GENERAL TRAVEL GUIDANCE

Check the Foreign Clearance Guide for the latest travel restrictions and guidance before planning any international travel for PCS, TDY or leave. For the latest travel restrictions in Turkey click here. 

TESTING PROCEDURES

• Outbound Travel/PCS: All members departing Incirlik AB  must contact the 39 MDG appointment line at 676-6666 NLT 5 business days prior to departure date from Incirlik AB.  Sampling/testing times outside of normal duty hours must be scheduled with the testing POC prior to presenting to the 39 MDG. More info is provided in 39 MDG Leave / TDY Return Testing Info Sheet (Incirlik Policy Read Book #26a). 
• Incoming Travel/PCS : For members arriving to Incirlik AB, the cost of the required PCR test (test only, not doctor referral if required) is covered by TRICARE (if accepted) or can be charged to GTC.
• Unofficial Travel: The cost for test is not covered if obtained commercially, but may still be obtained at a Military Treatment Facility at no cost. Members must research options prior to travel.

TRAVEL TO TURKEY

ALL arrivals to Incirlik Air Base to include PCS, TDY and leave return, require negative PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arriving. 

The best option is for PCS travelers to test at their losing base (or nearby base) prior to travel. Testing in the BWI area is NOT a primary source for PCS travelers to receive a PCR COVID-19 test. 

TRAVEL TO US

In accordance with Statement Department requirements, all base personnel, regardless of vaccination status, traveling to the U.S. via commercial airlines require a negative PCR test to enter the country within one day of departure or documentation of COVID-19 recovery within 90 days of departure. For more information, click here.

All base personnel traveling on Patriot Express to the U.S. require a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure to enter the country. For more information, click here. 

TRAVEL WITHIN TURKEY

Effective September 6, per the Government of Turkey, only people who meet one of the following conditions will be able to attend large events, such as concerts, film screenings or theater shows in Turkey. The same rule applies to public transportation, to include planes, buses or trains, throughout Turkey:

1. Fully vaccinated (14 days after second dose)
2. Recently had COVID-19 (official medical documentation proving immunity)
3. Have a negative PCR test conducted within the last 48 hours

LEAVE POLICY:

Leave is authorized per the DoD, however other host nation and local restrictions may apply. Leave must be approved by the squadron commander.  39 ABW Leave Policy (Incirlik Policy Read Book #23).

• Emergency Leave: Emergency Leave documented in orders is authorized. No ETP required to travel Space-A or commercial. Emergency leave must be approved by the member's squadron commander. 
• Leave (Hardship or Humanitarian): Leave which does not fall into the category of emergency leave as defined by AFI 36-3003 requires an O-6 approval and exception to policy to travel Space-A to BWI. No ETP is required for commercial travel. ETP Template (Incirlik Policy Read Book #06)
• Ordinary Leave: Must be approved no lower than Sq/CC. Squadrons and Groups may place additional requirements on leave. Space-A currently not authorized, per DoD Policy. Commercial flights for ordinary leave are authorized at member’s expense.

QUARANTINE AND CONTACT TRACING POLICY

In accordance with the latest CDC guidance, members of the 39th ABW who test positive for COVID-19 will be isolated for at least five days from the onset of symptoms and only released by their Primary Care Manager (PCM) team.  

A close contact is defined as being within six feet of the positive case for a total of 15 minutes over a 24-hour period.

Close contacts who have completed their primary vaccination series in the last six months or have received a booster shot should wear a mask for 10 days and self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. If they develop symptoms, they should isolate themselves from others and report to the 39th Medical Group for testing.

Close contacts who are either unvaccinated or who have completed their primary series more than six months ago should quarantine for five days and then wear a mask for five days when around other people. If the close contact does not have any symptoms and the unit commander determines the member is mission essential, the commander can allow the member to return to work wearing a mask for ten days.