FEATURES

Space-A: No cost for Airmen, dependents, retirees

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle
  • 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  There are many different options for planning a vacation. Whether it be taking a cruise on the open blue waters, driving cross country with best friends or jetting off to a place that existed only in a dream.

If you are looking to fly away while on leave, then space-available flights could provide a money-saving option.

"Space-A travel allows for active-duty, Guard, Reserve service members and veterans to take advantage of  free flights we have going to whichever base we have at the time," said Simon Mwanzia, 99th Logistics Readiness Squadron air terminal operator. "Dependents may travel Space-A, but they must be accompanied by their sponsor unless, their sponsor is deployed for more than 120 consecutive days. They can then receive an Unaccompanied Command Sponsored Dependent Travel Letter from their squadron commander."

Retirees need to ensure they have their Department of Defense ID card and proper documentation if they're going to travel overseas.

"Active duty members need to have their ID, but are required to have orders or leave paper work before they can travel or even sign-up," said Tech. Sgt. Walter Hetherington, air terminal NCO in charge. "Reservists may also travel Space-A, but they must have a signed DD form 1853 stating that they are active."

Though Space-A allows members to travel, at no cost, the locations of bases may vary due to the particular aircrafts mission.

"The aircraft available for passenger travel are C-130, C-17, C-5, KC-135, KC-10, C-9, C-40, and most commercial aircraft," said Hetherington.

Although Nellis Air Force Base has an air terminal, the closest Air Mobility Command port is located at Travis Air Force Base, California. AMC primary mission is the movement of cargo and space required for duty passengers on DoD owned or controlled aircraft.

Additional considerations which can affect the number of seats available to passengers are safety, aircraft configuration, maintenance and aircrew size. Once mission requirements are met, available seats will be offered to Space-A passengers awaiting transportation.

While traveling Space-A, Airman 1st Class Lazuandrea Smith, 99th LRS air terminal operator, reminds individuals to always have a back-up plan.

"People should keep in mind that this isn't an airport and nothing is guaranteed," said Smith. "We may have a flight scheduled one day, but it can change. It's important to have multiple options while travelling so individuals don't become stuck while trying to return from a vacation."

Per DoD 4515.13-R, "C6.1.9. Conditions of Travel. There is no guaranteed space for any traveler. The Department of Defense is not obligated to continue an individual's travel or return him or her to point of origin, or any other point. Travelers shall have sufficient personal funds to pay for commercial transportation to return to their residence or duty station if space-available transportation is not available."

To sign up for Space-A travel, email space-a.signup@us.af.mil or visit the Nellis AFB Air Terminal, next to base operations, to sign up in person. For flight information call the 72-hour recording at (702) 652- 6099 or customer service at (702) 652- 2562.