RAF Lakenheath  In-depth Overview

Finance

Moving to and living in England can be expensive. One of your immediate concerns should be to assess your present financial status and then construct a spending plan based on anticipated expenses. Building a spending plan means knowing what your entitlements will be and what type of expenses you can expect when you arrive at your next duty location. Work closely with your sponsor to estimate anticipated expenses. Major items such as vehicle purchases, vehicle/home insurance, heating oil, utilities, rent, UK Road Tax and UK TV Tax, etc., should top your list. Additionally, depending upon your present financial situation, you may want to consider the following options:

• Pay off as many bills as you can before you PCS. Negotiate lower interest rates with your creditors. When possible, pay your bills by allotment or a direct debit from an account. Sometimes a creditor might lower the interest rate you pay if you ask them and pay by certain bills by direct debit.
• Comparison shop for needed items before coming overseas. Check local merchants for clothing items, etc., and then ask your sponsor to provide you with an average cost of the items at AAFES or on the local economy. Ensure newly purchased electronics are dual voltage.
• Anticipate clothing requirements so you're not burdened with the expense of buying clothing when you arrive.
• Anticipate delays in paying your bills from the overseas area. Let your creditors know you are moving and set up a payment schedule accordingly.
• Start saving and establish a savings plan before you leave the States. This can help you defray unexpected expenses.
• If you're presently a two-income family, anticipate a possible delay for your spouse finding employment. There are jobs available, but employment may require flexibility and be different overseas from your present situation. One recommendation is to immediately start adjusting your families spending habits to one income.
• If possible avoid taking an advance on your pay (i.e., advance TLA, pay, etc.) until you arrive here and can assess exactly how much you'll need and for what purpose.
• Speak to your losing instillation Finance section to discuss the option to apply and receive your Dislocation Allowance prior to PCSing. 
• If you do not think you can financially afford to move your family to RAF Lakenheath, consider leaving your family in the United States until you find adequate housing and/or transportation. As you consider this option, determine whether you can afford to maintain two households instead of one.
• Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA): (1) Entitlements of TLA are based primarily on permanent change of station moves and non-availability of government quarters; (2) Newly arrived members are required to report to the Housing Office within two days of their arrival; (3) You must report to the Housing Office at the end of each 10 days TLA period for certification and approval of your TLA claim; and (4) TLA is limited to 60 days and each day must be justified.

Travel Documentation

Visit your Military Personnel Office to obtain Government Fee-Paid Passports for your family members; these passports allow them to travel to and from the overseas location.

You are also encouraged to obtain tourist passports because the No-Fee passports WILL NOT allow entry into some European countries. To travel freely within Europe you and each family member should obtain a Tourist passport at your own expense.

You can apply for a tourist passport before or after your arrival. If you apply after you receive a No-Fee passport, you can use the No-Fee passport as proof of citizenship, however may not be able to travel as freely initially.

Other documents you should be preparing and updating early:

• Spouse employment and education records
• Children's immunization and school records
• Medical records (including X-rays and similar items)
• Financial records
• Insurance documents
• Pet medical records
• ID cards for all family members (mandatory for all children over the age of 10, though highly encouraged for all ages)
• Documents for PIPS

Passports and Visas

Ensure member and/or dependents have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing. Member and/or dependents are not allowed to final out-process without the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents. Members electing the accompanied tour will not be permitted to out-process without having the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.

These actions are necessary to prevent unforeseen hardships to the military members and their families. Therefore, as a last reiteration, it is essential, members do not out-process without having the appropriate passports/visas for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.

Driving Guidelines

Drivers MUST have a 3rdAir Force driver's permit to operate a vehicle on base and to obtain fuel from the base service station, as well as the service stations at other USAF bases in the U.K.

