Pittsburgh, PA - YOU MUST STAY at the Pittsburgh Hilton Towers. Five Star Outfit. Across the river from the football stadium, 15 miles from airport. Stumble from the bars. At the time we went, max lodging was $79, The hotel had a fed gov rate of $99. Talk to 'Mary' in reservations and tell here you're not fed gov, but usaf, and your max rate is $79, she'll hook you up. You'll have to valet your car for about $20, but you can claim it too. Tel:(412)391-4600 Fax:(412)594-5161  #600 Commonwealth Place; Gateway Cen, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222. The bars are in 'strip district' on Mullberry way (parallels Penn st), around 20th street. There's some bars on Penn Street too. If you park on Pit-Reserve AFB's ramp, PRECOORDINATE for a ride to the rental cars on the other side of the airport. The sucked as far as support, nobody was there. We were on a banner.

Erie, PA - Hampton Inn  (814) 835-4200 Fax (814) 835-5212 was a great hotel.  They charged us $20 less then allotable and the place was as nice as we could ask for. We talked to them and explained that they should charge full rate and give us a free meal or booze instead of the reduced rate. Hopefully they will work this. The staff at North Coast Air will make reservations for you if let give them a call. The hotel is across the street from a bar that is suitable for drinking and just down the road from food.  Watch your weight restriction going in. There is conflicting information between the different sources. Call the airfield manager, he approved us for Single Tandem at 155K.

Willow Grove, PA - Residence Inn offers free breakfasts, newspapers. Many nights have free dinners as well. Hotel is kept up very well and has a gym pass system with the local "Y". Overall best deal in the area.

SOUTH CAROLINA

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 there is nothing to do. If you request to stay at the Mill House ( a 4 star $299 a night hotel) down town, they will get you a room for $80 a night but you have to get the taxi down town. Just claim it on your voucher. You are close to all the good times if you can stay downtown. If you split a room with someone you can both pay $40.

 If you like seafood, we ate at Hymens (yup, that's the real name), and it was pretty darned good, going to try some new places tonight!!!  Embassy Suites/ Historic Downtown  is very nice...(#337 Meeting St. /843-723-6900) it used to be part of the Citadel Military Academy. It's located downtown, with all bars/ restaurants within walking distance. Good bar called the Mandalay nearby. The hotel cost is actually higher than the max allowable, but we were able to talk them into a $99 rate. Just explain that you're in the military, and that's all they'll let you spend. A little Southern charm doesn't hurt either.  Although not downtown, Sheraton-North Charleston 843-747-1900 isn't bad.  Upon checking in, you're given a card for three free drinks in the hotel bar. Also, given a card for a free American breakfast (Nice spread of vittles!). Great room with a free USA Today delivered to your door. $53 per night + tax.  ~The major plus is free buffet breakfast plus three free "real" drinks in the bar per night. DO NOT CALL LONG DISTANCE FROM THE ROOM!!! Our Boom shelled out $27 for a five minute phone call to Fairchild. Hyman's is really good but can be crowded. Wild Wings Cafe is good place to eat and have a brew or two. Most of the places worth eating are all near "the market" in Downtown Charleston. The Southend Brewery is OK but the service was not the greatest. One town over in Mt Pleasent, is a place called "Romanza's" and it has really good Italian food. For directions ask the lady at the Weather desk. If you get a U-drive be wary, our's conked out at Base Ops right before we turned it in. If you are stuck there for a while, head down to the Visitor's Center and catch a bus tour (only $15 for a 90 minute tour).  ~I must disagree with the generous rating of the Best Western. The place is a DUMP! The freeway noise is opressive and the A/C never works quite right. The neighborhood is somewhat seedy at night. Head for downtown for meals.  ~New hotels at, International Blvd Near Tangier Mall ( 15 min, from rear gate ) Hotels: Marriott Residence Inn ( earn points)( Great Hotel...sits on final approach path for CAFB) New Holiday Inn and Hilton near by. Restaurants: Fatz Cafe. excellent, huge portions, Dunkin donuts, Starbucks, Arbys, Mexican and Chinese also. 24hr Super Walmart right there also.

