Keesler newcomers face family housing hurdles

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Roger Drinnon
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AFPN) --  As this base struggles with housing shortages from Hurricane Katrina's wake, Airmen being assigned here accompanied by family members need to have a plan before they leave their current assignment.

Due to Katrina, permission for servicemembers to bring their family members to Keesler has become much like those for an overseas assignment. Airmen now must obtain authorization for their dependents' concurrent travel before coming here.

For concurrent travel to be approved, Airmen must have a feasible housing plan for their families, due to the lack of affordable housing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Without a plan, concurrent travel might be disapproved.

"The bottom line is, the statistics show 76 (concurrent travel request) approvals and 55 disapprovals for the wing," said Capt. Rob Roeckers, 81st Mission Support Squadron military personnel flight commander. "Initially, they all were being disapproved -- these stats tell me the word is getting out."

Inbound Airmen are authorized up to 10 days of permissive temporary duty for house hunting. This authorization, as well as the concurrent travel authorization, must be coordinated through the commander of the Airman's departing organization, Captain Roeckers said.

Being aware of the authorization requirements increases an Airman's chance for approved concurrent travel, he said. However, if a request is disapproved, it is in the interest of the Airman's financial well-being.

"When we first started the program, people thought, 'You're trying to break up my family,'" Captain Roeckers said. "But when we disapprove concurrent travel, it's because we don't want to put you in a financial bind."

He said the best situation for inbound personnel is to know exactly where their family will live before they arrive at Keesler.

"Normally, concurrent travel won't be approved if you say you are only going to meet with a realtor," the captain said. "Actually having a lease signed is ideal."