Aviano AFB, Italy is an absolute gem. I agree it is the best duty location. Its a place that will always be a special experience for any airman stationed there. If I could have retired there I would have.
Hi Kyle. My son is currently station in Osan Air Base in South Korea. It's his first duty station. He really likes it there. My son mentioned that the base is huge. Bigger then Sheppard where he went to tech school. The people there are very nice. The weather isn't bad. The food is great. He's even thinking about extending his tour there longer. Thank you for all your videos. My husband and I learn a lot from watch them. Keep it up. 👍
I made a pledge in the 50s while station at K-55, the sand bagged F-86F fighter base called Osan. "If II get out of here alive I will never complain about anything ever again".
I'm an AF vet from the 1960's. I was stationed at Fuch AS, Japan and later Sembach AB, Germany. They have since been closed but they were great bases and I have many fond memories of them and my time in the USAF in general.
I was at Sembach (or at least my dorm room was there) 76-79. It is now Sembach Kaserne. (They have a fairly active Facebook page.) From there I was sent what used to be Itazuke AB in Japan. There was some sort of admin foul-up that needed be fixed before I could go down there. They couldn't have me sitting around doing nothing, so they sent me to the Fuchu Tech Control Facility to help relabel patch panels.
I lived on RAF Lakenheath 92'-95', but was assigned to RAF Mildenhall. Loved it. Yokota AB was my first assignment 85'-88' and I truly loved this assignment! Thinking about going back to visit soon. TDY at Kadeena really didn't do it for me. Except for the marina. Spent 6 months at Aviano AB from November 92' - May 93'. Was a nice TDY. Loved the snow skiing at Piancavallo Ski Resort.
I was stationed at Spangdahlem and Ramstein, Spangdahlem was awesome and Ramstein was aweful. I spent a lot of time in Luxembourg which the city was about 45 minutes away from Spangdahlem and France about the same depending on where you went. No matter where you go the German people are wunderbar.
1) Spangdahlem AB, Germany, was my favorite base 93-96 with Ramstein being a close second (2000-2005). Spangdahlem is so close to Belgium, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and France. You get so much travel opportunities being within an hour from the multiple borders.
I have to agree on Torrejon for the Air Force. For the Division of the Boat People (U.S.Navy) it's the Spanish south west costal resort town of Rota, Spain north of Cadiz. NAS Rota is on the beach adjacent to the town of Rota and has its docks and its own 10,000 foot runway.
I’m actually at Alconbury UK and it’s INCREDIBLY small, and I love it. I wouldn’t say it’s actually that rainy or overcast, and it’s only an hour away. It’s an amazing base. Stress free
Those of us who did tours in Alaska and Iceland would certainly have those on our list. Alaska at the top, Iceland midway. Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage and Eilson AFB in Fairbanks are the largest Air Force Bases in Alaska. Alaska is one of those "best kept secrets" locations because people (including myself) constantly tried to extend our tours up there. That's how good it was. If you like outdoors activities to include but certainly not limited to: hunting, fishing fresh water, fishing deep sea, hiking, skiing, four wheeling, nature trails, mountain climbing, etc., etc., etc., consider destination Alaska as a premium tour. Also, in Alaska, with the huge cost of living off base, there are great net plus opportunities for part time employment or full-time civilian employment for spouses. Just for example, waaaaaaay back in the 80's, when minimum wage was barely $3.00 an hour, I worked part time in the BX for $14.10 an hour. That kind of differential makes a lot of difference in your standard of living. Iceland. Base is closed to permanent party now. They only use TDY personnel on a rotating basis. Back when it was open it was a fantastic "hidden jewel" within Air Force assignments. Mainly because of the location. From Iceland you can get to basically any part of Europe by air in less than two hours. I knew people who left after a year with over 20 stamps on their passports because every other weekend they'd take off somewhere.
Stationed at Spangdahlem for 3 years and loved it and your right it's all farmland around but the closest city is Bitburg where there is a ton of things to do.
I had the good fortune of being stationed twice at RAF Lankenheath. You were spot on about the difference between RAF Mildenhall. OPS tempo was crazy both in the seventies and the early nineties. My AFAC was 427X4 metals tech. Thanks and I’ve been enjoying the videos from you both.
Good luck tomorrow! Don't stress it, just do what you're told and pay attention to detail. It's hard to mess up, in my experience everyone was really nice, hopefully same for you
Germany was amazing for me. I was stationed twice at Ramstein, from 1986-88, and then 1997-99. I loved it. In 1999, there were plans in place to essentially make Ramstein the "Gateway to Europe" base that Rhein-Main AB had been before they started to close Rhein-Main down. I've often wondered how much Ramstein has changed since then. Oddly enough, the best Mexican restaurant I'd ever eaten at was not too far from Ramstein. If I recall correctly, it was named Casa de Rosita. Oh, and I lived off-base in the nearby town of Spesbach during my second tour. I had the second floor of a three story house to myself... just down the street from a church. It was a nice, quiet town, and my landlords were wonderful people.
