USAFE updates travel requirements in Turkey for official and unofficial travel

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  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa Public Affairs

U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa General Administration outlines new travel requirements, approval authorities, and reporting procedures for travel to and within the Republic of Turkey in accordance with updated U.S. European Command guidance. This GENADMIN applies to all DoD elements and personnel including, military personnel, DoD civilian employees, Department of Defense contractors, and command-sponsored family members.

Commanders of units with personnel permanently assigned within the Republic of Turkey retain direct responsibility for their personnel. Commanders will establish and maintain unit standard operating procedures for official and official travel within the Republic of Turkey.

All DoD personnel including family members will enroll in the state department smart traveler program at https://step.state.gov/ prior to entering or traveling within the Republic of Turkey. This helps the state department provide better assistance by offering travelers with travel warnings, alerts, and other awareness information for the country in case of an emergency.

All travel to the Republic of Turkey must consist of at least two members. This can include DoD personnel, civilian personnel involved in the mission or family members. The two-person travel policy is the rule and exceptions will not be granted solely on unavailability of a second person.

 

TRAVEL TO SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY

In order to travel to southeastern Turkey, approval is needed from the first 0-6/GS-15 in the originating unit’s chain of command. Approval is required for all official travel, emergency leave travel, and unofficial travel to and within the following provinces of southeastern Turkey: Hataty, Kilis, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Mardin, Sirnak, Hakkari, Adana, Kahramanmaras, Diyarbakir, Malatya, Osmaniye, Batman, Siirt, Van, Britlis, and Adiyaman.

OPSEC must be considered in all phases of planning and execution. For additional guidance and support for OPSEC, contact the USAFE-AFAFRICA program manager at DSN: 314-478-3395.

To view Foreign Clearance Guide visit:  Foreing Clearance Guide

We encourage all travelers to the Republic of Turkey to visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html for state travel advisories and alerts.