SECAF authorizes funds to assist flood-stricken Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell
  • 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNS) --  Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley recently authorized funding for skilled and licensed volunteers to travel to Minot, N.D., to perform home repairs for nearly 250 Airmen who remain displaced here following historic flooding this summer.

Secretary Donley signed into effect the memorandum for Emergency and Extraordinary Expenses Funds for Incentivizing Assistance to Flood Displaced Minot Airmen Oct. 23.

The initiative will help meet the demand for skilled tradesmen to assist with the large number of damaged homes impacted by the Souris River flood, which initially displaced more than 1,200 Airmen and their families.

With the imminent onset of winter the need for immediate repairs to prevent additional damage is imperative, Secretary Donley said.

The memorandum allows Airmen -- active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and Department of Defense civilians -- who possess requisite skill sets, but live outside of the Minot area, to be reimbursed travel and per diem incurred during periods of leave taken to volunteer for rebuilding efforts in support of flood-displaced Airmen.

In addition, North Dakota licensed and bonded trades personnel may receive funding to travel to Minot for the purpose of assisting Airmen with repair and winterization of personally-owned residences.

"Winter is quickly approaching, and this measure will provide Airmen and DOD civilians with the help they need to get their houses winterized in order to prevent further damage. It is not meant, however, to repair their homes to pre-flood conditions." said Col. James Dawkins, the 5th Bomb Wing commander. "The biggest problem many contractors downtown have is that they can't get help from outside the area because lodging is scarce. The money will help provide skilled craftsmen with travel and per-diem expenses to get them to Minot. The base will also provide basic living accommodations for them as well."

Non-Department of Defense trades personnel wishing to receive funding must commit to performing Federal-Emergency-Management-Agency-reimbursable work on the homes of displaced Airmen prior to performing other repairs, according to the memorandum.

"This program benefits both our affected Airmen and the surrounding community, because the extra labor we are acquiring will free up local contractors to more quickly support other members of the Minot community," said Col. S.L. Davis, the 91st Missile Wing commander. "The program also accelerates Minot Air Force Base Airmen getting back on their feet so they can continue to perform their critical ICBM and bomber missions."

Base leadership held a town council meeting here Oct. 23 to inform flood-stricken Airmen homeowners of the memorandum's purpose, and reiterate financial aid resources and personnel services available.

If you are interested in volunteering to assist Minot AFB officials with this effort, call the 5th Mission Support Group at 701-723-2205. For more information on how to winterize the home, visit www.minotnd.org.