US Coast Guard Air Stations

"My Air Station Wish List"

2008-02-28T23:59:00.000-08:00

My husband asked me to help him come up with a "Wish List" of Air Stations that we could possibly see ourselves moving to. And, because I can be kind of anal about these things...and have WAY too much time on my hands, I put together a list of all the air stations. This Blog includes my thoughts about each station, the pros and cons, and helpful city information, station information, useful links, pictures, and anything else I could find.

My "Wish List" is in the right column and is ranked from top to bottom - #1 to #25.

Most of my thoughts and decisions are based on our background. These things were a huge influence on My List.

So, enjoy my "Air Station Wish List" and feel free to leave your comments.

Savannah, Georgia

2008-02-28T23:55:00.000-08:00

USCG Air Station Savannah, Georgia

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

Georgia is definitely my #1 pick! There is just something about living in the South that sounds absolutely wonderful!! I've only heard good things and it seems to be such a beautiful place. I would enjoy to live in a place that has a slower pace of life than here in California. It seems that in Cali you're just running & running & running, trying to cram as much as possible into a 24 hours time period. I would love to just take a step back and enjoy life for a little while. Besides, if we're so used to running at a California-pace, just imagine how fast we'll be in Georgia!

I think that because the cost of living isn't so high we might eventually be able to buy a house here...especially if it can happen this year. It is a buyer's market right now and we could benefit from that.

Yes, there are bugs and humidity...but there is also bug spray and air conditioning. It will be difficult to be so far away from friends and family, but I know that they would want what is in our best interest and would have no problem coming to visit!

PROS:

Beautiful Town
Slower pace of life...much slower than California
Southern Hospitality
Lower Cost of Living - we could buy a house
Mid-sized City - I could get a job
There are at least 10 local colleges & universities, so I can go back to school
Fewer Illegal Immigrants than in Southern California
Sweet Tea
Southern Accents

CONS:

Far away from Family & Friends
We've never been to the South
Humidity
New town, new people

ABOUT AIR STATION:

United States Coast Guard Air Station Savannah was commissioned in the summer of 1963 on what was then known as Hunter Army Air Force Base. Air Facility Charleston became operational on October 1, 1990, with daylight search and rescue response by crews deployed from Savannah. In 1993, with the completion of a multi-million dollar support facility, aircrews at the facility began providing around the clock SAR response in the northern sector of the Air Station's area of responsibility. Siler Hall and the new operations center were completed in 1996, providing the Air Station and local commands, with a state-of-the-art training venue. In March 2003 the Air Station transitioned to the HH-65B, gaining significant increases in capability due to enhanced avionics and greater payload.

SAR Stats:

2003: 291 Case Flown - 51 Lives Assisted - 31 Lives Saved
2004: 273 Case Flown - 73 Lives Assisted - 25 Lives Saved
2005: 214 Case Flown - 81 Lives Assisted - 36 Lives Saved
2006: 234 Case Flown - 123 Lives Assisted - 25 Lives Saved

Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) - E4, with dependents

$ 1121.00

ABOUT SAVANNAH:

Savannah Georgia is a beautiful city rich in history and tradition and home to over 270,000 Georgians. Georgia was the thirteenth original colony and was settled by the city's designer General Ogelthorpe in 1733. The city was originally designed around 24 city squares, of which 22 are still in existence today. An example of one these squares is pictured above. In 1864, during the Civil War, Savannah escaped destruction by being presented as a Christmas gift to President Lincoln by General Sherman.

Today Savannah is the host to over 6 million visitors a year as well as the location of many movie filmings including Forest Gump, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and most recently the General's Daughter and Forces of Nature.

CITY DATA:

Population: 129,547
14.4% for White Non-Hispanic residents
27.4% for Black residents
% of Residents Living in Poverty (2005): 22.8%
Violent Crime is 1.39 times the National Average
Property Crime is 1.62 times the National Average
Estimated Household Income (2005): $30,887
Estimated Median Property Value (2005): $108,100
Estimated Rent (2005): $717

LINKS:

LOCAL USCG SITE: http://uscg.mil/d7/units/as-savannah/
LOCAL CITY SITE: http://www.ci.savannah.ga.us/cityweb/SavannahGaGOV.nsf
US CENSUS BUREAU: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/1369000.html
US CENSUS BUREAU: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/1369000lk.html
CRIME: http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Savannah&state=GA
REAL ESTATE: http://www.city-data.com/city/Savannah-Georgia.html
WEATHER: http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USGA0506?from=search

PICTURES:

MAPS:

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Elizabeth City, North Carolina

2008-02-28T23:30:00.000-08:00

USCG Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina

OVERALL THOUGHTS:
Ok, so, No...the picture above is not a picture of the base. But, it is the oldest house in E-City. Elizabeth City is the place where all of the Coast Guard Aviation training takes place, and Chris has already been there for a few months and knows the ins & outs of the city. Although they seem to spend most of their weekend time off in Virginia, E-City seems like a lovely town to raise a family in. It is a small, quaint town but has all of the necessities...Starbucks, Walmart, University, Mexican Food...all the necessities. Within an hour drive you can be in Norfolk, Virgina which is the local "Big City." In Norfolk they have a large mall, nightlife, and just about anything else you could need. If you drive 3 hours north you come to Washington DC.

The cost of living in E-City is low, and therefore we could possibly buy a house. We could probably even have money left over to put away!!

