Overseas Cost-of-Living AllowanceService members serving outside of the continental United States (OCONUS) where the cost of living is higher than CONUS receive an Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA). Overseas COLA is a non-taxable allowance designed to offset higher prices of non-housing goods and services OCONUS and equalize purchasing power with members stationed in CONUS. It does not reimburse expenses, compensate for remoteness, hardship, loss of spousal income, or non-availability of goods and services.
OCONUS COLA is not a fixed amount and should not be considered in household budgeting. Fixed expenses, such as car payments, should be based on what a Service member can afford without the allowance. Overseas COLA can fluctuate based on the exchange rate, as COLA is paid in U.S dollars, but some expenses are typically paid in foreign currency.
https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Overseas-Cost-of-Living-Allowance/
Customer Service: 86CPTS.CS@us.af.mil
86 AW Mission Defend U.S. Interests, Project Power ...Enable the Global Gateway
86 AW Vision Adaptive Airmen, Agile Team ...Ready to Execute86 AW Priorities Mission. People. Partners. Culture
With airfields in four countries at Ramstein AB, Germany, Lajes Field, Portugal, Morón AB, Spain, and Chièvres AB, Belgium, the 86th Airlift Wing and Ramstein serve as the “Global Gateway” to Europe and beyond. We operate key power projection platforms critical to global operations.
As the aeromedical evacuation center for U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Central Command, and U.S. European Command, the AE team at Ramstein administers more than 97% of all COVID-19 patient movements for the Department of Defense!
The Airmen of Ramstein work daily to strengthen and leverage partnerships within our Air Force and with our joint and international partners. The 86th Airlift Wing trains and works with longstanding NATO and European partners while developing new partners in Africa.
The Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) is the largest American military community outside the continental United States, and is a combined community consisting of Army and Air Force components.The KMC consists of Air Force facilities located at Ramstein Air Base, Einsiedlerhof, Pirmasens, Vogelweh and Kapaun Air Station, along with Army facilities at Sembach, Kleber, Panzer and Daenner Kasernes, Landstuhl, Kirchberg, Miesau Depot, Kaiserslautern Industrial Center, Rhine Ordnance and Pulaski Barracks. The U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder is also not far from the KMC area.
Other nearby communities from Kaiserslautern include Ramstein-Miesenbach, just outside the Ramstein West Gate, and Landstuhl, adjacent to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.The U.S. military is one of the largest employers here, where the labor force is primarily blue collar. Approximately 15% of the force is employed in agriculture and forestry. Military installations play an important economic role for employment, construction and service-related opportunities.The city of Kaiserslautern and the surrounding areas have many interesting sites. The city itself has a rich historical significance, and its people take pride in their preservation of landmarks. You may find the various castle ruins in the area an interesting outing. Most of the ruins throughout the Pfalz area have grassy areas, benches and tables for picnics. Kaiserslautern county comprises nine union communities with a total of 50 villages.
Ramstein Air Base is located in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate (aka Rheinland-Pfalz) and is part of the Kaiserslautern Military Community -- the largest American community outside of the United States.
City of Kaiserslauternis located within Rhineland-Palatinate Landin southwestern Germany. It lies between the Haardt Mountains (Pfälzer Wald) and the Saar-Nahe-Bergland (Nordpfälzer Bergland), northeast of Saarbrücken. It is surrounded by the Pfälzer Wald Nature Park.
Rhineland-Palatinate is bordered by the states of North Rhine–Westphalia to the north, Hessen to the east, Baden-Württemberg to the southeast, and Saarland to the southwest and by France, Luxembourg, and Belgium to the south and west.
Transportation from the airport to Ramstein should be coordinated prior to your arrival. Please ensure that your sponsor and your unit are aware of your travel arrangements. Changes to your travel may have a negative impact on your billeting/hotel reservation.
Contact the base operator by dialing 011-49-6371-471110 or DSN 314-480-1110
Release 2024.03.06.1