Census: U.S. Air Force military, civilian input mandatory, valuable in British statistics survey

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Census Day, held every 10 years by the British Office of National Statistics, is March 27 and questionnaires will be sent out to every household this month.

Maj. Gen. Mark Zamzow, 3rd Air Force vice commander, has issued a message to all U.S. Air Force personnel to complete the Census, either by completing the questionnaire or filing it online, no later than March 30.

The purpose of the Census is to provide a snapshot of the population at one time, with the statistics describing the population at national, regional and local levels.

Questions should take no more than 10 minutes per person and include topics such as work, health, citizenship, language and marital status.

If anyone in the household is away on Census Day, it must be completed on their return.

American personnel and civilians should ensure they don't throw away the survey when they receive it, thinking it doesn't apply to them.

It's imperative that the survey is completed and returned in a timely manner, as the information collected is used to help government and local authorities plan the services and resources people need, including transportion, housing, healthcare and education. The results help determine the amount of money local and regional councils spend on those services.

For those wanting to complete the survey online, there will be a special code printed on the hard-copy questionnaire which must be entered on the website, which allows access to the online survey.

"Our leadership wants to ensure that we all complete the Census because of its importance to our host country," said Capt. Joshua Edgington, 351st Air Refueling Squadron and RAF Mildenhall census representative.

"Both military members and civilian employees will receive Census forms through the post, which can be returned either by pre-paid envelopes, or online. Dorm residents must pick up their forms at the base post office pick-up window, and return them when complete," he said. "Our participation ensures proper funding for our local communities, and it's a great opportunity to give back to our host country which has shown us so much hospitality during the past 60 years."

For more information, visit www.2011.census.gov.uk.