Favorite TDY spot

**themongrel** · 02-14-2009, 12:46 AM

Everyone has one right?

As an KC-135 boomer I have been to most every "friendly (and some not)" areas of the world and a am curious what your favorite and not so favorites are.

Stateside:

I would have to say I love heading into Tampa (MacDill AFB). So much so that I am going to retire there, open a beach bar (with the first round free to all Military) in Clear Water Fl, buy seven pair of flip flops and Dodge only special parking!

As far as favorite overseas area, I would guess Okinawa Japan b/c the food rocks!

Not so favorite: Kyrgyzstan sucked in the winter (-30), and Prince Sultan Saudi Arabia was way to hot in the summer (over 160 in the jet waiting to take off).

**viper3ez** · 02-14-2009, 01:24 AM

leave it to u air guys to take vacations.

our army tdy are more like field training exercises.

**05Silver_C** · 02-14-2009, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by viper3ez

leave it to u air guys to take vacations.

our army tdy are more like field training exercises.

lol... Maybe for most Army guys.

My favorite so far is a close call between University of Miami for the Presidential Debates in 2004 (the coeds were "very" friendly), and Jackson Hole WY when our former VP was home on vacation and I had the opportunity to go white water rafting in the Snake River during my down time. Im not too fond of D.C. or Crawford TX.

**Sharp Charge** · 02-14-2009, 11:49 AM

Hmmm..... I was stationed in Hawaii for 3 years, so I'll have to say that's my state side spot.
Here's my view from the control tower (my office).

Oh did I mention I got to work the Pro Bowl in 2002....I'm on the field here with a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader.

We pulled into Rio De Janeiro Brazil in 2004 for 6 days, and if I ever disappear, that's where you'll find me.
Pic of the ship in Rio.

Copa Cabana and Ipenima beaches from the top of Sugar Loaf in Rio.

**viper3ez** · 02-14-2009, 11:50 AM

yeah, i spent 5 weeks at the marriot in DC. problem was, it was only 40 minutes from my post so it was a aweful time. made me sick of hotels.

now, i would love an OCUNUS TDY

Originally Posted by 05Silver_C

lol... Maybe for most Army guys.

My favorite so far is a close call between University of Miami for the Presidential Debates in 2004 (the coeds were "very" friendly), and Jackson Hole WY when our former VP was home on vacation and I had the opportunity to go white water rafting in the Snake River during my down time. Im not too fond of D.C. or Crawford TX.

**themongrel** · 02-14-2009, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by viper3ez

leave it to u air guys to take vacations.

our army tdy are more like field training exercises.

We have to do those as well, not quite like the Army but we have the Practice Alert launches to an "undisclosed" barebase airfield somewhere in the US. Land, set up an operations area and play war for the next week eating the same MRE's and sleeping in the GP medium tents. We do not even get rental cars lol

**viper3ez** · 02-14-2009, 03:30 PM

^ u lucky bstrd. I am so jealous. Seems like you have had a blast

**Magnumonium** · 02-14-2009, 07:46 PM

I had a blast in 7-level school at Lackland AFB,Texas

**themongrel** · 02-15-2009, 12:10 AM

We took a jet to Kelly for Depot level maintenance last year. San Antonio rocks! It sure was not how I remembered it during basic training 19 years ago!

**Chally#2163** · 02-15-2009, 09:27 PM

I have to agree Manas was cold as all hell in the winter.
PSAB was hotter then hell in the summer too.

The best for me money wise was Zagreb Croatia @ $97 a day per diem for 131 days and Rome Italy @ $142 a day per diem for 35 days.

but the best location was
Baghdad IAP later changed to camp Sather. I was there during the actual war and believe it or not I had fun the my team was great and we became one big family. Then the rest of the Air Force showed up and killed it.

Oh yeah
I was an APS Aerial Porter at McChord working as a parachute rigger for the C-17 unilateral training and now I am the project manager at my old shop for the contractor I work for.

**NVRDUN** · 02-15-2009, 10:06 PM

So far Guam has been my best! Did 60+ days, got scuba certified and did about 57 open water dives.
Panama was pretty good also.

Incirlik was alright back in the day.

Kyrgyzstan was awful, I was there when we were still in tents, I guess they have trailer's now.

**MarcInJapan** · 02-16-2009, 02:13 AM

Philippines BAR-NONE! Maybe that is why I am going to retire there.

**DCroz** · 02-16-2009, 04:01 AM

I didn't think Manus was that bad. Of course it was after spending six months in a much less friendly place!
I think my favorite trip was six weeks; one in Hawaii, 2 in Guam, and 3 in Australia. Other than the flights over, I only flew once. Lots of beach time!!

Of course, that was in the "good old days" when the places the 135 went were MUCH better.
Back then, any Pacific Tanker Task Force TDY was great!!!