pawnman Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 So, I did a quick search (sorry if it wasn't in-depth enough)...but there are apparently two-year, accompanied positions opening in Guam for B-1 folks. I'm curious what info the forum has regarding Guam. Is this something I should jump on immediately, avoid like the plague, or something in between? I'm married, with an 11-year-old. I've only been in flying positions, both in the line squadron and the FTU, my whole career. I'm told the Andersen assignment is also flying, but I also know B-1s will only be there for a small time during the two years this assignment would span. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HossHarris Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 United airlines guys seem to like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
* Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 44 minutes ago, pawnman said: So, I did a quick search (sorry if it wasn't in-depth enough)...but there are apparently two-year, accompanied positions opening in Guam for B-1 folks. I'm curious what info the forum has regarding Guam. Is this something I should jump on immediately, avoid like the plague, or something in between? I'm married, with an 11-year-old. I've only been in flying positions, both in the line squadron and the FTU, my whole career. I'm told the Andersen assignment is also flying, but I also know B-1s will only be there for a small time during the two years this assignment would span. My info is based on 3 deployments there. I would take it over Minot and don't think it would be a bad 2 year gig. The friends I have stationed there love it. If your into diving, it's some of the best you will find. The ocean there is around 80 deg year round, and the weather is pretty predictable (85 and humid with a chance of rain). Good golfing, excellent caving, and countless jungles to explore if you are into that. Base is pretty good and majority of the island is either Air Force or navy. Toward the end I assume you would get some island fever, but you can catch hops around the pacific to break that up. The island itself is about 35x13 miles and may tip over with any additional Marines, but if you are adventurous, you can find things to do. There is a touristy area (tumon bay) and the island as a whole is kinda like Hawaii and a shitty part of Mexico had a baby. Very few radio stations, the speed limit is 35 max, broken down cars litter the island, and boonie dogs and chickens roam freely. locals, like many places, some hate us and some love us. All in all, if they stood up a buff sq there I would take a 2 year there. I hope this helps. Feel free to pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMFA187 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I've been there a handful of times during WestPacs and Translants, but never for more than four weeks at a time. What * said is pretty accurate. I think I'd have a hard time living there for more than a month or two due to its incredibly small size, but it was fun getting out of Japan and going somewhere tropical for a few weeks at a time while we were deployed. Good diving, fair beaches. Tumon Bay is really the only place to go out and have dinner / drinks but it gets old pretty quick. I do have fond memories of The Beach Bar, however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuggyU2 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 12 hours ago, HossHarris said: United airlines guys seem to like it. This is true. It's pretty senior there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco_Nav963 Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Bear in mind... The OG out there is trying to work something out with AFGSC/8 AF for Det 4 guys, regardless of airframe of origin, to get the "senior leader" level qual on the other bomber to be able to still fly and accrue gate months. So there's a decent chance you could get the ghetto version of the Striker Vista experience with no long term commitment while you were out there (kind of like Guam is the ghetto version of Hawaii). The radar sucks ass and comparing CONECT to SB16 will make you want to alternatively cry/throat punch whoever on ACC staff wrote the requirement 15 years ago, but hey, at least there's a place on the jet you can stand up straight. I can put you in touch with a couple of current Det 4 guys if you want to get the skinny on current Guam life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daynightindicator Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 22 hours ago, * said: There is a touristy area (tumon bay) and the island as a whole is kinda like Hawaii and a shitty part of Mexico had a baby. LOL. Shack. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pawnman Posted February 3, 2017 Author Share Posted February 3, 2017 4 hours ago, Disco_Nav963 said: Bear in mind... The OG out there is trying to work something out with AFGSC/8 AF for Det 4 guys, regardless of airframe of origin, to get the "senior leader" level qual on the other bomber to be able to still fly and accrue gate months. So there's a decent chance you could get the ghetto version of the Striker Vista experience with no long term commitment while you were out there (kind of like Guam is the ghetto version of Hawaii). The radar sucks ass and comparing CONECT to SB16 will make you want to alternatively cry/throat punch whoever on ACC staff wrote the requirement 15 years ago, but hey, at least there's a place on the jet you can stand up straight. I can put you in touch with a couple of current Det 4 guys if you want to get the skinny on current Guam life. I've got enough gate months that I would have to think REALLY hard about strapping into a BUFF. Especially since I attended electronic warfare school, so I'd end up in the EWO seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daynightindicator Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 I've got enough gate months that I would have to think REALLY hard about strapping into a BUFF. Especially since I attended electronic warfare school, so I'd end up in the EWO seat.They'd probably just put you in the old gunners seat. Also, not sure they'd give you the option - wouldn't look great to the deployed squadron if a support unit dude refused to fly with them. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurelySerious Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Also, not sure they'd give you the option - wouldn't look great to the deployed squadron if a support unit dude refused to fly with them. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network ForumsConversely, having random people not actually qualified in the jet fly with you is a pain in the ass, so no one would bat an eye if you weren't calling to get on the schedule. They're your gate months, do as you wish. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SocialD Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 (edited) Shithole of an island. Everything worth seeing in Guam can be hit in 3 weeks. After that, it's groundhog day. Be sure to hit up McKrauts for some good German beer! For morning coffee, grab a redeye from Island Girl Coffee n' Quenchers...good scenery there. Edited February 4, 2017 by SocialD 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08Dawg Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 The Mexican-Hawaiin love child analogy is spot on. I've actually said the exact same thing myself. I didn't mind Guam honestly, and I think being permanent party would be a better situation. My buddy out at Det 4 now has hit up Australia and New Zealand already, and he's been there less than a year, so if traveling is your thing, it could be fun if you choose to make it that way. Not a long hop to Tokyo from there, either I did start getting island fever towards the end of my six month trips. If you have family and take them, I think it'd be a better situation. All in all, not an assignment I'd actively shoot for, but not one I'd really dread either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ram Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 I've always thought that Hawaii is the diamond of the Pacific, and Guam is the cubic zirconia. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawman Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 My wife was on Guam for 3 years as a kid when she was in grade school and her brother a middle schooler. They weren't nearly as far behind when they came home as my sister and I were from our remote Italy DOD school.Father-in-Law loved it, and that was pre internet age, but he was also a diver so if that's your thing you ought to be able to have a good time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M2 Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Sounds like GTMO, a fun place to visit; but after anything more than a week, I am ready to get the fuck out of Dodge... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dream big Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 Lots of hideous strippers and the local men try to start fights with you just because you are American. But there is a beach, and good burgers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matmacwc Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 Don't go with too many people, the island might tip over into the ocean. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08Dawg Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 9 hours ago, dream big said: Lots of hideous strippers and the local men try to start fights with you just because you are American. But there is a beach, and good burgers. The locals are American, too...but yes, very good burgers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tk1313 Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 1 hour ago, matmacwc said: Don't go with too many people, the island might tip over into the ocean. ... and capsize Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yzl337 Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 (edited) 12 hours ago, dream big said: Lots of hideous strippers and the local men try to start fights with you just because you are American. But there is a beach, and good burgers. they were hot as hell every time I went, you just needed to drink a lot more. Edited February 25, 2017 by yzl337 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guineapigfury Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 1 hour ago, yzl337 said: they were hot as hell every time I went, you just needed to drink a lot more. The trick to summoning the hot ones is to grab the Ship's Wheel at the Viking. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yzl337 Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 2 hours ago, guineapigfury said: The trick to summoning the hot ones is to grab the Ship's Wheel at the Viking. I've got my boat driving license, was worth the cost. I only bled a little. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerMateo Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 How's the housing situation out there for families?Sent from my Nexus 5X using Baseops Network Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
* Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 (edited) 3 hours ago, RangerMateo said: How's the housing situation out there for families? Sent from my Nexus 5X using Baseops Network Forums mobile app My friends out there have rented hous s off base and they were not that bad. Great view depending on where you go. I mean, with a 15x35 mile island that's about to tip over, you always have an ocean view. Edited March 3, 2017 by * 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerMateo Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 My friends out there have rented hous s off base and they were not that bad. Great view depending on where you go. I mean, with a 15x35 mile island that's about to tip over, you always have an ocean view. Did they enjoy it? There's a three year accompanied LNO gig they just sent out (probably what pawnman referenced earlier). We went ahead and put our names in. Also with the tipping over do houses have backup oxygen generators in case you end up upside down. Guess we should all get a scuba cert....do they mame masks that fit 3 month olds? /s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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