POPE ARMY AIRFIELD (PAAF) SPONSOR PACKET TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome Letter from the 43 AMOG Commander » Page 2 Directions for Arriving to Pope AAF » Page 3 Guide to Getting Connected to Pope » Page 4 Sponsor’s Checklist » Page 5 Links to Pope Resources and the Local Community » Pages 6 - 7 Pope AAF Military Installations Guide » Pages 9 - 46 Contact List of Major Units » Pages 46 – 50 Contact your sponsor for assistance Airman and Family Readiness Center (910) 394-2538 or DSN 424-2538 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS 43D AIR MOBILITY OPERATIONS GROUP (AMC) POPE ARMY AIRFIELD FORT BRAGG NORTH CAROLINA 15 August 2017 MEMORANDUM FOR INCOMING 43 AMOG PERSONNEL FROM: 43 AMOG/CC Colonel Kelly R. Holbert 259 Maynard Street, Ste 101C Pope AAF NC 28308-2393 SUBJECT: WELCOME LETTER 1. Congratulations on your assignment to the 43d Air Mobility Operations Group! Bobbi and I welcome you to the Gryphon family and beautiful Fayetteville, North Carolina. We are convinced this will be the best assignment of your career! The 43 AMOG is a storied unit with a long legacy of partnership with our Army hosts and other joint teammates and we stand “Willing, Able, Ready…Now!” to provide 24/7 Operational Mission Execution, Persistent Joint Airborne/Air Transportability Training, Pope Airmen Support, and Global Response Force Readiness. As Air Mobility Command’s representative to Joint Special Operations Forces, the XVIII Airborne Corps, and the 82d Airborne Division our daily mission is “No Fail.” You are coming to the largest military base in the world: a place of great opportunity for both your career and your personal life. Fort Bragg is home to approximately 60,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, and is also surrounded by a proud, military-friendly community. Consequently, you will have access to numerous services, events, and opportunities for you and your family, often above and beyond what an Air Force base might provide. We enjoy a great relationship with Ft. Bragg, benefitting everyone on our Joint team. Airmen are well-represented at Ft. Bragg with units from four MAJCOMs, allowing you to grow in your Air Force career while also being exposed to the missions and cultures of our joint partners. 2. The mission is demanding, but fortunately, time off in North Carolina offers some great opportunities. The nearby communities love the military and welcome all Airmen and their families. Make certain you get out and enjoy what North Carolina has to offer: the Appalachian Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or the best beaches on the East Coast. For sports enthusiasts, see a NASCAR race, follow NCAA March Madness, or watch the NFL or NBA in Charlotte. You’ll quickly see why North Carolina declares itself the most military friendly state! 3. We are glad you are joining the team and look forward to meeting you. If you are married, please bring your spouse to the newcomers briefing so we can meet them in person, answer any questions, and ensure they have an opportunity to link up with our Key Spouses. You can also like us on Facebook at “43d Air Mobility Operations Group” where you can see what is going on around the group. We’ll be glad to answer any questions you might have – so don’t hesitate to ask! KELLY R. HOLBERT, Colonel, USAF Commander WILLING, ABLE, READY ... NOW! ARRIVING to Pope AAF Flying: Fayetteville Regional Airport (FAY) is located about 14.1 miles north of the Installation. Ground transportation from FAY is available and will cost the member around $30.00 one way. Driving: If traveling by privately owned vehicle (POV) I-95 South you will take exit 56 toward Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Pope AAF, US 301 South. You will make a right at the first light on to Grove Street / NC-24/ NC-210 at the end you will turn right onto Bragg BLVD /NC-24/ NC-210. Continue to follow Bragg BLVD to SANTA FE Drive. Turn left on SANTA FE Drive, at the next light you will merge onto the ALL AMERICAN FWY. This will bring you into Fort Bragg. If you are traveling by POV, from I-95 North you will merge onto I-95 Business Route N /US-301 N toward Fayetteville/ Fort Bragg/ Pope AAF. Continue on US-301 for approximately 7.3 mile Turn left on to Owen Drive. Owen Drive will turn into All American Freeway, which takes you to Fort Bragg. To enter, you will need to show your military ID. If you do not have your military ID, you will need the following: driver’s license; vehicle registration; proof of insurance. Your vehicle will be searched. Once you pass through the Access Control Point you will take the second exit which is Reilly Street. Get in the far left lane and turn left at the light onto Normandy Drive. You will see the Soldier Support Center on your left about of 1/8th of a mile down. To