TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Secretary of the Air Force stated that the 601st Air Force Operations Center would resume operations no later than January 1, 2019 and the 337th Air Control Squadron would resume at a reduced rate with air battle manager training by January 1, 2019.
Your unit leadership has been working hard to build coordinated plans and timelines for this target date. To develop these plans, unit leadership are defining the necessary manning and determining how these positions will be filled.
In order for Tyndall to support these mission sets in this timeline, unit commanders will be recalling those active duty members and civilian employees required to return remaining operations to initial operating capability by December 9, 2018. While we have made tremendous progress, we are limited by available lodging and workspace on base that will prevent commanders from recalling all Airmen. At this time, the evacuation order remains in effect for those not recalled.
We want to keep you informed and provide up to date information regarding your future as well as the missions here at Tyndall. The information below details entitlements and benefits surrounding the evacuation order and recall.
Active Duty Members Recalled to Tyndall AFB:
- When recalled, you will be authorized transportation allowances to return to Tyndall AFB if you are still at your safe haven location.
- Evacuation entitlements will end upon your return to Tyndall AFB for duty.
- Dependents residing outside of the 20 mile radius will continue to receive evacuation entitlements.
- On the 61st day of the evacuation, per diem rates (lodging and M&IE) will drop to 60 percent of the locality rate for dependents 12 years of age or older and 30 percent for those dependents under 12 years of age.
Active Duty Members Not Recalled to Tyndall AFB:
- You will remain at your evacuation location and continue to receive allowances as long as the evacuation order remains in effect.
- You are encouraged to communicate with your chain of command regularly, as you may be recalled.
Civilian Employees Recalled to Tyndall AFB:
- When recalled, you will be authorized transportation allowances to return to Tyndall AFB if you are still at your safe haven location.
- Evacuation entitlements will end upon your return to Tyndall AFB for duty.
- For an employee whose home is uninhabitable, special allowance authority in 5 CFR 550.405 explains possible allowances for subsistence expenses (including lodging).
- Dependents residing outside of the 20 mile radius will continue to receive evacuation entitlements.
Civilian Employees Not Recalled to Tyndall AFB:
- You will remain at your safe haven location and continue to receive allowances (60 percent of the locality rate for dependents 12 years of age or older and 30 percent for those dependents under 12 years of age) as long as the evacuation order remains in effect.
- You are encouraged to communicate with your chain of command regularly, as you may be recalled.
For Airmen considering their future at Tyndall AFB, we are consistently receiving guidance to help you make decisions.
- Humanitarian Reassignment and Deferment (remain in place) option (under AFI 36-2110, Total Force Assignments, Attachment 16, paragraph A16.7.2.) is available to RegAF Airmen who were significantly impacted by Hurricane Michael. Under this provision, Airmen may apply for humanitarian reassignment (or deferment) if they meet certain identified criteria (ex. loss of home/residence, loss of possessions through natural disaster, etc.) and will suffer a substantial financial loss.
- SAF is currently drafting guidance for members who will remain assigned to Tyndall AFB and whose dependents are currently evacuated to move to a designated place CONUS. When the guidance is published we will update Team Tyndall.
- Airmen who are PCSing to Tyndall AFB are authorized non-concurrent travel for their family as housing, daycare, and schools are limited. Personnel must select a primary residence location that dependents will reside, not at Tyndall, while the member is stationed at Tyndall AFB. Government funded transportation for dependents to Tyndall AFB is not authorized at this time.
Please continue to communicate with your unit leadership regarding assignments as well as the status of your homes and families.
For those who have questions, please continue to channel those up through your unit leadership. We know that there are many challenges that you face each day but we also know that you are eager to move forward, take on the mission, and get things done.
As always, you are on my mind each and every day. We are better today than we were yesterday and tomorrow we will be better than today.
v/r
Col Brian S. Laidlaw
325th Fighter Wing Commander