Kwajalein Atoll is a part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, lost in the Pacific Ocean (MapTech makes it easier to find) along with more recognizable locations like Bikini and Enewetak atolls. The military presence is far from gone, however, as Kwajalein is home to Reagan Test Site, where the US Army tests the last remnants of Reagan’s infamous Star Wars program. Now reincarnated as George W. Bush’s missile defense, it survives despite its flaws and an unbroken string of failed tests.
Kwajalein Range Services (a joint effort of Bechtel and Lockheed) runs the island under contract for the US Army. The KRS recruitment brochure is quite a treat, but Shermie’s Place and this site offer less varnished descriptions of military/contractor life on the island. KRS, along a number of other military contractors, and their related support organizations appear to offer the only job market on the island. In fact, it would appear that the entire island is a controlled access facility.
The USAF’s Air Mobility Command and Continental Airlines (under contract) offer scheduled flights to the islands at a cost of about US$2350, though travel to the surrounding islands might be easier.
Geocoded resources: photos via AllTheGoodness and Geobloggers, GeoURL, and geocaches.
3 Comments
my fiance and i would LOVE to move to kwaj…he was raised there and says it was his paradise. we would relocate in a heartbeat but we would of course need jobs there. neither of us is quite finished with our school yet, are there any entry-level positions or private business owners that could help us out?
I know it’s hard to bring US Base back cause they are going to move right now so who’s gonna take really care of the People of the Kwajalein right now? Who’s gonna be responsible for the life of these people anyway?? Think harder….
How about yourself?
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