LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
As of June 1, hurricane season is underway, and Langley personnel and their families should be ready, lest a storm should hit.
One way Langley Finance is helping families is by letting them know about hurricane evacuation allotments.
"It's not a new entitlement," said 1st Lieutenant John Forbes, 1st Fighter Wing Finance Services officer. "With Katrina and Wilma and a lot of (other) large hurricanes hitting the Gulf States, we thought it was important folks know that the Air Force will take care of them."
Hurricanes are most likely to form from June 1 to Nov. 31. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predict one to three major hurricanes this season.
If a hurricane should pose a threat to Langley personnel, the installation commander would give the evacuation order. Only after the order is given are personnel eligible for the evacuation allotment.
"Guardsmen or Reservists on active orders, active-duty servicemembers, Army & Air Force Exchange Services employees and also non-appropriated funds employees are entitled to this allotment," explained Senior Airman Katrina Johnson, 1st FW Finance Services technician. Contractors are not eligible.
Civil authority based evacuation orders do not authorize entitlements. If members voluntarily depart before the order is given by the installation commander, they will be considered on leave status and will not receive compensation for the period of time prior to the order.
Personnel should treat the evacuation like a temporary duty assignment, maintaining all receipts.
"It's not important to have orders in hand before you leave," Lieutenant Forbes emphasized. "The key is to get the Airmen and their families out of harm's way as soon as possible. We don't want them to be held up because of paperwork.
"They can evacuate to a safe haven or designated area, and once they come back to file their voucher, we can provide the orders," he continued.