the Billeting Office (Moon Hall)  Enter the All-American Access Control Point At the first light, Zabitosky Road turn left Follow Zabitosky Road to Bastogne Drive turn left At the first light Darby Loop, turn Right Moon Hall (Billeting Office) will be on your left * Ft Bragg /Pope AAF Gates All American gate is the main gate. Just before the gate, the visitor control center is on the left. Gate is open 24/7. The visitor center closes at 2100. Knox gate accepts all traffic including commercial trucks and RVs. This gate is open daily from 0500-2100. Reilly Gate: gates is open Mon-Fri 0500-2100, weekends 0900-2100 Yadkin Gate: is open 24/7 for ID card holders Manchester gate is open daily from 0500-2100 100% ID CHECK Ensure all family members have appropriate ID. Contact the Visitors Center for assistance at 910-907-5165/5166 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS FROM FAYETTEVILLE AIRPORT F rom Fayetteville Airport: Soldiers can request a taxi or use the complementary Airport Liaison shuttle to HHC, Fort Bragg Reception. Most of the airport taxi’s DO NOT accept credit cards so you will need to be prepared to pay with cash. The average cost for a one-way trip $30.00. Remember to retain your receipts for finance. There is also a courtesy phone at the Fayetteville Airport to call the Reception desk at 910-396-4244 for transportation if needed. You can also visit the airport website at http://flyfay.ci.fayetteville.nc.us/ for additional information. The number for the Yellow Cab is 910-488- 5555. Connect to POPE AAF Bookmark these sites and come back to these websites often to stay up to date on Pope Life and the local community Military OneSource: www.militaryonesource.com www.visitnc.com www.wingmantoolkit.org http:bragg.corviasmilitaryliving.com Military Police(Non Emergency) : 910-396-0392 Local Tricare Appt Line : 910 -570-3181 OSI : 919-722-1218 Pharmacy: 910-907-2778 Legal: 910-394-2341 Education Office: 910-394-4692 Chapel: 910-394-9000 Military Personnel Section: 910-394-1934 Directory assistance from off 911 Installation 910-394- Direct Dial from on 9000 Installation 910-394- XXXX For all emergencies DSN 424-9000 DSN 422-XXXX Airman & Family Readiness Center: 910-394-2538 EFMP Special Needs Coordinator: 910-394-1446 North/south Post Exchange: 910-436-4888 Ft Bragg Billeting: 910-396-7700 North/South Post Commissary: 910-396-7213/2487 Corvias Housing: 1-877-703-6540 Finance: 910-394-3322 MPF: 910-394-1934/2936 TMO: 910-396-0331/0332 FTAC: 910-394-1210 Links outside the USAF are for the convenience of the user. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the USAF. CHECKLIST FOR YOUR SPONSOR Newcomers: this checklist is directly from AFI 36-2103; the AFI that governs the newcomer program. It outlines the responsibilities of your sponsor. You play an important role as well--the info you provide your sponsor will help ensure a smooth transition for you and your family. As your sponsor goes through this checklist you are both encouraged to make specific arrangements and add or delete steps as needed. AFI 36-2103 Attachment 4: Checklist for Sponsor □ The first impression a newcomer gets of a Installation comes from his or her sponsor. The success of a good INTRO program is tied to first impressions. Since the needs of each newcomer vary, a sponsor must find out what those needs are and respond to them. □ Call the newcomer and tell them you're there to provide information and assistance to make the move smooth as possible. Listen: Many times a newcomer can reduce stress by merely talking to someone "already there." Be open and honest and stay positive. Remember, it's not good enough to just say "let me know what you need," anticipate their needs. o Ask these questions:  Will your family members accompany you? Names, ages, interests?  Do you need information about other services? Banking, child care, education, etc.?  Do you want me to meet you when you arrive? Date, time, location.  Do you want a post office box?  Is there anything else you need? □ Pick up a sponsor kit from your Unit INTRO Program Manager. Personalize it by taking out unnecessary information and adding information requested. Mail it within seven calendar days. □ Include a personalized letter from your commander and your own personal letter. Include your home and duty phone numbers and address. Remind newcomers to let you know of any changes to their plans. Reconfirm the departure date, arrival date, and reporting-in date and ensure member is aware of the 24 hour arrival point. Upon arrival, personally meet the newcomer. Make the member feel welcomed. □ Visit the Installation housing office and get information about on- and off-Installation housing. If the newcomer is interested in residing on-Installation, remind them to apply in advance. □ Make temporary lodging arrangements