Korea has dope internet. Osan is awesome because while you may be unaccompanied, you can have a car and live off base as an E4. Taxi cabs are super cheap and you are close to Seoul. I could semi handle Osan and an unaccompanied tour.
Stationed there on two 6 mo. TDY tours in 93’/94’ and at the end of 95’ for the Bosnian conflict VMFA(aw)533 Marines F/A18D squadron. Lived in a tent city next to the airstrip and golf course. Absolutely a great gig. The Air Force folks treated us very well and it was just an all around cool experience other than being an unaccompanied tour.
I was stationed at Hickam from 1969 to 1972. Even though Hawaii is the 50th state the USAF considered it as an overseas base. Lots of history there from buildings on base having bullet holes from 12/7/41. I visited Pearl Harbor several times including the Arizona Memorial. I got to see part of the movie Tora Tora Tora being filmed. I visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation up by Wheeler AFB. There is the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Sea Life Park. I visited the Bishop Museum.
Came across this as my son was looking at the military. I travel for work, and my company has a lot of military/DoD contracts, so I do end up on a lot of these bases. The guys at Osan often say that it is very easy to get in to a lot of trouble there, and it is quite regular that the base has strict curfews. But South Korea is a very cool place overall, so the chance to be there would be great. I have visited Yokota several times, and my company puts us up at the Kanto Lodge on base. Really good views of Fuji, especially in the morning, before the haze sets in, so you know you are not too far away. Not exactly certain what other bases are like, but Yokota does seem to have great amenities. Aviano is a great location, right in northeastern Italy. You are between Venice and the Alps, and both are easy day trips. Plus Austria, Switzerland, and Germany are close as well. If you like skiing and snowboarding, some of the best and most famous resorts in the world are just a few hours away. On top of that, weekend getaways to Rome (as you mentioned), Munich, Vienna, Milan, and Salzburg are all easily doable. Oh, and don't forget Italian food...
😂 i guess you can say Aviano is the warmest during summer, but actually winters in the UK are very mild, never really gets below freezing(not that it doesn’t, but very few days) I’ve been to Aviano in winter and it’s pretty cold, you know being at the base of the Alps and all 😂.
My dad was stationed in Sasebo, japan. All Navy dependents went to Itazuke AFB for our medical stuff. At the time, there was a funny song of the time called, Itazuke Tower.
Aviano the warmest AF (presence) base in Europe? What about Darby in Pisa? Depending on your AFSC there are many choices such as Lajes in Portugal, or Rota in Spain. Even Sigonella has plenty AF members and they are just as warm or warmer climate bases.
I was an KC-135 & KC-10 Boom Operator during my career and flew to everyone of these bases mentioned. To me the best bases all depends on the best chance for Space-A travel. Osan and Kunsan did have 4- year assignments where you could bring your family over.
Theres actually more than 2 bases in Korea that AF can go to: Osan, Kunsan, Daegu (hidden gem), Camp Humphreys, Gwangju Air Base, etc. 😀 Also Camp Darby in Italy is warmer than Aviano and available to AF.
I've been to Ramstien twice but I'm in the Marine Corps, and it's an awesome base. I worked and talked to a lot of their load masters there and they loved it. I do like Asia, but I have a sweet spot for Germany and the world war history of Europe so I much rather be stationed on that side of the world.
I was stationed at Wiesbaden AB Germany(now closed). Man it was great. Would go to Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich, Brussels, Venice, Berlin and Luxemburg on any given weekend. My second would be Aviano and then the two bases in England. I love the history(war and Monarch) as I do the war history of Germany. Got to visit Dachau(one of the terrible concentration camps.
Haven’t been to Ramstein, but spent 20 days at Spangdahlem and you are spot on, I’d definitely prefer to be there if you want Germany all day long due to the more rural setting and slower tempo
I was there for two years it’s not bad, I can actually say I miss it there. Italians are usually really nice, and I wouldn’t say I’ve ever been ripped off there.
Im from Europe ,Croatia. 3hours drive away from Aviano . My husband was stationed there and Im gonna say Germany is definitely better location to be stationed in Europe because its closer to many other better european parts , because Aviano is in the part of Italy which isnt the nicest zthe beaches are dirty,water is gross....unless you travel down to Sicily,you wont see nice water around Aviano. Yes ,housing is expensive,but the Mountains and the small city is nice.
