I have been in San Antonio for over 7 years and as you may recall, I am military. 7+ years in one spot is unheard of for the most part and my days are numbered, it's time for an assignment (not my choice).

Since I have never been on a "remote," I am what the assignments folks call "hot for a remote." Being married, I need to consider the little lady, while taking my destiny into my own hands before I get sent to someplace like Korea... After looking at the limited accompanied assignments, Iceland is looking pretty darn nice.

Have any you guys been there and care to comment? Good/Bad..

Everything I have seen, read and talked to folks that have been there said it was just amazing in every angle. The fishing is supposedly out of this world, the outdoors is pristine, people are reportedly very nice and welcoming (never been anywhere they weren't though) and it just looks like a great place. My assignment would only be 2 years there.

As for my assignment history, after basic in San Antonio and then tech school in Biloxi, I spent the first 5 years of my career in Frankfurt Germany, then went to Holloman (Alamogordo) New Mexico. I loved parts of that assignment like the great outdoors! My boss was a real a-hole though... While there I did a 3.5 month tour in Saudi (Riyadh) and then a 4 month tour in Italy (Vicenza). Then I got my present assignment to San Antonio where I have been since early 97.

I would love to go back to Germany as well, but that assignment would be for a minimum of 3 years and I will still be semi "hot" for a remote, although not as vulnerable as I currently am...

What say you guys? My other options for a remote are Guam, Turkey, Azores, Iceland. All pretty good and vastly different locations... Don't want Turkey, Azores is a little too remote for me and Guam is great too, just maybe not the best if I am bringing the wifey with me...

All right, I'll shut up now, the keyboard is yours...

Chris

 

Guam is nice, if you like good weather and beaches! And parties. Each village has a fiesta, plenty of food and drink - any you don't have to know anyone. But that was 20 years ago. That was my first assignment, I spent 15 months there. It is pretty small, about 35 miles between the AF and Navy base.

I did the Ramstein thing too, loved Germany. I did 7 1/2 months in Desert Shield/Storm so that with Guam saved me from aymore remotes - and the fact I chose to retire .

I was in the Azores for a few days - beautiful place but I'd have to pass on that one.

Turkey? I've heard so many great things from people but didn't want to go, those places are just to unstable to take a family.

I've heard mixed reviews about Iceland.

Good luck on your decision. How much time do you have left? no chance to ride it out in San Antonio? BTW, pretty base there...

 

I recently got out of the Air Force here at Travis. I did a remote tour in Turkey. But, this was pre Sept. 11th. I was there between March 99 thru June 00. It wasn't bad at all. Hot summers and rain in the winter. But you are right next to the Med sea. I actually enjoyed it. But, like I said it was pre 9/11. So, I don't really know how the base is now.

 

We have a KR owner stationed in Iceland...

Contact sarman for more info...

It sure looks beautiful there!!

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hlight=iceland


RP

 

I remember Sarman... He is where I would be going also!

I'll shoot him a mail...

 

Good deal...

 

ReelWork,
sarman here just got back TAD from Sigonella. I am Navy stationed with COMFAIRKEF. I've been here 6 months and absolutely love this place. Your truck would be an absolute necessity here. Especially if you plan on visiting the inner island or driving to any of the glaciers or waterfalls we have here. I don't know if you have been here yet but I started this thread when I first got here https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hlight=iceland
it has alot of pix from around the base and south Iceland. Let me know what Q's you have and I will try my best to answer them. By reading this thread and your options stated I would go for Iceland. Besides FORD SuperCrews are 'head-turners' here

sarman

 

Hey! Welcome back.

Thanks for the reply and I checked out the link you included. I actually remembered that thread and went looking for it recently. The more I read about Iceland, the more cool it sounds. How long is your tour there?

Also, why did it cost you to ship your truck? Does the Navy not send it for you on a remote like that? Mine would be shipped for free, but I am Air Force and I'd go there for 2 years, not one (accompanied).

The only negative I have found is when dealing with pets. My dog would have to be quarantined and it would cost me, for his size, anywhere from $3500-5000! So, if there is a negative, that is it and that is a big one for me. My dog and I are best buds and he's with me until I am either forced or he dies...

So with that having been said, I am actually looking at Alaska pretty heavily right now.. Anchorage is my number one choice and then Fairbanks and if those fall through, then Iceland will be probably be it. Iceland is a Special Duty for us AF, so I can apply after the normal process has run its couse... i.e. if I don't get what I want, I apply for Iceland and that's it... It's always available it seems..

Does your XM work there?

Later,
Chris

 

ReelWork,
I brought 2 vehicles up here. A minivan because of the room inside and the truck because I can't seem to part with it. The Navy shipped the van but I paid out of pocket to get the truck here.
I am here for 3 years (that is the navy's accompanied orders). Iceland is wonderful and I'm not sure on the quarantine time for your pet but I do know it is expensive. Good luck in your decision for future duty. If there is anything else I can do to help just let me know. I don't have XM but I could ask around if you would like.

sarman

 

ReelWork,
Why don't you just do a 12 month remote at Keflavik and follow on back to San Antonio? Other good choices(short tour)depending on AFSC are Izmir, Lajes, Clear, Thule(yes, Greenland), to name a few. At least your not stuck in the great white(and windy) north!

 

Sarman...

PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL...

 

Cheyenne,

Ya see, I just got married almost 2 years ago and while I hear ya, my wife wants nothing to do with me going on a remote if we have anything to say about it. She will go on a remote with me for 2 years, before she wants me away at a remote for 1...

Good woman I married!

I'd take Iceland anyday over Thule. Iceland is far warmer and more moderate.

For a woman, Izmir sucks, Lajes is an option,

Where's clear, I haven't heard of that one in a while I can't remember where it is? Is that the one that's also at Thule?

Guam is also an option..

The problem with most all of these places is that they have a quarantine for pets and it ain't cheap! My dog is my bud, in fact, he's sitting here with me know wishing I would hurry and hit submit! LOL

I know, I may have to leave him, I'd just rather not..

 

I hear ya about the dog. Either mine goes with or I'm AWOL. Clear is in Alaska but it's a remote. You"could" bring the wife but pay out of pocket from what I've heard. Other good choices in your case would be Ghedi, Italy Moron, Spain Elmendorf, AK. Why not try BOP and get a stateside? If you're that hot for orders see whats available in your career field. Get some ideas, float em past the wife and then "talk to the Chief" when you find a few you like(Anderson, Keflavik). This is the Air Force, it's all about who you know! Maybe that's why I'm in Wyoming !!!

 

I spent a year in Korea (1973) and would not recommend it, hot in the summer and REAL cold in the winter. I think you are on the right track to find something else. That is some place that doesn't have real gun fire.

 

Cheyenne, Lemme tell ya where I work...

Do the letters AFPC mean anything?

Yeah, as you may have heard, we are supposedly being outsourced soon and while my working at the center doesn't necessarily guarantee me anything, I do have the ability to walk down the hall and talk to the folks... Additionally, we are in a "must move" status, so I am coded and therefore second only to the C.O.T.'s..

Elmendorf is my #1 and only choice right now, but as you know, if I put Iceland down on my dreamsheet, it automatically becomes #1 because it is a remote... Do ya get my drift now?

My wife is a teacher, so teaching in a city or actual base is really pretty important. That's the other part of the equation...

Thanks for the reply as well!