for the newcomer and family and communicate details by personal email or phone. □ Personally meet your newcomer upon arrival or arrange for them to be met if you are unable to do so personally due to duty commitments. Make sure that you directly email and/or phone them to tell them who will be meeting them upon arrival or where to go for transportation at an airport etc. Make sure you bring transportation that will accommodate the entire family as well as pets. □ Personally take the newcomer to Ft Bragg Billeting. □ Introduce the newcomer to his/her commander, supervisor, key personnel and fellow co-workers. □ Show the newcomer around the installation facilities such as commissary, fitness centers and Chapel. □ Provide the newcomer a tour of the community to include Spring Lake, Fayetteville and Hope Mills □ Accompany the newcomer through in-processing and check-in procedures. LINKS TO POPE AAF RESOURSES AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY Air Mobility Command Launchpad » Start getting to know Pope AAF. https://eim.amc.af.mil/org/43aw/launchpad/default.aspx Military Installations Guide for Pope AAF » Official DoD source for installation resources http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/MOS/f?p=MI:CONTENT:0::::P4_INST_ID,P4_CONTENT_DIRECTORY,P4_TAB:3820,ALL,IC Plan My Move » Planning tools and checklists to help you “Take charge of your PCS move” https://apps.militaryonesource.mil/MOS/f?p=PMM:ENTRY:0 MilitaryOneSource » Info about benefits, deployments, reintegration, moves, parenthood, retirement and more http://www.militaryonesource.mil/ Armed Forces Crossroads » Information and support for the military community http://www.afcrossroads.com/index.cfm Privatized Housing on Installation » Information, links, floor plans, photos about our beautiful Installation community http://bragg.corviasmilitaryliving.com/ Housing & Urban Development site for rentals » Learn more about renting and HUD rental assistance programs www.hud.gov/renting Move.com » Search apartments and homes for rent in the United States http://www.move.com/ North Carolina DMV » Drivers licenses, address changes and more http://www.dmv.org/nc-north-carolina/ Relocating with Pets » Recourses for families with pets http://www.pettravel.com/ http://petfriendlytravel.com/ http://takeyourpet.com/ School Liaison Officer Information » Your advocate for the educational needs of your children http://www.seymourjohnson.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4321 Wayne County Public Schools » Information about the local public schools http://www.waynecountyschools.org/ NC Kindergarten Requirements » Information from the NC State Board of Education http://stateboard.ncpublicschools.gov/legal-affairs/resources-1/school-entry-age NC Prekindergarten Program » Pre-k classroom information for eligible four-year-old children http://ncchildcare.dhhs.state.nc.us/general/mb_ncprek.asp NC Private Schools » Information about private schools in the area http://www.privateschoolreview.com/north-carolina NC Division of Non-Public Schools » Information on home-schooling and private schools in North Carolina http://www.ncdnpe.org/ Military Youth on the Move » Check out the videos, articles and more geared to military kids and teens http://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-and-relationships/military-youth-on-the-move Wingman Toolkit » Resilience tools to maintain a balanced lifestyle http://www.wingmantoolkit.org/ Key Spouse » Information about the Key Spouse Program http://www.wingmantoolkit.org/key-spouse/ Air Force 101 Back-To-Basics Spouse Support Guide » A support page for spouses packed with info https://www.usafservices.com/Home/SpouseSupport.aspx NCWorks » One-stop online resource for job seekers and employers in North Carolina. https://www.ncworks.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx Operation We Are Here » Resources and encouragement for military families www.operationwearehere.com/index.html Visit North Carolina » Find things to do all over the state, request a free North Carolina visitor guide http://www.visitnc.com/ Fayetteville » Great website with lots of information about Goldsboro. http://www.fayettevillenc.gov/ Outer Banks » The beautiful coast of North Carolina, request a free outer banks visitor guide www.outerbanks.org Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area » Reserve your new cottage right next to the beach! http://ftfishermilrec.com/ Raleigh » Official tourism site of Raleigh, North Carolina www.visitraleigh.com Military Installations Booklet for Pope AAF Location Pope Army Airfield is located in the Fayetteville, North Carolina area. The Installation is nestled at the northern tip of Fort Bragg, approximately 12 miles northwest of Fayetteville. To the west are the Appalachian Mountains and to the