You will be flown at company expense to Thule, Greenland via Military Air Transport Service (MATS) aircraft fram McGuire Air Force Base near Wrightstown, New Jersey, The flight takes approximately six hours by jet and 14 hours if a prop plane is used. Your flight arrangements must be made through the Transportation Office at Project Headquarters.
The following information is furnished for your information and guidance in preparing for departure.
CITIZENSHIP
You will be required to carry on your person proof of your American citizenship, such as Birth or Naturalization Certificates, affidavits by a parent or near relative, or a signed affidavit by an attending physician at the time of birth. Passports and visas are not required for travel to Thule. You are also required to carry on your person your RCA Employee Identification Card.
Note: It is unlawful to reproduce copies of Naturalization Certificates, regardless of the method of reproduction.
CASH
It is recommended that you have in your possession $50.00 to $100.00 in cash at the time of your departure from the United States.
SHOTS
Whether you are going to Site for a permanent assignment, or for a shorter visit to conduct Company business, you will be required to receive a series of immunization shots given at the dispensary. These shots should be scheduled as soon as it is known that you will be going to Site. If you have not received the shots and are not scheduled for them, remind your supervisor to make the necessary arrangements. This immunization is mandatory.
You will receive an “International Certificate of Vaccination”, which will be referred to as U.S. Department of Health Services Form PHS731. All immunizations will be recorded on this form, and must be carried on your person at all times as proof of immunization. This is imperative when departing or reentering the United States.
BAGGAGE
You will be authorized to carry only 66 pounds of luggage on your flight to Thule. Distributed with your offer letter is a list of clothing and personal items you may want to take with you.
Those who will be working for the most part in an office can leave out many of the heavy clothing items, and substitute lighter garments. Those going for shorter visits should alter the list according to the length of the visit and the time of year. Remember that it is a suggested list and should be altered to your own discretion.
Although the Thule Base Exchange (BX) sells many of the items included on the list, you should try to carry as many as possible with you, with the BX being used as a replacement source only.
Flammable items, such as cigarette lighters and fluid, matches, etc., are not to be included in baggage. Photo flash bulbs must either be carried on your person or included as cabin luggage, but cannot be packed in baggage to be stored.
All baggage in excess of the 66 pound limit will be rejected at the McGuire MATS Terminal. To avoid embarrassment and inconvenience to others, please choose carefully items to insure a weight within the acceptable minimum. If you wish, you may have additional personal belongings sent to you through the following procedures:
Parcel Post....If the package being sent is 70 pounds or less in weight, and 100 inches in combined girth, it may be sent to you via regular parcel post. Simply have the package properly addressed, with proper amount of postage, and send it through the mail.
Parcel Post addressing should be as follows:
Your Name and Box Number RCA BMEWS Project c/o BMEWS Field Office APO New York 09023
RESTRICTED ITEMS
The following items cannot be transported to Site I:
CUSTOMS
Upon re-entering the United States, you will undergo a complete customs’ inspection. In view of this, be certain that all cameras and other expensive personal belongings are registered prior to departure at McGuire Air Force Base. If these articles are not registered, you may have to pay customs’ duty on them upon your return to the U.S. At each re-entry you are allowed to bring with you, duty-free, one gallon of alcoholic beverages and a reasonable amount of cigars and cigarettes. If you expect to bring back other merchandise purchased outside the U.S., it would be advisable to secure specific information beforehand concerning U.S. Customs requirements. This information is available in pamphlet form at U.S. Customs Offices.
EYEGLASSES AND DENTURES
There are no facilities for the replacement or repair of eyeglasses and dentures. It is highly recommended that you bring an extra pair of eyeglasses and dentures and that you leave a copy of your eyeglassea prescription with the Dispensary at Project Headquarters. In the event of a damaged or lost denture, impressions can be made at Thule and sent to the dentist you have designated in the U.S.
Obviously, it will be to your advantage to see that your glasses and dentures are inspected and put in perfect condition prior to your departure.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Travel to Thule is arranged through the Transportation Office at Project Headquarters. When you have satisfied the medical requirements for site duty and have received your dispensary clearance, you will receive confirmation of your transportation and departure date.
On the day you leave, you must pick up your travel orders at the Air Force ATCO (Air Traffic Coordinating Officer) Office at the MATS Terminal, McGuire Air Force Base. Travel orders are only good for one-way trip for Permanent Change of Station Transfers.
If for any reason it is necessary to cancel a scheduled trip, the Transportation Office at Prospect Headquarters must be notified as soon as possible. Failure to comply with this will result in the BMEWS Project being charged with the cost of transportation even though the trip was not made:
DO NOT PACK YOUR PRIVATE FILE OF TRAVEL ORDERS, CITIZENSHIP DOCUMENTS, PERSONNEL FOLDER, EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION CARD, OR YOUR INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF VACCINATION WITH YOUR BAGGAGE. YOU MUST CARRY THEM ON YOUR PERSON AT ALL TIMES AND HAVE THEM ACCESSIBLE FOR IMMEDIATE PRESENTATION AT ANY TIME.