Home of the Space and Missile Systems Center and the 61st Air Base Group, Los Angeles Air Force base is situated in El Segundo, California. It could be because of how close it was to family, the location around the installation or based on what the work hours were for the service member. 5. You're in a tropical paradise with great weather and. But he estimated food and housing expenses there were easily three to four times as much as in the Scott area. Single life has its advantages and disadvantages. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. There are just under 60 active U.S. Air Force bases in the country. Fayetteville is one of the few bases on our list thats located in an actual town, or as a Marine spouse in neighboring Camp Lejeune put it, at least they have a mall and a Discount Tire. Still, soldiers insist that the place reminds them of every combat zone the US has visited in the past four decades.Most common escape: Charleston, Wilmington, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Myrtle Beach are all within a couples of hours drive. Military residents appreciate the rural and quiet surroundings of east Dayton yet with quick access to metropolises like Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Columbus, and Indianapolis. Even though limited and collaborative Air Force 1s make the headlines, nothing beats a crispy pair of all-whites. Contact Us The military base has multiple things going for it as mentioned above. Becoming a military family can be an adjustment for families. The United States currently operates 59 active Air Force bases. The overseas USAF base is top-notch even if it lacks modernized shopping. Nature enthusiasts want to spend their time hiking while they tour jungle land with numerous waterfalls. Best Military Bases OCONUS: Okinawa, Japan. For example, a staff sergeant without dependents in L.A. gets a monthly BAH of $1,704 and a chief master sergeant without dependents gets $2,373. 2. New Hampshire 6. 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? Nobody else in the entire Marine Corps cares that it's so difficult for you to travel home. Yosemite National Park is just a couple hours north (and its great hikes! The 7 percent sales tax is higher than the nationwide average of 6 percent, and summer hits hard, averaging 92-degree temperatures in July. Best area perk? 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! Your email address will not be published. 29 stumps. What are the best Air Force bases in the United States? As with virtually every other town on this list, Lemoore is almost indiscernible on a map. JBLM and the surrounding community places great importance on family life and community. According to Sperling's Best Places, average July temperatures in Wichita hit a scorching 93 degrees. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. When the kids are not in school, families can pack up the car and be in Raleigh, Durham, Wilmington, or Myrtle Beach within just a few hours. 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. Smog in New Delhi on October 20, 2021. Related: Five worst Navy bases where you can be stationed . The secludedness makes you feel like you have an island to yourself with phenomenal beaches and splendid weather. Yeah, most havent. Its also open seven days a week, so youre able to relax on this piece of paradise on your days off. There are tons of perks to being near NOLA, but it isn't for every family. 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. If you love the great outdoors and dont mind a little rain, Naval Base Kitsap is one of the prettiest places to be stationed. It boasts shopping centers, short commute times to large, surrounding cities, a massive 300-bed hospital, and a friendly and welcoming community atmosphere. He will be back at full force in 2021. 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. Many people join the military to travel and see the world which is most desirable for active-duty members that are single. Oh, and you can walk on the ferry for free to go to Seattle! While relocating to Las Vegas is maybe a good or bad thing its impossible to resist the urge for young singles of the USAF. Newsletter Wichita ranks as the worst city for veterans health care, largely because veterans make up just 0.03% of the city's population. If you find yourself stationed on the beautiful island of Oahu, consider yourself among the lucky few who get this coveted duty station. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isaiah Miller). Best area perk? Orlando is also within a long days drive from MacDill Air Force Base. Plus, the Kitsap Peninsula isnt far from multiple day trip options, including Seattle, local mountain ranges, water trails, and even Canada. Then look no further than the Sunshine State. Its a great base to live on whether youre single, married, or have kids, as theres a lot to do in your downtime. The number remains high and far above any other country in the world despite closing down hundreds of bases recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. 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. Edwards. 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. "It's better for my family.". 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. If you love the water, youll love it here. 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. best Clark Air Base 1980-1985 and 1989-1991 sad to see it close. Whats your dream duty station and why? 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), Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM): 8 Things To Know, Army Achievement Medal (AAM): 6 Things To Know. Submit an Article 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)**. Sperling's Best Places also provided data it collected on the size and type of on-base commissaries, exchanges and health care facilities, and rankings on a 10-point scale. Task & Purpose polled more than 1,000 of its readers on the worst military installations in terms of living. Air Force 1 07 White. Jul 23, 2014. 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. Joint Base San Antonio is in the suburb of Lackland, Texas. 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. 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. MacDill AFB is another prime location for the single crowd. (tied) Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. 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. Housing is affordable with high-quality schools and excellent features on the base. Learn more about Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans here. 