1
Welcome Aboard!
Dear Sailor,
Welcome to AUTEC! I hope you find the following information to be beneficial to
you as you prepare to report to your next duty station.
I would like to take this time to encourage you to read the information contained
herein. It will make the transition for you and your family much smoother. The
Bahamas is a wonderful place; however, it does require making some
adjustments.
In addition to this booklet, your Welcome Aboard packet contains a wealth of
information regarding West Palm Beach and AUTEC. Please take the time to
review the information. While some of it may not make sense to you at first, in
time, it will become clearer and helpful
.
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please feel free to contact your
sponsor or myself. You can contact the Navy Admin office at 561-655-5155 x5122
and they can direct you as to the best way to answer your questions.
Regards,
CDR Robert Lopez
OIC
AUTEC
2
Table of Contents
Organization of AUTEC 3
History 3
Geography 4
Travel 5
Hotels in West Palm Beach 6
Parking in West Palm Beach 6
Site 1 Main Base Map 7
Security 8
Housing 8
Meals/Food 9
Communications 10
Medical Services 10
Finance 11
Religious Programs 11
Vehicular Traffic 11
Pets 12
Entertainment 12
MWR 13
Visitors 13
Miscellaneous Information 13
3
Organization of AUTEC
AUTEC, Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation
Center, is a United States Navy project offering
underwater testing, in-air test facilities and support
to United States, Canadian, British, North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO), and other military and
civilian organizations. AUTEC Andros Island,
Bahamas (ASD) and AUTEC West Palm Beach, Florida
(WPB) are United States Navy facilities. A small
detachment of US Navy personnel are stationed at
these facilities, with primary responsibility for
protection of military interests. The Maintenance & Operations contractor maintains and
operates AUTEC under contract with the US Navy. Approximately 45 civil service personnel,
Naval Underwater Warfare Center (NUWC), have responsibility for oversight of AUTEC
operations and the Maintenance & Operations contractor.
History
When Columbus landed in the Bahamas, the islands were populated by a people who
call themselves the “Lukku-cairi” or “Island people” and their name for Andros Island was
“Lucayoneque” or “island which is of islands”. This name appeared on many of the early maps
until the Spanish renamed the islands “bajar mar” (shallow sea), now pronounced Bahamas.
Later the name “Isla del Espiritu Sanctu” (Island of the Holy Spirit) replace Lucayoneque.
In 1670, the Bahamas were granted to six British Lord Proprietors; Andros Island was
officially named for Sir Edmund Andros. The spellings of the names Andros has varied over the
years as different nationalities, accents and literacy affected the way it was pronounced and
written. Variations such as Andrews Island, St. Andros and Andrus can be found in spongers
and pirates’ map rooms. Andros Island’s economic potential includes; farming, fishing, basket
weaving and tourism.
In the period following World War II, the US Navy encountered difficulties in testing and
evaluating new developments of weapon systems and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) detection
devices. These new assets focused attention on the need for a deep water three-dimensional
range that would simulate open ocean conditions. After surveying several sites, the “Tongue of
the Ocean” (TOTO) located east of Andros Island, Bahamas was chosen.
4
In 1963, in concurrence with the Bahamian Government, an agreement was signed
between the US and the UK whereby the US Navy would have the use of certain territories in
the Bahamas for 20 years and would install equipment for three offshore test facilities. In
October 1966, the AUTEC Andros range was in use. When the Bahamas achieved full
independence in 1973 from the UK, the US State Department entered into negotiations for a
new treaty. In 1984, the first five year agreement between the US and Bahamas became
effective, backdated to January 1983. A second agreement was negotiated in 1988; as a result
the US agreed to pay an annual rent to the Bahamian Government. The agreement also
allowed for UK and other military forces to conduct testing on AUTEC Andros ranges.
Geography
The primary site for AUTEC operations
is located on central Andros Island,
Bahamas (ASD). Andros is the largest
island of the Bahamian archipelago,
situated some 30 miles SW of Nassau
and about 150 miles SE of Miami,
Florida. Andros Island is approximately
104 miles long and 40 miles at its
widest point, and is actually divided
into three separate islands or bights.
Andros has a population of
approximately 7,300 people, with 2,000
of these settled in Fresh Creek Township, the community located just outside the main base,
Site 1. A primitive road system runs north and south; however, none run from east to west, as
the western side of Andros is unpopulated. The island elevation is just above sea level with no
elevation over 75 feet. Andros is sparsely vegetated with evergreen and assorted palm trees;
the majority of the land surface is covered with a mixture of coral and limestone, with isolated
areas of topsoil. Andros is considered a family island which is governed by a resident
administrator. The administrator functions in the capacity of magistrate and civil administrator.
The administrative offices for Andros are located in Fresh Creek.
5
Travel
Travel to and from the island is provided and is conducted on a space available basis.
The AUTEC aircraft has 15 seats and is scheduled to fly 12 flights per week. Flights are
suspended on 4
th
of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. There is a personal
luggage weight limit of 50lbs per seat which is strictly enforced. Flights are on a space-available
basis and are determined by a priority system A through E. You will need your AUTEC badge
and a passport to board the plane. Military members will need to also have a copy of their
orders. Children under the age of 2 are not assigned a seat and must ride in the lap of their
guardian (weight limit is not increased and is still 50 lbs.).
Military members taking leave or vacation will fly priority C. Military members with
scheduled appointment for routine medical care will fly priority B. Flight paperwork must be
signed by the IDC.
Immediate family members: spouses, children, parents, brothers, sisters and their
spouses and children can be sponsored at a cost of $200.28/per person round trip and will fly
priority D.
For departing flights from West Palm Beach, the AUTEC terminal is located on the south
side of the Palm Beach International Airport adjacent to the US Customs and Immigrations Port
of Entry building. Check in time begins 60 minutes prior and closes 45 minutes prior to
departure time. If you are not present you will be considered a “no show” and your seat will be
given to someone else. No parking is available at the AUTEC terminal. Parking is available at
the Clematis Street office or PBI Airport. Transportation is provided via the AUTEC bus and
picks up at the shelter C6 located in the PBIA Park and Ride parking lot. The bus picks up 70
minutes prior to departure time. When you arrive at Andros Island the AUTEC bus will
transport you to AIROPS on the main base.
For flights departing Andros, AIROPS is located in front of the helo port and across from
the BOQ. Check in time begins 60 minutes prior and closes 45 minutes prior to departure time.
If you are not present you will be considered a “no show” and your seat will be given to
someone else. The AUTEC bus will transport you to the Andros Town Airport. Upon arrival in
WPB the AUTEC bus will provide transportation to PBIA main terminal and Park n Ride (shelter
C6)
6
Hotels in West Palm Beach
AUTEC has set up a special rate with the following hotels around the airport in West
Palm Beach. When making reservations, tell them you would like the AUTEC rate.
Hilton Airport Inn (561) 684-9400
Best Western (561) 471-8700
Embassy Suites (561) 689-6400
Doubletree Hotel (561) 689-6888
Parking in West Palm Beach
If you plan to leave a vehicle in West Palm Beach, there is parking available at the West
Palm Beach Airport for $25 a month. You will need to register your vehicle with Security at the
AUTEC office on Clematis and fill out the PBIA Liability Waiver. If no parking spaces are available
at PBIA, you will be placed on a waiting list where you can opt to park at the Clematis Street
location, however, getting to and from Air Ops is your responsibility. The parking lot is behind a
locked gate, however AUTEC will not be liable in the event your vehicle is broken into or stolen.
If you would prefer, you can store your vehicle at a local storage facility for a fee.
7
Site 1 Main Base
1. Admin East 7. Medical
2. AIROPS 8. Fire Dept.
3. AUTEC School 9. Main Dining
4. BOQ 10. Post Office / Movie Theater
5. BEQ 11. Retail Store
6. P197 12. ARA
8
Security
Physical Security controls overall access to Andros and West Palm Beach AUTEC
facilities. All permanent government and M&O contractor personnel are issued a permanent
photo badge. Badges must be worn ABOVE THE WAIST at all times. Physical Security handles a
wide variety of customer support details such as incident complaints, lost or stolen property,
escorts, patrols and dispatching. Physical Security also manages the motor vehicle traffic
program for all permanently assigned AUTEC employees, visiting family and friends.
