FFSC Keeps Families Connected During Operation Pacific Passage

By Melinda Larson, Navy Region Southwest Public Affairs

TRAVIS AFB, Calif. (NNS) -- The Naval Air Station Lemoore Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) began assisting military families March 22, with the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS) at the Forward Joint Reception Coordination Center (FJRCC) aboard Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

The voluntary return of family members from Japan, known as Operation Pacific Passage, has emphasized the need for NFAAS as family members return to the United States.

"Everyone in here traveling with kids deserves an award for enduring the long flight followed by a few hours here before they can move on," said Diane Biros, NAS Lemoore FFSC. "But we really need to make sure their information is current."

NFAAS standardizes a method for the Navy to account, manage, and monitor the recovery process for personnel and their families affected or scattered by a wide-spread catastrophic event. NFAAS provides valuable information to all levels of the Navy chain of command, allowing commanders to make strategic decisions which facilitate a return to stability.

"It's important we document everyone's final destination so we don't lose people," said Jane Yuen, NAS Lemoore FFSC clinical counselor. "Even though they're exhausted, we stress the importance of knowing where they are, and they seem very positive."

NFAAS allows Navy personnel to report accounting status, update contact/location information, and view reference information.

For more information on the voluntary authorized departure for eligible DoD family members from designated areas in Japan, read NAVADMIN 093/11 at www.npc.navy.mil <http://www.npc.navy.mil/> .

All Sailors or family members who are in need of assistance should utilize the NFAAS support site at www.navyfamily.navy.mil <http://www.navyfamily.navy.mil/>  to ensure the Navy can track and assess support requirements for all parties affected. Navy Fleet and Family Support Center has a 24-hour hotline available to provide family support information at 866-854-0638.