Emergency Assistance

Always hand‑carry your orders, ID cards, passports, financial information, and insurance documents. Keep phone numbers for your relatives, sponsor, gaining unit, and the Aviano Command Post with you. Download the USAF Connect App, navigate to Favorites, and select 31st Fighter Wing (FW) for local emergency contacts, the base directory, notifications, and the Newcomers “First 31” section.

Emergency Assistance

Air Force Aid Society / Army Emergency Relief / Navy & Marine Corps Relief Society provide emergency financial assistance (loans or grants) for needs such as basic living expenses, uninsured medical/dental, funeral costs, emergency transportation, essential car repairs, pay/allotment problems, and disasters. Apply online at www.afas.org (select Apply to start your request). For questions during the application, contact AFAS Headquarters at 703‑972‑2650 or afas@‑afas‑hq.org.

American Red Cross supports emergencies 24/7 with:

• Verified communications regarding serious illness, death, or birth announcements for immediate family members
• Financial assistance in partnership with the military aid societies when they are closed
• Information and referral for additional support

Initiate an emergency message or financial request when aid societies are closed via the Hero Care Center at 1‑877‑272‑7337 (dialable directly from DSN overseas) or through the Hero Care app. Service members may initiate messages themselves. For status checks or assistance during duty hours, contact the local American Red Cross (Building 1467).

When requesting a Red Cross message, provide as much detail as possible, including:

• The action requested (e.g., death verification of grandmother)
• The reason (e.g., emergency leave, AFAS/AER assistance)
• Service member’s legal name, SSN, rank/pay grade, unit/address, branch, and TDY/attached unit if applicable (birthdates may help if information is limited)
• Contact info for verification (e.g., hospital/doctor name and phone). If concerning an illness, the subject must consent to the verification.

Note: Red Cross verification is not required for command decisions on emergency leave or financial assistance. Final decisions rest with the command/agency; many leaders may still request independent verification.

Who to Contact First in an Emergency:

• Immediate assistance (on base): 911 or 043‑430‑1911
• Immediate assistance (off base): 112
• For emergency leave requests, notify your commander or first sergeant.