besides the unique . It is a great place if your spouse does not want to work. 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. While relocating to Las Vegas is maybe a good or bad thing its impossible to resist the urge for young singles of the USAF. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. 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. One review stated that the school system is out of date (but I am unsure as to what that means). 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. In 2014, the area saw an increase in serious crimes with aggravated assault, murder, and rape up by 13%. Ft Greely, AK - 4 hours . "Everything closes early on base and around town. We searched for all rated schools within a 10-mile radius of each base and averaged their scores to come up with an overall school score. ), and Kings Canyon is the same distance east. Special Report: The top 5 best bases for airmen. | Also worth mentioning: Freedom Crossing, the first-ever, on-base, open-air shopping center offers tons of restaurants and shops. This post is responsible for training all Air Force B-1 crews and is commonly referred to as the Home of the B-1. Residents report that the base is small and theres nothing to do in the area, unless you want to drive to Dallas or Houston. Related Article US Military Bases in Germany. Youre never far from outdoor island adventures here. Learn more about Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans here. Read the article to learn more about the top Air Force bases in the country and overseas, along with specific demographics like best for singles or families. 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. Ranking the premier Air Force bases in the United States is not an easy task as there are several worthy of top honors. Here are some of the best bases you will find overseas. Fort Polk resides in Louisiana where the hot summers and mosquito problems can make the area unpleasant. If you love the great outdoors and dont mind a little rain, Naval Base Kitsap is one of the prettiest places to be stationed. 10 Worst Cities. Base (s): Naval Base Guam, Andersen Air Force Base. McGuire Air Force Base is part of joint base operations with the United States Air Force. The overseas USAF base is top-notch even if it lacks modernized shopping. The quiet countryside serves as a quick escape from the hectic nature of the military base. 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. Therefore, its plausible that you will get to spend time at Nellis and ideally when you are young and single. It's so small that there is no chow hall. But now it's just a scrapyard for your hopes and dreams of being stationed in California. The year-round sunny weather. To enjoy all that the area has to offer, dress accordingly on and off base to explore the best parts of this beautiful region. Brad Howard McConnell's crime score was 3 out of a possible 10, lower than the nationwide average score of 6. They have a DOD school that serves 9th-12th grade and recently built a new BX. Dayton also supports its military demographic with plenty of exclusive discounts and promotions for service members and families. Columbus is a career-ending base, where many have retired [or] separated due to just being stuck at the base.". RAF Mildenhall. 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. 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. As the second-oldest city in South Carolina, history lovers will adore Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort located 70 miles southwest of Charleston. Langley AFB is near Hampton, Virginia. Some even deliver to your door. When youre stationed in a stunning location like Hawaii, get outdoors as much as possible. As a service member, theres a good chance youre going to move around a lot. The base is on the smaller side, so youll get a chance to know your fellow service members and their families well. 10. Delta Air Lines. It is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters. Here's what they say for 2022. Related: Five worst Navy bases where you can be stationed . Its a great base for singles because of its proximity to downtown San Antonio and Austin which are paradises for this type of crowd. If you have children, they will have to drive roughly an hour to the nearest international school. 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. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Check out online forums like Reddit for open discussions. 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. According to a new survey, about 1 in 25 adults say they recently fell asleep while driving. Below, we rounded up the best military bases categorized by interests. The military facility is in the Fort Walton and Destin area with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. The forts Southern gothic landscape matches its history as a prison. As cold as Minot, but without the nukes; perhaps this place could use a little radiation. Members of the Air Force receive 30 days of vacation with pay each year. These are the highest ranking Air Force bases for couples: Do you really need an excuse to live in Hawaii? Altus, Oklahoma Cannon, New Mexico Dyess, Texas (to replace with Grand Forks) Eielson, Alaska Ellsworth, South Dakota (convinced-removed) Ft.Polk, Louisiana Holloman, New Mexico Malmstrom, Montana Minot, North Dakota (edit-How did I forget??) And it's hot, too. 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. Plus, youll have about 200+ days of sunshine here to enjoy most every day youre outside on base or off. 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. Then look no further than the Sunshine State. 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. While there are numerous overseas locations worth considering for singles, this list focuses on bases in the United States. As the Home of the Rugged Professional, this base is perfect for adventurous service members who dont mind the cold. This little city has it all:beautiful scenery, protected beaches, and historic sites all over. A huge Navy exchange and commissary 100,000 square feet to be exact was built in 2011. Both families and singles can easily find plenty of on-base housing, including single-family, duplex, and townhome floor plans (up to 5 bedrooms). Everyone has interests based on where they are in life. One soldier put it this way, If God had to give the Earth an enema, he would attach the hose to Fort Polk. Yeesh. Do warm days and sunny skies year-round sound appealing? Housing near Lakenheath is among the best with plenty of new and trendy options. 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. The average GreatSchools.com ranking of schools within a 10-mile radius was 4 out of a possible 10. When you view any duty station as your new home, youll be able to better embrace the local culture and unique base aspects. There are tons of national parks, plus all the skiing and rock climbing you can . Yeah, most havent. There are, of course, many things we cannot control for when joining the military, but some bases are just worse than others. Do said Columbus' exchange is horrible, and he usually goes to Wal-Mart instead. All air force and military bases are not made the same. Best area perk? The Panama Canal also falls under the protection of this base. 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. While McConnell has a large commissary, its small medical clinic and disappointing base exchange also hurt the base's ranking. 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. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. 5. Related: What Is Accrued . This time, though, we wanted to know where they absolutely HATED being sent. It isnt technically an AFB, so they dont have the normal base facilities that you would typically see. Wichita, KA. Best area perk? 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. In other words, Fayetteville is the awkward neighborhood kid surrounded by cooler, more beautiful neighbors in every direction (yes, even Myrtle Beach. Melanye Martinez. 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. Best area perk? American Airlines. The 9 percent sales tax and 7.6 percent unemployment rate are also high. Off base, you can take to the mountains or surrounding regions for snowshoeing, hunting, camping, and fishing. Check out our list of the best Air Force bases to live on for couples, singles, and families. Beaufort was also named as the Souths Best Small Town by Southern Living Magazine. On base, youll enjoy access to a private, lifeguarded beach. 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. 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. Finally the farther distance between 2 bases is about 219 miles which is well under most air force planes range capacity. As one of the most requested locations in the Army, youre in for a treat if you get stationed at Fort Carson. 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. A nearby town or city with fun things to do. Off base housing is nice, but expensive. 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 technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Surfing, hiking, ziplining the list is endless. 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. Some residents have taken to calling the area Smell Segundo. The main issue, however, is really the money. *The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Off base, youll find nearby volcanoes to hike, waterfalls to swim in, and beach shores to surf along. At one point it was home for German POWs during World War II. Jason Do has been stationed at Columbus for five years and called it "one of the worst bases" in the Air Force. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kirby Turbak. A ROKAF T-50 at the Singapore Air Show. 5. Fort Carson main gate. There are about 26,000 US military. Kadena, Japan. 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. 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.

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