Relocation Assistance

Your Military and Family Support Center provides relocation assistance to help make PCS moves as smooth as possible. Resources include:

• PCS planning: Most relocation assistance programs offer consultations to help you with the moving process. If this your first military move, your first time moving overseas or you have challenging or complex circumstances contact your installation Relocation Assistance Program as soon as possible for support.
• Plan My Move: An online Defense Department relocation tool that provides you with customizable checklists and links to helpful resources for the tasks ahead.
• Military OneSource: A website and call center that offer 24/7 support for moving information and resources. Learn more about PCS basics. For comprehensive moving resources and information, including Defense Personal Property log in details, visit Moving Your Personal Property.
• Workshops and briefings: Workshops vary by location. You may find classes on housing options, moving with children, moving with pets and more.
• Predeparture briefings: These sessions provide essential information about your move and may be required for some populations.
• Special needs: If you have a child or family member enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, contact your installation EFMP-Family Support office to assist you.
• Settling-in services: Look for welcome programs or local area tours that may be offered. Overseas services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness activities.
• Foreign-born spouse support: Assistance includes information and referral to resources such as immigration and naturalization.
• Emergency assistance: Sometime emergencies occur while moving. The Military and Family Support Center has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance, as well as information and referrals.
• Authorized housing flexibility options: Eligible service members with PCS orders may be entitled to flexibilities such as extended stays in government housing and early housing eligibility. Contact your military personnel office for more information.
• Spouse licensure reimbursement: Your service branch may reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensure and certification costs resulting from relocations or PCS moves. See this Military OneSource article Transferring Your Professional License for more information and specific service branch policies.

Newcomer's Registration:

• Registration for Newcomer's Orientation is a partnership between the CSS and relocation team (see AFI 36-3009 4.10.3.4)
• Registration process: CSS, sponsor, or incoming member completes the online registration form (can use web link or Q.R. code)
• Forms are due NLT Thursday at noon, the week before the Newcomer's Orientation
• Reporting instructions will be sent on Friday morning (or Thursday afternoon if Friday is a family day/holiday)
• Please respect the registration deadline and notify us if someone is added after the deadline so that we can track

Newcomer's Orientation:

• Frequency: every Tuesday and Wednesday (Except the last two weeks of December)
• First Term Airmen, additional tasks on Thursday
• Location: Eagles Landing Ballroom building 958 (subject to change)
• Time: sign-in opens at 7:45 a.m.
• Tuesday 8 a.m. UTC
• Wednesday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday 8 a.m.  to 3 p.m. (First Term Airmen only)
• Documents Required: Complete Orders, EFMP clearance, Items for Travel Voucher (Flight Itinerary, receipts, and other reimbursable items) and Driver's License

Newcomer's Orientation Expectations:

• Newcomer's Orientation is mandatory for all active-duty members and takes priority over house hunting and any other personal appointments
• Members who PCS from other U.K. Installations are still expected to be in attendance 
• Spouses and families are welcome to attend both days, but particularly the safety briefing and test on Wednesday morning from 0800 to 1130 and a separate spouse briefing on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.

Sponsorship:

• CSS staff will assign sponsors for members and their authorized dependents to assist in and facilitate a smooth PCS transition (AFI 36-3009 4.10.4) 
• At a minimum, sponsors will need to complete eSAT
• Find the best demographic match
• Ensure sponsors reach out before arrival using various methods of contact such as email or social media
• Provide helpful and easily reached contact information for the unit, including a backup if the primary POC is not available

Sponsors should:

• Assess all needs such as housing, vehicles (resource for buying or renting), schools/daycare for children, and employment information
• Open a P.O. Box to allow inbound member access to ship good pre-arrival
• Coordinate lodging or kennels for pets
• Offer information about financial assistance for pet shipping via AFAS- Interest-free loan/grant, International SPCA- Patriot Pet program, and Dogs on Deployment- grant. All require an application before travel
• If they have a spouse, provide Key Spouse information or liaison a connection 
• If in the dorms, connect with Dorm Management ASAP to ensure room reservation
• Additional tasks after newcomers arrive could include ensuring they have transportation to the installation or lodging facility if staying off-base, if the sponsor uses the personal vehicle, ensuring its size accommodates the family size and pets, considering immediate needs, and providing a base/squadron tour

USAF Connect App:

• Download "USAF Connect App"
• Open "Favorites"
• Click "+" on right side
• Search and select "48th Fighter Wing" 
• Click on "Done"
• Return to the home screen and find "Favorites" in bottom tab
• Open the "Favorites" tab and click "48 F.W."
• Your app now defaults to opening the 48th Fighter Wing App
• Open "48 Fighter Wing" on the phone
• Click the "Newcomers" tab
• Open "Newcomer Orientation Read Ahead"
• Open "Newcomers Orientation Reporting Instructions"

Useful resources:

• Personalized checklist 
• U.K.'s Highway Code

Items to carry with you when PCSing:

• Copies of your orders
• Identification cards and passports
• Driver's license 
• Social Security cards
• Government travel cards
• Birth/adoption certificate
• Medical/dental/immunization records
• School records
• Powers of attorney

For further Relocation assistance, please get in touch with the RAF Lakenheath Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) utilizing the below:

• United States to the United Kingdom: 011-44-1638-523847
• Within the United Kingdom: 01638 52 3847
• DSN: 226-3847