DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 332d AIR EXPEDITIONARY GROUP AHMED AL JABER AIR BASE KUWAIT APO AE 09888-0001

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL 332 AEG PERSONNEL

FROM: 332 AEG/CC

SUBJECT: Welcome

Welcome to the "Tip of the Spear" and the 332d Air Expeditionary Group (AEG). Our mission is to demonstrate United States and the United Nations resolve to protect this vital region against Iraqi aggression. You are a crucial part of our success! We are ready to execute that mission because of you. I pledge to provide you the resources, organizational support, and environment necessary to accomplish your part of the mission, and return you home safely. What I expect from you is to do your best every day and take a positive approach at all times to your job. In addition, I expect every member of the Al Jaber community to treat each individual with dignity and respect. We are all in this together and will only succeed together. With that attitude, we will not only accomplish the mission, but also continually improve mission standards and the quality of life for everyone on Al Jaber.

Again, my personal welcome and wishes that your stay here is both a rewarding and positive experience.

MICHAEL A. SNODGRASS, Colonel, USAF
Commander

FINANCE:

1. Finance will assist you in making contact with your home station finance section. They do not have the capability to start/stop allotments from here. They publish a pay list every pay period and post it outside the cashier’s door. Check with cashier if amount deposited in your account is not what you expected to receive.
2. There is not an Automatic Teller Machine available, some sort of checking is required. They will cash personal checks or travelers checks up to $200 a day. If you have an emergency and need more, see your first sergeant to work out the details with the finance OIC.
3. They will exchange dollars for Kuwaiti Dinar.
4. You must continue to make on-time payments to AMEX/Nations Bank. You can access DD Form 1351 on the LAN and file a voucher upon your arrival here. You must fax or mail voucher to your home station Finance office. Check with cashier here in about 2 weeks to verify money was paid to your account. You can file a voucher every 30 days.
5. Here’s what your pay entitlements will be while TDY here:

1. Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS): Military members TDY to the AOR are entitled to receive BAS and per diem. Incidental per diem rate is $3.50 per day. For anyone not already receiving BAS, the new entitlement will be paid by the home station’s finance office when the member returns.
2. Imminent Danger Pay (IDP): IDP is $150 per month. Military members must spend a part of one day of a calendar month in Saudi Arabia or Kuwait (including their airspace) to be entitled to IDP.
3. Federal Tax Exclusion: The monthly eligibility requirements are the same as IDP. For enlisted, all pay is exempt for any month IDP is received. For officers, the first $4,300 of all taxable income is exempt for any month IDP is received. Social Security is still deducted.
4. Family Separation Allowance (FSA): Military members TDY to the AOR must have dependents residing with them prior to the deployment and be TDY for more than 30 consecutive days to be eligible for FSA. FSA is payable at $2.50 per day or $75 per month.
5. Foreign Duty Pay: Enlisted members TDY to the AOR for at least eight consecutive days are

entitled to FDP. The following is a breakout of the monthly amount. AB-Amn receive $8; A1C

receive $9; SrA receive $13; SSgt receive $16; TSgt receive $20; MSgt-CMSgt receive $22.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

1. We have a Judge Advocate General (JAG) to deal with violations of the UCMJ, as well as offer services such as Power of Attorney, wills, and answer any legal questions you may have. The JAG has direct contact with his/her Kuwaiti counterpart—if there are any questions on ethics or local customs please ask before you act.
2. General Order No. 1 is a lawful order based upon Islamic law and Arabic customs that prohibit or restrict certain activities which are generally permissible in Western societies. General Order No. 1 prohibits:

1. Possession, manufacture, importation, distribution or consumption of alcohol
2. The introduction, purchase, possession, use, sale, transfer, manufacture or consumption of any controlled substances or drug paraphernalia. Prescription drugs must be accompanied by the original prescription label of the prescribing medical facility or authority
3. Possession or importation of pornography or sexually explicit material. Includes but is not limited to materials that depict a nude upper body or genitalia. Not only are magazines such as Playboy prohibited, but also muscle magazines that depict nude upper bodies. The exceptions are magazines/video tapes lawfully obtained by AAFES, AFRTS, and MWR centers, but service members cannot bring items into the country
4. Possession of private firearms/explosives
5. Gambling
6. Entering a mosque
7. Disturbing archaeological or historical sites
8. Exchanging currency at other than the official rate
9. Feeding/adopting wild or domestic animals
10. Proselytizing (preaching) for any faith or religion
11. Taking war trophies as souvenirs with limited exceptions
12. Attending disciplinary ceremonies, such as public executions
13. Driving in excess of 100 kilometers per hour

