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][17] is quite a treat, but [Shermie’s Place][18] and [this site][19] offer less varnished descriptions of military/contractor life on the island. KRS, along a number of other [military contractors][20], 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][21] facility.
The USAF’s Air Mobility Command and [Continental Airlines][22] (under contract) offer [scheduled flights][23] to the islands at a cost of about US$2350, though [travel][24] to the surrounding islands might be easier.
Geocoded resources: photos via [AllTheGoodness][25] and [Geobloggers][26], [GeoURL][27], and [geocaches][28].
[17]: www-krsjv-com-Kwaj Brochure.pdf “recruitment brochure” [18]: http://www.wiehes.com/kwajmem.html “Shermie’s Place” [19]: http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/kwa/ “this site” [20]: http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/kwa/0lin.html “military contractors” [21]: http://www.smdc.army.mil/kwaj/EntryAutoInst.html “controlled access” [22]: http://www.continental.com/programs/milgov/markets/CityPairs.asp “Continental Airlines” [23]: http://www.smdc.army.mil/kwaj/flights.html “scheduled flights” [24]: http://micronesia.hawaii.com/marshalls/flights/ “travel” [25]: http://www.allthegoodness.com/projects/map/firefox/index.php?lat=8.716667&long=167.733333 “AllTheGoodness” [26]: http://www.geobloggers.com/?lat=8.722500&lon=-167.7299 “Geobloggers” [27]: http://geourl.org/near?lat=8.716667&long=167.733333 “GeoURL” [28]: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?origin_lat=8.716667&origin_long=167.733333&submit3=Submit “geocaches”