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What to know about Space-A Travel

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mercedes Porter
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs


DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Space-Available Travel program is one of the many Air Force programs available to military personnel, families, retirees and veterans with 100% disability.

The program allows members to sign up for free transportation out of Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, that is not taken by the mission essential Airmen and cargo, on a base’s aircraft. The 7th Logistics Readiness Squadron is in charge of the program at Dyess AFB and processes passengers, while the 317th Airlift Wing notifies them of the space available on their C-130J Super Hercules.

“It’s important that we have this program to utilize the space in the aircraft,” said Staff Sgt. Gideon Simmons, 7th LRS noncommissioned officer in charge of programs. “The goal is to maximize the usage of the aircraft, whether it is cargo or passengers. This program helps to achieve this.”

There are six different categories that service members, active duty and retired, and their families fall into when they would like to fly Space-A.

Category one is for emergency leave unfunded travel; category two is accompanied environmental and morale leave; category three is ordinary leave, relatives, house hunting permissive temporary duty, medal of honor holders, and foreign military; category four unaccompanied environmental and morale leave; category five permissive temporary duty, students, dependents, post deployment/mobilization respite absence; and category six is retired, dependents, reserve, Reserve Officer Training Corps, and Civil Engineer Corps members.

Although the flights are available, they are not guaranteed due to changes in flight status, the space becoming unavailable or the possibility of hazardous cargo.

“Cargo will always take priority over passengers due to its mission,” said Tech. Sgt. Jacob Watson, 7th LRS noncommissioned officer in charge of operations. “If the air craft is configured for full utilization for cargo then there will not be any room for passengers.”

Passengers will need two forms of identification when checking into the terminal, which can be their Common Access Card and a driver’s license. For younger children without a CAC, the terminal asks that the parents bring a printed out Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System form with the child’s DOD ID number printed on it.

Travelers are allowed to bring one carry on with one personal item, while taking a maximum of two 70 pound bags that are 62 linear inches. The guidelines that are followed for items in baggage and personal items fall under the Transportation Security Administration guidelines for commercial aircraft.

Additional information on Space-A Travel at all locations can be found on Air Mobility Command's website on the right side of the page.