east are the "Outer Banks” and the North Carolina National Seashore. The USO now has an office at the Fayetteville Regional Airport to welcome any new military members and their families to Pope Army Airfield and Fort Bragg. They have a variety of services and information to assist newcomers to the area. Hours of operations are 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. each day. They also have an office on the first floor of the Soldier Support Center on Normandy Drive, Fort Bragg. For more information call 910-482-8200 or visit USO of North Carolina. The address for USO office at the airport is 400 Airport Road, Fayetteville NC. History Pope Army Airfield has played a leading role in the development of U.S. Airpower, with missions ranging from providing airlift and close air support to American armed forces, to supporting humanitarian missions worldwide. On March 27, 1919, the area was officially established by the War Department as Pope Field, making it one of the oldest installations in the Air Force. The Installation is named after 1st Lt. Harley Halbert Pope, who was killed on Jan. 7, 1919, when the JN-4 Jenny he was flying with Sgt, Walter W. Fleming, crashed into the Cape Fear River near Fayetteville. The transfer of Pope Field to the Army's control is certainly a major event and was the result of the 2005 Installation Closure and Realignment Commission. Pope AAF will continue to put the "air" in airborne for Fort Bragg missions by providing airlift and close air support to American armed forces and to humanitarian missions flown all over the world. For more history visit Pope's homepage. Population Served Pope Army Airfield is home for approximately 2,500 active duty members and their families. Pope also has approximately 300 plus civilians, non-appropriated fund and contract personnel supporting the mission of the 43 Air Mobility Operations Group. Cost of Living: Compared to the res t of the country, Fayetteville Metro Area's cost of living is 15.93% lower than the U.S. average. Installation Operator: 910-396-0011 (Information Directory) Population: 2,500 active duty/full-time reservist/civilians (approximately) 4,235 family members 345 civilians Area Population: Fayetteville metro: 348,940 Education Public School: There is one very important thing to know for newcomers with school age children: When arriving at Pope it is critical to find a home as fast as possible. A catch - 22 exists for people staying on-Installation in lodging. Because they are on- Installation, on government property, they cannot be enrolled in local (Cumberland County, Harnett County, etc.) schools. If you will not receive on-Installation housing within 90 days, they cannot be enrolled in the DODEA run schools on the installation. Basically, they are without a school. If you are in temporary lodging off-Installation (local hotel or temporary lodging facility) you may enroll your child(ren) in the school whose catchments area serves the hotel. Once you find a house (renting or buying) all you need to do is present the school that serves your new area with a rental agreement or purchase agreement form and your child can be enrolled (whether they are in their new location or still in billeting waiting to move). Call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at Pope Army Airfield if you have questions regarding this policy. For more information please call 910-907-0200 or visit the DODEA North Carolina Fort Bragg District website. Irwin Elementary School - Located on Fort Bragg, it serves children in grades third - fifth. Students will be bused from Pope Army Airfield housing areas. Albritton Middle School - Located on Fort Bragg, it serves children from grades sixth - eighth. Students are assigned to schools Installationd on the geographical location of their legal guardian's residence. Grading system: 100-93=A 92-85=B 84-77=C 76-70=D Below 70= Failure. Students transferring from another school system should take their immunization record, report card and withdrawal slip from their previous school to enroll at their new school. The school or the Cumberland County Health Department will provide a kindergarten health assessment form. High school students living in government quarters attend E.E.Smith High School. Cumberland County School Board Policy is that students must attend school 90% of the time. That means 18 absences per year. If a child exceeds that number of absences, the individual school can make a determination whether that student will be promoted. According to the School Board office, the individual school principals like to keep in line with Board policy if they can. This means that if your child has a number of absences already, or has started his/her school year later than North Carolina, or is in billeting without attending school for a protracted