Systems in place for personnel accountability

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Do you know where your co-workers are? Do they have special needs in the event of a natural disaster? 

The Air Force has two systems set up to answer these questions should a disaster strike or a national emergency arise. 

First, there is the Personnel Evacuation Tracking System (PETS), a base-specific system and the primary method of AF accountability. The system keeps contact information on all base personnel, such as home address, emergency phone numbers and evacuation plans. The site is a secure site that cannot be accessed without a Common Access Card. The information must be updated and verified before leaving the area due to an evacuation order. 

Second, there is the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System (AFPAAS). The system, still a work in progress, provides accountability of Air Force personnel as a whole. A relatively new system, it was designed to synchronize Air Force reporting with the Department of Defense's accountability system, AFPAAS meets combatant commander and DOD requirements for personnel tracking by ensuring accountability of all Air Force personnel including active-duty Airmen and family members, Guard members, reservists, civilians and contractors overseas. 

"AFPAAS provides valuable information to all levels of the Air Force chain of command, allowing commanders to make strategic decisions, which facilitate a return to stability after a crisis," said Maj. Gen. K.C. McClain, the AFPC commander. 

Once the site is fully operational, it will keep a record of accountability for all AF personnel and also account for those with special needs during the event of emergency.