Dependents now eligible for Space-A travel Published Feb. 19, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. Alvin Hernandez 99th Logistics Readiness Squadron NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Effective immediately, spouses and dependent children of deployed military members are eligible for unaccompanied Space-A travel. Space-available travel is one of the benefits military members and their families are privileged to. It allows eligible passengers to fly anywhere in the continental United States and overseas for free on a space available basis. "It's good to have this change in the space-A program," said Airman 1st Class Paul Capili, 57th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, equipment maintenance crew member. "My wife can travel for free and spend time with our relatives in California when I get deployed. I think it's wonderful the military continues to take care of my family while I'm away," Airman Capili said. Any dependent whose sponsor will be deployed for 120 consecutive days or more, is authorized to travel space-A, unaccompanied and considered to be active duty on normal leave status. This authorization is only valid for the duration of the deployment period of the military member. "Now I have an option to travel with my kids for free while my husband is deployed," said Christie Besimer, wife of Senior Airman Damon Besimer, 820th RED HORSE Squadron. "I can go back home and visit my parents who help make this deployment experience a little smoother," she said. Eligible dependents must present to the air terminal personnel a verification letter signed by the member's commander verifying the Airman's deployment. The documentation must be in the dependents' possession during travel. Dependents can sign up for space-A travel no earlier than 10 days prior to their sponsor's deployment. In addition, dependents are eligible to commence travel effective on the first day of deployment. Space-A travel is authorized to and from stateside and overseas locations, between stateside locations and between overseas theaters. The process of flying space-A is very simple, travelers just need to plan the trip, be flexible, patient and have a little bit of money reserved for emergency situations. In planning a trip, passengers need to check out what flights are available at the air terminal, complete a passenger registration form, find out if there are available seats that have been released, and then show up for "roll call" three hours prior to that flight's departure. Flight information is available by calling the flight forecast recording system at 702-652-6099. Eligible passengers can sign-up via email, or by using the passenger self-service center located near the main entrance of the terminal, 24 hours a day. Dependents interested in using the email sign-up need to email their sponsor's name, rank, grade, last four of the social security number, category number, branch of service, total number of seats required and the destination, to space-a.signup@nellis.af.mil. Passengers should be advised that all military flights are subject to change without notice. For specific inquiries regarding Space-A travel, contact the 99th LRS air terminal at 702-652-2562.