length of time, you will have to request the school principal waive the Board attendance policy in order to have the child promoted. Evaluating Schools: In order to narrow down your housing search to areas with good schools, you may want to use test scores to determine what school you would like your child(ren) to attend. If you wish to evaluate public schools, current standardized test scores from all North Carolina public school can be found on the North Carolina Internet homepage. Pope personnel generally live in Cumberland, Harnett, Moore, Lee, or Hoke counties. If you do not have access to the Internet at home, PCSing is an official function, therefore you may use your internet access at work to research your move, or visit your Airman and Family Readiness Center to go online. It is very important that members select a school that will meet their child's educational needs and not just look at the test scores. Once you have determined the school districts you are interested in, contact the county school board to determine the housing areas within those schools' catchments areas. Many realtors are knowledgeable about school districts. However, some are better than others and redistricting may have changed catchments areas, so it is good to double check with the school board. High test scores sometimes indicate abilities of the student population and not necessarily the quality of the instruction. On the test results webpage, scores are indicated along with whether each school has met or exceeded expectations. Review the scores, but also notice whether the school itself has performed well. DoD Schools If you live on Installation, in government housing, or will receive government housing within 90 school days (approximately five months), you may enroll your children in the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) run Fort Bragg Schools system. Irwin Middle School - Located on Fort Bragg, it serves children in grades five and six. Students will be bused from Pope Army Airfield. Albritton Junior High School - Located on Fort Bragg, it serves children from grades seven to nine. Students will be bused from Pope Army Airfield. E. E. Smith High School - Children in grades ten to twelve and living in Installation housing will be bused to Cumberland County Schools E. E. Smith High School. Standardized test scores for the Pope Army Airfield Schools listed above are available through the DoDEA Data Center (see them listed under Fort Bragg). Private School There are a great number of private schools in the Fayetteville area. Most have church affiliation, some are secular. Tuition rates vary greatly. If you make inquiries to private schools, be sure to find out if bus transportation is available and the cost. Ask about accreditation. Adult Education For information about Adult Education please refer to Education - Training (College/Technical) topic. Local Schools How do I choose a school? Choosing the right school for children is a priority for many military families. Finding the right educational setting for each child requires a careful examination of the available options, whether you live on and off the installation. "Choosing a School for Your Child," a publication from the U.S. Department of Education, offers checklists and questions to assist parents in making the right choices. How do I find out about schools near my new duty station? Several quality online tools are available. Military OneSource is a free service offered by the Department of Defense to service members and their families to help with a broad range of concerns including education, parenting and child care, relocation and the concerns of families with special-needs members. An educational consultation with a specialty consultant is available, free of charge, and can help you address specific educational needs and goals. How can I help plan for a successful transition? Parents often want to know about the availability of extracurricular activities and sports, or the availability of advanced classes for their children. While there are other sources that can provide some information on these topics, it is usually best to get this information by contacting the schools directly. Overseas Schools: Moving from one installation to another in the United States can be challenging enough; but moving with your family overseas can be even more complex. One of the most important challenges can be summed up in one question: "Where will my children go to school?" Where do I start? Start with Military INSTALLATIONS to learn more about your new installation. In particular, read the installation's education article. All overseas installations dedicate a portion of the education article to discussing the education options available in the local community, as well as the Department of Defense schools on