Yokota, Misawa commanders lift stop movement order

  • Published
  • By Debbie Gildea
  • Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The orders issued March 12 and 14 that stopped active duty Air Force permanent change of station moves to Yokota and Misawa air bases has been lifted, and active duty members are being directed to meet their report no later than dates. However, command-sponsored family members are not yet authorized to accompany military members.

The stop movement order came as a result of significant damage and infrastructure problems caused by a 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami last month. In the aftermath, incoming personnel were instructed to refrain from reporting to enable those already on the island to organize, recover and support local needs.

Yokota and Misawa commanders have terminated the stop movement and each installation is now prepared to accept incoming Airmen. However, family member travel remains suspended pending release by the State Department.

The March Department of State authorization for family members to voluntarily depart Honshu, Japan, has not been lifted, so all dependent travel is suspended until that occurs, according to Air Force Personnel Center assignment programs and procedures branch chief William Warner.

Uniformed Airmen who were enroute to Yokota or Misawa when the stop movement order was issued will require an amendment to their orders to address their temporary duty status while waiting for a new report date. Airmen with orders who did not process out of their bases prior to the stop movement and who are authorized to travel accompanied by dependent family members must also have their orders amended to reflect the change to dependent travel.

Local military personnel sections have been provided guidance to enable them to prepare amendments and assist Airmen preparing to travel to Japan. Local Airman and Family Readiness centers are standing by to provide information and assistance to family members who are affected by the stop movement and State Department orders.

For more information, go to the Air Force personnel services website and do a keyword search for "stop movement," or call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.