Commanders play key role in accounting for members Published Sept. 17, 2010 By Jon Hanson Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- When a disaster occurs, chaos usually ensues. From caring for the injured to cleaning up the damage, it can overwhelm all involved. One of the key challenges for Air Force leaders after a disaster is accounting for all personnel. The Air Force relies on the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System, or AFPAAS at https://afpaas.af.mil, to accomplish this. "AFPAAS standardizes a method for the Air Force to account, manage and monitor the recovery and reconstitution process for personnel and their families affected and scattered by a wide-spread catastrophic event," said Brian Angell, Air Force Personnel Center Personnel Readiness Cell operations chief. "AFPAAS provides valuable information to all levels of the Air Force chain of command, allowing commanders to make strategic decisions real-time that facilitate a return to stability." The system is used to account for the total force. This includes active-duty Airmen, reservists, Guard members, civilians, contractors overseas and family members. As soon as senior leaders, such as the president, secretary of defense or chief of staff of the Air Force, declare a disaster the Air Force Crisis Action Team sends a message to all wing command posts directing 100 percent accountability. Commanders and readiness managers then begin the process of accounting for all their members. This includes personnel who are on TDY, on leave or on a pass in the affected area. For members and their families affected by a disaster, the system allows them to report their current location, update emergency personal contact information and request assistance. This is especially important if individuals are evacuated away from their home or work, Mr. Angell said. Accurate reporting assists Air Force leadership and authorities in making better decisions to support those in need, he said. It also helps maintain military readiness and preserve national security during a disaster. Utilizing the system before a disaster All total force members should log into AFPAAS occasionally to make sure their information is accurate. Most updates can be made within the system. If something cannot be corrected, they should contact their local installation personnel readiness office or the Air Force Personnel Readiness Cell at (800) 435-9941. "We need commanders as well as our Airmen and their family members to understand and use AFPAAS," said Col. James Horton, director of AEF and personnel operations at AFPC. "Familiarity with any system makes it easier to use especially during a crisis. If you wait until the crisis, it may be too late." To use the system log into https://afpaas.af.mil or call (800) 435-9941 to report individual and family member status. The AFPAAS link is also found on the AFPC website at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil and Air Force Portal at https://www.my.af.mil/faf/FAF/fafHome.jsp.