AETC announces Mexico travel restrictions

  • Published
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Air Education and Training Command Commander Gen. Stephen Lorenz announced recently prohibited travel for military personnel in the command to certain areas of Mexico because of narco-terrorism and drug-related criminal activity.

The restrictions include all permanent party, Airmen in Training, recruiters and other military personnel assigned to geographically separated locations and units. The policy does not apply to foreign students.

According to the commander's policy, all military members assigned to AETC are prohibited from traveling to or through any portion of Mexico located within 50 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. Towns included in the prohibited area are: Tijuana, Nogales, Cuidad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Acuna, Piedras Negras, Reynosa, Matamoras, Las Palomas, Agua Prieta, Sasabe, Naco and Sonoyta. AETC military members are also prohibited from traveling to any parts of the Mexican state of Chihuahua.

"Attacks thus far have been aimed primarily at members of rival drug trafficking organizations, Mexican police forces and criminal justice officials," the policy letter stated. "Although there is no specific threat directed against Americans or U.S. service members, foreign visitors and residents, including Americans, have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings along the border."

Since 2008 more than 7,200 deaths have been attributed to the rash of violence in Mexican border town. More than 1,000 deaths have been confirmed in 2009 alone.

Brig. Gen. O.G. Mannon, 82nd Training Wing commander, is authorized to grant exceptions to this policy for 82nd TRW personnel, however, it will be done so on a case-by-cases basis. Col. David Petersen, commander of the 80th Flying Training Wing, is authorized to grant exceptions for 80th FTW personnel.

If an exception is granted, personnel must:
· Develop a personal force protection plan for the duration of their travel.
· Have completed Level I antiterrorism awareness training within the past three months.
· Receive a threat briefing from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations or the installation antiterrorism officer.
· Personnel with top secret clearances must still report proposed travel to Mexico to their local special security representative or special security officer and the installation antiterrorism officer.

Family members, Defense Department civilians and contractors are highly urged to avoid travel to the above mention locations.

For information specifically about Mexico, click here.