Housing
Housing is provided to all Navy personnel. All housing units include air conditioning, and
are furnished with sofas, chairs, beds, dressers, nightstands, desks, lamps, curtains, and
refrigerator. In addition, Multi-Bedroom Units are furnished with coffee tables, kitchen table
and chairs, stove, washer/dryer, and dishwasher.
Neither BAH nor OHA are authorized at this location, but there is no rent due.
Lawn care is provided by the contractor for those members living in concrete block
housing (CBH). For those in Multi-Bedroom Units (MBU) or single bedroom unit (SBU), lawn
equipment (lawn mower, weed-eater, shovels, shears) is provided and stored at the end of
designated streets. The key for the shed can be checked out at Post 2 and is expected to be
returned the same day.
9
Meals/Food
The main dining hall is a self-service cafeteria.
The cost for meals is as follows:
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
$3.45 $5.55 $4.85
The dining hall hours are:
Mon – Fri Sat, Sun & Holidays
0530 – 0730 0530 – 0730
1100 – 1300 1000 – 1230
1630 – 1830 1630 – 1830
The Lighthouse Café located next to the BOQ provides a lunch and dinner menu. The hours of
operation are:
Mon – Fri 1030 – 2100 Sat & Sun 1400 – 2100
At AUTEC there is no Navy exchange or commissary,
however there is a contractor run retail store that sells a
variety of tax-free goods. They are open:
Mon – Fri 1100 – 1830
Sat & Sun 0900 – 1500
Many members fly to West Palm Beach and shop
due to the limited availability of items at the Retail Store.
Members usually mail the items back to the island.
If you decide to bring cold items back on the plane,
remember that AIROPS does not allow ice in coolers on
the plane. You will be required to dump it out prior to
boarding.
10
Communications
Post Office: You will have a box at the post office which is run by Navy personnel. Mail is
received and sent daily, Monday thru Friday via the AUTEC flight. Mail boxes, first, third
priority, registered and certified postage are available. Members often shop in West Palm
Beach and will mail their purchases over in order to make weight on the flight. When mailing
items, note that they are going to AUTEC. You can ship just about anything (luggage, boxes,
Rubbermaid containers, bags of dog food) as long as it weighs less than 70 lbs.
Phone Service: Telephone calls around the base and to the local area are free. Navy personnel
will be issued a PIN which will allow them to make phone calls. If you should have any
problems with your telephone service, contact Communications at x4444. It is also suggested
that you purchase a calling card to avoid high international telephone rates.
Internet: Internet is available at your residence. Currently we have wireless, which is at no
cost. If you should have any problems with your service, contact Computers and Networks at
x4318.
Cable: Cable is available for $20/month and there are approximately 40 stations available. If
you have any problems with your cable service, contact Communications at x4444.
Medical Services
Medical and emergency services are limited on the island. At AUTEC there is a contractor run
dispensary manned by a medical doctor and 2 registered nurses. There is also an Independent Duty
Corpsman stationed at AUTEC. The IDC is currently seeing military members. All routine appointments
should be made in West Palm Beach. Members flying over for medical appointments will be entitled to
lodging, travel and per diem. Upon arrival you will need to enroll in TriCare Prime Overseas (Latin
American/Canada).
In the event of pregnancy, women will need to schedule their check-ups with a physician in
West
Palm Beach. Once a woman reaches 7 months, it will be necessary for her to move off
island. She and the new baby will be allowed to return after clearance from her doctor and the
baby has reached six weeks of age. It is suggested that women wait to return until after the
child’s eight-week checkup.
If you require prescription medications, sign up with Express Scripts to have the items
mailed.
11
Dental hygienist services are available by appointment. Basic dental services are also
available monthly by appointment. Currently there are no cosmetic services (braces) available
on the island. If you are not currently enrolled, it is suggested that member enroll in United
Concordia for dental insurance coverage (TriCare affiliate)
Fire and Emergency Medical services are available at any time by calling 911. In the
event of an emergency, patients will be stabilized by the on island medical staff and if necessary
flown by life flight to the states.
