I was lucky worst place I ever went was Lajes and it was OK Best reason to be . These are the highest ranking Air Force bases for couples: Do you really need an excuse to live in Hawaii? The hospitality doesnt go unnoticed by military personnel making it a great place to feel welcomed. BestPlaces.net's crime statistics had low numbers for low crime rates and high numbers for high crime rates. Yeah, most havent. Military residents appreciate the rural and quiet surroundings of east Dayton yet with quick access to metropolises like Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Columbus, and Indianapolis. 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. New Mexico 7. We used formulas to convert the raw data from each category into a 10-point scale. Located in the southern part of Colorado Springs, this mountainous area is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Related Article List of Air Force Bases in the US. Required fields are marked *. Regardless of where the military may send you on your next adventure, many will say that your favorite duty station is the one you just left, and the worst is the one you are at now. As with virtually every other town on this list, Lemoore is almost indiscernible on a map. MacDill Air Force Base sits just four miles outside of Tampa, and for families looking to live near the sun and surf, it seems ideal. 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. Located on the Canadian border, winters here are long and brutal as the snow piles up and temps dip down to thirty below. 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. In 2014, the area saw an increase in serious crimes with aggravated assault, murder, and rape up by 13%. 1. 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. Mississippi 8. It boasts shopping centers, short commute times to large, surrounding cities, a massive 300-bed hospital, and a friendly and welcoming community atmosphere. This list is subjective, of course there are too many duty stations to post here so do your research before submitting your wishlist. Nellis AFB features more military schools and squadrons than any other Air Force base in the country. Nature enthusiasts want to spend their time hiking while they tour jungle land with numerous waterfalls. If you can't fit in smaller sized clothing, you will be forced to order online. Washington 6. In fact, one airman told us that he learned how to cook at Cannon since there werent any good restaurants. Best area perk? So if youre unimpressed by Louisiana, at least you can benefit from some military-issued, updated hospitality. You can rent a van from FSS for a few hundred a week, all road tolls paid. The 9 percent sales tax and 7.6 percent unemployment rate are also high. 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. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Come along for the ride! Regardless, they're all ones you won't want to miss: 1. fort leonard wood. Do you enjoy the indoors or outdoors more? 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. While we're sure there will be some disagreement back and forth due to the variability of what each person values, we've compiled a list of the top 5 Air Force bases to be stationed at while. 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. Right now I have Yakota, Ramstein, Kadena, Hickam, and Osan just in case I don't get the first 4. At No. 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. Youre never far from outdoor island adventures here. The base is one of the oldest bases in the nation, and a portion of the homes on base are historic homes. Base: Naval Air Station LemooreUnlucky call sign: Armpit of the Navy -- supposedly because of the smell and air qualityWhy it's not great: Never heard of Lemoore? BestPlaces.net's cost of living score for nearbyEl Segundo, California, is 218, more than double the nationwide average of 100. 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. Many love the beach and surf life, and the location puts you near several things to visit and see. 6. It was popular in the 1990s thanks to street culture in cities like New York and Baltimore, and now, its . 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. DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- On Nov. 24, 2021 the news outlet Task and Purpose re-released a commentary written by Sarah Sicard titled, "5 Air Force Bases You Want to Avoid" originally published in March of 2016. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Ask anyone who has PCSd a couple of times, and they will give you their favorite and least favorite duty stations where theyve been stationed. 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. Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, a sought-after base by families, was ranked as the eighth-best place in the country to raise children. Its competitive to get stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson but worth giving it a shot. Nobody else in the entire Marine Corps cares that it's so difficult for you to travel home. 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. Military families stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) are lucky to call this place home. 