Concerns: Well, if there is ever a desire to possibly train future ASTs, then we will be returning to E-City because this is where the school is located. As in many cities, crime is also a factor...as we were leaving town the headline of the front page of the daily newspaper said "Gang members Expanded to 200 Members." And, although coming from LA where gang members practically are running the city, to see it on the front page is somewhat disturbing.

PROS:

Listed as one of the "100 Best Towns in America"
Beautiful Town
Slower pace of life...much slower than California
Southern Hospitality
Lower Cost of Living - we could buy a house
Virgina is nearby - I could get a job
E-City State University is SUPER CLOSE, so I can go back to school
Fewer Illegal Immigrants than in Southern California
Sweet Tea
Southern Accents

CONS:

Far away from Family & Friends
Humidity
New town, new people
Large Air station
Could possibly get stationed to an airplane

ABOUT AIR STATION:
Air Station Elizabeth City was commissioned on August 15, 1940 with four officers, 52 enlisted men and ten aircraft including three Hall PH-2 seaplanes, four Fairchild J2K landplanes, and three Grumman J2F amphibians. Located sixty miles north of Cape Hatteras, N.C., north of Albemarle Sound and along the east coast's northern most ice-free river, the old Holowell Plantation near Elizabeth City was selected by the Coast Guard in 1938 for its potential strategic value as a seaplane base.

During World War II, the air station was under U. S. Navy control conducting Search and Rescue (SAR), anti-submarine and training missions. Since then the air station's missions and assigned aircraft have shifted and grown with changing national priorities and technologies. In 1966 Air Station Elizabeth City expanded after absorbing the air stations in Bermuda and Argentina, Newfoundland.

In addition to the air station, Elizabeth City's Coast Guard complex includes the Aircraft Repair and Supply Center (AR&SC), Aviation Technical Training Center (ATTC), Support Center and Station Elizabeth City.

SAR Stats:

Since 1995 the Air Station has averaged over 360 search and rescue missions each year. In the last 60 years the Air Station has launched on over 20,000 missions, day and night, fair weather or foul, to rescue or assist over 10,000 people. In December 2000, two Jayhawk helicopters and a C-130 Hercules crew flew through a raging winter storm to save 34 lives off of the sinking cruise ship, Sea Breeze. In September 1999, the Air Station rescued 463 people on one SAR case during the Hurricane Floyd flood. In November 1998, Jayhawk helicopter crews, now shipboard qualified, made a rescue 250 miles beyond Bermuda.

Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) - E4, with dependents

$ 1170.00

ABOUT ELIZABETH CITY:
The book The 100 Best Small Towns in America by Norm Crampton lists Elizabeth City at 65th. The book is published by Macmillan General Reference, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. "The best scores went to towns that ranked lowest in crime and highest in these categories: growth, per-capita income, per capita bank deposits, proportion of young adults, number of physicians, public school expenditure per pupil and proportion of college-educated residents."

Located where the narrows of the Pasquotank River open up and the river begins widening out on its course to the Albemarle Sound, Elizabeth City is the economic and commercial hub of the northeastern North Carolina mainland. Although it was founded in 1793, it did not take on economic importance until the Dismal Swamp Canal was completed in 1805. The Canal linked the sounds and rivers of northeastern North Carolina with the port of Norfolk, allowing area planters and lumber companies a safe and quick method of transporting their goods to market.

Today, the Canal is a means of transportation for thousands of pleasure boaters on the Intracoastal Waterway, and Elizabeth City has become a favorite stop. The town's waterfront has experienced a revitalization that includes new docks and boat facilities, shops, and most recently, the Museum of the Albemarle's new facility. The Museum interprets over 400 years of local history and is a wonderful introduction to the heritage of the region.

The United States Coast Guard operates training and rescue facility here that has been the focus of many daring rescues by sea and by air. Rescue teams from the station have been featured in the national spotlight on many occasions, including several daring rescues during the famous ''Perfect Storm'' of 1991.

CITY DATA:

Population: 19,056
39.6% for White Non-Hispanic residents
56.6% for Black residents
1.5% for Hispanic Residents
% of Residents Living in Poverty (2005): 25.1%
Violent Crime is 1.45 times the National Average
Property Crime is 1.31 times the National Average
Estimated Household Income (2005): $23,800
Estimated Median Property Value (2005): $80,300
Estimated Rent (2005): $500 - $700

LINKS:

LOCAL USCG SITE: http://www.uscg.mil/d5/airstation/ecity/
LOCAL CITY SITE: http://www.cityofec.com/
US CENSUS BUREAU: http://censtats.census.gov/data/NC/1603720580.pdf
CRIME: http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Elizabeth+City&state=NC
REAL ESTATE: http://www.city-data.com/city/Elizabeth-City-North-Carolina.html
WEATHER: http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USNC0204?from=search

PICTURES:

MAPS:

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Humboldt Bay, California

2008-02-28T23:15:00.001-08:00

USCG Air Station Humboldt Bay, California

OVERALL THOUGHTS:
Well...I'm kind of impartial to Humboldt. It's on the West Coast, which would keep us closer to family...it would make my mom happy. But, it is still many, many hours to drive and I don't foresee too many visitors making the trip...at least no more then those that would fly out to visit. I don't like that they have had the most helicopter crashes in the last 10 years...although that count is only 2, and they do dozens of SAR cases every month, it still doesn't sit easy. There is a lot of fog and it makes it difficult to see the view. It seems to be pretty cold and the county's home page says that there is not much of a difference with the weather from summer to winter. The BAH seems really low, especially for California. We'd still need to pay the high California taxes and cost of living. I think the reason this one is so high on my list is because of my family...they said that if it were up to them that they'd like us to stay on the west coast. Although its still really far away, I think that it would be easier to swallow then something further away.

PROS:

Beautiful Location - all those Redwoods!
Slower pace of life
Local State University
Fewer Illegal Immigrants than in Southern California
Still on the West Coast so within hours of driving home (ok, like 14 hours...)

CONS:

Far away from Family & Friends
In the last 10 years, 2 of the last 3 crashes happened in Humboldt because of thick fog
The closest Major City is 225 Miles Away!
Super Cold! - Even in the summer!

ABOUT AIR STATION:
Coast Guard Group / Air Station Humboldt Bay serves the public along 250 miles of rugged coastline from the Mendocino - Sonoma County line north to the California - Oregon border. Cold Pacific currents, powerful Alaskan winter storms, towering offshore rocks, fog and dangerous harbor entrance bars consistently threaten commercial and recreational vessels operating in the area.The Command Center located at Group / Air Station Humboldt Bay monitors for distress 24 hours a day and directs Coast Guard boats and aircraft to respond to any maritime emergency in the region; along the coast, well offshore, or even inland. The Group / Air Station also works with many local, state and federal agencies as needed.

SAR Stats:

information not available

Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) - E4, with dependents

$ 948.00

ABOUT HUMBOLDT COUNTY:
Humboldt County, located in Northwest California, is the southern gateway to the Pacific Northwest. The County is bound on the north by Del Norte County; on the east by Siskiyou and Trinity counties; on the south by Mendocino County and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. The County encompasses 2.3 million acres, 80 percent of which is forestlands, protected redwoods and recreation areas. The southern border of the County is located 225 miles north of San Francisco, the closest major metropolitan city.

CITY DATA:

Population: 128,330
86.7% for White Non-Hispanic residents
1.1% for Black residents
7.7% for Hispanic residents
15.4% of Residents Living in Poverty (2004)
Violent Crime - information not available
Property Crime - information not available
Estimated Household Income (2005): $33,281
Estimated Median Property Value (2005): $133,500
Estimated Rent (2005): information not available

LINKS:

LOCAL USCG SITE: http://www.uscg.mil/d11/grpHumboldtBay/
LOCAL CITY SITE: http://co.humboldt.ca.us/
COAST GUARD SPOUSES ASSOCIATION: http://www.eastbaycoastguardspouses.net/
US CENSUS BUREAU: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/06023.html
WEATHER: http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/CAHUMBANR:13?locid=CAHUMBANR:13&from=search_vert

PICTURES:

MAPS:

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Astoria, Oregon

2008-02-28T22:30:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles, California

2008-02-28T19:30:00.000-08:00

USCG Air Station Los Angeles, California

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

I feel that it is our obligation to choose LA if it should become available. We have lived here for 28 years and know the ins-and-outs of the city. Our family is here and they would be able to be a part of the baby's life. Yes, we are both yearning to be free of this God-forsaken place! But, it is an issue of what we want verses what we should do. I'd like to do what we want to do but I am too scared to go against my family and have to try to explain to them my need to get away from the traffic, smog, people, heat, illegal immigrants, corrupt government, city violence, and everything else. I can't explain to them my need to try something different. It's not about them, it's about me...it should be about what I WANT. Yet, I find myself torn on this station. If the station weren't in the heart of downtown LA it would be easier to swallow. If our goal is to get our head above water financially then I am not sure that this is the place for us. It is almost as if we were to choose this location we would be condemning ourselves to unhappiness, regardless of all the pros listed - we'd be denying ourselves the opportunity to experience something new and focus on our new family. In a strange town all we would have is each other to lean on...but it's also great to have everyone else close by.

I don't know what to do about this one. I'll try to leave it in my Top 10, (and that I do for my family.)

PROS:

It's where we grew up!
Family is 20 minutes from downtown LA...and we probably would live closer to them & commute in everyday
We know where everything is...grocery stores, shops, quaint Mexican restaurants
weather
Major metropolis - I should be able to find a job here
The grandparents would be available for babysitting

CONS:

Illegal Immigration - LA is the worst of worst!!
CROWDED!!
TRAFFIC!!
It would be that much harder to leave in 4 years
It's super hot during the summer!
We definitely can't afford to buy a house here...we've tried.
no adventure
would mainly stay in LA to please family members (no, and not just my mom)
Air station is at LAX...which TOTALLY SUCKS!! Everything about LAX SUCKS!

ABOUT AIR STATION:

U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles is located at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The unit started as an aviation detachment in 1962 with two HO-4s helicopters and has since grown to a station supporting four HH-65C "Dolphin" Helicopters. Air Station Los Angeles maintains a Search and Rescue helicopter 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is responsible for protecting the coastal area of Southern California from Dana Point to Morro Bay. On average, 200 SAR (search and rescue) cases are prosecuted every year. In addition to SAR, Air Station LA helicopters provide Homeland Security Patrols for the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and Port Hueneme in Ventura County.

The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach comprise the largest cargo seaport in the United States and the third largest in the world moving over 7 million containers every year. In Addition to container traffic, the seaport is also the largest Cruise Ship port on the west coast. Additional Homeland Security responsibilities include the over water approach and departure corridors for Los Angeles International Airport, which handle more international flights than any other airport in the country. Finally, Air Station Los Angeles helicopters and personnel protect the ecologically rich waters surrounding the Channel Islands National Parks.

SAR Stats:

information not available

Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) - E4, with dependents:

$ 1873.00

ABOUT LOS ANGELES:

Los Angeles is the largest city in the state of California and the second-largest in the United States. Often abbreviated as L.A., it is rated an alpha world city having an estimated population of 3.8 million and spanning over 469.1 square miles (1,214.9 square kilometers) in Southern California. Additionally, the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area is home to nearly 17,776,000 people who hail from all over the globe and speak more than a hundred different languages. Los Angeles is the seat of Los Angeles County, the most populous and most diverse county in the United States.

Due to geography, heavy reliance on automobiles, and the Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex, Los Angeles suffers from air pollution in the form of smog. The Los Angeles Basin and the San Fernando Valley are susceptible to atmospheric inversion, which holds in the exhausts from road vehicles, airplanes, locomotives, shipping, manufacturing, and other sources. Unlike other large cities that rely on rain to clear smog, Los Angeles gets only 15 inches (381 mm) of rain each year. Pollution accumulates over multiple consecutive days. Issues of air quality in Los Angeles and other major cities led to the passage of early national environmental legislation, including the Clean Air Act. More recently, the state of California has led the nation in working to limit pollution by mandating low emissions vehicles. As a result, pollution levels have dropped in recent decades. The number of Stage 1 smog alerts has declined from over 100 per year in the 1970s to almost zero in the new millennium. Despite improvement, the 2006 annual report of the American Lung Association ranks the city as the most polluted in the country with short-term particle pollution and year-round particle pollution. In addition, the groundwater is increasingly threatened by MTBE from gas stations and perchlorate from rocket fuel. With pollution still a significant problem, the city continues to take steps to improve air and water conditions.

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,694,820 people, 1,275,412 households, and 798,407 families residing in the city. The population density was 7,876.8 people per square mile (3,041.3/km²). There were 1,337,706 housing units at an average density of 2,851.8 per square mile (1,101.1/km²).

Los Angeles is home to people from more than 140 countries speaking at least 224 different identified languages.[60] Ethnic enclaves like Chinatown, Historic Filipinotown, Koreatown, Little Armenia, Little Ethiopia, Tehrangeles, Little India, Little Tokyo, and Thai Town provide examples of the polyglot character of Los Angeles.

CITY DATA:

Population: 3,694,820
29.7% for White Non-Hispanic residents
11.24% for Black residents
46.5% for Hispanic residents
18.3% of Residents Living in Poverty (2000)
Violent Crime is 2.13 times the National Average
Property Crime is .80 times the National Average
Estimated Household Income (2000): $39,942
Estimated Median Property Value (2000): $221,600
Estimated Rent: information not available

LINKS:

LOCAL USCG SITE: http://www.uscg.mil/d11/airstala/
LOCAL CITY SITE: http://www.lacity.org/
US CENSUS BUREAU: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0644000.html
CITY COST OF LIVING: http://www.cityrating.com/costofliving.asp
WEATHER: http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USCA0638?from=search

PICTURES:

MAP:

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San Francisco, California

2008-02-28T19:00:00.000-08:00

San Diego, California

2008-02-28T18:30:00.000-08:00

USCG Air Station San Diego, California

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

We did the Airman Program in San Diego, and had lived there for just over a year. San Diego was a nice place to stay in limbo, but I am not so sure that I want to live there again. It is close to home, which is nice for the family...and we now know the area (where to live, where not to live, community, people, shopping.)

I think that the downfall of San Diego is that it is expensive to live there! And, there are a TON of people in San Diego. Also, our Nissan Titan Truck has trouble fitting into the parking stalls because all the slots are smaller then normal to make room for more and more cars. Speaking of cars...there is NO PLACE to park! Parking is difficult in San Diego whether your in the city or in a neighborhood. You see, years ago in San Diego there were no zoning laws and loose housing laws. So, when people wanted to turn their 2 bedroom house into an apartment complex, they did! When they wanted to build a mini-mall in the middle of a residential neighborhood, they did! Because of this San Diego is out of whack!

It takes a few months to learn the ins-and-outs of the city, but once you've got it you're OK. But, I don't think you'll ever be content with the parking situation! The good things about San Diego are - it's a military town, which means that there are quite a few doctors that will accept Tricare Insurance - there are military discounts - there are military community events. Outside of "military stuff" there are other things that are good about San Diego...it's pretty...it's the BIGGEST small town ever...they have a great dog park that Chloe LOVES...there are lots of community involvement activities...the beach is close just about everywhere you go...living there, I guess, wasn't really that bad.

PROS:

Military town
We already know a few doctors there that will take Tricare. That's always a PLUS because no one accepts military insurance!
We know the ins-and-outs of the city
We have friends there, although we don't see them often.
It's still close to home and we'll be able to see family & friends more often
You know the people at the shop you'll be working with
Big city, I can probably try to get a job again...I had many bites a year ago.
Many, many dog parks
Dog Beach

CONS:

we've already been there
Far TOO CROWDED!
Parking Sucks!
Lots of "English Second Language" folks there
Major Crime! - There seemed to be a random rape on the news every day!
We probably couldn't afford to buy a house in the near future
Finding a rental that allows dogs is difficult

ABOUT AIR STATION:

http://www.uscg.mil/History/stations/airsta_sandiego.html

SAR Stats:

information not available

Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) - E4, with dependents

$ 1820.00

ABOUT SAN DIEGO:
The City of San Diego's strong economy, diverse population, great educational institutions, unsurpassed quality of life, and world-renowned location make it the ideal place to do business, to work, and to live. Because of its highly-educated workforce and mix of high-tech industry and recreational assets, a marketing consortium of high-tech industries has dubbed San Diego "Technology's Perfect Climate."

CITY DATA:

Population: 1,272,746
49.4% for White Non-Hispanic residents
7.9% for Black residents
25.4% for Hispanic residents
% of Residents Living in Poverty (2005): 14.1%
Violent Crime is 0.97 times the National Average
Property Crime is 0.83 times the National Average
Estimated Household Income (2005): $45,733
Estimated Median Property Value (2007): $425,000
Estimated Rent (2007): $1200

LINKS:

LOCAL USCG SITE: http://www.uscg.mil/History/stations/airsta_sandiego.html
LOCAL CITY SITE: http://www.sandiego.gov/
CRIME: http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=San+Diego&state=CA
US CENSUS BUREAU: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0666000.html
CITY DATA: http://www.city-data.com/city/San-Diego-California.html
WEATHER: http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USCA0982?from=search

PICTURES:

MAP:

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*Kodiak, Alaska

2008-02-28T18:25:00.000-08:00

USCG Air Station Kodiak, Alaska

OVERALL THOUGHTS:
Well...this just in...we got stationed in Kodiak. I've learned a lot about our new soon-to-home and I'm actually looking forward to it! Everyone we've talked to only has good things to say about Kodiak. It seems like the perfect town for a young family. I'll be sure to update once we get there!

----Here were my thoughts before I found about that we were getting stationed here---

Kodiak would be an amazing place to visit...yet, I am not so sure if I am ready to move there. It isn't like we're from the East Coast or something where cold weather is something we endure during the winter season...we're from California! During our winter season we might actually put on shoes rather then flip flops and a sweatshirt. Snow is something that we go and visit on the weekends. I can't even imagine the type of cold that is up in Alaska...in fact, i think their summers might still be too cold!!

PROS:

Beautiful Town
Slower pace of life...much slower than California
Lower Cost of Living - we could buy a house
Many, many SAR cases
Only a 3-year duty station
Once tour is complete, get Top of the List priority

CONS:

Far away from Family & Friends
COLD
SNOW...LOTS OF SNOW
Its Dark 3 months out of the year
HUGE Air Station...tons of ASTs
Could possibly get stationed to an airplane

ABOUT AIR STATION:
Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak is a Seventeenth Coast Guard District (D17) unit on beautiful Kodiak Island approximately 250 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The Air Station was commissioned as an Air Detachment April 17, 1947 with one PBY Catalina aircraft, seven pilots, and thirty crewmen. It represented the first permanent Coast Guard aviation resource in Alaska. The Air Station is the major tenant of Integrated Support Command Kodiak, and the largest Coast Guard command in D17 and the entire Pacific Area.

SAR Stats:

information not available

Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) - E4, with dependents

$ 1485.00

ABOUT KODIAK:
The city of Kodiak is on Kodiak Island located approximately 150 miles southwest of Anchorage. The population of Kodiak, Coast Guard Base, and other surrounding villages totals approximately 13,900 people. Kodiak Island is approximately 3,588 square miles. The City is a hub for the maritime industry of Southwest Alaska and home to a large and varied fishing fleet. The Port operates a container terminal and the two small boat harbors accommodate a fleet of 1,200 fishing and general purpose recreational vessels annually.

CITY DATA:

Population: 13,900
43.7% for White Non-Hispanic residents
0.7% for Black residents
8.5% Latino residents
% of Residents Living in Poverty (2005): 3.7%
Estimated Household Income (2005): $54,700
Estimated Median Property Value (2005): $168,500
Estimated Rent (2005): $500 - $749

LINKS:

LOCAL USCG SITE: http://www.uscg.mil/d17/airstakodiak/contact.asp
LOCAL CITY SITE: http://www.city.kodiak.ak.us/index.shtml#contact
US CENSUS BUREAU: http://censtats.census.gov/data/AK/1600240950.pdf
KODIAK INFO: http://realestate.yahoo.com/Alaska/Kodiak/neighborhoods?p=kodiak%2C+ak&redir=1
MOVING TO KODIAK: http://www.uscg.mil/TeamKodiakRelo/TEAMKODIAKWEBSITE/relo/relo.html
JOBS: http://www.jobs.state.ak.us/
REAL ESTATE: http://www.city-data.com/city/Kodiak-Alaska.html
WEATHER: http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USAK0133?from=search
PET FRIENDLY HOTELS ON THE WESTERN DRIVE TO ALASKA: http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/guides/highway/ahwyaUS.shtml
North to Alaska Tips for Travel: http://www.northtoalaska.com/

PICTURES:

MAPS:

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North Bend, Oregon

2008-02-28T18:00:00.000-08:00

Houston, Texas

2008-02-28T17:30:00.000-08:00

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

2008-02-28T16:30:00.000-08:00

Barbers Point, Hawaii

2008-02-28T16:25:00.000-08:00

USCG Air Station Barber's Point, Hawaii

OVERALL THOUGHTS:
Gosh...I don't know. I guess the question is: Do you pass up the opportunity to move to an island paradise? Now, I know that just about any other island would be much more tempting...but we could always travel to those other islands. If this came up as an option, I'm just not sure??? Can we afford to buy a $6 gallon of milk...or a 50lb bag of dog food...over-priced clothes from the local mall...? Forget that the BAH is almost $2,000, and one of the largest amounts out there...it's that HIGH for a REASON! If we're looking to possibly buy a piece of property and get on top of our finances, then Hawaii is not the answer - at least not right now.

But...Do you pass up the opportunity to move to an island paradise?

