Welcome to the 65th Force Support Squadron "The Best Never Rest" Congratulations on your assignment to Lajes Field. Whether you are coming here on an unaccompanied 15 month tour or with your family for 2 years, you will find it to be a rewarding experience on both a professional and personal level. The Lajes Field community is very similar to a small town in the United States. It is a close knit community with many opportunities to get involved in educational, social, community, recreation and cultural programs. Although Terceira may be small in size, FSS is big on fun and rewarding activities. Here are a few suggestions to ease your transition to the island and then how to make the most of your time here. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU ARRIVE INTERNET RESOURCES: MilitaryHOMEFRONT is the official Department of Defense web site for reliable Quality of Life information designed to help troops and their families, leaders and service providers. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you'll find what you need! http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/ Military OneSource “Military OneSource is provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to all active duty Service members and members of the National Guard, Reserve, and their families. It is the newest member of your military community support team.” — Military OneSource: http://www.militaryonesource.com Air Force Link http://www.lajes.af.mil US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) http://www.usafe.af.mil/ Air Force Move The Air Force Move website "People First" has recently expanded its service to include Passenger Travel. In addition to the vast personal property links, travelers will now have access to a Passenger Directory to assist with locating the nearest transportation office. The goal was to take the best passenger and personal property related links, regardless of the branch of service, and put them in one useful site for our customers. Please take the time to review this valuable site: http://afmove.hq.af.mil/default.asp LODGING: Your sponsor should assist you with making lodging arrangements. If you want to secure your own lodging simply contact the Lodging Office at COM: 011-351-295- 57-5178; DSN: 535-5178. A credit card is required to secure the reservation. Make sure to notify the Mid-Atlantic Lodge in case the flight is delayed or the check in date has changed. http://www.lajesfss.com/index.php?do=01&fac=25 HOUSING: If you are considering living in base housing don’t delay getting on the waiting list at your base as soon as you have orders. Individuals requiring base housing should contact your current base housing office and submit a DD Form 1746, Application for Assignment to Housing. Your sign up date determines your placement on the list. Your housing entitlement is based on your rank and family size. If government quarters are not available, or if you elect to reside off base, Housing Referral Services are provided to help you locate suitable off-base housing. There are a variety of very nice houses available off base. The Automated Housing Referral network (AHRN) is an online Joint Services housing referral solution that connects military members and their families with available housing in the community. The AHRN is a simple, easy and effective rental listing website that allows you 24/7 access for military members searching for available listings in the area. After you choose from a list of available housing, the housing office and their staff will take you to look at your selections for two days. Please report to the Housing Office in T-112 within 1-2 days of arrival on island for a housing briefing. There are 400 Military Family Housing units located at Lajes Field. Of this inventory 75% has been either rebuilt or renovated within the past 3 years. This figure includes 82 officer housing units and 318 enlisted housing units. All housing units are equipped with heating/air conditioning systems. Furnishings – Lajes Field is a limited weight area for household goods shipments. All authorized personnel will be provided furniture and appliances by the US Government with the exception of stereos, microwaves, Tvs, and baby furniture. Before you ship any furniture, please speak with your sponsor at Lajes for assistance in deciding what you should bring. Only two pets are authorized in base housing; however, waivers can be granted on a case by case basis. For more information contact the Housing Office at COM: 011-351-295-57-3507; DSN: 535-3507. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE WHILE TRAVELING: Make sure you have all important documents (orders, ID cards, passport, travelers' checks, etc.) with you and not packed with your household goods. While traveling, it is important to have contact information for your commander, command support staff, and sponsor readily available should an emergency arise. If you do find yourself in an emergency situation, contact our Command Post for assistance by calling COM: 011-351-295-57-4200; DSN: 535-4200. The American Red Cross and the Air Force Aid Society are available for emergency assistance. They can provide emergency financial assistance and contact individuals that will need to know where you are and what is happening. To reach your family in times of emergency need, call the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Service Center by calling 1-877-272-7337. The Air Force Aid Society is a non-profit organization that helps the Air Force takes care of its own in emergencies through interest-free loans or grants for basic needs. For emergency financial assistance contact the Air Force Aid Society by calling 1-800-769-8951. All the military services and the American Red Cross have reciprocal agreements with the Air Force Aid Society to assist people in emergency situations. NATO ORDERS: You will need NATO orders to board the plane. These orders can be done by either your unit CSS or the MPF. Procedures vary by organization so make sure you understand who is cutting the orders and where you get them. The dates on the orders should encompass your entire anticipated tour length at Lajes. Orders must be original signatures in BLUE ink and have an official stamp. PASSPORTS: Military members do not require a passport for travel to Lajes Field. All family members who are U.S. citizens and will accompany you MUST have a valid U.S. No-Fee Passport. This is a passport issued for 5 years. Non-U.S. Citizens must possess a valid passport from the country of their citizenship. Tourist passports are blue passports which look the same as the No-Fee Passport, but are issued for 10 years. They should not be used for PCS travel. Ensure your Outbound Assignments Clerk processes No-Fee passports for your family members. Start this process as soon as possible; obtaining your family’s passport can take some time. VEHICLES: Many people ship one vehicle and buy an island “bomb” as a second one. It takes about 2 months for your personal vehicle to arrive, depending on where it is shipped from and how long it has to wait for the next ship. Undercoating your vehicle is a great recommendation. Mud flaps are required for vehicles manufactured before the year 2000. It may be difficult to find OEM flaps for your car here, so try to purchase and install them before you ship your car. Fog lights are required. If you don’t have them you can purchase a Fog Lamp kit at Auto Hobby for $17.55. The on-base Island Garage can install them for $48.00. There is no trouble getting standard parts here. The Auto Hobby Shop does repairs and they are fast and efficient and carry a good supply of parts. Word of caution: The roads here are narrow and curvy and the local residents drive fast and park anywhere, including on the side of very narrow streets. This makes an already narrow road very, very tight in which to maneuver. Large vehicles may be a challenge given these driving conditions, but with care, you can get around the island in them. DRIVING: All newly assigned personnel and family members who intend to drive, must attend the local driving conditions class and obtain a Lajes Field Form 13, Operator License (no test is required). The course is offered during the Right Start Program. Minimum driving age is 18. Members stationed at Lajes must have either a valid stateside license or an International Driver’s License in order to receive the local Operator License. The base will recognize the military clause that most states have allowing extensions after expiration dates; however, it is best to have a driver’s license that has not yet expired. Detailed information may be obtained during “Right Start”. CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER (CDC) AND YOUTH PROGRAMS: The CDC, COM: 011-351-295-57-3188; DSN: 535-3188, is for children ages 6 weeks – 5 years. To request care parents must complete DD Form 2606, Request for Care Record. This form is available on line and may be sent to the base before arrival, so that their child may be placed on the waiting list. Click here to download DD 2606 Request For Care. (Requires PureEdge Viewer). A signed copy should be faxed to 011-351-295-572-210. If off Island, include a copy of your orders. Parents are placed on a projected care list. Contact the CDC as soon as you arrive. You will then be placed on a waiting list if care is not immediately available. YOUTH CENTER: The center is open to all assigned military and civilian personnel dependent youth between kindergarten and 6th grades.