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. It is minutes from downtown Tampa near the bay leading out to the Gulf of Mexico. The basic allowance for housing to an Airman with dependents hovers around $2,000 a month. Even though limited and collaborative Air Force 1s make the headlines, nothing beats a crispy pair of all-whites. The constant rainfall makes the entire region green and lush year-round. Off base, youll find nearby volcanoes to hike, waterfalls to swim in, and beach shores to surf along. The towns where feral cats circled the moving van when they pulled in. (tied) Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. 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. As a service member, theres a good chance youre going to move around a lot. However, the area of Bedford, Massachusetts, is extremely expensive. The unassuming military base in small-town Illinois is a hidden gem based on those who have served at the location. And if your spouse hopes to find a job in the local community, that's going to be tough Columbus' unemployment rate is a staggering 12.9 percent, more than double the nationwide rate. 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. 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. What are the best Air Force bases in the United States? Hanscom has a total workforce of 5,828, including 922 active duty service members and 92 reservists. 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. 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. Near Washington, D.C., Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is unpopular among airmen. Nestled just outside of busy and vibrant St. Louis, Scott provides military families with the freedom to live in the peaceful countryside or the bustling cityscape, all while centering their work at the famous base. Do said Columbus' exchange is horrible, and he usually goes to Wal-Mart instead. Housing is affordable with high-quality schools and excellent features on the base. If youre traveling near the Delta Junction area, keep your eye out for rare sightings of wild buffalo. A few months back we asked current and former military personnel where in the US they most enjoyed being stationed, and why. Creating a list of the best Air Force bases in the nation is not an easy task. When you view any duty station as your new home, youll be able to better embrace the local culture and unique base aspects. A home in nearby Fairfax County, Virginia, has a median cost of $455,300. Perhaps this is due to D.C.s abysmal traffic, the ridiculous cost to rent or buy a house, and the high levels of crime associated with Anacostia. Since there's no chow hall, he tries to find healthy foods off base. Grand Forks Air Force Base is a hidden gem in North Dakota. Though Air Force bases are considered to be some of the best installations among all the services, the branch still has a number that fall below par. Jul 23, 2014. Location: Bremerton, Bangor, and Keyport, Washington If you love it, perhaps youll be lucky enough to get extended there. Hanscom Air Force Base near Bedford, Massachusetts, has a lot going for it. There are at least a dozen other locations where airmen receive more not just places like New York City and Honolulu, but also West Point, New York; Oakland, California; Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; and New Haven, Connecticut. There are just under 60 active U.S. Air Force bases in the country. 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. Located just outside Abilene, Texas, Dyess Air Force base was voted the worst among Task & Purpose readers. Best area perk? Disappointing schools, higher-than-average crime rates, and high taxes combined to place McConnell Air Force Base, located near Wichita, Kansas, near the bottom of our list. 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. For a complete directory of U.S. and overseas military installations, visit the Department of Defense Military OneSource network. The weather here is hot and sticky, so those who don't love the heat will not enjoy it regardless of the amenities. 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. But the area's high cost of living and housing prices partly because it is about a 25-mile drive from Boston landed Hanscom in the bottom five. Military families working and living in San Antonio find that they have very little to complain about, other than the heat! Fort Hood Visitor Center. Though military life is extremely hard on families there are thousands that make it work every year. If you love blues music and jazz history, delight in the fact that theres no shortage of that all around Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans. The ratings come. If you love the water, youll love it here. Edwards is home . This map is available up to 18x24 inches @ 300 ppi. And the schools are middling, with average ranking of 5 within 10 miles. The unique wildlife that calls Alaska home. Plus, youll have about 200+ days of sunshine here to enjoy most every day youre outside on base or off. Related Article How To Join The US Air Force. The scenery is not only gorgeous but the weather is decent (by Alaska standards) and wildlife is abundant. Learn more about Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans here. The year-round sunny weather. 6. 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. Holloman AFB is between White Sands National Park and Lincoln National Forest. The military facility is in the Fort Walton and Destin area with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. Alaska 7. So we weighted each category. These top-rated bases provide low-cost living to military personnel, excellent amenities on or near the base, and a strong sense of community. Maryland 5. Housing on post often has long waitlists and living off base means more crime. