UPDATED FAQ's for Voluntary Departure Return Published April 20, 2011 By 35 FW/PA Public Affairs MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Misawa has updated a FAQ list with a new question and answer. The bold face type below is the newest entry. General Information Q: When was the voluntary departure period terminated? A: By letter dated 15 Apr 11, the voluntary authorized departure period was terminated as of that date. Q: I understand the nuclear situation was recently raised to a level 7. Does that mean the situation at Fukushima has gotten worse? A: Please see Col Rothstein's message to returning family members available at https://newafpims.afnews.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-110416-006.pdf. Q: What if I was prevented from returning to Misawa due to the Stop Movement order? A: You can now return to Misawa. Official message traffic from AFPC lifting the dependent restriction has been accomplished. Q: Can I return to Misawa if my sponsor is due to depart PCS within 60 days of my scheduled return date? No. EFMs are not authorized to return if they fall into this category. Q: Can I return to Misawa if my sponsor is civilian and is due to depart PCS within 30 days of my scheduled return date? A: No. EFMs of civilians are not authorized to return if they fall into this category. Q: What if I left with a newborn that did not have a passport? Can I return to Japan without a passport? A: No. EFMs with newborns that departed Japan without a passport will need to apply for and receive the child's passport before they can re-enter Japan. Q: What if I left Misawa without a passport but had other documents under the "best evidence" rule, such as my birth certificate? Can I use those documents to get back into Japan? A: No. EFMs that were permitted to depart Japan without travel documents under the "best evidence" rule must apply for and obtain a passport before returning to Japan. Q: I can't locate a copy of my orders. Is there a way someone at Misawa can scan/e-mail them to me? A: Contact your sponsor who should then coordinate with the unit to obtain a copy of your orders. Q: I've heard media reports that another big earthquake is expected within the next 30 days. Is it really safe to return to Misawa? A: While there is no way to accurately predict the future, DoD and 35 FW officials are confident that it is safe to return to Misawa. Q: Is the food and water on Misawa Air Base and in Misawa City safe to eat? A: Yes. Please see Col Rothstein's message to returning family members available at https://newafpims.afnews.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-110416-006.pdf. Q: I left while pregnant and have now given birth. Is my baby medically cleared for travel? A: You need to clear travel with a physician at your safe haven location. You should then carry the flight clearance letter from the physician with you to comply with carrier travel regulations. Remember that you must apply for command-sponsorship. Your military sponsor can work with Misawa MPF to complete this requirement. Please also remember to comply with all passport requirements (for your newborn) in order to re-enter Japan. Q: I departed Misawa with a newborn that did not have a passport. What is the process for getting a passport, especially if I haven't received my child's birth certificate yet? A: You or your sponsor should contact the 35 Fighter Wing Legal Office at 226-4022 for specific guidance on the process for obtaining a no-fee official passport. Procedures Q: Who do I contact about making return travel arrangements? A: Returning dependents can contact Carlson-Wagonlit travel at 1-855-794-4926, however email is the primary method for booking reservations. E-mails should be sent to misawavadreservations@misawa.af.mil. You can also visit www.misawa.af.mil for instructions and the required return travel form. Q: What info does the commercial travel office need to make my arrangements? A: E-mail a copy of your completed return travel form and a copy of your orders to misawavadreservations@misawa.af.mil. Please provide a 10-day travel window. You will be booked within this window on either Patriot Express or commercial travel. CTO will reply with reservations within 72 hours. Email is the primary method for booking reservations. Q: What if the escort who took my dependents to the states isn't available to escort them back to Misawa? As the military member, can I go pick them up as an escort? A: Military members may be authorized to travel to the safe haven location to escort their dependents back to Misawa with commander approval. Q: If I'm authorized to go pick up my dependents, will I be in leave or TDY status? A: Travel will be in TDY status only for the amount of time it takes to retrieve dependents via the most direct route. Additional days will need to be approved as leave by the unit commander. Q: Do I need to use the same escort on the return as I used to escort my dependents to the states? A: No. If the requirements for an escort are met, you can use a different escort for the return trip if your original escort is unavailable. Q: What if some dependents in the same family want to return, but others don't? A: Dependents who participated in the voluntary departure program have up to 12 months to return to Misawa, unless their sponsor is due to depart PCS within 60 days of the dependent's scheduled return date. Dependents in the same family who departed together are not required to return at the same time. Q: My dependents left just before the voluntary departure period began, but now want to return as part of the voluntary evacuation return. How do they get orders for this? A: Contact your sponsor who should then coordinate with the unit to ensure proper orders are issued. Q: How do my dependents make travel arrangements at a later date if they choose to stay at the safe haven location beyond 15 Apr? A: Dependents wishing to return at a later date will coordinate with their sponsor who will work with the local CTO to arrange transportation. However, entitlements will still end 25 April (unless dependents are enrolled in school at their safehaven location.) Members are requested to send an email including the Japan repatriation form and their VAD orders to misawavadreservations@misawa.af.mil to arrange both Patriot Express and commercial travel back to Misawa. Q: Do I need to make travel arrangements before 25 Apr, or can I make them at a later date? A: Dependents have up to 12 months to return to Misawa, unless their active duty sponsor