Danger pay set for some troops in Italy, Greece, Hungary

U.S. service members assigned in certain areas of Italy, Greece and Hungary will receive imminent danger pay and the tax break that accompanies it, Pentagon officials said June 2.

Army Gen. Wesley Clark, in his capacity as head of U.S. European Command, asked that service members directly supporting combat operations in the Yugoslavian combat zone receive imminent danger pay.

The request was approved May 31 and took force immediately. Affected service members will receive imminent danger pay for May, but not retroactively to March 24, the beginning of Operation Allied Force.

In Italy, the areas are Aviano, Cervia, Gioia del Colle and Trapani Air bases; San Vito Air Station; areas in Vicenza and Brindisi bounded within military installations; the Naval Support activities Naples and Gaeta; and Naval Air Station Sigonella.

In Greece, the areas are Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Crete; Thessaloniki [land area within a 25-kilometer radius of 40 degrees 27 minutes north latitude and 22 degrees 59 minutes east longitude]; and the waters of Themaikos Kolpos above 40 degrees 15 minutes north latitude.

In Hungary, the area is around Taszar within a 50-kilometer radius of 46 degrees 23 minutes north latitude and 17 degrees 55 minutes east longitude.

Imminent danger pay means an extra $150 per month. U.S. Treasury regulations provide that service members who receive it and directly support combat operations get the same tax benefits as those in the combat zone.

The rule means enlisted personnel owe no federal or state taxes on any of their pay for any month in which they receive imminent danger pay. Commissioned officers owe taxes only on the monthly amount that exceeds $4,653-the highest enlisted salary plus imminent danger pay.

President Clinton signed an executive order April 13 that detailed the Operation Allied Force combat zone as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Kosovo), Albania, the Adriatic Sea, the Ionian Sea above the 39th parallel, and the air space above them all. Imminent danger pay and tax benefits in this case were retroactive to March 24.