First voluntary dependents depart Incirlik Published Sept. 23, 2015 By Senior Airman Krystal Ardrey 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- The first dependents to accept the authorized voluntary departure left Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Sept. 16, 2015, here. The 30-day authorization, which was implemented by the Secretary of Defense at the beginning of the month, recently reached its halfway mark on Sept. 17, 2015. As of this date, 11 adult family members, 25 children and three pets will be returning to their safe haven locations in the U.S. According to the U.S. European Command, the voluntary departure is done to ensure the safety and security of the families of service members and civilians throughout the EUCOM area of responsibility. Those who have departed under the voluntary departure will have seven days to arrange travel to return to Incirlik at the end of the authorized voluntary departure period. Families with school-age dependents enrolled in school at their safe haven location may be able to return past this time period but this will be handled on a case-by-case basis and will be coordinated through the 39th Comptroller Squadron. Currently, the authorized voluntary departure is slated to end on Oct. 2, 2015. This will give families until Oct. 9 to arrange for their government paid travel back to Incirlik. It's important to note that the voluntary departure window can be extended in 30 day increments based on the security environment of the affected area. In this case, families will still have the option to elect the voluntary departure option and those who have returned to their safe havens will not be able to return to Incirlik until the window officially closes. Separately but concurrently, incoming personnel undergoing a permanent change of station to Incirlik will no longer be able to be accompanied by their dependents. This is being done to continue to ensure the safety and security of military and civilian dependents. Airmen and civilians who are PCSing to Incirlik or the surrounding area and have questions about the stop movement on incoming families should contact the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102 for guidance. Families who are considering participating in the authorized voluntary departure should speak with their first sergeants to sign up for a one-on-one counselling session with the 39th CPTS. More information regarding voluntary departure will continue to be released as it becomes available.