18th Wing conducting NEO exercise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kenya Shiloh
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
Kadena Air Base, Japan --  The 18th Wing will conduct a noncombatant evacuation operation exercise Wednesday and Thursday at Chapel 1 to test the wing's emergency evacuation procedures for family members. 

The exercise will target at least 20 percent of families of active-duty members, Department of Defense civilians and contractors across every unit on base for evacuation procedures. Families are scheduled to process through the "line" and have their folders inspected as well as familiarize themselves with the NEO process. They will also have the chance to ask any questions they may have pertaining to the NEO. At the same time, military members recently appointed as NEO wardens will be trained on evacuation procedures. 

"We conduct a NEO exercise quarterly so that families can get questions answered, have their NEO packages inspected and see what to expect if they have to process the line in case of a real emergency," said Master Sgt. John Breon, 18th Mission Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center. "This exercise isn't as big as the one we conducted last summer, but is just as important." 

Documents such as passports, birth certificates, household goods inventories, insurance policies and tax records are what families will need to reestablish themselves in United States. Normally representatives from these organizations are on hand to provide that information to family members. However, this exercise will include only legal and finance representatives. 

"We hope this exercise will give families a better understanding of the NEO process and to help them prepare for a potential NEO," said Tech. Sgt. Tammy Stiles, 18th Mission Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center. "This exercise is specifically for the family members' benefit to help them get any important documentation they may be missing such as wills and powers of attorney." 

According to family readiness officials it is important for families to be prepared for any emergency especially an evacuation from an overseas area because it could happen at any time. Having NEO packages updated and ready to go helps the process run smoothly in case of a real evacuation. 

Families should bring their NEO folders but leave pets and luggage at home. Children are also welcome to process the line with their parents. Family members will need to arrive at the chapel via their own transportation since buses will not run for this exercise.