Station/Boat Location~
USCGC ALEX HALEY(282')
Date there~
June 2006 - current
Weather~
not the best, but the scenery makes up for it. the summer so far has been cool and mostly rainy/ overcast. don't get me wrong we do have good weather here as well, doesn't get above lower 70's though. it will usually be nice a week or two then rainy a week or tow. sometimes you get lucky and its nice longer. i haven't experienced the winter yet, but i hear its bad. i've hear we get more rain here than snow, but they said last year was mostly snow. can get really cold with the wind chill. so you south easterners like me, bundle up!!!oh yeah, and they get really bad wind here in the winter, bad enough to take your car door off if your not facing the right way.
Military facilities~
they have a clinic here on base, chapel, teen center, bowling center, childcare, movie theatre, commissary, exchange, and a few other resources. this is the biggest coast guard base. even so, the amenities here are not "big". the theatre is one showing at a time. the exchange doesn't have much for clothing, they do have furniture, guns, fishing gear, baby items and some electronics upstairs and downstairs has alcohol, food and kitchen appliances. commissary isn't big, but i have found everything i usually need there.
Medical~
rockmore clinic on base, then there is kodiak island medical association and the providence kodiak medical center(the hospital). i've only been to rockmore and KIMA. they were both ok, rockmore is coast guard doctors and KIMA is civilian. when you arrive you will need to go to the tricare office at the rockmore clinic and switch to tricare prime remote (if you have prime) or just tricare remote.
Housing~
housing here is pretty nice. there are a few housing areas, some are on base and two others are off base close by. we live in a 2 bedroom in aviation hill and we like it a lot. we have a fenced back yard, there are playgrounds here as well. we get out o those as often as possible. there is also a covered playground by lake louise housing, so if its raining and you want to just get the kids out you can take them there to play.
Shopping~
not much for shopping. there is the smallest walmart i have ever seen. local sporting good shops and then there are the local craft stores and other vendors. a few grocery stores including safeway. online shopping is your friend here!
Child Care/Schools~
im not sure about daycare in town, but there is a daycare/preschool here in base. i have heard its really good. i am looking at taking my son there this fall for preschool. it is income based
Adult Schools~
there is alaska university and i hear there is an education center somewhere on base. i haven't found it yet.
Fun Activities~
if you like the outdoors, this is the place for you!! lots of places to go hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, and wild life viewing. i didn't think i would like hiking, but it really isn't bad, the views here make the hard work getting up the mountain worth it.
Additional Info~
i'm not going to lie, its tough here, but you make the best of it. its a great place to save money cause there really isn't anywhere to spend it. so far i've seen, its a good place to raise kids. everyone i have met here is friendly. the scenery is gorgeous. i was told before we got orders here that if we had the chance to come to alaska, not to pass it up. they were right
Homeport AK
USCGC ALEX HALEY(282')
Date there~
June 2006 - current
Weather~
not the best, but the scenery makes up for it. the summer so far has been cool and mostly rainy/ overcast. don't get me wrong we do have good weather here as well, doesn't get above lower 70's though. it will usually be nice a week or two then rainy a week or tow. sometimes you get lucky and its nice longer. i haven't experienced the winter yet, but i hear its bad. i've hear we get more rain here than snow, but they said last year was mostly snow. can get really cold with the wind chill. so you south easterners like me, bundle up!!!oh yeah, and they get really bad wind here in the winter, bad enough to take your car door off if your not facing the right way.
Military facilities~
they have a clinic here on base, chapel, teen center, bowling center, childcare, movie theatre, commissary, exchange, and a few other resources. this is the biggest coast guard base. even so, the amenities here are not "big". the theatre is one showing at a time. the exchange doesn't have much for clothing, they do have furniture, guns, fishing gear, baby items and some electronics upstairs and downstairs has alcohol, food and kitchen appliances. commissary isn't big, but i have found everything i usually need there.
Medical~
rockmore clinic on base, then there is kodiak island medical association and the providence kodiak medical center(the hospital). i've only been to rockmore and KIMA. they were both ok, rockmore is coast guard doctors and KIMA is civilian. when you arrive you will need to go to the tricare office at the rockmore clinic and switch to tricare prime remote (if you have prime) or just tricare remote.
Housing~
housing here is pretty nice. there are a few housing areas, some are on base and two others are off base close by. we live in a 2 bedroom in aviation hill and we like it a lot. we have a fenced back yard, there are playgrounds here as well. we get out o those as often as possible. there is also a covered playground by lake louise housing, so if its raining and you want to just get the kids out you can take them there to play.
Shopping~
not much for shopping. there is the smallest walmart i have ever seen. local sporting good shops and then there are the local craft stores and other vendors. a few grocery stores including safeway. online shopping is your friend here!
Child Care/Schools~
im not sure about daycare in town, but there is a daycare/preschool here in base. i have heard its really good. i am looking at taking my son there this fall for preschool. it is income based
Adult Schools~
there is alaska university and i hear there is an education center somewhere on base. i haven't found it yet.
Fun Activities~
if you like the outdoors, this is the place for you!! lots of places to go hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, and wild life viewing. i didn't think i would like hiking, but it really isn't bad, the views here make the hard work getting up the mountain worth it.
Additional Info~
i'm not going to lie, its tough here, but you make the best of it. its a great place to save money cause there really isn't anywhere to spend it. so far i've seen, its a good place to raise kids. everyone i have met here is friendly. the scenery is gorgeous. i was told before we got orders here that if we had the chance to come to alaska, not to pass it up. they were right
Homeport AK
