RELEASE NUMBER: 040317-3
March 17, 2004
By Navy Reserve Lt. Keith V. Taylor for USTRANSCOM Public
Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., (USTCNS) --- Immediate family
members of military personnel have the opportunity to travel
within the continental U.S. on military aircraft on a space
available basis under an extended pilot project. The one-year
test policy began on April 1, 2003 and was set to expire on
March 31, 2004. Now, officials have decided to extend the
program pending the issuance of final rules to make the family
friendly benefit permanent.
The Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Transportation
Policy) approved the policy extension which originated here
at the U.S. Transportation Command. USTRANSCOM,
established in 1987, is one of nine unified commands and serves
as the Department of Defense's global transportation and distribution
process owner in times of peace and war.
Transportation Specialist Kevin Boyce, who helps run the
extended program from USTRANSCOM, said, "We are excited
about this program because it benefits military families and
helps our troops reduce their out-of-pocket travel costs.
To date, nearly 20,000 people have used the new benefit and
we expect that number to increase in the future as the news
spreads." Boyce also noted that the flight missions and
operations have not been adversely impacted.
Passengers eligible for this program must be family members
of active duty service members, military retirees currently
drawing a pension, or Medal of Honor recipients. The rules
require that family members travel with their military sponsor
and carry the same travel priority as the sponsor. Travel
is available on DOD owned or controlled fixed wing aircraft
only. Program benefits do not extend to Guard/Reserve retirees
not drawing retirement pay.
Here is how the program works:
· Active duty personnel must be in a leave or pass
status for the entire period of travel,
· The original registration of the travel time and
date must be documented and held by the travelers until the
travel is complete, leave terminates, or for a maximum of
60 days, whichever is sooner, and
· Retired members, drawing retired pay, may sign up
for travel up to 60 days in advance of the expected travel
date.
"Service members may find this benefit handy as they
reunite with family members during the holiday season, vacations,
family reunions, graduation ceremonies, and other times. This
is one of several positive steps DOD is taking to let our
troops know that we care about them and appreciate all of
the sacrifices they make on behalf of the nation," said
Boyce.
Boyce encourages eligible members to contact military terminals
to take advantage of this benefit. People can access a list
of terminals and their phone numbers at the Air
Mobility Command.
