1. NONCOMBATANT EVACUATION OPERATIONS (NEO)
Welcome to today’s brief on Noncombatant Evacuation Operations. Today I will be providing you an overview of Noncombatant Evacuation Operations in the Republic of Korea and I will standing by to answer any questions or concerns you may have on NEO. This is an unclassified brief and the information provided is information that we feel is useful to you when addressing other military personnel and their families.

2. Agenda NEO Overview Accountability & Tracking Evacuation Concept
Role of NEO Wardens
Noncombatant Evacuee Responsibilities & Key Information
Repatriation Services
NEO Exercises

3. NEO Overview What is NEO?
NEO stands for Noncombatant Evacuation Operation and it is one type of evacuation measure, amongst several protection and evacuation measures designed to protect U.S. citizens from harm abroad.
Who is responsible for these measures?
Department of State (DOS) – Designated lead federal agency responsible for the protection and evacuation of all U.S. citizens and nationals, and designated other persons abroad.
Department of Defense (DOD) – Provides military assistance to DOS in planning and conducting protection and evacuation measures.

4. NEO Overview
What are the measures used to protect and evacuate U.S. citizens abroad?
Travel Advisories:
Travel Alerts - DOS disseminates information to US citizens about short-term conditions in a country or area that pose significant risks
Travel Warnings - DOS recommends US citizens avoid or consider the risk of travel to a specific country or area due to long-term, protracted conditions that pose significant risks
Those within the DOD community may also receive information through additional methods such as FP advisories.

5. NEO Overview Drawdown:
Authorized Departure – Measure authorizing the funded voluntary departure of non-essential USG personnel to an announced safe haven or CONUS
Ordered Departure - Measure ordering the mandatory departure of non-essential USG personnel to an announced safe haven or CONUS
NEO:
Operation designed to evacuate USG personnel, willing private U.S. citizens, and any designated other persons (e.g. Third Country Nationals (TCNs)) to an appropriate safe haven or back to CONUS
Prior to a fully declared Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO), the Department of the State typically conducts drawdown measures if the time and environment permit. Evacuation of Third Country and Host Country Nationals will only take place if the Department of the State agrees to evacuate these personnel as a result of state to state negotiations. USG personnel authorized at government expense These government authorized expenses do not apply to local U.S. citizens who do not have service agreements for return transportation to the United States at government expense. Both Authorized and Ordered Departures are typically approved for 30-day increments up to a maximum of 180 days.

6. NONCOMBATANT POPULATION CONDITIONS TRENDING TO A CRISIS
NEO Overview
Optimal scenario for responding to a potential crisis that may require the drawdown or evacuation of personnel
NONCOMBATANT POPULATION
The optimal scenario is in a permissive environment in which appropriate drawdown measures by the Department of the State and Department of Defense may be applied before an escalation to a full fledged Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO). In this scenario an adequate amount of time allows the Department of State and Department of Defense to adequately resource and time phase the NEO process and reduce the potential population prior to the declaration of NEO.
CONDITIONS TRENDING TO A CRISIS
Travel Advisory
Authorized Departure
Ordered Departure
NEO
Relocation of DOD Noncombatants

7. NEO Overview Worst-case scenario for evacuating noncombatants
NONCOMBATANT POPULATION
CONDITIONS TRENDING RAPIDLY TO A CRISIS
Travel Advisory
Authorized Departure
Relocation of DOD Noncombatants
Ordered Departure
NEO

8. NEO Overview US citizens who may be ordered to evacuate
US Government civilian employees and dependents
US Armed Forces family members
Designated US Armed Forces military personnel
US/non-US citizens who may be authorized assistance
Private US citizens and their dependents
Legal permanent residents of the US
Designated foreign national employees of the US Government and their dependents
Designated foreign nationals
U.S. Embassy (AMEMB) Seoul designates those authorized evacuation assistance
If you are not affiliated with the US Department of Defense, please contact the US Embassy in Seoul regarding information and eligibility.