3. Violations of the above rules are punishable under Article 92 of the UCMJ.

 

 DRESS AND APPEARANCE:

You are expected to comply with AFI 36-2903 while at Al Jaber. We have a 332d AEG Supplement to 36-2903 you should read on arrival. Out of respect for our hosts, we must impose additional restrictions whenever you leave the U.S. compound. For example, women must wear pants/or mid-calf dresses, shirts that cover the mid-riff, shoulders and top of the breastbone. Both women and men are allowed to wear shorts offbase ONLY while actually exercising. Shorts must be loose-fitting and mid-thigh length. The AEG Supplement to 36-2903 is available on the LAN and contents are punishable under the UCMJ when not followed. This is an important document that must be read upon arrival! For more specifics on clothing restrictions while exercising, see "Rules of Engagement" at the end of this pamphlet.

An AAFES barbershop is located on the compound. Haircuts cost $4.50.

On-base attire: Clothing should be in good taste and nothing should be worn that would be derogatory to other services members or our hosts. Conservative and moderate is the standard. Males and females may wear mid-thigh shorts and short-sleeve T-shirts and shirts (no spandex). Females must keep their midriff covered except in pool area.

Off-base attire: Civilian attire that may be offensive to our hosts will not be worn (i.e., alcohol slogans, pictures of bodies not fully covered). Women will wear loose fitting and concealing clothing – nothing flashy. Pants or jeans may be worn but they will not be tight and must be in good shape, not frayed, faded, or torn. Tattoos will be concealed. Women will not wear earrings with religious symbols (more details are in our AEG supplement).

You are authorized 3 sets of Desert Camouflage Uniforms (DCUs) and one pair of desert boots. If you are required to wear steel-toe boots, obtain them before you come – they usually go on backorder and don’t come in until after you leave. If you can’t get the desert boots, black are okay. If for some reason you did not get your complement of DCUs at home station, obtain them with a letter from your section through I.E.U. at Supply. Make sure you order name tags at home station as it may take a while to get them here. You are authorized to wear the DCU cap, the DCU baseball cap (with or without mesh), flight cap (with flightsuit only), and floppy hat. The floppy hat must be worn with the brim down – not "cowboy" or "Aussie" style. The floppy hat must be stowed just like the DCU cap when not worn—in one of the lower cargo pockets of your DCU pants, not draped on your back.

Free washers and dryers are located in trailers throughout the compound. Free laundry soap is also supplied.

Uniforms are washed and pressed free at the Kuwaiti dry cleaners, a 10-minute walk from the U.S. compound.

There is a tailor shop next to the Kuwaiti barbershop. Cost is $1 per item to sew on (set of stripes = $2)

LODGING:

We have a variety of accommodations, e.g., T-billets, expandable GPSes, dormitories and tents. All are air-conditioned and have captain’s beds (with drawers), refrigerators, TVs and VCRs.

Lodging provides 2 sheets, pillowcase, and comforter/blanket

If you’re living in a tent, shower tents and trailers are only a short walk away. Also, you MUST pick up any food in or around the tent to avoid rodents. Food must be in sealed containers.

Adjoining rooms in the T-billets share a shower and toilet.

YOUR COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS

Your Name

332d AEG/ (your office symbol)

APO AE 09888-0001

MEDICAL PRECAUTIONS:

The sun: Even during the winter months, sun exposure can be a real problem. Apply SF 15 or higher to all exposed skin when working outdoors. Your best protection is to wear a hat and keep your sleeves down. Dehydration is also of great concern. Drink plenty of bottled water (approximately 2 liters per hour) during extremely hot weather.

Critters and poisonous things: Stay alert, shake out your boots and don’t put your bare hands into dark holes. DO NOT feed any rodents or stray animals (we have lots of cats). Here’s a list of what to look out for:

Venomous snakes: Arabian cobra, puff adder, saw-scaled viper, desert viper, and sea snakes.

