Whiteman winter weather plan: What you need to know

  • Published
  • By Public affairs staff report
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  As we have all seen and felt this week, winter is upon us. Therefore, it's important for us all to understand: how we report to the installation appropriately, how we can find out when we should report for work and know what the reporting process is regarding inclement weather.

Please take a moment to review the procedures and the base operating status terms below.

General Procedures:

U. S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbets IV, the 509th Bomb Wing commander, is the authority for determining the base operating status per Recall, Reporting, and Release Plan 10-207. Keep in mind that the base reporting status may or may not follow the local surrounding area status.

For example, the schools in the local area may be closed or delayed, but Whiteman may be operating normally. The same is true for early release. Schools may be letting out early; however, the installation may not be aligned with the early release of the local schools.

Team Whiteman members can expect to be notified of changes to the base operating status or if early release is authorized via one or more of the following avenues:

1. The AtHoc System. All Team Whiteman members who have properly registered and have an up-to-date AtHoc Account will receive a phone call, email and/or text based upon the settings you have established. Per the Installation Notification & Warning System plan, all active duty, reserve, MOANG, and government civilians are required to opt-in to AtHoc and have all their respective contact information filled out with the exception of their personal email address. If you haven't established an AtHoc system account, do so now. You can do this and check you current information in AtHoc by right clicking on the purple globe on the bottom right of your computer and selecting “Access Self Service.”

2. The Whiteman Air Force Base Facebook page. If you do not follow or have not “liked” the Whiteman Facebook page, now is a good time to do that as well so you can receive the latest news and information regarding Whiteman.

3. The base website, which is www.whiteman.af.mil.

4. The Straight Talk Line, which can be accessed by dialing 660-687-NEWS (6397). This line will be updated with the base operating status, as well as other pertinent information.

5. Local news and radio stations will also be notified of delays or closures, similar to school closings. Please keep in mind, however, that not every news channel you have access to may be broadcasting information regarding the installation’s operating status so it is best not to rely on a single media source.

6. A phone call from your chain of command.

The following terms define the possible reporting status options:

1. BASE OPEN: All Team Whiteman members report at their normal scheduled duty times -- this is our normal day-to-day reporting status.

2. DELAYED REPORTING: During this status we delay reporting until no earlier than the time specified in the message you receive. For example, “Due to ongoing snow removal, all personnel except security forces, firefighters, and snow removal personnel delay reporting until 9:30 a.m.” This means that all personnel except security forces, firefighters and snow removal personnel report to work on or after 9:30 a.m. If your particular shift report time is after the report time in the message, you report at your normally scheduled time, such as swing and mid-shifts.

3. RESTRICTED REPORTING: Only “mission-essential” personnel specified in the message report to work. All others stay home. Personnel are designated “mission essential” by their group or squadron commander based on the specific situation. For example, if it is a simple snow event, then mission essential personnel will likely only include security forces, command post and snow removal personnel. If we are in combat operations, it will likely include operations and maintenance personnel as well.

4. EARLY RELEASE: This occurs when the installation commander directs an early release from duty, which may result from a weather event or any emerging situation. The message you receive will specify the affected demographic. For example, during a snow event early release times may be staggered based upon the distance a member resides from the installation.

5. BASE CLOSED: The installation is closed due to inclement weather, for example, and personnel are not required to report unless specifically notified to do so. Also, installation gates may be closed and based on the situation at hand internal movement on base may be limited.

Ultimately, we all need to exercise sound judgment when it comes to winter weather. If you are experiencing trouble or have questions about your duty status, please contact your supervisor and utilize your chain of command. If you have specific questions regarding the reporting procedures above, please contact Wing Plans at 660-687-2312. Please contact Public Affairs at 660-687-5727 with questions or concerns regarding notifications via Facebook, the base website or the Straight Talk Line.