Articles

Clarksburg/Bridgeport, WV - Holiday Inn Clarksburg (304)842-5411 was decent. The Holiday Inn, although just an average stay, is the best place to stay during your visit to FWAATS. I had a kingsize bed, small fridge, microwave, and dialup internet at the military rate ($55/night). There is a nice gym right behind the hotel (Extreme Fitness) which costs $40/month to join or you can use the gym at FWAATS which has nice equipment. Note: The local phone calls cost $.75/call if you are not a member of

McChord AFB, WA - On base at McChord is nice for the O's but crappy for the E's. The Comfort Inn is nice and new, comfortable beds. But if you can, the Sheraton downtown is the way to go. But of course it is the last hotel on the planet they'll send you to. Oh, flight lunches aren't too bad at all. The coffee you can get for the flight is great, tastes like some sort of special Seattle coffee. ~Command post should have a rated person collocated with them so when you request Prime Knight they sho

Langley AFB, VA - Extended Stay America was a great hotel. This place is wonderfully located right behind Hooters, across the street from a mall and the Bass Pro Shop. The base is only ten minutes away but will take twenty to thirty to get on because of traffic. Rooms were spacious with free internet, kitchenette, full size refrigerator, cupboards, and dishes! It was an all around great stay for our entire crew of nearly fourty. Norfolk NAS, Virginia Beach, VA - I made reservations at the Com

Insert TDY Gouge Here

Hill AFB, UT - Peery Hotel (est. 1910) 1-800-331-0073 is a great place for C-130 guys to stay at if picking up a PDM bird or dropping in to Salt Lake for a night or two! Recommend only a couple of nights due to no swimming pool/bar/etc...but they offer the mil rate, always have great rooms, and just did a 3 million dollar renovation. It's a very historic place that offers free breakfast and is within walking distance (1 block) of a nice little microbrewery with good beer and food (Squatters), 2

Biggs AAF, El Paso, TX -The Hawthorn Inn & Suites (915) 778-6789 is nice, and they have complimentary drinks 5-6pm M-F -- BONUS! Also, it's right next door to the Cattle Baron's restaurant which has a nice bar, attentive waitstaff, and a great menu. One of the best restaurants, Carlos and Mickey's has AWESOME Mexican food (a MUST for El Paso) with speedy service and reasonable prices; fantastic margaritas too -- get the "TEXAS SIZE". It's only 5 minutes from the hotel which is right near the

San Antonio, TX Billeting The Kelly Base CC has a new way to screw with crews. If you do not process thru billeting, even when less that 24h, the base trans WILL NOT take you to the hotel, or pick you up...WHAT A CROCK!!! - Luckily you can call MACTRANS (Baseops has the phone #) and for a fee (reimbursable) they will pick you up and drop you off at any hotel in SA. Stay at the Hampton Inn on Bowie Street - it is right downtown 2 blocks from the River Center at the Riverwalk - and it is wit

Campbell AAF, Clarksville, TN - Ramada Riverview Inn (931) 552-3331, 50 college St. = Average motel, but apparently its where EVERY aircrew always goes. Two blocks to the bars, 'black horse', 'moose creek', 'Night Deposit', a german place in there too that has big glasses. Enterprise is on post, but when you go back on post from the motel, they will bust your balls and make you get a pass, USE THE MAIN GATE FOR THIS. tell them you're leaving and it's a post rental, they might let you through. Ab

Joe Foss Field, Sioux Falls SD - Going TDY to Sioux Falls the Sheraton is the place to stay. It's location is close to the base and several bars close by. Next to the Hotel is the Sioux Falls Arena with some good minor league sports team. Such as the USHL (hockey) Stampede, Skyforce (basketball), Canaries (baseball), and Storm (Indoor Football). The main stretch of bars and restaurants is on and along 41st. Nutty's Bar off 49th st has some good drink specials at time.

Charleston, SC - Don't stay at Super 8. It is right next to the exit ramp for the interstate, and is not conducive to rest. Plus, it has absolutely NO freebies. Sheraton is great with lots of flight attendants, The Mill's House Hotel 1-800-874-9600 is a very nice hotel and it's $80/night (max is 99). The hotel is in a great location (very close to all the shops/bars/restaurants downtown). ~If Charleston AFB does not have billeting they will try to put you in the days inn right off base where the

Insert TDY Gouge Here

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Hilton Philadelphia Airport (215-365-4150) was a pretty nice hotel, but the location isn't the best. Right around the corner from the FBO if you have a tight schedule but there isn't really whole lot in the area. Hotel restaurant is pricey, but decent. The hotel Bar is one of the best I've been to. Good prices and actually quite a few people hanging out there (probably because the location). If you're there for a while consider getting a rental car or crew bus becaus

Portland, Oregon - TDY to Portland calls for the Hilton downtown on Broadway. Gov rate also. Great location, walking distance from everything. Starbucks every block, sometimes twice in the same building. Go to Jakes for great seafood, or the waterfront. Oh, the rooms are nice, it's the Hilton, should I say more....

