AF policy covering travelers stranded by volcanic eruption

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Thomas Trower
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Recent volcanic activity in Iceland led to the grounding of civilian and military aircraft and the official designation of the airspace above Great Britain as a no-fly zone, which stranded many military travelers across the globe.

This inconvenience has raised many questions among servicemembers and civilian workers on what their official travel status was and whether they will be charged leave for their delay.

Air Force Personnel Center officials have disseminated several e-mails throughout the Air Force reminding workers of official travel policy.

Airmen traveling in an official Permanent Change of Station or Temporary Duty status:

Air Force Instruction 65-114, Travel-Policy and Procedures for Financial Services Offices and Finance Offices-Reserve Component, provides an avenue for commanders to authorize additional travel time. The gaining commander for a PCS or current commander for a TDY may sign an official memo to accompany the travel voucher.

"Additional travel time may be authorized/approved when actual travel time exceeds authorized travel time for reasons beyond the member's control," states the instruction. "The explanation of the circumstances, which necessitated the delay, together with the commanding officer's action, must be attached to the voucher."

Civilians traveling in an official capacity:

The 100th Force Support Squadron Civilian Personnel Office announced recently that employees on official travel will be considered to be on official duty and travel status in accordance with U.S. Air Forces in Europe Instruction 36-801, Overtime, Compensatory Time, and Compensatory Time for Travel Request and Approval.

Periods spent waiting during official duty hours while delayed are compensable as part of a regular workweek. Time outside of regular duty hours is not considered. Any additional costs created by the delay should be claimed on the travel voucher by extending per diem.

Anyone traveling on personal holiday travel:

Anyone on leave status during the travel delays must follow AFI 36-815, Absence and Leave, for days of work missed. This means using annual leave, home leave (if applicable and used only for days spent in the United States), compensation time or leave without pay.