New system for tracking personnel gets workout soon Published May 18, 2009 WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) -- As the Air Force gears up for its second test of the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System, Air Force Materiel Command leaders are reminding people to participate during the May 19-21 exercise. The new system is designed to improve the way the Air Force keeps track of its people. It will be used whenever a situation arises, such as a natural disaster, that calls for commanders and supervisors to account for their people. Airmen and their families, as well as civilians, can call or log into the system to report their whereabouts and well-being. Once submitted, the information is accessible to a variety of pre-approved trusted agents, who then use it to gauge accountability force-wide. "The May exercise will evaluate AFPAAS to ensure the Air Force is truly ready for the 2009 hurricane season," said Tim Beyland, Air Force Manpower and Personnel assistant deputy chief of staff. The Air Force implemented the system April 1 and plans to test it in the upcoming exercise. The requirement to report in using the system applies to active-duty Airmen and family members, guardsmen, reservists, and contractors overseas. Non bargaining-unit employees should update their information and participate during the exercise. Civilian employees in bargaining-unit jobs are not required to use the system. For the upcoming exercise, bargaining-unit employees should report their status according to already-established procedures, such as an office recall plan, and follow local policies. To find out more about local policies and procedures, employees should ask supervisors or contact their local civilian personnel flight. "Protection of privacy is paramount, and only pre-approved trusted agents, commanders and their designated representatives with CAC access, roles and permissions can view personal information," said Brian Angell, Air Force Personnel Center Personnel Readiness Cell Operations chief. The system helps speed up the process to help family members in need of assistance. It helps commanders identify and verify eligibility for assistance and aid and entitlements for affected personnel and their families prior to or immediately following a disaster. The program was designed to synchronize Air Force reporting with the Department of Defense's accountability system. The Air Force system meets combatant commander and DoD requirements for personnel tracking. AFPAAS was tested force-wide during an exercise March 16-20. This trial allowed Air Force leaders to identify lessons learned and work out some conflicts before the program went live April 1. "When they get the bugs worked out, this system is going to be fantastic," said Tech. Sgt. Angelia Weldon, who works in the AFMC headquarters readiness branch. "It will allow our bases to give personnel updates in real time, which will speed up the accountability process." As of April 1, Air Force personnel and family members can log into https://afpaas.af.mil or call (800) 435-9941 to report individual and family-member status if affected by a disaster or crisis. "AFPAAS is a simple and secure system for all users. Anyone can input their details from any internet connection or telephone world-wide, increasing the access and ease of use for all personnel and family members," Mr. Angell said. Web-based AFPAAS training is available for leadership, commanding officer representatives and readiness personnel, as required, and can be scheduled through major command personnel directorates. For more information about AFPAAS, visit the website at https://afpaas.af.mil, or contact your unit commander.