Currently in Aviano and can say it’s not nearly as good as people make it out to be. It’s insanely expensive, the mission isn’t the greatest, and the SOFA agreement makes it extremely difficult to be a family and staying afloat.
Kyle - Andersen AFB in Guam is the warmest, even warmer than Kadena. 69F is the lowest recorded temperature there. Aviano may be warm during spring/summer, but I've spent many icy/snow days in Aviano. My personal preference (USAF only) after spending several months in over 100 US military bases would be: 1. Ramstein 2. Yokota 3. Lakenheath 4. Aviano 5. Osan
Anyone looking to go to Japan, I would NOT recommend Kadena especially as your first base. The tempo is insane for most jobs which “breaks” a lot of people of all ranks mentally especially FTA’s and all they want is to PCS or separate. Traveling is super hard right now due to covid so families can’t visit and restrictions are higher than anywhere in the world. Yokota is definitely the base to be at
Kadena is my first base, it's not so bad if you take the time to make friends with people and go out to explore the island or even go to mainland on a vacation.
Kadena hands down a great base. It was my #2 base. Aug 95-Aug 97. I wouldn't tell anyone not to go there. Things change along with time and that's everywhere. The majority of my friends I met there. I've been retired about 21 years. And I plan on going back for a visit hopefully next year. While stationed at Kunsan in 99-00 I flew back to Oki for vacation twice. Being stationed there was the best assignment and time of my life.
As a Marine Officer who spent 6 years on Air Force bases, I would change a few. OSAN would not be in my top 5. I was there for 3 years. The Greek islands of Limnos, Skyros and a base near Athens would all be in my top 5. I do like Aviano in the top 5.
We lived in RAF lakenheath from 2010 - 2013 my mom worked in mildenhall so it was about a 15 min drive but it’s a straight shot for the most part, really nice base! Went to the middle school there!
Imo Ramstein is better. France, Amsterdam, and Belgium are pretty close around. The night life in K-Town is pretty good. I live on ROB. Plus Ramstein Bx is like a mall and they have 2 Big Gyms that are like LA fitness
Technically, Incirlik AB is considered part of USAFE as well. Maybe not directly connected to Europe proper, but nevertheless. Was stationed there '94-'96. Then I PCS'd to Yokota AB.
Hi man ,can you please talk about tech shool careers in jet aircraft field ,like Armament and crewchief and especially the Egress and SMS system . And good content ,keep it up
Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base Germany! It was like a three-year controlled vacation. Once a month, we went TDY to another European country for a week or so. Got paid to see Europe, can’t complain :-)
@@CarlJohnson5342 Awesome! Enjoy your time there. Been to Rota acouple of times to meet up with my Navy contacts thru work. Miss Spain but I do get back there thru the years to visit my wife's family.
I am currently stationed at Osan AB, and would say it depends I think the majority of people are unaccompanied but there are also accompanied people here.
Great place, I was born there in Kadena in 1984. A lot has change since then, but the Okinawa people are great. Just don't assume their Japanese, their not and are proud Okinawa's.
@@jrstar1439 my personal opinion is its run down. I guess I prefer mainland Japan. I don't like the feeling of island fever. Dont get me wrong, parts of the island is beautiful, but the food in my opinion is subpar. The sushi wasnt as good, ramen lacked, and I couldnt find a decent Yakisoba spot. Everything else was good, like Indian and Turkish foods.
@@BlurredUniverse357 your right on! Being a kid there and going back as an adult a couple of times, changes your perspective of the island. If I was serving, much rather be station in the mainland of Japan.
Man, I loved Okinawa. Was there for 2 years. I will go back one day, the place is absolutely beautiful, and Kyoto ramen and some cocos make you wanna take a nice nap after, it’s so good.
Aviano is not warm all year round lol it gets cold and you still have to wear a jacket,there are mountains and possibility to snow. So nope its not as warm as you think
My so is currently in Aviano...he said 3 guys are from Osan... their takes... "you're liver dies in Osan" also... "When in Osan...get your drink on" 🤣🤣🤣
Hi, I have a question I’m currently a RU-vidr (I have a successful channel), I want to join to go to school for cs and for the benefit but I’m passionate about you I don’t want to stop it’s what I love if want to do it forever it’s a men fashion and grooming channel. Will they allow to do it? Is it a good idea to join?
I was stationed at Misawa from 79-81. It was my second assignment after Greenham/Welford, England. Misawa was a very close-knit base and we had all four service branches there, then. Off-base restaurants had some great food. Had a great time there.
Yokota leadership is awful, among many things is always getting locked down for any incident in USFJ and COVID restrictions. Generally good locations have terrible work climates.