So, I just found out that if you're bringing pets to Hawaii they need to be in a 3 month quarantine before they can live on the island. From what I understand, there are kennels that your dogs stay in for 3 months; you can visit with them and bring them food, and there is even a place for you to take them out of their cages and play with them. (Do we need to pay for their "stay" in the kennels?)

Now, I'm a bit of a dog-lover (ok, a HUGE dog-lover)...and, this just won't fly with me. Even though I'd be allowed to see them, it just wouldn't be the same - It would be like visiting your family member and best friend in jail. And, they're dogs...they just don't understand what is happening or why you've neglected them. If it came down to it, and we were sent to Hawaii, I guess we would have no choice and visiting them on a daily basis would be a way of life for 3 months. Chloe, the Golden Retriever, probably wouldn't care too much...as long as we visited and played ball with her when we came. But...Bryndall, the pound-dog-terrier-mix, she'd definitely care! Bryn was locked up once and I wouldn't want to do that to her again. Her and I have a special relationship and she is my "baby" and not so much just my "dog." This one thing is a HUGE bullet on my Cons List!

PROS:

People would LOVE to come visit us
Learn to surf
It looks like the shop is full of fun people & family oriented
Will definitely have a tan year-round!
Hawaiian T-shirts & dresses
Big City, so could probably get a job...although it'd probably be in the tourism industry
It was my inspiration for supporting you to join the Coast Guard - this is where the idea sparked
Beautiful Beaches
Relaxing
People visit to go on "vacation"

CONS:

PETS NEED TO STAY IN A 3 MONTH QUARANTINE BEFORE THEY CAN LIVE ON THE ISLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Totally would need to take a plane to get back to the "Main Land"
Land-Locked
High probability of getting stationed on a plane
Milk is $6.00 per gallon!
My tan is no where near ready! -- nor is my figure...especially after just having a baby!
Do you really think we're going to be able to find a place to stay?
Military Housing...but then we forgo the BAH & we'd probably need some of that to be able to afford the $6 gallon of milk
Agricultural Check - not a BIG concern, but I think we'd be surprised as to what we can & can't bring in & out of the islands.
Humidity
Oahu Sucks! and is SUPER CROWDED!!
Tourists

ABOUT AIR STATION:
In a typical year, the air station flies 1200 hours in search and rescue missions, saves 50 lives, assists 700 others and preserves five million dollars in property. Air Station aircraft routinely search for overdue vessels and provide medical evacuations throughout the Hawaiian chain and Fourteenth district jurisdiction, including Palmyra, Chuuk, Kwajalein, Wake, Christmas and Yap Islands. For example, in 1969 more than twenty Coast Guard personnel were rescued from the LORAN (long range aids to navigation) station on French Frigate Shoals after a storm surge forced their evacuation to the top of the islands only building. In response to a freak storm in January 1980 air station crews flew 23 sorties logging 60 hours, resulting in five lives saved, 13 assisted and $170,000 in property protected. Air station crews also conducted searches following the Aloha Airlines Flight 243 and United Airlines Flight 811 tragedies in 1988 and 1989 respectively.

To accomplish its assigned missions the air station utilizes four Aerospatiale HH-65A "Dolphin" short range recovery helicopters and four Lockheed HC-130H "Hercules" long range search aircraft. In August 1987, the Sikorsky HH-52A "Sea Guard" helicopter was retired at the air station after 24 years of service. The Sea Guard was replaced by the highly capable and well-equipped HH-65, which is an excellent platform for hoisting survivors of maritime casualties and for medical evacuations from vessels at sea. The Dolphin is also used for delivery of personnel and equipment to remote sites throughout the islands for servicing visual aids to navigation. The HH-65 may be deployed on both Coast Guard and Navy ships, thereby extending the reach of the Fourteenth District in its law enforcement and nation building roles.

SAR Stats:

2003: 225 Case Flown - 71 Lives Assisted - 47 Lives Saved
2004: 110 Case Flown - 3 Lives Assisted - 3 Lives Saved

Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) - E4, with dependents:

$ 1985.00

ABOUT HONOLULU:

Whether your idea of fun is soaking up the sun on a pristine, white sand beach or nightclubbing in Waikiki, hiking the trails or sampling some of the fantastic Hawaiian Regional Cuisine, we know that you're going to enjoy yourself on O'ahu. Over 125 miles of beaches surround two magnificent mountain ranges punctuated with a vibrant city, colorful little communities and highlighted by dozens of the most scenic spots on earth. Far and away the most diverse of the Hawaiian Islands, there's something here for everyone. No other American city could offer you the opportunity to surf the world's biggest waves, snorkel a lagoon, hike into a dormant volcano, golf at a dozen championship courses, and catch the sunset from a five-star restaurant. For sheer variety of things to do, the Island of O'ahu is unparalleled. Outdoor activities range from the calm (a cool moonlight walk along Waikiki Beach), to the heart-stopping (hang-gliding off a thousand foot cliff in Waimanalo). All 103 sandy beach sites on O'ahu are open to the public, and nearly 600 of the state's top surfing spots are here, including Waimea Bay and the Banzai Pipeline, considered among the most challenging surf breaks in the world. For the million people who live in the State of Hawaii, Honolulu is 'the big city.

