Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      First families arrive at Ramstein from TurkeyPublished March 31, 2016
                    
                    By Staff Sgt. Sara Keller
                    
                    
                    86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
            **RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS)  --**The first group of families arrived at Ramstein Air Base March 30 after the State Department and the secretary of defense approved the ordered departure of dependents of service members and Defense Department civilian personnel currently stationed in Adana, Izmir, and Mugla, Turkey.
As dependents depart Turkey, Ramstein AB has been designated as a 'transition location' for families to await travel to their subsequent duty locations. However, a number of families will relocate to Ramstein AB for an extended period of time.
The decision for dependents to depart Turkey allows for the deliberate, safe return of family members from these areas due to continued security concerns in the region. Although the decision was not reached easily; it is based upon past practice, ongoing and maturing military operations, and keeping employees and families' best interests at the front of the decision-making process.
As the number of personnel grows on the base, support agencies at Ramstein AB stand ready to meet the needs of its newest members.
"It has been impressive to watch so many of our base organizations come together and be prepared to help our Air Force family members as soon as they get here," said Master Sgt. Chad Oswold, the 721st Aerial Port Squadron NCO in charge of passenger operations. "I think we are really ready for anything. Some of the agencies that are set up to help the incoming travelers include pre-coordinated hotel reservations and customs procedures, American Red Cross services, travel specialist to assist with onward travel reservations and many other.
The capabilities we have as a base is just amazing," Oswald continued. "It takes a lot of people to make this happen and to see Team Ramstein come together to make this all happen is just on a different level."
According to the U.S. European Command, the removal of dependents will facilitate the safe departure of family members from Turkey.
The safety and security of military families is a top priority and they intend to mitigate the risk to DOD elements and personnel, including family members, within the authorities and means of the command, while ensuring the combat effectiveness of U.S. forces and mission support to operations in Turkey.
Military dependents are a huge part of the Air Force family and making sure they are taken care of will be a top priority as they arrive at Ramstein.
"We're all one family and these folks are going to remember this for the rest of their lives," said Lt. Col. Nathan Tarkowski, the 86th Mission Support Group deputy commander. "We want them to remember that the 86th AW was there for them when they needed it the most."Ramstein AB 



Germany 



USAFE 



turkey 



Izmir

Related Links
        State Department, DOD approve dependents’ departure from Turkey Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF Kendall visits Bangor ANG Base
                    
                    Vice President Harris congratulates USAFA Class of ‘24
                    
                    Senate confirms Melissa Dalton as next Under Secretary of the Air Force
                    
                    ‘One Team, One Fight’: SecAF visits Keesler AFB
                    
                    SecAF Kendall experiences VISTA of future flight test at Edwards AFBInnovation
                AFSFC reaches final phase of fielding Model Defender gear
                    
                    Around the Air Force: PCS Allowances, Air Task Forces, All-Volunteer Force
                    
                    AFIMSC focuses I-WEPTAC topics on GPC solutions
                    
                    Optimizing AI, Air University hosts Artificial Intelligence Symposium
                    
                    AFIMSC tools deliver data-driven solutions across DAFMAJCOM News
                AFMC to expand AcqDemo workforce
                    
                    AFMC empowers small businesses for Air Force reoptimization
                    
                    Acquisition Instructor Course Class 25A open for nominations
                    
                    Air Guard leaders host 2024 Wing Leader Conference
                    
                    Referral bonuses aim to help fill mission-critical vacancies
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil