Airman & Family Readiness Centers help families displaced by danger

  • Published
  • By Steve VanWert
  • Air Force Personnel Center
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The political system was rapidly deteriorating in Belgrade, Serbia, last month. The State Department announced an authorized departure order for eligible family members and non-emergency employees from Belgrade, including one Air Force family. But when the family landed at their "safe haven" in the United States, it wasn't men in black suits wearing sunglasses who greeted them, it was Airman and Family Readiness Center staff members.

A&FRCs marshal all available resources in support of family needs following a non-combatant evacuation operation or other emergency. The A&FRC initiates and sustains communication with their assigned family throughout the evacuation until they are returned to country or are assigned to their next duty location.

"A&FRCs assure that the family gets what they need," said Donna Huffman from the Airman, Family and Community Operations Branch at the Air Force Personnel Center here. "They're the family's lifeline, as well as the communications conduit between the family and Air Force leadership."

If there are problems in the administration of entitlements or the flow of information, A&FRCs help find solutions, often by contacting the chain of command. If a family needs professional help, it's the A&FRC who helps them find it. They help in filing per diem claims, provide clothes or furniture if needed, and arrange for temporary housing.

"A&FRC staff are, in many way, guardian angels," said Vonda Ware, also from the Air Force Airman, Family and Community Operations Branch. "A sudden evacuation like this one is incredibly disruptive. It's hard to abruptly leave friends, coworkers, your home and belongings on such short notice. Most of all, it's difficult to leave your active duty loved one behind in a potentially dangerous situation. In cases like this one, the Defense Attaches stayed behind while their families were swept out of the country.

An Army family was also evacuated from Belgrade and selected a safe haven location near Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Repatriation of military family members is a combined DoD effort, so the closest military family center is assigned to assist a family, no matter the Service affiliation. Dawn Teagle from the Scott AFB A&FRC was assigned to assist this Army family

"I assisted them with getting a monetary advance, and enrolled them in the Scott AFB medical treatment facility" said Ms. Teagle. "I coordinated with the local TRICARE folks and gave the spouse information on how to use the civilian health care system, as well. I follow up every week in case any needs arise."

As a result, the evacuated family is doing well.

The families have been living in safe haven status for almost 30 days and the State Department is currently reviewing the evacuation order. It is possible that the families will return to country in the next couple of weeks and according to A&FRC staffs, they're ready to go home.