CITY DATA:

Population: 380,149 - Hawaii's overall Population: 1,257,608
19.7% for White Non-Hispanic residents
1.6% for Black residents
55.9% for Asian residents
6.8% for Native Hawaiian residents
11.8% of Residents Living in Poverty (2000)
Violent Crime is 0.48 times the National Average
Property Crime is 1.21 times the National Average
Estimated Household Income (2000): $45,112
Estimated Median Property Value (2000): $386,700
Estimated Rent: information not available

LINKS:

LOCAL USCG SITE: http://www.uscg.mil/d14/units/asbp/uscgasbp/stainfo.htm
LOCAL CITY SITE: http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/main/government/
COAST GUARD SPOUSES ASSOCIATION: http://www.uscg.mil/mlcpac/ischon/cgsa/
US CENSUS BUREAU: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/15/1517000.html
CITY COST OF LIVING: http://www.cityrating.com/costofliving.asp
WEATHER: http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USHI0026?from=search

PICTURES:

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Sitka, Alaska

2008-02-28T16:00:00.000-08:00

Clearwater, Florida

2008-02-28T15:35:00.000-08:00

Port Angeles, Washington

2008-02-28T15:30:00.000-08:00

New Orleans, Louisiana

2008-02-28T15:00:00.000-08:00

Traverse City, Michigan

2008-02-28T14:30:00.000-08:00

Corpus Christi, Texas

2008-02-28T14:26:00.000-08:00

USCG Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

So, this one used to be in the Top 6, but it's now moved down. We heard from a friend of ours who said that he might have just been living in Mexico...it's that bad there! He will be stationed there for the next 4 years and he's not even sure if his wife will be joining him because it's just not a good area! He looked to try to buy a house, because the housing costs are cheap, but even the new houses have graffiti all over them!

---Previous to learning the above, here were my thoughts---

I don't know much about Corpus Christi except from what I read. It seems to be a tropical environment and a larger city. I've heard that Texas is humid, but being this close to the Gulf, do you think this is still the case? I think a negative is that it is still pretty close to Mexico...and we have been living in "Mexico" for years (ie: San Diego & Los Angeles) - I think I'd like to get away from the illegal immigrant headaches and find something where English is the predominant language.

PROS:

Larger City, might be more of what we're used to
Only heard good things about the air station from others who have been there
Lower Cost of Living - we could buy a house
I could probably find a job

CONS:

Far away from Family & Friends
Probably not getting away from the Illegal Immigration Problem
We've never been to Texas
Humidity
New town, new people

ABOUT AIR STATION:
USCG Air Detachment Corpus Christi was established on 20 November 1950, and was later re-designated USCG Air Station Corpus Christi. Following extensive personnel and equipment changes in the operations department, Group Corpus Christi became fully operational on October 15, 1980. The Air Station then operated as one of thirteen Coast Guard Group units between Port O’Connor, Texas and the Mexican border.

Among the many missions handled by the Coast Guard Air Station, search and rescue missions always have the highest priority. As of 1980, the Air Station, which maintained a 24-hour capability to quickly launch an HH-52A helicopter or an HU-25A fanjet, averaged over 400 rescue cases a year. The station operated a total of three HH-52A helicopters and three HU-25A fanjets. Typical rescue missions included: searches for overdue vessels; assisting boats on fire, sinking or disabled; and medical evacuations from offshore oil rigs and vessels.

Marine drug interdiction was a joint mission of the Coast Guard Air Station, other federal agencies and the vessels assigned to time Group. In addition to local drug interdiction patrols, Air Station aircraft and crews also frequently deployed outside the South Texas area as far away as Florida and the Caribbean Sea to work with other Coast Guard units on law enforcement missions.

Air Station Corpus Christi and Sector Corpus Christi both share a hangar on the edge of the NAS and were both under the direction of CAPT John H. Korn, USCG, who assumed command at the commissioning ceremony on 13 May 2005. Sector Corpus Christi personnel annually conducted over 450 search and rescue cases, assisted 591 people in distress, saved 83 lives, saved $3 million in property, seized over 5,500 lbs of drugs and 22 small craft conducting smuggling and illegal fishing, interdicted and detained over 130 illegal immigrants, maintained 1,300 aids to navigation, managed the safe arrival of 2,700 commercial vessels, conducted 900 facility visits, investigated 230 marine related incidents, performed 375 vessel inspections, and provided support for 37 Coast guard cutters and boats in the Atlantic Area fleet

SAR Stats:

Annually: over 450 Cases Flown - 591 Lives Assisted - 83 Lives Saved - 5,500 lbs of drugs

Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) - E4, with dependents

$ 1036.00

ABOUT CORPUS CHRISTI:
In 1519, on the Roman Catholic Feast Day of Corpus Christi, Spanish explorer Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda discovered a lush semi-tropical bay on what is now the southern coast of Texas. The bay, and the city that later sprung up there, took the name of the feast day celebrating the "Body of Christ."

CITY DATA:

Population: 285,500
71.6% for White Non-Hispanic residents
4.7% for Black residents
54.3% for Hispanic residents
% of Residents Living in Poverty (2005): 14.1%
Violent Crime is 1.46 times the National Average
Property Crime is 1.61 times the National Average
Estimated Household Income (2005): $39,698
Estimated Median Property Value (2005): $86,400
Estimated Rent (2005): $668

LINKS:

LOCAL USCG SITE: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/stations/airsta_corpuschristi.html
LOCAL CITY SITE: http://www.cctexas.com/
US CENSUS BUREAU: http://censtats.census.gov/data/TX/1604817000.pdf
CITY DATA: http://www.city-data.com/city/Corpus-Christi-Texas.html
CRIME: http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Corpus+Christi&state=TX
WEATHER: http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USTX0294?from=search

PICTURES:

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Detroit, Michigan

2008-02-28T14:00:00.000-08:00

Miami, Florida

2008-02-28T13:30:00.000-08:00

USCG Air Station Miami, Florida

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

Will Smith in Bad Boys II...that is my initial thought. I'm sure Miami isn't any better or worse then Los Angeles - They're both large metropolises, near the ocean, with a large variety of many diverse people...however, I think we have more Mexican people and they have more Cuban & Puerto Rician people (close enough :0))

I remember going to Florida on a family vacation when I was 12 - we drove through Miami in the middle of the night to get to the hotel and there was a car flashing it's lights at us. When we talked to a couple of the local residents the next morning they had said that the streets are unsafe at night and that if someone had been flashing their lights at them then they would be scared to death!! We stayed in a hotel on Miami's beach and had a nice view of the ocean...it's too bad that we were so scared to be there because we didn't get to enjoy our visit. We toured ALL of Florida and there are many good spots that outweigh Miami...Orlando - LOVE IT!...the beaches on the Gulf - beautiful!...Florida Keys & Margaritaville. Honetly, it was just Miami that I didn't care for......of course, I was only 12 and my perception now may be different from what it was back then.

As you can see, Miami is toward the bottom of my list. Being a young family I would like to go to a place that is more of a family town and Miami is NOT that. Yet, I don't think I'd want to go when the kids are teenagers either because of the gangs and drugs that are flowing through there, and I wouldn't want them to be influenced by all of that. If we had a son and we lived in Miami, you know, he'd be going to shool everyday with gold chains, curly chest hair, and a white 3-piece suit.

With Chris' job...well, I think Miami would be a blast for him! I mean, who has more storms than the Florida coast!?!? They are bracing for a storm every year...of course, his family will be living in Miami and therefore be affected by the storm...but, what ever, we'll get through it. Miami is also a drug throughfaire! He'll be able to assist in the capture of drug runners! Oh, and the cubans coming into the US on an old piece of driftwood...he can help to send them back! Those would be the perks.

PROS:

large metropolis, would be similiar to home
lots of coast guard activity - you would not be bored
Orlando is closer to Miami then it is to California - I LOVE DISNEYWORLD!
Big Storms, so my lil AST would be busy!

CONS:

Violent Crime is 3.14 times the National Average
large metropolis, would be similiar to home
drugs
cuban illegial immigrants coming into the US in old dingys
crime
gold chains & curly chest hair
crowded
big coast guard air station
would probably need to live in base housing because housing costs are so high in Miami

ABOUT AIR STATION:

no information available

SAR Stats:

no information available

Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) - E4, with dependents

$ 1629.00

ABOUT MIAMI:

A lo largo de las últimas tres décadas, la Ciudad de Miami se ha convertido en el centro financiero, comercial y cultural del hemisferio occidental. En la actualidad, Miami actúa como "puerta de acceso" indiscutida para cientos de empresas de todo el mundo y lugar de encuentro virtual para llevar a cabo negocios globales.

La exposición global de Miami se ha solidificado al servir como sede varios encuentros internacionales de alto nivel durante las últimas tres décadas, incluidos la Cumbre de las Américas de 1994, lugar de nacimiento del movimiento de libre comercio en el hemisferio; la firma del Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) EE.UU.-Chile; la Reunión Ministerial y Foro Empresarial del Área de Libre Comercio de las Américas (ALCA) de 2003; y lo más reciente, la XI Ronda de Negociaciones del TLC EE.UU. - Andino. Miami ha sido la sede provisoria de la Secretaría del ALCA y en la actualidad compite para convertirse en su sede central oficial cuando el acuerdo llegue a su término.

Miami, una metrópolis moderna y diversa, es un verdadero crisol de razas donde todos los pueblos del hemisferio (y el mundo) están representados. La privilegiada ubicación geográfica de Miami, la infraestructura de vanguardia, los servicios de transporte (aéreo, marítimo y terrestre), una atmósfera multicultural, instalaciones renombradas para encuentros y convenciones mundiales, vastos recursos financieros, comerciales y legales, y lo más importante, una talentosa y diversa fuerza laboral son incomparables.

Eche un vistazo y vea por qué cuando los líderes empresariales y políticos piensan en comercio internacional, piensan en Miami, su puerta de acceso al mundo.

- Yes, I thought it would be funny to write it in Spanish because we'll probably need to learn the "local language"...moreso then the need to learn it when living in LA.

CITY DATA:

Population: 376,815
11.8% for White Non-Hispanic residents
22.3% for Black residents
65.8% of Residents Living in Poverty (2005)
Violent Crime is 3.14 times the National Average
Property Crime is 1.57 times the National Average
Estimated Household Income (2000): $25,211
Estimated Median Property Value (2000): $248,500
Estimated Rent (2005): $686

LINKS:
LOCAL USCG SITE: http://uscg.mil/d7/units/as-savannah/
LOCAL CITY SITE: http://www.ci.savannah.ga.us/cityweb/SavannahGaGOV.nsf
US CENSUS BUREAU: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/1369000.html
US CENSUS BUREAU: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/1369000lk.html
CRIME: http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Savannah&state=GA
REAL ESTATE: http://www.city-data.com/city/Savannah-Georgia.html
WEATHER: http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USGA0506?from=search

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Borinquen, Puerto Rico

2008-02-28T13:00:00.000-08:00

Atlantic City, New Jersey

2008-02-28T01:00:00.000-08:00

Mobile, Alabama

2008-02-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

Sacramento, California

2008-02-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

This one really isn't an option because they're not sending anyone to Sacramento. Yes, Sacramento has an airstation but they only have planes there and no helicopters. They've decided to take Sacramento off the list because they don't want the newbees to be stationed on an airplane. So, that's why Sacramento is at the bottom of the list.