Naval Support Activity Souda Bay

To extend Joint and Fleet war fighting capability through Operational Support to U.S., Allied and Coalition Forces deployed within the United States European Command/United States Central Command/United States Africa Command  area of responsibility by providing, operating and sustaining superior facilities and services dedicated to combat readiness and the security of ships, aircraft, detachments and personnel.

Medical and Dental Services

Branch Medical Clinic (BMC) Souda Bay, is a branch clinic of U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Sigonella, Italy and is staffed to meet the needs of active duty personnel.  Medical services are limited to outpatient care such as sick-call, physical examinations, aviation medicine and primary care.  Emergency services are primarily provided via off-base medical centers.  There are two physicians and limited other staff on installation.  There is no X-ray or diagnostic laboratory capability.  Because of these limitations, all emergency, specialized, or inpatient care is provided by Greek civilian medical facilities.  Prescription drugs can sometimes be difficult to obtain.  Due to size limitations of our pharmacy, those taking prescription medications should obtain the maximum quantity allowed from their Primary Care Manager (PCM) prior to transfer overseas.

Household Goods and Unaccompanied Baggage

The Greek Government is very strict on the importation and exportation of controlled items.  Controlled items include, but are not limited to, all electrical items, cameras, watches, bicycles, furniture items, firearms, metal detectors, televisions, VCRs, stereo equipment, appliances, and scuba equipment. It is important these items be identified by type of item, model number, and serial number on your Household Goods (HHG)/Unaccompanied Baggage (UB) inventory sheets when you pack out your possessions for shipment to Greece.  Service members are not authorized to bring any firearms into Greece.

Base Access Required

NSA Souda Bay is located on the Hellenic (Greek) Air Force Base.  As a result, if you are arriving via commercial flight or ferry you must obtain base access permission prior to reporting to NSA Souda Bay.  If you arrive via AMC flight, base access in advance of your arrival is NOT necessary, but you will need to obtain access before leaving the base in order to come back on.  If arriving by commercial air or ferry, it is absolutely essential that you inform your sponsor of your anticipated arrival date so that base access through the Greek gate can be arranged for you in advance.  You will have extreme difficulty accessing the base from outside the gate without base access.  This is true even if you have a military ID card and orders in your possession.

Arrival by AMC Flight

Travel by AMC flight is easiest, but may not always be available.  The (Category B) flight typically departs from Norfolk, VA (or Baltimore, MD) every other week throughout the year.  The flight typically makes a stop in Rota (Spain) then Naples (Italy) before arrival in Souda Bay, Crete, Greece.  After arrival, you (and your sponsor) will proceed to the NSA billeting office for your temporary lodging assignment.  The billeting office is located back from the main road across the street from the NEX - about a 7 minute walk from the air terminal.

Arrival by Commercial Flight

If you travel by commercial carrier you should plan to bring Euro along with you on the trip.  You should arrive at the Chania International Airport and will be met by your sponsor outside the baggage claim area.  You must inform your sponsor of your arrival time and flight information in advance.  If no one from the command is present, you should call your sponsor, the command Admin department during working hours (28210-21667) or the Command Duty Officer (CDO) (694-043-1155) for assistance upon arrival.  There are normally taxis outside the commercial airport.  You will not gain entrance to the base unless you have obtained base access permission in advance.  If you have problems at the gate you should contact the Admin Department or the CDO.

Athens Airport Customs/Immigration

For customs/ immigration your PCS orders (including NATO travel orders) and military identification card will be required if you transit through the civilian air terminal in Athens.  Civilians must have their passports stamped both on arrival and departure from Greece.

Travel to Greece

Passports are not required for active duty Navy personnel reporting on orders, but highly recommended if you anticipate taking leave in theater during your tour.  If you do not have a passport, you should have your PCS orders (including NATO travel orders) and military identification card ready as you transit through any airport outside the United States and must present these documents at customs. Passports/visas are required for family members.  This is a family member restricted tour but family members may visit during your assignment.  Civilian attire is mandatory for travel to and from Greece on Air Mobility Command (AMC) flights and commercial flights.  Currently there are bi-weekly flights from Naval Air Station (NAS) Norfolk, Virginia to NSA Souda Bay and return.  Family members may visit Greece only for 90 days per Greek law.  After 90 days, he/she must exit the country for at least 90 days before returning. If family is planning a visit, please see Admin to get a Page 13 which explains specific restrictions before booking travel.

Allowances

Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA) is a one time allowance used to ease the financial burden of moving into economy quarters.  It helps to defray the costs of additional cabinets, light fixtures, and various other items for your home.  Allowance is not offered to personnel who choose to live in government quarters.

Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) is a variable allowance that fluctuates with the price of the Euro.  OHA changes very often due to the fluctuating exchange rate.

Overseas Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is a supplement designed to equalize purchasing power between members overseas and their CONUS-based counterparts.  COLA rates change very often due to the fluctuating exchange rate.

Housing

The Housing Welcome Center offers Housing Referral services to include showings, lease negotiation, mediation, temporary loaner furnishings, and liaison services with local utility companies.  The liaison service includes translation assistance regarding all areas pertaining to housing.  Whether you use the housing office showing services or those of a private realtor, you are mandated to use the housing office for the signing of your lease in order to receive all your entitlements.

You must report to the housing office within 48 hours of your arrival.  You are authorized 30 days of Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) per local instruction, commencing on your arrival date.  You are mandated to go on showing runs weekly in order to receive your TLA.  The housing department has a large supply of houses and apartments for lease in the local area and you should be able to find a home, sign a lease and move-in with the 30 day period.

All individuals living on the economy will be supplied with appliances (oven/stove, refrigerator, freezer, electrical transformer, washer, dryer, microwave) to be utilized for the entire length of your tour.  Single service members who have not shipped personal items will be loaned furniture (beds, nightstands, dressers, sofa, armchairs, end tables, lamps, coffee table, dining table and dining chairs) for the length of their tour.  Others may borrow these furniture items for up to 90 days until household goods arrive. In addition, Fleet and Family Support Center has many of the kitchen essentials which individuals can borrow until receipt of household goods.

Bachelor Quarters

Bachelor Quarters are mandatory for E-4 and below.  Permanent party rooms come equipped with microwave and refrigerator in addition to normal furnishings.  Storage space in rooms is limited, so you should only bring items you really need.  A full sea bag is required.  There is no private or public storage available.

Pets

There is no quarantine for bringing pets into Greece.  EU Pet Passports are recommended as the means to verify required microchip, inoculations, other shots, and good health.  Pets are not allowed in bachelor housing .  There are English-speaking veterinarians in the local community.

Children and Youth

Orders to NSA Souda Bay are primarily unaccompanied.  Civilians may bring families, but the base has no dedicated Child and Youth program nor is there easily accessible child care or a dedicated school in the community.  There are two international schools which MAY provide classes for children in kindergarten through 8th grades, but only if a sufficient number of children apply.  One of these may provide high school level education if there are enough students to warrant this but they may be grouped together.  Older children may be able to attend boarding schools in Europe.  Parents coming to NSA Souda Bay should plan on providing all care and education for their children themselves.

Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions

The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD).  Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location.  In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation.  Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers.  When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 314 area code.  When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included.  The operator can be reached at commercial (719) 567-1110. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred.