Threat condition has eased in Europe,
but many preparing for possible NEO
By Anthony Burgos,
Sigonella bureau
Suggested items
for NEO kit
Material recommended
for inclusion in a noncombatant evacuation operation kit:
¶ Current copy of will
¶ Documentation of U.S. citizenship, legal residency, or command sponsorship
¶ Identification card
¶ Passport(s)
¶ Birth certificate(s)
¶ Marriage license(s)
¶ NEO power of attorney
¶ Life insurance policy paperwork
¶ Other important military, legal and financial paperwork
¶ Household goods inventory
¶ Vehicle Registration and title, plus insurance policies
¶ Any other non-replaceable documents
Other good things to include:
¶ Backpack
¶ Three-day supply of lightweight, high-energy, ready-to-eat food
¶ Bottled water
¶ Toiletries
¶ Critical medications (30-day supply)
¶ Clothing and baby care items
¶ Transistor radio
¶ Flashlight
¶ Extra batteries
¶ $100 and the equivalent in the host country’s currency
¶ Extra seasonal clothing
¶ First-aid kit
¶ Blanket or sleeping bagSources:
U.S. Navy and release from American Forces Network |
NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Sicily — Every day since the Sept. 11 attacks,
Americans in U.S. military communities overseas have been wondering how the new war on
terrorism will take place and what will become of those not directly involved.
Although force protection conditions have become less restrictive over the past week,
some family members view the tougher-than-normal security as an indicator that something
is about to happen.
"My husband was told to get his will updated and to make sure all our passports
were kept handy," said a Sigonella family member who wished to remain anonymous.
Getting that kind of news shortly after the attacks put her and her family in a bit of
a panic. "We didn’t know what to think. I was sure I would be on a plane back to
the States within a week," she said.
"There are a lot of rumors swirling around," acknowledged Maj. Bill Bigelow,
a European Command spokesman. "But there are no intentions to implement the
evacuation of family members."
Those evacuations — called noncombatant evacuation operations, or NEOs — can
take place if there is a natural disaster, tense political climate or military conflict
that is too dangerous for civilians.
Bigelow said EUCOM has a NEO system, as well as other plans to keep
servicemembers’ families, and civilians and their families out of harm’s way.
"Most of the time [NEOs are] a State Department issue because there was a total
breakdown of law and order or because the region became a combat zone," he said.
NEO candidates include military-sponsored family members (both American- and
foreign-born), Department of Defense Dependents Schools faculty and staff, DOD contractors
who are not mission-essential and their dependents, and U.S. Embassy non-essential staff
and their dependents.
Others who are covered by the plan include U.S. citizens in commerce and industry in
the country, retired Americans living abroad, U.S. citizens’ alien spouses and
children, legal permanent residents of the United States, nonessential diplomatic staffs
and U.S. citizen tourists.
In the event of a crisis, the U.S. Embassy in the area would put the NEO plan into
effect by first warning the American communities in Europe through travel advisories and
threat conditions.
If the situation became worse, NEO’s second phase could include an ordered
departure of U.S. government and DOD non-combatant personnel. The embassy and military
commanders in the area would have to inform all U.S. citizens and other NEO evacuees about
the ordered evacuation, rally points and procedures.
If the climate erupts quickly, State Department personnel will request military
assistance in the evacuation for the third phase of NEO. During this stage, the military
will use its assets to take evacuees to a "safe haven" in order to get them away
from the affected area as soon as possible. From there, officials would instruct evacuees
on where to gather for follow-on transportation.
NEO is not new. The military has helped with at least 10 evacuations in Africa, Asia
and Europe during the past decade. All occurred in more volatile climates than the current
situation across EUCOM.
While Bigelow says that the current conditions around Europe don’t warrant an
evacuation of civilians, that has not stopped some military members from making
preparations.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandi Hicks decided to update paperwork in her family care
package.
"I know Sigonella is probably the safest place for my son Julian," said the
single parent. "But if there is an evacuation, I know he’ll be taken care
of."
Hicks designated her son’s child-care provider as the person to take care of his
medical care and to escort him back to the United States should the need arise.
"My command never said ‘Prepare for a NEO’ but there is a chance that
we’ll get real busy," said Hicks, who is part of Sigonella’s aircraft
maintenance department.
For Farah Spanier, a family member from 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment in
Bamberg, Germany, the term NEO was new. She said that she feels safe, but if a threat were
to escalate, she would have no choice but to go back to her home in Louisiana.
"It would depend on whether the threat was bad enough to call for that,"
Spanier said. "I feel like if my husband is going to be in danger, I should be right
here with him. But, I have a child to think about, and I know I need to protect her."
Rick Emert contributed to this report.
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