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. Brighten up your posts with a perfect niece quote or caption. "It's easier sometimes to ask a friend to get you something when they are TDY.". Wine and Cheeseburger: Harley and Lara Pair Falafel with Wine. Its like the North Pole in a world where Santa doesnt exist. You also wont be far from beautiful natural attractions like the Florida Keys and the Everglades. Also worth mentioning: Freedom Crossing, the first-ever, on-base, open-air shopping center offers tons of restaurants and shops. 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. Fort Carson main gate. You wont be far from intercoastal waterways, museums, fine dining, and more. Iowa 10 Best States for Military Veterans and Retirees for 2022: 1. 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. While many Air Force families have no choice where they land, those who get stationed at these top-ranked bases consider themselves fortunate. Greece. She and other mothers and fathers emphasize the value of comfort and safety on base. Shopping here means no sales taxes for military families! Scott Air Force Base, located in St. Clair County, Illinois, is a top spot for growing military families and single folk alike. What would you add to this? Meanwhile, others like single personnel have quick access to St. Louis and a variety of entertainment options. Mississippi 8. Below, we rounded up the best military bases categorized by interests. 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 our survey, it ended up with one of the highest school rankings 8 out of 10 the lowest crime. Sure, there are dozens of barbers that will give you a tight fade, but theres really nowhere to be off duty and allow your face to fade into a five oclock shadow. All Rights Reserved. . 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 technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. 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. The base is one of the oldest bases in the nation, and a portion of the homes on base are historic homes. 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. Naval Base Kitsap . Bring giggles and glee with these hilarious April Fools' Day jokes! 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. This time, though, we wanted to know where they absolutely HATED being sent. The veteran poverty rate is 15.1%, the eighth highest in the nation, and VA expenditures are among the 10 lowest cities. Unlike many other military bases, this one has a great cost of living its actually 18% lower than the U.S. national average. The 445th Airlift Wing flies C-17 Globemaster III's out of Wright Patterson. All rights reserved. The overseas location is also instrumental to military operations on the Western Pacific. Not like you typically have a choice, but this list might help anyway. (tied) McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Marine Corps Base Hawaii You're in Hawaii. Finally, we added up the scores and stacked the bases. Off base? The 2021 IQAir report ranked India among the countries with the . Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Besides the unique cultural tensions of living in a border town, service members reported that Fort Bliss was hot, isolated, and subject to sandstorms. A home in nearby Fairfax County, Virginia, has a median cost of $455,300. Locals are friendly to soldiers serving in the USAF 18th Wing, 353rd Special Operations Group, and other units. The summers are upward of 100 degrees. Do you enjoy the indoors or outdoors more? The site has roots dating back to the Revolutionary War, and now hosts more than 700 Marines, sailors, and civilians. And the schools are middling, with average ranking of 5 within 10 miles. They say there are two kinds of military towns: those that come ready-made and those you "make the most of." Fort Carson, Colorado. Off base, youll find nearby volcanoes to hike, waterfalls to swim in, and beach shores to surf along. Compared to Pakistan Air Force's 2.5 pilots per aircraft, the IAF is at a ratio of 1.5. Come along for the ride! Military personnel get a discount, too. And these were their picks for the Best Military Towns in America -- some truly beautiful parts of the country. Eglin Air Force Base is another excellent choice for military couples. Most common escape: Charleston, Wilmington, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Myrtle Beach are all within a couples of hours' drive. Its a great base for singles because of its proximity to downtown San Antonio and Austin which are paradises for this type of crowd. This map is available up to 18x24 inches @ 300 ppi. Thankfully, the Air Force Base has a private beach available to those in service when the weather becomes unbearably hot! Kadena Air Base is another location in Asia to get lost in along with Guam. The median home cost there is a whopping $766,000. Copyright 2023 www.OperationMilitaryKids.org. From mountain climbing to whitewater rafting, youll find some of the best outdoor adventures here. The USAF features a broad mix of aircraft types as well as balance strengthened by overall numbers (quantity). Ranking the premier Air Force bases in the United States is not an easy task as there are several worthy of top honors. When you view any duty station as your new home, youll be able to better embrace the local culture and unique base aspects. Want to write for Task & Purpose? 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. The white Nike Air Force 1 Low is one of the best Air Force 1s because it has withstood the test of time. 4. | The only saving grace is that Las Vegas is less than 3 hours away. April Fools' Day quotes are filled with jokes and jests - and these options are better than the rest! Additionally, Joint Base San Antonio Lackland offers its own mall on the base and several other amenities. As a service member, theres a good chance youre going to move around a lot. 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. 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. 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. 10 Worst Cities 1. Off base, youll find a location thats military-friendly as Naval Air Station Pensacola employs 23,000 personnel, including civilians. Related Article List of Air Force Bases in the US. Eareckson sits 1200 miles from Anchorage Alaska but only 200 miles from Russia. 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. So even though the base may be a bust, it might just prompt enough personal growth to make a really excellent online dating profile. Since there's no chow hall, he tries to find healthy foods off base. Word has it that the family-friendly community here is so good that you dont just cry when you get there, you cry when you leave, too. The base's commissary is small, its only medical facility is a clinic, and its small exchange is just a shoppette. Even if it lacks modernized shopping up your posts with a perfect niece quote or caption the value of and! 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