Finance
Currency on Andros is either Bahamian or US dollars at a ratio of 1:1. You may cash
personal checks, payroll checks, and pay rent at the Finance Office. Currently there are no
ATMs on the base, so be sure to bring your checkbook. The retail store will accept MC/VISA
credit card. Finance is open Monday through Friday 0900 – 1500.
Religious Program
The Base Chapel holds weekly Catholic and Protestant services which are conducted by
visiting clergy. Special services and religious programs are conducted during the week and on
religious holidays.
Vehicular Traffic
Newly assigned personnel will note that all driving in the Bahamas occurs on the left-
hand side of the road instead of the right. The maximum speed limit is 20 mph unless otherwise
posted on base. Speed limits off base are 45 mph for cars, 35 mph for trucks and 15 mph
unless otherwise posted in all settlements.
Gas is available on base for those choosing to bring their personally owned vehicles. Most
personnel choose to drive Low Speed Vehicles (LSV’s) or ride bikes on base as the base is only
one square mile.
12
Pets
The following animals are allowed to be maintained at AUTEC as pets: dogs, cats,
domesticated parakeets or canaries, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, fish and insects housed in
aquariums and/or terrariums. Dogs and cats require clearance for entry through the
Commonwealth of the Bahamas for a small fee, and again each time the pet re-enters the
country.
Pets must also be registered with Pass & ID. Members are allowed no more than one
pet per adult family member.
There is not a vet available on the island. Every three months or so, the contractor will
arrange for a vet to fly over. Otherwise, members can take their pets to Nassau to be seen by a
vet there.
Entertainment
AUTEC has four lounges; The Beach House, TFC, TOTO and China Post. All are open
various hours. The Beach House has pool tables and an outside deck. The TFC has pool tables,
shuffle board, darts and occasionally a DJ.
ARA also offers a pottery shop, wood working shop, gym, marine and movie rentals, and
shows movies at the Base Theater. The gym is open 24 hours.
13
MWR
Morale, Welfare and Recreation offers rental of items like; kayaks, various balls, softball
and tennis equipment, golf clubs, snorkeling gear, and more. MWR has also set up a single
sailor recreation room located just behind main dining.
Visitors
Visitors can be sponsored on the base by permanently stationed members or
contractors. All visitors will fly priority E for the cost of $200.28. There is a $29 departure tax
per person payable to AIROPS for all visiting guest, family or friend when departing. Keep in
mind that during testing, it becomes more difficult for family and guests to make their flights
and often times are bumped.
Housing is available for guests at a rate of $75 per night per room and can be arranged
through the housing office.
Miscellaneous Information
Colors: As part of military tradition, the posting and striking of colors occurs daily at the
Administration Building East (Admin East) at 0800 and sunset. All vehicles within sight of Admin
East are to come to a complete stop and remain stopped until colors has been completed.
Pedestrians will stop and face in the direction of the flags.
Base Siren: At noon each day the base siren will sound once announcing the noon hour. The
base siren may also be activated in conjunction with impending announcements on AUTEC
Channel 4.
Pay: Monthly pay is your normal base pay, BAH (only for stateside dependents), BAS and $50 a
month Hardship Duty Pay.
PCS Travel Arrangements: When finalizing your travel arrangement through your releasing PSD,
make sure that they fly you into Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) and not to Nassau or
North Andros. From PBI you will fly over to the island on the AUTEC flight, which lands at the
Andros Town Airport just outside the main base, where an AUTEC bus will transport you to the
base.
14
Duty Free Status: Military members and their non-working dependents fall under duty free
status and are not required to pay duty on items purchased outside the country.
Stocking Up: It is suggested that members stock up on any special items: (toiletries, over the
counter medications, supplements and even food) and have them sent with the household
goods pack out. The retail store is limited in what they carry and only carries one or two brands
of certain items.
There is no SOFA agreement between the Bahamas and the United States. All personnel should
follow the Bahamian laws as the United States has no jurisdiction over personnel off base.
Care Package: It is suggested that personnel mail a care package containing a small kitchen set
and toiletries as there is a delay between your arrival on island and the arrival of your
household goods shipment. The delay can be anywhere from 3 to 10 weeks depending on
weather conditions.
Uniforms: There is no uniform shop on island and no seamstress to sew patches.