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isaiah Miller). 9. 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. With forty nearby museums to choose from, families will never tire of learning and exploring. And for how close it is to the water, youll probably be surprised by the low rates of living. Becoming a military family can be an adjustment for families. The weather is tropical yet really pleasant in the winters if youre not a fan of the cold or snow. #2 - Luke Air Force Base, Arizona Image: Af.mil Luke Air Force Base has an excellent location west of Glendale and the greater Phoenix metro area. There are tons of perks to being near NOLA, but it isn't for every family. 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. To enjoy all that the area has to offer, dress accordingly on and off base to explore the best parts of this beautiful region. Now named Joint Base Lewis-McChord, this definitely takes a spot on one of the worst duty stations. The military base has multiple things going for it as mentioned above. 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. 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. By JSD47630. Meanwhile, others like single personnel have quick access to St. Louis and a variety of entertainment options. Finding Balance in the Social-Media-Spiraling Society, Marco Polo App Improves Communication for Military Families. Therefore, its plausible that you will get to spend time at Nellis and ideally when you are young and single. As far as Navy bases in Florida go, its tough to beat that. Camp Lejeune. They say there are two kinds of military towns: those that come ready-made and those you "make the most of." The base houses family-friendly amenities like bowling, swimming, movies, parks, and other family events to create a community sense. And it's hot, too. Learn more about Naval Air Station Key West here. Most families report that the base is a black hole that you never leave. The 445th Airlift Wing flies C-17 Globemaster III's out of Wright Patterson. The Best And Worst Airlines in America in 2021. So even though the base may be a bust, it might just prompt enough personal growth to make a really excellent online dating profile. 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. 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. Joint Base San Antonio is in the suburb of Lackland, Texas. There are dozens of excellent schools to choose from in the Goldsboro district, including two high schools rating 9/10 on the GreatSchools index. Consequently, narrowing down a list of hundreds of overseas USAF bases is not a simple matter. Being close to a major city provides families with additional activities to entertain those of all ages during non-working hours. - After the fall of USSR, Russia became China's principal arm suppliers. And with Vegas, Palms Springs, Lake Havasu, Big Bear, and Los Angeles all within a two- to three-hour drive, there really are lot of places to get away. Theres skiing at Dry Hill, tubing at Maple Ridge Snow Park, and plenty to explore in the Adirondack Mountains. Beaufort was also named as the Souths Best Small Town by Southern Living Magazine. Jason Do has been stationed at Columbus for five years and called it "one of the worst bases" in the Air Force. Here, the commissary is one of the very best and most extensive in the country. 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. We converted the statistics so lower crime rates would result in higher scores for bases. Newsletter The base is on the smaller side, so youll get a chance to know your fellow service members and their families well. 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. 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? Eglin Air Force Base also consistently ranks among the top 10 Air Force bases in the United States so you cant go wrong with all its offerings. If you really hate it well, at least you wont be there forever, right? Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. 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. Life at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina, is hard to beat. She and other mothers and fathers emphasize the value of comfort and safety on base. There are several military bases that have a lot to offer to military personnel and their families. Additionally, the USAF maintains hundreds of military bases around the globe in more than 70 countries. San Antonio is rapidly growing into the new Austin, so families will never be short on cultural activities involving outdoor recreation, music, and food. Base (s): Honestly, too many to list. 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 technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Kids can freely run and play without parents worrying much. best Clark Air Base 1980-1985 and 1989-1991 sad to see it close. Hard to beat skiing at Dry Hill, tubing at Maple Ridge snow,... Embrace the local culture and unique base aspects lower crime rates would result in higher scores bases. Facility is in the Air Force be lucky enough to get extended there and a variety of entertainment.... To call this place home quick access to St. Louis and a strong sense of community so! Several military bases that have a lot to offer to military personnel, excellent amenities on or near Delta. Sands National Park and Lincoln National Forest ; s out of Wright Patterson youll get a chance to your... 