From: CMSgt Mike Bergman <bergman@afnews.pa.af.mil>
Subject: AF News Svc 08/31/92
Organization: Hq Air Force News Agency/SCC
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 13:41:12 GMT


From CMSgt Mike Bergman <bergman@afnews.pa.af.mil>

683.  Homestead relocation efforts
684.  Homestead civilian workers
685.  Somalia relief efforts
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683.  Homestead relocation efforts
     WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Some active-duty units assigned to Homestead AFB,
Fla., will be temporarily relocated to bases in Georgia, South Carolina and
Texas, Air Force officials said Aug. 28.
     The announcement came four days after Hurricane Andrew struck, virtually
destroying Homestead AFB and causing more than $20 billion in total damages
throughout southern Florida.  The storm was one of the costliest in U.S.
history.
     The headquarters for the 31st Fighter Wing will remain at Homestead,
however, its F-16s will be temporarily moved to Shaw AFB, S.C., and Moody AFB,
Ga.  Additionally, the Air Force Water Survival Training School will be moved
to Tyndall AFB, Fla., and the Inter-American Air Force School to Lackland AFB,
Texas.
     These temporary moves do not constitute a closure or realignment of
Homestead, the Air Force said.
     Aircraft, pilots, support and maintenance workers assigned to the 307th
and 308th Fighter Squadrons will go to Moody, while the 309th Fighter Squadron
will go to Shaw.
     Both the 307th and 309th Fighter Squadrons normally have 18 aircraft
assigned, while the 308th has 24. Both Moody and Shaw already have F-16s
assigned, thereby allowing the Homestead squadron to return to operational
status by sharing F-16 support equipment and facilities already in place.
     The three relocation sites were selected based on housing availability,
schools, and other support facilities necessary to accommodate unit movements.
     The decisions to move units are for active-duty units only.  Details of
the movement of Reserve units assigned to Homestead are still being worked
out, officials said.
     The movement of people and equipment has begun and should be completed
over the next several months, officials said.
     The exact number of Air Force men and women and their families who will
move to these locations is still being determined, officials said.
     Other active-duty Homestead-assigned people not required to support units
at the three bases will be assigned to other units throughout the United
States.  People not affected by the unit relocations will be reassigned to a
location of their choice, within manpower constraints, officials said.
     In addition to the active-duty units, Homestead is headquarters for the
482nd Fighter Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit.  That unit was deployed to
Aviano AB, Italy, when the storm hit, but has since returned to Florida.
     Unlike active-duty units, however, the majority of full-time employees at
a reserve unit are civilians, including aircrews and the maintenance staff who
are air reserve technicians.
     They are part of the local community and at least in the short term, the
Reserve wants to establish Reserve operations in southern Florida, officials
said.
     When Andrew struck, the 482nd FW deployment was ended so its members
could return to their families.  Subsequent rotational deployments have also
been canceled.
     Their F-16s will remain in Italy until a temporary operating location is
established.
     Meanwhile, MacDill AFB, Fla., is the primary assistance center for
Homestead-assigned people who fled the base prior to the storm.
     People who have not relocated to another Air Force base should go to
MacDill where the Air Force has arranged for temporary housing.
     The family support center at each Air Force installation is the base
agency people should contact for assistance and information.  Family support
centers also have information on Air Force Aid Society assistance.
     Additionally, all military and civilian employees who haven't already
done so, should call toll-free 1-800-232-9916 to report their locations and
receive further information.
     At MacDill, the Air Force will provide Homestead-assigned people with pay
due to them and information on recovery assistance programs.


684.  Homestead civilian workers
     WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Civil service employees of Homestead AFB, Fla.
displaced by Hurricane Andrew, are on administrative leave with pay until
Sept. 25, Air Combat Command officials said.
     Homestead's civilian employees are not in a temporary duty status and
should not work at other military installations, officials said.
     Essential civilian employees may be recalled to duty if the situation
requires their skills.
     Workers are being paid through a support agreement with Moody AFB, Ga.
Those paid by direct deposit to local banks may continue to write checks which
the Atlanta Federal Reserve office will honor.  Allotments from banks may not
be paid.
     Civilian employees with proper identification will be able to cash checks
with the accounting and finance team set up at Homestead, officials said.
     Arrangements are being made to pay employees who do not have direct
deposit.  These workers should contact the nearest Air Force finance office
for assistance.
     Additionally, employees with thrift savings plans are eligible to receive
emergency loans from their accounts.  The Air Force Chaplain Service is
offering nominal grants and federal employee emergency assistance benefits are
available by calling toll-free 1-800-338-0755.
     Any Homestead-based military or civilian employees are asked to call a
24-hour hotline, 1-800-232-9916 for more information.
     Officials encourage Homestead-assigned people to monitor radio and
television news agencies for any updated information.


685.  Somalia relief efforts
     MOMBASA AIRPORT, Kenya (AFNS) -- After minor delays, relief efforts got
under way Aug. 21 as U.S. aircrews began delivering much needed supplies into
Wajir, Kenya.
     The first Provide Relief missions took off from the Mombasa Airport, as
two Air Force C-130s flew food into Wajir, a northeastern town near the
Somalia border.
     Each C-130 is carrying about 30,000 pounds of cargo per mission, while
C-141 transports are hauling nearly 45,000 pounds.  More than 754 metric tons
of food have been delivered as of Aug. 24.
     Flour, salt and split peas, donated by non-government relief agencies,
are being trucked to the Mombasa Airport and then palletized and loaded by
members of the 2nd Mobile Aerial Port Squadron, Little Rock, 437th Aerial Port
Squadron from Charleston, and relief agency workers.
     Once the food arrives in Wajir, relief agencies truck it into Somalia.
     "Right now, Wajir is the only show in town," Lt. Col. Larry Fariss said.
Fariss, commander of the 50th Airlift Squadron at Little Rock, is in charge of
the C-130 support in Kenya.
     "The suitability of airfields into Somalia are still being determined,
taking into primary consideration the safety of the aircraft and the crews,"
he said.
     Among the servicemembers working out of Mombasa are more than 450 Air
Force people.  The military's job is to get the food to those destinations
required by the relief agencies.  From there, the agencies are responsible for
distribution.
     Once the operations start in Somalia, it will run basically the same way.
     Subsequent missions involved a C-141 flight Aug. 22, with 10 C-130 and
six C-141 missions on the 23rd.  Twelve C-130 and eight C-141 missions were
completed Aug. 24.
     The C-130 support is from the 314th Airlift Wing out of Little Rock,
while C-141 support is rotating between Charleston AFB, S.C., McGuire AFB,
N.J., McChord AFB, Wash., and Norton and Travis AFBs in California.
     As of Aug. 26, the airlift support was operating at 100 percent.
(Courtesy of 314th AW Public Affairs)

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    |            Air Force News Agency (AFNEWS)                        | 
    |           Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, USA                       | 
    |               bergman@afpan.pa.af.mil                            |  
    |__________________________________________________________________|  



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