the installation, if available. Most overseas installations with accompanied family members have one or more Department of Defense school. What is the difference between a Department of Defense school and an international or national school? The Department of Defense Education Activity, or DoDEA, operates schools in 11 foreign countries, Guam and Puerto Rico. All DoDEA schools are fully accredited by U.S. accreditation agencies and maintain high academic standards with well-rounded educational programs. Visit the DoDEA website for more detailed information. The DoDEA's student preregistration system helps streamline the registration process and allows school officials to better predict school enrollment, make more informed decisions regarding teacher and staff requirements, and prepare for special services and supplies. Parents can preregister their children by visiting the DoDEA Online Student Pre-Registration site. The U.S. Department of State's Office of Overseas Schools works to promote quality educational opportunities for families of American citizens overseas. If a Department of Defense school is not available, visit this site to learn more about the schools in your new area. In general, international schools are English-language schools at overseas locations. National schools are schools where courses are taught in the native language. The curriculum and grading system of an international school tends to be similar to the traditional American education system. This may be an important consideration if your family will be returning to the U.S. before a child graduates from high school. Where can I find a list of international schools in the country where my family is moving? You can find a directory of overseas schools on the U.S. Department of State's Schools Worldwide page. The listing includes schools that receive assistance from the U.S. Department of State, as well as other international, private, religious and public schools. How do I decide what school is best for my child? Although you may not have as many choices as you had in the United States, the process for choosing a school for your child is the same. You can begin by making a list of possible schools. Next, you'll want to find out more information about each school. Talk to the relocation personnel at the Military and Family Support Center and with your sponsor, who may be able to put you in touch with other families with children around the same ages as yours. You may also want to contact the school and ask for references. Once you have narrowed down your options, you may decide you want to schedule an interview with the school or schools. Here are some considerations you may want to discuss: • Curriculum • Grading system • Tuition • Accreditations • Teachers and other staff • Meals • Extracurricular programs • Transportation • Schedule • Before- and after-school programs Now that I have chosen a school, how do I successfully transition my child? Start planning for a successful school transition as soon as you learn about your move. The more your child knows about what to expect, the more confident your child will feel on the first day of school. Allow your child to be a part of the decision-making process, if appropriate, and take your child's opinions into account. College/Technical Training & Continuing Education The Education office provides private and individual assistance to family members seeking to further their education. Staff will help to explore educational requirements for careers, select appropriate educational institutions and provide resources necessary to explore financial aid options. College The Education Office is the central point of contact for information regarding tuition assistance, education records, CCAF, both on and off Installation colleges, and serves as the liaison for colleges providing classes on Pope Army Airfield locate4d in bldg. 430. The following five colleges and universities currently offer classes on Pope and Ft. Bragg: Campbell University offers programs to earn a bachelor degrees in business administration, computer information systems, accounting, social science, government, history, and economics. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University offers a master’ degree in aeronautical science. Fayetteville State University offers courses through its satellite office located on Ft Bragg. Active duty and family members assigned to Pope Army Airfield, with proper documentation are considered residents by FSU. Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) offers courses through its satellite office located on Ft Bragg. Eligible service members receive 100% Military Tuition Assistance. Family members may apply for various loans and grants. For more information contact the Pope Education Office at 910-394-4692 or DSN: 424-4692.