9. NEO Accountability & Tracking
DOS compiles an annual Noncombatant Population Estimate Report for Korea called the F-77 Report
Derived from multiple sources, which include US government agencies and the Host Nation agency responsible for tracking foreigners living or visiting that country
USFK uses the Noncombatant Estimate Validation System (NEVS)
A database that tracks the DOD-sponsored noncombatant population by area
Utilizes Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) to populate the database

10. NEO Accountability & Tracking
DOD uses the NEO Tracking System (NTS) to register and track noncombatants evacuees (NCEs)
Provides real time accountability of evacuees by enabling operators to create and maintain a database of information for each NCE
NCEs receive a bracelet with a barcode that is scanned during departure and arrival at each location

11. Evacuation Concept 1. Alert Warden system and broadcast media
Information and instructions
Evacuation Concept
1. Alert
2. Assembly
“Assembly Points (APs)”
2. Assembly
Assemble at designated locations (Assembly Points)
Screen, search, and secure
Register and inform
Prepare to move
3. Relocation
NEO will be executed in six steps.
Alert. On declaration of NEO, designated noncombatants are notified and informed of assembly and processing locations through the Warden system and all available media (radio, TV, internet). The US Embassy will alert private American Citizens as well as coordinate with the Embassies/Missions of any other nations involved on their citizens/nationals.
Assemble. Designated noncombatants are assembled at Assembly Points for processing and movement.
Relocate. Designated noncombatant are transported to areas of relative safety while awaiting transportation off the peninsula.
Evacuate. USFK, ICW PACOM, evacuates all willing, designated noncombatant evacuees off the peninsula to a safe haven
Repatriate. Once designated noncombatant evacuees have arrived in CONUS, they will receive assistance and transported to their final destination
Arrival at final destination. The place where noncombatant evacuees will reside until they are able to return to their original stations or remain until their next PCS
4. Evacuation
3. Relocation
Transport to temporary on-pen safe-haven (Relocation Centers) or to Air or Sea Port of Embarkation (APOE / SPOE)
Sustain and protect until evacuated off-pen
5. Repatriation
4. Evacuation
Evacuation to announced safe haven or CONUS
6. Evacuation Complete
5. Repatriation
Arrival in CONUS
6. Evacuation Complete
Arrival at Final Destination

12. The Role of a NEO Warden
Serves as commander’s representative (liaison) between the unit and the assigned noncombatants
NEO becomes their PRIMARY duty when called upon
Alert, inform, instruct, assist, and train assigned noncombatants

13. NEO Warden Responsibilities
PRE-NEO:
Contact NCEs within 30 days of assignment or arrival
Commander’s letter
Warden’s letter
Physically recon routes to NCE residences (both on and off post)
Inspect / assist in assembling NCE NEO packets and kits quarterly
Verify phone / address info at least quarterly
Establish / maintain accountability of all eligible NCs and pets within AOR
Report all NCEs and pets monthly (highlight additions and deletions)
Maintain a roster/battle book of all assigned NCs and pets
Attend periodic training / conferences

14. NEO Warden Responsibilities
UPON NEO ORDER:
Primary NEO wardens alert an adult NC in each family
Leaving a message DOES NOT constitute alerting
Keep trying until an adult NC is reached
BPT assist NCEs in getting to NEO site
Report status of notification to Unit NEO Rep hourly
Alternate wardens establish / operate NEO sites
Primaries fall in on NEO site after NCEs begin moving
All collapse southward as sites close

15. Your Responsibilities as a Noncombatant Evacuee
A crisis may happen with little to no warning so be prepared:
Understand requirements and process
NEO Packets/Binders/Books
NEO Bags
Develop a plan for the family
Participate in NEO exercises
Follow instructions
Be proactive and cooperative
Your safe and expedient evacuation is our primary objective so be prepared to move constantly in an austere environment
Public announcements via TV (AFN), radio (FM 102.7), and social media (USAG Yongsan Facebook)

16. NEO Packets/Binders/Books
Critical documents required to verify your eligibility for evacuation assistance and resume life in safe haven
Mandatory Items
ID cards
Passports
Family Care Plan (for single and dual military parents)
Prepared NEO Forms (e.g. DD Form 2585, Repatriation Processing Center Processing Sheet)
Highly Recommended Items
Birth, marriage and adoption certificates
Social security cards
Power of attorneys (required if minors travel without a parent/legal guardian)
Will
Insurance policies
Financial documents (check book, credit cards, tax records)
Medical records
Household Goods Inventory Sheet & Vehicle Shipping Documents
DD Form 2585, REPATRIATION PROCESSING CENTER PROCESSING SHEET

17. NEO Bags 3 days food (to include infant formula) and water
30 days medication
Protective masks
Blanket
Change of clothes (layers)
Toiletries
Infant and feminine articles
First aid kit
Battery operated radio
Flashlight and batteries
Cash (~$100+)
Children’s essential comfort items
Each evacuee is allowed one airline small carry-on & one suitcase check-in bag with a combined total weight of 70 lbs.

