Misawa completes majority of voluntary departures

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Misawa Air Base completed the majority of voluntary departures for family members March 25. In a one-week period, more than 1,300 family members travelled to locations in the U.S. on one of six chartered flights to depart the base.

The voluntary departures were a Department of Defense-approved move in response to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that struck northern Japan. Family members of military members, DoD civilians and DoD contractors assigned to mainland Japan are eligible to depart for a period not to exceed 30 days.

The mass-processing for voluntary departures has ended, but family members can still take advantage of the program. Those wishing to depart, regardless of branch affiliation, should report to the military personnel section to receive a checklist on the necessary steps to voluntarily depart.