Team 65,
BASE TRAVEL & HOST NATION RESTRICTIONS
- Per the 65 ABG Commander as of 10 November 2020 the following restrictions are in effect for Lajes Field military personnel:
- Local leave is restricted to Terceira Island due to the rising COVID-19 case counts on the nine islands of the Azores (does not apply to COT, OTEIP or “mid tour” leave)
- All clubs that serve both alcohol and have dancing are closed - do NOT visit these establishments
- Bars and other establishments that sell alcohol will close at 2200
- Gas stations can remain open between 2200 and 0600, but only to sell fuel
- All 65 ABG public events (sporting or otherwise) require 65 ABG/CC approval
- All 65 ABG passengers arriving from outside the Azores will restrict their movements until the result of the 6th day test, use face masks and respect physical distancing
- Any 65 ABG inter-island travel exceptions require 65 ABG/CC approval
- Additional measures may be implemented if required
- Use face masks outdoors, whenever physical distancing is not possible; Exceptions are: individuals unable to wear a face mask due to health reason and with a medical statement, or when performing certain activities incompatible with the use of face masks (i.e. sports), or when individuals of the same household are together with no one else around them.
- In home gatherings will be 6 personnel or less
LEAVE
- Per the attached SECDEF leave memo, "Authorized leave outside the local area will be approved at a level no lower than the unit commander or equivalent." This applies to all DoD service members.
- The 65 ABG COVID Leave Policy states:
- In accordance with AFI 36-3003 all leave must begin and end in the local area.
- However for the purposes of regular and special passes, the local area definition is based on the installation commander’s judgement and sound judgement dictates local area be based on Restrictions of Movement (ROM), thereby keeping members within the Azores, Portugal or within Sevilla Province, Spain.
- Commanders at all levels must ensure that travel outside these regions requires member to be in leave status, not while on pass.
- In an effort to ensure that all 65 ABG members are able to have equitable access to respite periods in leave status, the following policies are enacted:
- All members will continue to be authorized use of Deferred Consecutive Overseas Tour (COT), In-Place Consecutive Overseas Tour (IPCOT) or Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program (OTEIP) entitlements
- For those utilizing COT, IPCOT or OTEIP, any ROM imposed upon return to Lajes Field or to Morón AB will not be chargeable.
- For those utilizing COT, IPCOT or OTEIP, any ROM imposed at their leave destination will be considered chargeable.
- For those members not entitled to either COT, IPCOT or OTEIP then regular leave can be used.
- For those taking regular leave, any ROM imposed at their leave destination will be considered chargeable. In an effort to ensure that ROM imposed upon return from regular leave is not a limiting factor to the overall leave program, an annual “mid-tour” period of regular leave will be exempted. This regular leave or “mid-tour” period should be no less than 14 days and no longer than 30 days and is voluntarily designated by the member taking leave.
- Any ROM imposed by a return from emergency leave will not be chargeable under any circumstances.
- Regardless of leave entitlement or status, members returning from leave who can telework from home during the imposed ROM will be expected to do so.
- No policy can cover every situation therefore all exception to policy requests will be routed through the 65 ABG/CCF for approval to maintain equitable leave decisions throughout the 65th Air Base Group.
- For Lajes, approval for members of the GSA will be the 65 ABG/CD. All other approvals will be at the squadron commander level.
- We know many Airmen and family members want to travel to the United States on leave, but all non-official travel to/from the United States remains high risk at this time. Commanders have the authority to deny leave requests due to military necessity. If leave is approved a risk assessment must be conducted IAW Under SECDEF FHP Guidance Supp. 14. Keep in mind Airmen could get stuck in the United States or be forced to quarantine if returning from a risk area, even if DoD includes the state on its list of green locations.
OFFICIAL TRAVEL
- Reference Under SECDEF FHP Guidance Supp. 14 for all requirements involved with official travel (PCS, TDY etc.).
-- The biggest takeaways are all travel WILL have a risk assessment completed
-- All travelers will have a COVID-19 test completed prior to commencing travel
- Additionally read through the attached myPers STOP MOVEMENT Update CAO 10 February 2021 for all official travel requirements for AF specific questions
- For the health and safety of all employees, local national civilian employees are highly encouraged to notify their supervisors when they travel outside the local area so all can take proper precautions upon that employee’s return to work.
Below are several useful references as you plan travel:
1 - SECDEF Memo Transition to Conditions - Based Phased Approach - 22 May 20
2 - FHP Guidance Sup 14 DoD Guidance For Personnel Traveling During COVID-19 Pandemic - 29 Dec 20
3 - Sec AF Travel Restriction Delegation of Authority - 26 Oct 20
4 - Questions and Answers - 11 Feb 2021
5 - UA Short Tour Waivers
6 - A1 Policy Memo on Casualty and Mortuary Program Changes for COVID-19 - 24 Aug 20
7 - Flying, Training, and PME Waivers
8 - Waiver to Approve Mission-essential travel Template -8 Feb 21
9 - Exemption of Authorized Leave for DoD Service Members from COVID-19 travel restrictions
10 - EXORD Reporting Status of Isolated or Quarantined Personnel COVID-19 - 29 Apr 20
11 - 65 ABG COVID-19 Leave Policy
12 - AFPC Stop Movement Guidance - 12 Feb 2021
13 - Travel Decision Flowchart_PCS TDY - 9 Feb 21