Joining the Air Force will be a life-changing decision in many ways. Having signed up to serve, Airmen are often moved around depending on the needs of the Air Force.
There are also rumors that you can choose where you are stationed.
Unfortunately, the simple answer is no, you don’t get to simply choose where you are stationed in the Air Force. Instead, Airman are given a chance to communicate their "preferences" and the Air Force decides where you will be stationed.
There are a variety of factors that decide where you might be based, and while your preferences may be taken into consideration, ultimately the needs of the Air Force will always take priority.
To be assigned to any base your specialty must usually be required at that location. While your personal preferences are considered and the Air Force will try to match their needs with your ideal location, it isn’t always possible for these to match up.
During Basic Training (BMT) Airmen are given the opportunity to choose 16 locations where they would prefer to be stationed. Usually, this list consists of 8 locations in the US and 8 overseas, and list them in order of preference.
By the time you graduate and are preparing to head to Technical Training, your preferences and the Air Forces needs will have been decided upon.
What are the best Air Force bases to be stationed at?
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing what base will be best to be stationed at. Considerations about your family, travel, and places you’re interested in living can make the best Air Force base a very personal choice.
However, it is true that some bases are more desirable than others, either due to the amenities nearby and on-site, the weather, and a host of other factors.
Another factor is whether or not you’d like to remain in the US or see more of the world. The Air Force maintains a presence in various locations worldwide, giving you the opportunity to experience different cultures, meet new people and explore the world while you serve.
A few of the most popular Air Force bases are;
Hickam AFB, HI - If you’re someone who values perfect weather all year round, stunning beaches, fascinating history, and amazing wildlife, a posting at Hawaii seems an obvious choice for best AFB. It is also fairly nearby to the capital city of Honolulu, meaning there are plenty of amenities nearby.
Scott AFB, IL - If you’re more of a homebody or would prefer to settle down somewhere on the mainland, Scott AFB is an excellent base employing 13,000 military and civilian airmen. The 375th Air Mobility Wing and the Air Mobility Command are stationed here, just over 20 miles from St. Louis Missouri, meaning amenities are not too far away.
Another benefit is that St. Louis has one of the lowest average home costs of $76000 making it a great area if you’re looking to get on the property ladder. A varied climate with cold snowy winters and hot summers it is a comfortable place and easy to adapt to.
Ramstein AB, Germany - One for the Europhiles among airmen, Ramstein AB is located in western Germany and is manned by the 86th Airlift Wing.
Ramstein’s central location makes it a major hub for various NATO units and is also the HQ of the Air Force in Europe, making it one of the biggest bases overseas.
There are vast amenities in the various locations associated with this base, with plentiful housing opportunities. Airmen will also qualify for the overseas housing allowance to compensate airmen who want to live off base.
This base makes exploring the EU very convenient and will allow airmen to sample the various cultures and deep history of this part of the world.
What is the largest Air Force base in the United States?
The massive size of the US military means that there are several truly enormous bases throughout the United States, with several specializing in a particular field, whether it be missile testing, pilot training, or any of the other many responsibilities of the Air Force.
However, while there are many massive installations, the largest is thought to be Eglin AFB, located in northwest Florida.
What is the largest US Air Force base overseas?
There are several massive AFBs outside the US and it’s difficult to say for certain which is the absolute biggest, as numbers of personnel change fairly often.
Some of the biggest US Air Force bases overseas are;
- Kadena Air Base, Japan, is the largest airbase in East Asia.
- Ramstein Air Base, Germany is one of the biggest bases in Europe
There are also several massive bases such as Camp Humphreys in South Korea, which is a contender for the largest military base outside the US.