Shaw AFB, SC - Reserved a regular room at Carolina Pines Inn (Base Billeting) (803)666-3658, given a DV Suite! Cheaper to drink from room minibar/fridge than to go out! El Mariachi (Mex Rest about 5 min from base) has $1.99 margaritas 1600-1900. Great Food! The Aerospace Physiology unit here is Tops! Great Class. Hilarious instructors and excellent instruction. ~The Sleep Inn was decent and had their shit together. The only thing to do on check out was turn in the key. The town really sucks though. The only place to go was Thursday night at a place called "Goochies". Overall not too bad, wouldn't want to be stationed there though.

Beaufort MCAS, Beaufort, SC - Hampton Inn 1-843-986-0600 was a decent hotel.  After staying at four different places while in Beaufort: VOQ, Country Inn, Sleep Inn, and finally the Hampton Inn, the Hampton was far and above the best place to stay in Beaufort. Hot free chow in the morning, WiFi in the lobby, and a walk across the parking lot to the Waffle House and Applebee's (the happening places in town we were told). They do the Mil Rate so ask for it. We literally walking in off the street asking for 10 rooms at that rate any they were happy to accommodate. Avoid the VOQ if at all possible. It's isolated on the far side of the base near the tower. If you are unforutnate enought not to have a UDI, you have nothing to eat. The Sleep Inn smelled like a mix between smoke and stagnant swamp water. If Hampton is full, recommend the Country Inn. If you are RON, work with whatever squadron / agency you are supporting to get a UDI. Otherwise you can be stuck on the ramp w/o any help. Semper Fi, right?  Regarding the comments about Applebees and Waffle House being the 'happening places' in Beaufort SC: Downtown Beaufort- 20 minutes from MCAS Beaufort and five minutes from the Hampton Inn- has several good restaurants and bars with great local seafood and live music. Go to Hemingway's, Luther's, or Plum's. Park at the waterfront and walk to any one of them.

SOUTH DAKOTA

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.

TENNESSEE

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. About 60 miles from Nashville, but we never went there.  ~I will defend the Riverview. It is an average hotel, but they just got all new furniture in the rooms. They have a pool, you get a free membership to a gym down the street, there is a jogging trail on the river right in front of the hotel, they have free breakfast too. Lots of food choices down the street. Night life is at the Warehouse a block away Wed. thru Sat. Lots of college types. Good pubs are Front Page Deli and Blackhorse about two blocks away in the old downtown section up the hill. College campus isn't far away either.  Riverview also has free wi-fi and a free public business center computer too.

Millington/Memphis, TN - Admiralty Inn and Suites was a dump! We flew into Millington Muni, formerly NAS, and the FBO made reservations for us at the Admiralty Inn and Suites. We drove by and there were bars on all of the windows and people drinking in the parking lot out of brown bags. We kept driving to downtown Memphis and stayed in the Residence Inn. As with all other Residence Inns I have stayed in, it was very nice and brand new. They gave us the govt rate of $80. Full, hot breakfast buffet in the morning. Don't miss out on Beale St on the weekends. It is like Bourbon St in New Orleans except cleaner and smaller.

Nashville, TN - Doubletree hotel was decent.  Diverted into Nashville due to WX. Nashville guard was very helpful. Stayed at the doubletree which is walking distance from all the bars. I think they are located on fourth ave. Try the beer seller. Its located next to hooters on second ave. They stock about two hundred different types of brew. Good C/W bars all up and down second ave.

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 airport. If you have any problems, call Chief Warrant Officer 3 Roberson at DSN 979-6707 -- he'll hook you up with wheels and hotel reservations. These are good folks and they represent the 204th -- an Army unit from Fort Bliss. They'll make what could be a pain-in-the-a** trip a good time for you and your crew. ~El Paso is a hole for those of you who haven't had the pleasure. The Embassy Suites was nice - all the standard embassy suites stuff like free happy hour and breakfast. About 10 minutes from the field. Close to the hotel was a good mexican place called Forti's - ask the guys at the desk. No Udrives from the base.

Austin, TX - Omni is a palace and only one block from the party on 6th Street. 5 Star accommodations. ~OMNI Austin Downtown (800-the-omni) is fantastic and has a government rate, just ask for it, about $85-95 a night. Best location to party on 6th St. Also, check out the Hula Hut on Lake Austin for great food and try the Fishbowl drink. Antone's is the best place for live music.  New Hilton Hotel on 4th Street with government rate. Unbelievably nice, friendly staff, can't get any closer to downtown bars.