Osan command sponsorship at capacity

  • Published
  • By Daniel Elkins
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  An overwhelming response for command sponsorship by Airmen serving tours at Osan Air Base, South Korea, is compelling officials there to establish a waiting list after having reached capacity.

"The availability of command sponsorship at Osan Air Base is an important and highly impactful initiative to better serve Airmen and their families across the Air Force," said Col. Stanley Perrin, the Air Force Personnel Center director of assignments. "As anticipated, initial response by Airmen to have their families accompany them on their tour has been tremendous."

Further limiting the installation's availability to support families is its infrastructure. As the capabilities and support of the base's government housing, Department of Defense schools and medical care increase, base officials anticipate the availability of command sponsorship to follow.

As a result, Airmen volunteering for reassignment to Osan may likely not be able to serve the accompanied tour length of 24 or 36 months with their families until the base infrastructure can support their requests, said Bill Warner, the AFPC chief of the assignment programs and procedures branch here.

Airmen volunteering for an assignment at Kunsan AB, South Korea, are not affected.

To provide Airmen the most up-to-date information, Osan officials will maintain a command sponsorship waiting list.

"Inbound Airmen who desire to serve an accompanied tour but have had their command sponsorship position requests denied based on nonavailability will be placed on the waiting list, unless they request otherwise," Mr. Warner said.

He added that new procedures concerning the command sponsorship waiting list are being prepared and will be available soon, and another listing that reflects the number of positions available is also being created. Both lists will be available soon at the Osan Newcomers Web site at http://www.osan.af.mil/newcomers/index.asp.

According to officials from U.S. Forces Korea, command sponsorship is not tied to a specific position, grade or unit. It is provided on a first-in, first-out basis, with equal consideration for all.

For more information about Airmen assignments, visit http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil and type "assignments" into the search engine or call the 24-hour Total Force Service Center-San Antonio at (800) 525-0102.