is due to depart PCS within 60 days of the EFM's scheduled return date. However, all entitlements will end 25 April (with the exception of families with children enrolled in school at their safehaven location.) Q: When making travel arrangements, should I just try to get to Tokyo, or should I ensure travel all the way back to Misawa? A: Dependents should ensure their travel arrangements have them terminate at Misawa. Dependents returning to Misawa should not terminate in Tokyo, as there are limited options for travel from the Tokyo region to Misawa. Q: Can I fly into Aomori or Chitose and then travel down to Misawa? A: The commercial travel office will work all travel arrangements for returning family members. Regardless of connecting flight locations, your final destination must be identified as Misawa. Q: Will contract carriers be provided? A: Yes. Three contract carriers (Patriot Express) were provided to bring passengers from Seattle to Misawa on April 21, 23 and 24. No additional contract flights are scheduled. Those family members who still want to return can procure travel on the regular Patriot Express flights or via commercial air. To book return travel, e-mail your completed return travel form and orders to misawavadreservations@misawa.af.mil. Please provide a 10-day travel window. You will be receive your itinerary through e-mail. Q: Can I bring my pet back to Misawa without going through the quarantine process? Do I have to give 40 day advance notice before bringing the pet? A: Although advance notice is still required, the Government of Japan has waived the 40-day time period. All quarantine requirements apply. For command-sponsored dependents of military personnel, return transportation and quarantine fees for up to two household pets is authorized. Dependents of civilian personnel are responsible for all pet transportation and quarantine fees. Check www.usarj.army.mil\organization\vet for current information. Q: My child left Misawa without a passport; now that he has one, do we need to get a re-entry stamp or SOFA stamp prior to my child returning to Japan? A: You do not need a re-entry stamp or SOFA stamp to return to Japan. Your child can enter with the passport and evacuation orders. Q: Do you send in your documents to the two email address above only if you want to go on the Patriot Express? What if you have a school aged child and need travel later do you just send in information just to Carlson Wagonlit/Sato? A: Families who have children in school can submit their documents once they know the date the school will be finished for the school year. Families without children in school who want to return to Misawa now should submit the forms immediately. Note that entitlements end on 25 Apr 11 for those who do not have children in school. Entitlements Q: If it takes me a few days to make my travel arrangements will I still get per diem? A: To allow time to make transportation arrangements, safe haven benefits will terminate effective 25 Apr 11. (For dependents who are enrolled in school at a safe haven location, entitlements will continue until one day after the current academic period ends.) Q: What if I have kids in school? Can I stay at my safe haven location until school ends? A: Responsible dependents who departed w/ command sponsored school-aged dependents and enrolled that dependent in school at their safe haven location may remain with their school-aged dependent at the safe haven location (with entitlements) until the dependent completes his or her current school semester (or equivalent academic period.) Q: If I do have kids in school and decide to stay, when will my entitlements end? A: Safe haven entitlements for military dependents will terminate one day after the current school semester (or equivalent academic period) ends for their last command-sponsored dependent enrolled in school at his or her safe haven location. Q: What will I have to show to prove my kids were enrolled in school when I file my voucher? A: Dependents must provide a letter, on official school letterhead, from the principal or administrator of the school their child attended, documenting the start and finish dates of enrollment. Q: I know I have 10 days of entitlements while I make travel arrangements, but what if there are no flights available until after the 10 day period ends? Will my entitlements be extended until I can get on that first available flight? A: At this time, the authorized period for entitlements has only been extended to 25 Apr to allow time for making travel arrangements. Q: If I'm waiting for my newborn baby's passport, will I continue to get entitlements beyond 25 Apr? A: At this time, the authorized period for entitlements has only been extended to 25 Apr to allow time for making travel arrangements. Q: Once my dependents return, when does my with-dependent rate COLA start again? A: With dependent rate COLA will begin on the day the dependent returns to Misawa. Q: What will be the process for filing a travel voucher? A: An appointment date to file a travel voucher will be provided upon return to Misawa AB. Members can visit the base website www.misawa.af.mil or 35FW Facebook page for more details as they become available. Q: If I selected one state as my safe haven location, but ultimately flew to another state, can I just fly out of the state I ultimately traveled to? If so, will travel costs be covered from my safe haven state, or the state I flew out of? A: Eligible family members were authorized only one safe haven location. All entitlements are based on the safe haven selected. Dependents should discuss their specific travel location needs with the commercial travel office when making their return travel arrangements. Q: If I decide to stay at my safe haven location beyond the 25th of April, can I file a travel voucher now to get reimbursed for authorized entitlements? A: With the exception of families who enroll children at school at their safehave location, all entitlements will end 25 April. If you decide to stay beyond 25 April (and do not have dependents enrolled in school,) your entitlements will end 25 Apr. Coordinate with your sponsor, who can file on your behalf, provided the sponsor has all required documentation (i.e., lodging receipts). Q: How long can I remain in family housing if my EFMs decide to stay at their safe haven location beyond the termination date? A: Members can remain in military family housing as long as they continue to be on an accompanied tour and their dependents intend to return to Misawa.