18. Family Force Protection Initiative (FFPI)
Protective masks for non-combatants
Adults/children over 10 = M52 pro-mask
Some adults, small children,
infants = ICAPS
Sponsor responsibility
Sign for masks at CIF
Provide training for dependants
Available for:
CSP/Non-CSP military dependents
U.S. DoD civilians/dependents
Not available for:
Contractors / Technical reps
(Corporation holding contract must provide)
ICAPS
M52 JSCESM
ICAPS Mask comes in a sealed box. The box can be opened and the contents can be used for training. The only portion that must remain sealed is the canister. Do not remove or tamper with the canister.

19. Pets
Only applies to DOD Evacuees; all others are not authorized to bring pets
Only Dogs and Cats are considered “pets”
Will be registered/tracked in NTS
If < 25lbs, pets may evacuate with owners if space is available; pets do not have priority over people
If families want to travel with pets, this may mean waiting longer for transportation (once space is available)
Large pets (> 25lbs) may be shipped later
Owners are responsible for care and feeding, unless temporarily separated for travel
Owners must bring FAA approved carrier and 10 days of food for each pet
Pets must have VET screening and registration; will be registered into NTS and receive bracelet like family members
Pets cannot be abandoned

20. Repatriation Services
Upon Repatriation, NCEs are entered into service component specific Personnel Accountability and Assessment System (PAAS)
Tracking switches from NTS (e.g. Army – ADPAAS)
Service components track to final destination and provide communication and assistance
At the CONUS Repatriation Center, NCE receive:
Temporary lodging
Medical care
Family and child care
Legal support
Financial support (safe haven entitlements)
Administrative support (orders, ID cards, etc.)
Counseling
Veterinary services
Arrangement for onward movement to Final
Destination

21. USFK NEO Exercises Courageous Channel (September-October)
Training exercise for units and noncombatants where units conduct a review of all requirements, tasks, and command and control procedures to execute a NEO, followed by a Tactical Level Field Training Exercise (FTX) where on-post Evacuation Control Centers are activated for units and noncombatants to rehearse the Assembly & Registration of Noncombatant Evacuees
Focused Passage (April-May)
Administrative and training exercise where units update their noncombatant population estimates, review their SOPs, and train their NEO wardens and NTS operators. Also, DOD noncombatants have their packets reviewed during this exercise
This slide depicts the NEO Training Strategy:
During a fiscal year USFK trains NEO 4 times.
Focused Passage, typically occurring in April-May, is an administrative and individual/unit level training exercise, with focus on inspecting critical NEO documents and equipment, training the NEO Wardens and NTS Operators, updating plans and SOPs, etc.
During Key Resolve in March, we execute NEO as part of a computer based exercise that trains the staff at every level.
Courageous Channel in September-October has historically exercised the NEO system from having select NCEs report to an AP for processing through the NEO system all the way to Japan.
These exercises are designed not only to train military forces on their NEO tasks, but to inform and increase the preparedness of DOD-affiliated noncombatants to rapidly respond to an ordered evacuation.
Participation in the COURAGEOUS CHANNEL exercise is required by all family members of military and DOD civilians, as well as those DOD civilians who are not in positions designated as “emergency essential.”
Ulchi Freedom Guardian in August is the second computer driven exercise that focuses on leadership from tactical commands to United States Forces Korea.

22. NEO References
Where can we go to get additional information on USFK NEO?
USFK publications online:
USFK PAM , Noncombatant Evacuation Operations Instructions, 2015 (draft pending publication)
USFK PAM , NEO Handbook for Cdrs, Unit Wardens, and NEO Operations Representatives, (pending revision)

23. Questions? Our training and preparation will prevent this…...
UNCLASSIFIED
Questions?
Our training and preparation will prevent this…...
Saigon, Vietnam, April 29, 1975
One of the last few flights leaving the US Embassy
Departing plane already at max capacity
UNCLASSIFIED