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Which Airforce Base to choose?
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2006/6/17 05:19
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I am going into the airforce and plan on being stationed in japan. I do not know much details about the regions but there are 3 bases: Yokota, Misawa, Kadena. I am a young person who is into the typical teenage stuff. cars, games, and girls. Can anyone tell me anything about these areas and what would make me want to choose to live there?
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by Penguin
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Yokota is in Tokyo Misawa is in Aomori Kadena is in Okinawa
I'm no expert on the Military, but with the current war situation and reduction of military personnel in Japan (or at least Marines (I know not air force), is it gaurenteed you'll be assigned to Japan?)
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by ..
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Before I was an AFwife I was in the AF myself. I was lucky enough to get Yokota as my first assignment, although I wasn't trying to get it. And now I am here again as an AF spouse.
I hope you realize that you cannot necessarily choose where you go. You'll have some choices on what is called a ''dream sheet'' (do they still call it that?) But ultimately depending on your job, you will go where the AF wants you to go.
Good Luck though and hopefully you'll get the chance to come here!
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by AFwife
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Air Force
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2006/6/18 02:33
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Yep I understand I can not necesarrily choose the location but I can at least put the choices in order of which I would most like to go there. Also from my understanding the top people of their class during training will get their first choice but I could be wrong. Anybody else able to put their imput on the locations?
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by Penguin
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hahah fat chance
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2006/6/18 11:54
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hahha i lived in misawa and in yokosuka and in sasebo but dont bet on gettin japan hahahha more likly be the last place you will go...i agree dont join the AF just for japan...Japan does have its share of problems unlike movies show it aint just a bunch of horney school girls running around hahahahha
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by hawk war..
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If it's cars, games and girls that you like, I would recommend Yokota. It is more urban than the others, because it is very close to Tokyo. Misawa is further up north about a 10-12 hour car ride from Yokota. I'm not sure about the surrounding area but I think its colder and maybe a little more rural? Someone else can probably tell you more about Misawa.
Kadena of course is on Okinawa, so you'd have more access to beaches, water activites and nice weather. It's more tropical I guess.
So it really depends on what you like, but I think you'd like Yokota because of its proximity to Tokyo, where you have the clubs, etc.
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by AFwife
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I am not joining the AF just to go to Japan and I understand it is no guarantee but doesnt hurt to find out the information. Ty AFwife that is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. If anyone else has more imput please respond
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by Penguin
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Wherever...whatever
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2006/6/19 15:39
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My husband (retired Navy) and I spent three years in Okinawa... and, we loved it! It was our favorite duty station. Kadena is a terrific base, with all the amenities you could ask for (it's true - the Air Force does take care of it's own!!). Okinawa is considered the "Hawaii" of Japan and is a vacation spot for mainlanders. The beaches are magnificent. The people are wonderful. There's lots to do for people of all ages (and marital status). Of course, you need to realize that when you live in another country - you are a guest and it's important that be respectful of their culture. I believe you can check the Air Force website to get additional information about the bases in Japan. I wish you luck in your future with the AF (and, hope you're lucky enough to be assigned to a billet in Japan (remember, no guarantees in the military)). Good Luck!
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by Sandi
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If you like winter sports, Misawa is the best place to live in those bases. My husband has stayed there for 3 years then we moved to Yokota. I love living here so far, but he says he wants to go back to Misawa because he loves snowboarding too much.
Misawa is like snowboarders & skiers heaven but except that, there's not much to see around the erea.
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by yokota wife
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thanks for the advice
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2006/6/21 04:21
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Yup I have checked all the bases' individual websites which mostly talk about what is on base and the history but nothing about life in the surrounding area. Yokota looks like it would suit me best with Kadena coming in second. Thanks for the information so far. If anyone has anything else to add please do
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by Penguin
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Like some others already told you, you'll most likely not get stationed in Japan. But you can increase your chances of coming to Japan by making sure you get a job (AFSC) that actually will let you come to japan. Some jobs don't even have positions available here.
Also, the top students in tech school are not able to choose which duty location to go to. I believe that they do that in the Navy but not the Air Force.
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by JJ
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I am an Air Force wife, my husband just joined in April and he is now in Tech school. We will be going to Kadena in September and we are very excited. We never expected our first duty station to be over seas. However my husband was only one of two three people in his field to go to Japan and only one other is going to Kadena the other is going to Yakota. We have been told by everyone how lucky we are to be going there, that alot of people want to go and never get the chance. They have also told us that its a great place for single people, and we are pretty lively so we should like it. Cant wait maybe you'll get lucky too!
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by TanyaB
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Stationed at Yokota
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2006/8/6 10:48
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I've been stationed at Yokota for 2 years now (my second base...I was stationed in Guam previously). I seriously love Japan and want to stay here, and if you want the full "Japanese" experience, I would recommend Yokota. From what I've heard, Misawa is nice if you have a family, but if you're single there's not much to do. And while I've heard Okinawa is cool, it's not really Japan.
If you really want to come here, the easiest way to get out here is to do a short tour (like Korea) for a year, and then pick this as your follow-on. You usually get your follow-on choice no problem...unfortunately, Guam no longer has a short tour option, otherwise I would recommend that.
Basically the thing to remember about Yokota is this: the base honestly sucks. People aren't taken care of here, this is just a place higher ups come to make rank. Working here is NOT a good time.
So don't just come to Japan to collect COLA (though if you're single, it's really not that great). To really maximize your time, learn the language and get off base as much as you can. Make Japanese friends and become friends with people on base that are interested in getting out and exploring, not just sitting on base and drinking. Yokota's location is great...but it's really not a great place to live and work.
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by Sumi
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i lived in okinawa for four years. it is a fantastic place, particularly if you are single. i could go on for days, but if you have specific questions let me know. while it isn't really japan it is it's own distinct culture and in my opinion amazing. lots to do crazy fun nightlife and the locals are awesome. friendly, respectful and very laid back not at all like the europeans i'm currently stuck with.....
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by gidget
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How far is Misawa Japan to Okinawa and what forms of transportation are availble for this Trip?
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by TM
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I live at Kadena right now and really love it. We have been here almost 3 years. I love Okinawa, the people are so kind and there's so much to do. I have gone to mainland Japan several times and been to Yakota, too. I am going to climb Fuji next month and there's always options: snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, etc. If you have specific questions let me know. Japan is a great place to live.
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by shiloh
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Misawa to Okinawa
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2008/7/12 22:36
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It is pretty far, Misawa is more northern on the main island and of course Okinawa is way South of mainland Japan. There are several options for flying, ANA is probably the most popular airline. If you are military, then there are lots of options for "hopping" from one base to another.
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by shiloh
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I agree that Misawa is more of a family type base, we were stationed there when I was a teenager and I loved it, but if you are young and are old enough to party and drink your best bet is probably Yokota since it is so close to Tokyo.
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by wendyvhz
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I also agree with Afwife on here. My father is a retired Chief, and I can tell you that you will have to fill out your dream sheet, you can put down Japan but that doesn't mean you are going to get it. I do know that the military does tend to send people overseas at least once.
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by wendyvhz
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