DOD officials said late Wednesday that military families forced by Hurricane Katrina devastation to evacuate base housing in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi can choose to relocate anywhere in the continental United States. The families can get a maximum of two months advance pay, and safe-haven allowances for 180 days after reaching their destination. Call Defense Finance and Accounting Service hotline at (800) 756-4571, ask for option 6.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.