Just in case you find it useful...
12 January 2006: We got orders!
15 January 2006: Ordered certified copies of our birth certificates online.
17 January 2006: Found out that I need to complete the Terrorism Awareness Course, and we got official check-out and check-in dates.
20 January 2006: Chloe (our cat) received her HomeAgain microchip ID and first of two rabies vaccinations.
23 January 2006: Received birth certificates in the mail.
16 February 2006: Began medical screening process.
21 February 2006: Chloe received her second rabies vaccination.
22 February 2006: Andy's medical screening process complete. I dropped off my paperwork to my doctor today, and I will complete my dental paperwork tomorrow. Andy also received a call today from our contact in Iwakuni, and it sounds as if we will be assigned to a Midrise Apartment, which is what I expected.
23 February 2006: I completed my dental (had to have new x-rays and a quick check-up) today, and picked up the paperwork from my doctor, then turned everything in at the Overseas Screening Office in the Naval Hospital. All is clear, except I need an updated TB Skin Test.
24 February 2006: I picked up my copies of all of our paperwork from the Screening Office today. We are both now officially cleared with regards to medical, dental, and suitability, pending my TB Skin Test.
21 March 2006: Chloe had blood drawn at the base vet today for her FAVN test (to check her rabies titer). The charge was $7 for the vet fees and $51 for overnight shipping on ice to the DOD Animal Testing facility in Texas.
22 March 2006: First day of Chloe's 180-day quarantine.
10 April 2006: Received Chloe's FAVN test results and she is well above the required 0.5 IU/ml (hers was 4.56 IU/ml!).
11 April 2006: Passport photo taken and submitted with birth certificate and paperwork; expected receipt of passport in 3 weeks.
12 April 2006: Area Clearance received. Advance housing application obtained from MCAS Iwakuni Site, completed, and submitted with copies of web orders and area clearance. Received housing confirmation e-mail by the end of the day (due to the time difference). Submitted request for PO Box using the e-mail request link provided on the Iwakuni Site, submitted with copies of web orders and area clearance.
13 April 2006: Received response from post office; we now have a mailing address (PO Box) at Iwakuni.
18 April 2006: Attended TMO Class (Area Clearance was required prior to attending the TMO Class, so this was the first one we could attend). Submitted weight estimations for household goods (HHG) and express shipment (you just estimate 1000 pounds per room, plus extra for any large/heavy items such as big entertainment systems). Submitted request for TMO pack dates.
20 April 2006: Signed TMO papers.
27 April 2006: Port Call/Travel Arrangements complete, including flying over with the cat! That was a major headache trying to get flight arrangements for her, especially for June with the summer embargo rules. For those of you trying to do it, United Airlines allows you to check pets as baggage as long as the temperature is less than 85 degrees F through the entire flight (go by the forecast for the cities you'll fly over), and if it's 85 or more, you'll have to have them ride in-cabin (with some strict cage size restrictions, basically small cats and birds). However, United will fly pets as cargo by themselves, unaccompanied, should you need to have them sent over after you've already moved there; the only restriction there is that the flight can't be more than 12 hours.
3 May 2006: Temporary Lodging reserved via phone (they weren't responding to the e-mail addresses I had for them, and Vonage only charges 6 cents/minute to call landline phones in Japan). I also called the base Vet, but the person who had access to the reservations appointment log wasn't in, so I emailed them. If I don't hear back by Monday, I'll call again.
9 May 2006: Kennel space reserved for Chloe at Iwakuni. I somehow missed the emails they sent me regarding her kennel space confirmation, they just didn't go through the system, so I called tonight and spoke with Sgt. Hines and he confirmed that it was no problem at all to board the cat for me. I'm so relieved!
10 May 2006: Passport for Lisa received.
23 June 2006: Chloe's health certificate obtained at Fort Knox VTF. All paperwork (e-tickets, pet check lists) printed out and organized. Vehicles cleaned out to leave behind.
25 June 2006: Packing/organizing luggage, then we're on our way to Japan!