Black widow spiders, camel spiders (aggressive), 3 varieties of scorpions, and centipedes.

Euphorbia plants can cause skin irritation

Water: The water on base is tested weekly for bacteria. Although it usually does not contain any bacteria, purity cannot be granted and it is not tested for minerals, such as lead. Use only bottled water to drink and brush you teeth. As a rough guideline, you should be drinking one quarter liter per hour. Adjust your water intake from that point, until your urine is completely clear. (Note: You are already between 2 and 5 percent dehydrated.

MEDICAL CARE:

We have a small clinic with sick call hours and a selection of over-the-counter medications (Sudafed, chapstick, aspirin, sunscreen, foot powder, eyedrops). Sick call is 0800-1000 and 1400-1600 Monday through Thursday and Saturday, and 1400-1600 Sundays. A public Kuwaiti hospital within 25 miles is the primary referral hospital for patients requiring consultation, hospitalization and lab services. MEDEVAC is available if needed with helicopters on-site.

Anthrax shots will be given while you are here. They have been licensed by the FDA since 1970—given to veterinarians and food handlers. Schedule for shots is first shot, two weeks later is second shot, third is two weeks later, fourth is 6 months later, fifth is 1 year later, and sixth one 18 months later. Thereafter, it’s annual.

Our biggest medical threat here is sanitation. It’s imperative you don’t accumulate trash in your quarters and make sure you seal your trash bag before placing it in the dumpster—otherwise, the rats and cats multiply and spread disease. Cleaning the latrines and showers DAILY with a bleach solution prevents a rash of fungal infections.

The DP office is located in Bldg. A-2, Room 31. They can answer any questions you may have once you get here and provide any additional training you feel you need. All personnel must deploy here with:

2 sets of sealed overgarments 2 sets of GVOs or 4 sets of black overboots

4 pairs of gloves and inserts 4 filter cannisters (unopened)

1 MCU-2A/P mask 4 hoods (real-world hoods)

1 M9 tape, 1 M8 paper 4 decon kits

Web belt Empty canteen including cup and cover

Helmet with liner

Al Jaber will supply the additional ensembles, hoods, etc. if required

Alarm signals in Kuwait are as follows:

One-minute wavering tone on sirens means an attack is imminent

One-minute steady tone on sirens means a peacetime disaster threat exists

The All Clear signal is declared verbally through the Giant Voice system

Seek shelter in the nearest bunker. Take your flak vest, helmet, web gear, mini "c" bag…if it’s immediately available. You have an assigned bunker that correlates with your work center area and one that correlates with your living quarters. You should report to these if you are at work or home but become familiar with location of ALL bunkers in order to know and report to the closest one when you are elsewhere on the base.

The present threat posture does not require you to carry your Chem bag everywhere you go but you must have quick access to it. We currently have a mini-C bag packed and ready. The mini "c" bag consists of the flak vest (you will sign out upon arrival at I.E.U.), helmet, web gear, 1 GCE, 1 pair of boots, 2 pairs of gloves with inserts, 2 filters (do not open), gas mask with real-world hood installed, spare hood, M8 and M9 paper, canteen (full of fresh water), and 2 decontamination kits.

Bunkers have instructions and checklists for the senior person to comply with. Take all warnings seriously. It only takes approximately 5 minutes for a missile to reach us—don’t get complacent!

  DINING FACILITIES:

Hog Rock Café is our dining facility. Operating hours are:

Breakfast: 0500-0830
Lunch: 1100-1400
Dinner: 1700-2030
Midnight Meal: 2300-0100

Snack line is open 24 hours a day

(hot dogs, lunch meat, cookies, juice, cereal, fruit)

NOTE: You MUST wash your hands (with the hand wipes provided) prior to

receiving your food.

RECOGNITION:

Services sponsors a monthly birthday meal where senior leadership does the serving (steak and shrimp are usually served) along with cake, ice cream and a song!

The commander holds a monthly promotion ceremony on the last day of each month to recognize those sewing on the next stripe.

We have a monthly Airman, NCO, SNCO, CGO, and Sharp Saber Team award program to recognize our superior performers. Supervisors need to read OI 36-2803 (Recognition Program for Al Jaber) upon arrival to ensure their folks are recognized.