Driving in the U.K. is a privilege, not a right. All personnel assigned to RAF Lakenheath who require driving privileges:

• Must take the 3rd Air Force Driver's Training class within 30 days of arrival and pass the written exam
• Must have a valid U.S. driver's license (not provisional or restricted)
• Must possess the 3rd Air Force driver's license to operate a vehicle on base
• Must be 17 years old or older

You and your dependents will attend the driver's briefing during in-processing with the Military and Family Readiness Center. The exam will be administered during that time. Service Members and their Dependents must study The British Highway Code book online and are encouraged to the use the USAF Connect APP for the 48 FW for additional driving related materials. This can be found under the Newcomers Tab and Driving in the UK.  Please contact the staff with the Relocation Program at the Military and Family Readiness Center for the current guidance. +44 01638-52-3847

Weapons in Public and UK Law

All sponsors arriving in country will sign a memorandum at Pass and Registration indicating their understanding and compliance with laws and regulations regarding weapons, weapon storage and weapon accountability.

Personnel may store their firearms and weapons in their government military family housing quarters provided the method complies with British law, and they register their firearms at 48 SFS Pass and Registration.

Unusually dangerous weapons other than firearms are defined as any item concealed on the person or carried which could be used to cause bodily harm to others, or are likely to make reasonable persons fear for their safety. These weapons must also be registered with Pass and Registration. This list is not all-inclusive. Examples include:

• Knives with a locking mechanism and/or blade in excess of 3 inches in length. Please Note: While Gerbers and knives with a locking blade of less than 3 inches are permitted on base in association with an individual's duty, these items are still prohibited in the dormitories, on-base billeting, and TLFs. Such items carried in association with an individual's duty do not require registration with Pass and ID.
• Explosive materials (improvised explosive devices, blasting caps, dynamite, ground burst simulators, etc.)
• Club-type hand weapons (i.e., blackjacks, brass knuckles, nunchuks, etc.).
• Bows, crossbows, spears, swords, or similar instruments. Personnel will not be authorized to depart PCS, separate or retire until all weapons are properly disposed of according to applicable British law.

48 SFS Pass and Registration will be responsible for maintaining a current listing of all personnel who register any weapon on RAF Lakenheath. This listing will be available, either in hard copy at the Pass and Registration section, or electronically on the squadron shared drive so that security forces, other agencies or personnel reasonably needing it have access to the information.

Questions/Confused? Call on DSN 314-226-1853 or Comm 011 44 1638 521853.Shipping Your Pets

A couple of other things to note when shipping your pets are:

You see that you must have a microchip implanted in your pet. The microchip implanted in your pet must be a 13-digit encoded chip. Many widely available microchips in the US do not meet the UK requirement, so have your chip checked by your vet before you assume it is acceptable.

A USDA certificate is required. Finding out where your state's nearest USDA vet is located will help determine if you need to mail the paperwork to them, or drive the paperwork there to get it filled out. Expect to pay at least $70.00 for this additional requirement.

While you prepare your pet for shipping, it is important to mention that contacting the airline you will be flying on about a month out is of the utmost importance. There tend to be very limited spaces for animals and there is typically a date when spaces are available for you to book your animal for the flight. TMO will not arrange the shipment of your pets for you. Communicating with the airline about when and where to drop the animals off is important as well, as the cargo areas that will accept pets for international shipping varies from airline to airline. With that said, pay close attention to the DEFRA website's pet travel scheme as there are only a few places that your pets may originate from in the US. Working with the airline and TMO together to sync everything up will make this process much smoother for your family. Be prepared to do most of the coordination yourself.

There are also other considerations like the breed of the animal and the time of year you plan on flying that may affect, or even prevent you from bringing your animal via commercial carrier all together. Once you have worked out those details, you must make sure your pet's carrier is of the appropriate size for your pet. Your pet must be able to stand in the carrier without their ears touching the top, or it will be considered too small. The carrier must also be fastened together with metal hardware to keep it from coming apart, i.e. nuts and bolts. Some cheaper carriers lock with plastic tabs, and are not acceptable for airline transport. Finally, the carrier must be outfitted with a food and water dish that can be accessed by the airline without opening the door. Fastening it to the door with zip ties is acceptable.