Tinker AFB, OK - The Westin has a great hotel in downtown (Bricktown) Oklahoma City. It is just blocks from a bunch of restaurants, etc. A fantastic Mexican restaurant within walking distance is Abuelos. Near the base, a great restaurant is Napolean's - they serve great subs and home-made French cuisine. It's located just outside the fence between gates 1 and 2. Restaurant row in Midwest City (right outside gate 1) was going N on Air Depot. Travelling W on SE 29th street takes you into Del City

Wright Patterson AFB, OH - I can't figure it out? Nice looking base, decent transient services, empty flightline, but billeting was sub par. The rooms are very tired and in need of a serious overhaul. $39.00 a day is a rip off to the taxpayers. Rooms are circa 1970! And they have plenty available! Plenty of off base eating and entertainment options near the mall. Don' forget AF museum. Admission is FREE. Comfort Inn was a dump. I agree with the other guy about WPAFB. Beautiful base, situated in

Insert TDY Gouge Here

MCAS Cherry Point, NC - Holiday Inn (252)444-1111 was nice. Great Buffet, close to McD's, BK Lounge, and a great pizza place called Mario's. Decent rooms, awesome staff, within Govt. rate. Great nightly buffet, cheap too. We got a deal for $4 pitchers of domestic. 20 minutes from the beach and great seafood places in Beaufort. Sheraton (New Bern) was a great hotel. Only about 15 min cab ride from Cherry Point. Very nice hotel. Walking distance to Outback. Great bar and restaurant. Shuttle servic

New York City, N.Y. - The Marriott Marquis Times Square, baby. Need I say any more.....$195 a night, just within the limit. Luxurious rooms, but no time to enjoy them!! Right smack dab midtown Manhatten. ~Going to New York--Call ahead and check ticket availability to the taping of "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart--these tickets are FREE!!!Call (212) 468-1710 to reserve your ticket(s). Be sure to mention that you're military-entitles you to VIP status (you get tickets before the non-vip types--b

Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque NM - After being told we were not able to get on base TLF for a 3 month TDY, we checked into the Southwest Suites. They are fully furnished corporate apartment suites. They do offer a military discount. Very nice apartments with maid service and very nice complexes. Call Joyce Row 1-800-342-3820 local 505-294-7632. The Candlewood Suites hotel specializes in long term stays. It has efficiency and one bedroom apartments available at the government rates. They include stov

McGuire AFB, NJ - For good food: Mastoris' where 206n and 130n split great prices and tons of food... in Trenton about 20mins from base only 16 miles is a bar called Tir Na Nog the owner plays irish music wed thru sat.. best guiness on the east coast.. Spent 6 years here at a KC10 pilot, and a year as a command post duty officer, so I know where we put crews when they came in TDY. GOOD EATS: If you're quick turning, try 3 Brothers Pizza (turn right out the 24 hour gate) or for great Japanese foo

New Boston AFS, NH - Billeting is dormitory style rooms (only ten available) with private bath. Full kitchen in building. The Q isn't luxury but the beauty of the area is worth the TDY. Pease International Tradeport, NH - Hampton Inn offers free drinks and chowder from 1700-1900 daily!! Indoor pool/hottub. Pease TTF provides vehicles for crew (usually 2). Incredible shopping at the nearby outlet stores. Visit the RedHook Brewery! Fairly good bar scene downtown. 10 minute cab ride. Boston is c

Forbes Field, KS - So we show up (KC-10) to move some humvees and Army troops from there to LA. The FBO people (Millionair) wander on the jet about 2 minutes after the TALCE guys and proceed to tell us that if we don't buy gas, that we won't get to use their airstairs...what a crock. Don't believe them, the Army paid for those "oh so beautiful airstairs on the back of a 1968 Ford" and donated them to the city. Millionair doesn't really have a say, so tell them to piss off!! ~Topeka Capitol Plaza

Fallon AFB, NV - Since most crews are in Fallon for a month you can do it all but it get's expensive. First you need wheels. Reno and Carson City are an hour away. There is a ton to do in Reno, gamble at the Bird Farm in Fallon for craps lessons then hit the strip in Reno to loose big money. Mens Club downtown Reno has the best looking dancers you have ever seen but is really pricey. The Midnight Roper in Fallon is great unless the Airwing is intown. Then there are 7 guys per girl. Hit the gun/l

Lincoln, NE - Flew into LNK, got a TMP vehicle from the NENG C-12 drivers (Thanks guys!). Only halfway decent hotel we found on Google was the Holiday Inn Downtown. It was acceptable, but in the middle of renovations. Come to find out there is an Embassy Suites two blocks away (Corner of P and 11th St). Will be staying there next time. As for bars and restraints, Lincoln is a college town, so lots of options. You gotta try the Old Chicago's 'World Beer Tour' (West P St across from Holiday Inn).

Great Falls, MT - If you ever get unlucky enough to get here then use the guard unit and Holman Aviation to set you up. With prior coordination you can work every thing you could need through them. The Holiday Inn Express is decent, and only 5 minutes from the airport and within 10 minutes from downtown. The guard may be able to check out a U-Drive for you. Steak Houses are good downtown. Good number of bars, pool halls, and clubs as well. ~The O'Haire Motor Inn, downtown Great Falls, was a cool