After 30 consecutive days in the AOR, you will be automatically eligible for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. If you are recommended for a decoration for superior performance, a recommendation package will be processed through the chain of command and forwarded to your stateside commander. He/she is the final approval authority.

 EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:

We have a Learning Resource Center that allows deployed and PCS personnel to continue their personal and professional development programs while in the AOR. Currently, the LRC houses 6 computers and 2 printers, setup for Distance Learning Access. We also have study guides and textbooks for CLEP/DANTES testing. If there is a certain CLEP/DANTES you wish to complete (something besides the 5 general exams), you may want to get a study guide or textbook from your home station library in case it’s checked out here or we haven’t received it yet. You can also take your End-of-Course exams while here. The exam takes about 3 weeks to arrive.

BASE EXCHANGE:

We have a base exchange—much like a shoppette. You can get most of the common items required for daily survival—brand names even! The BX has T-shirts, underwear, socks, even some bathing suits, as well as snacks and drinks. It’s open 7 days a week from 1000-1900 hours. The manager also makes trips to Camp Doha (larger BX) and can pickup most anything else or will order it. The BX takes Visa and MasterCard but cannot process AMEX. They will cash checks up to $20 over amount. DPP use is also available and payments can be made at the counter. Also, there is a Harley Davidson Sales Representative.

  RECREATION:

Planet Jaber is our recreation center. It’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and has a variety of board/card games, video game room, book and video checkout, pool tables, foosball, Bingo and TV room with oversize couches. The recreation center sells candy, chips and sodas. It also houses a Pizza Inn which is open 1100-1900 hours.

We have 2 pools and bikinis are allowed. The large pool rotates water volleyball and swimming days. Pools are open 24 hours a day.

The Body Shop, our gym, has a variety of free weights, stair climbers, bikes, treadmills and a rowing machine. For a change of venue, the Kuwait gym is about a 10-minute walk from our compound and offers more weights, universal equipment and an indoor basketball court. Our Group Operating Instruction 91-202 specifies areas, times and conditions for exercising off the U.S. compound, all in the interest of safety and respect for our hosts. For example, personnel who use the Kuwaiti gym must be in a minimum of groups of two—if female, must have at least one male companion. See "Rules of Engagement" at the end of this pamphlet. Both gyms are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We have a softball field, sand volleyball court, outdoor basketball court, miniature golf course, horseshoe pits, and additional volleyball and basketball courts.

The recreation center has a list of movies available for call in on Channel 1 and the local movie Channel is 2. To request a movie, call TAC 515.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT FOR

If alone, exercise ONLY to right of pedestrian gate. Proceed no further than the Security Forces gate at munitions storage area, unless you are equipped with cell phone or Land Mobile Radio

If in groups of two or more, a cell phone or radio are encouraged. May exercise to left of pedestrian gate but will not proceed beyond the Kuwaiti gym, towards the mosque, front gate, or Kuwaiti Air Force Headquarters area.

Must exercise in groups of 2 or more

Perimeter road is off limits. Must exercise on lighted roadways. Will not proceed beyond the Kuwaiti gym, toward the mosque, front gate, or Kuwaiti Air Force Headquarters area

All members must wear a reflective belt

Personnel using the Kuwaiti gym at any time must be in groups of 2 or more. Women using the gym must be accompanied by at least 1 male.

No tank tops for men or women. T-shirts must completely cover the midriff.

Females must have upper arms and shoulders covered

Shorts will be mid-thigh and loose fitting (no spandex unless covered)

No items of clothing permitted with alcohol slogans or pictures of bodies not fully covered

RELIGIOUS SERVICE

Monday 7:30 p.m. Gospel Choir

Tuesday 9:00 a.m. Catholic Instruction 11:30 a.m. Daily Mass 7:30 p.m. Bible Study

Wednesday 7:30 p.m. Bible Study

Thursday 7:30 p.m. Gospel Choir

Friday 7:30 p.m. Gospel Service

Saturday 4:00 p.m. Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:00 p.m. Catholic Mass

Sunday 8:30 a.m. Catholic Mass, 10:00 a.m. Protestant worship, 12:30 a.m. LDS worship,

and 7:30 Worship