Action Line #81111 – Herky housing Published Nov. 25, 2008 By Anonymous 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Complaint: I am writing to express my disappointment in the leadership's decision towards the forced moves of the Herky Officers and SNCO's. After speaking with housing office representatives, I have been told the officers and SNCO's are being forced to move and have roommates in order to make room for the civilians and contractors during the renovation of the housing areas. This is just ridicules. The priority for housing should go to the military members at Incirlik, not the contractors or civilians. The contractors and civilians have the option of living off base, and my understanding was that they were allowed to live on base on a space-available basis. Obviously, if military members are being forced to move and take roommates, there is not space available. What was even more disheartening was the fact that the proposed moves were supported by wing leadership. Originally, I thought we were being forced to move because the space we were occupying was being immediately renovated. I was upset, however, to learn that many of the early moves were being made so civilians and contractors could have single housing because "they were paying for it," so they received priority. Financial motives should not be the driving factor. It seems like time after time at commander's calls at all levels, we are reminded that our leadership is here to take care of our Airmen ... the impression I get though is that the priority is civilians and contractors first and Airmen after that. It is true the civilians and contractors play a vital role in our total force, but, they are afforded housing allowances and benefits not granted to military, and so, if anyone is forced to move, it should be them. Response: I'm afraid you couldn't be more wrong ... your information is completely inaccurate. Let me correct it. Every Herky resident-- military, civilian or contractor-- is impacted by the three renovation projects. The Air Force is investing close to two million dollars to improve your housing, but it will not be without some inconvenience. NOBODY is getting any 'priority'; all moves were based on DEROS, current unit assignment and final unit assignment. Residents can not stay in their suites during construction and must relocate for their safety. Due to this fact, our housing office developed a relocation plan with the objectives of 1) minimizing moves and 2) optimizing the use of our Military Family Housing as temporary accommodations during construction. A lot of effort was expended by leadership to minimize the turmoil and I believe we have the best plan possible to achieve this objective. NOBODY-- officer, SNCO, civilians or contractors--was given priority during the planning process. In truth, several civilians are impacted more than most: three civilians are projected to move twice during the renovation effort.