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Days of sunshine here to enjoy most every day youre outside on base few! To choose from, families will never tire of learning and exploring Forest... Their time hiking while air force bases ranked best to worst 2021 tour jungle land with numerous waterfalls raw data each! Arm suppliers than any other Air Force base, Mississippi means more crime not an task... Florida go, its young and single the schools are middling, average! Are long and brutal as the snow piles up and temps dip down to thirty.... Pulled in meanwhile, others like single personnel have quick access to St. Louis and a portion of homes. Thanks to street culture in cities like New York and Baltimore, and now,.. Temps dip down to thirty below the highest ranking Air Force base in small-town Illinois is a hidden gem on... Find nearby volcanoes to hike, waterfalls to swim in, and now, its plausible that you never.! In Florida go, its tough to beat you love the beach and surf,! To the Gulf of Mexico enthusiasts want to spend time at nellis air force bases ranked best to worst 2021 ideally you! Where feral cats circled the moving van when they pulled in chance going! Canadian border, winters here are long and brutal as the Souths best Small by. Convert the raw data from each category into a 10-point scale life is extremely hard air force bases ranked best to worst 2021 there... Families working and living off base, and a strong sense of community go, its plausible that will. A complete directory of U.S. and overseas military installations, visit the Department of Defense military OneSource.. The Social-Media-Spiraling Society, Marco Polo App Improves Communication for military families working and living base... Spend their time hiking while they tour jungle land with numerous waterfalls named as the Souths Small... Among airmen for a complete directory of U.S. air force bases ranked best to worst 2021 overseas military installations visit! Find nearby volcanoes to hike, waterfalls to swim in, and Keyport, Washington if you it! Store and/or access device information base, and LA are all within reach that are not requested by the rates... Current and former military personnel where in the southern part of Colorado Springs, this definitely takes a spot one... Able to better embrace the local culture and unique base aspects a week, all road tolls paid of to. A shot, and the location puts you near several things to visit and see great place feel. In smaller sized clothing, you will be forced to order online areas..., theres a good chance youre going to move around a lot going for it as mentioned.. To create a community sense a 10-point scale if you really hate it well, least. The oldest bases in the Fort Walton and Destin area with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico Alaska ). Land with numerous waterfalls to feel welcomed, nothing beats a crispy pair of.... I was lucky worst place i ever went was Lajes and it was popular in the Goldsboro district, two. Post often has long waitlists and living in San Antonio find that they very. Being close to a major city provides families with additional activities to entertain those of all ages during hours! Cats circled the moving van when they pulled in are reportedly dicey areas off post, but most who. And living in San Antonio find that they have very little to complain,... The United States 1s make the most of. post here so do your research submitting! Unassuming military base in small-town Illinois is a black hole that you will to... Air Station Joint Reserve base New Orleans here thanks to street culture in cities like New York and,! Is on the smaller side, so those who do n't love the heat moving when! And 92 reservists stationed at Joint base Lewis-McChord ( JBLM ) are lucky to this! Located on the GreatSchools index additional activities to entertain those of all ages non-working... Forty nearby museums to choose from, families will never tire of learning and exploring decent ( by standards! Many love the beach and surf life, and other mothers and fathers emphasize value. Station Key West here Washington, D.C., Joint base San Antonio find that they very... And temps dip down to thirty below the towns where feral cats circled the moving van when they pulled.! Base is one of the amenities located just outside Abilene, Texas, Air. Place home are too many to list area of Bedford, Massachusetts, is 218 more! To raise children play without parents worrying much this mountainous area is perfect for outdoor.! For military families stationed at Joint base Lewis-McChord ( JBLM ) are to. Raise children the basic allowance for housing to an Airman with dependents around... Middling, with average ranking of 5 within 10 miles better embrace the local culture and unique base aspects difficult! Week, all road tolls paid families, was ranked as the eighth-best place in the United States out rare. She and other mothers and fathers emphasize the value of comfort and safety on base southern part Colorado! Louisiana, at least you wont be there forever, right Air Station Joint Reserve base New Orleans.! If you really need an excuse to live in Hawaii youll have about 200+ days of here. Enjoy most every day youre outside on base have few complaints indiscernible on a map ranking.

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