Space-A Policy Change Benefits Military Families

A recent change in policy will benefit military families wishing to utilize Space-A flights.

Military families now can access military-supplied air transport to travel to their official "homes of record" located outside the continental United States when their sponsors are deployed for 120 days or more, thanks to a recent policy change, a military official said today.

Before the change, which became effective Dec. 6, family members only could use military space-available, or "Space-A," flights to travel to their homes of record in the lower 48 states, said Air Force Lt. Col. Michael R. Holmes, with the office of the assistant deputy undersecretary of defense for transportation policy.

"We have a significant number of military personnel whose spouses and extended families may not reside in the continental U.S.," Holmes explained. For example, he said, the states of Hawaii and Alaska, and the territory of Guam, fall under the criteria of the new policy.

Military families can save considerable money by using low- or no-cost Space-A flights instead of using commercial airlines to get back to their homes of record, Holmes pointed out. However, family members under age 18 must be accompanied by an eligible parent or legal guardian, according to Defense Department documents explaining the new policy.

Family members using Space-A transport under the new policy also require a verification letter signed by the military sponsor's commander verifying the servicemember's deployment, according to Defense Department documents.

The new travel policy was enacted to mitigate some of the stresses of deployment encountered by servicemembers and their families, Holmes said.

The Space-A travel program is a privilege, not an entitlement, and it is extended to military family members in recognition of their support to the mission being performed by their sponsors and to enhance quality of life for servicemembers and their families, according to Air Force Air Mobility Command documents.

The Air Mobility Command website can be found here and Space-A FAQs can be accessed here.

Comments

[GBear]

Wow! This is great information! Thanks for passing it on...don't happen to know if it's legit for the kids and I to go tour Europe if the opportunity presents itself while Papa Bear is gone, do you?!?!?!?! I'd love to get them out and about for a long trip away from home to see things they'd never see otherwise. Space-A is definitely the way to go, if you want to see Europe!

[audette]

I just saw this in one of the "news" posts above.

Sweet! I happen to be one of the foreign born spouses that it sounds like this could really help. Now to find out if it's even possible to get a space-A flight to somewhere near-ish my parents...

My previous trip home was on airmile points from my mom. This trip for the holidays was out of our savings, though, and it gets expensive, fast. With a 15 month deployment, being able to visit my parents and siblings another time or two would be a happy thing.

[Cathleen Roberts]

I need some help with getting in touch with the office that handles the Uniformed Srvcs Insurance premiums. Does anyone know the name of the office and the phone number to call. I need to contact them before the end of this month.

Thank you,
Cathleen

[jenny]

Seriously Gbear is that allowed? Or is your husband an officer maybe?

I remember back when my first husband was enlisting, I was told in a navy wives group that you could only use Space A to PCS over seas or in a very rare emergency, and could be bumped several hours or even a couple of days if an officer's wife wanted your seat. They said it wasn't for use by spouses or anyone not on official business unless you were an officer or officer's wife, so I have never looked into it, always flown commercial everywhere we go.

[Love My Tanker]

Jenny, please see the links in the posting for AMC. Rank of service memeber's spouse is not used as part of this program, I can assure you.

The program has greatly expanded over the years, especially for families with deployed service members. The website should help you with any questions you might have.

[Jenny]

I did go to the site and noticed that the FAQ page was blank. lol. I downloaded the file you have to to read the rules and I saw there was no mention of rank or anything so I still was unsure. Sometimes things are just a "given" and I thought maybe that it was in this case aswell, but thank you for the information. On that particular group I had been told that alot of things were only for officer's wives (tricare prime, tricare dental, pretty much anything good and the military balls) and all of it turned out to not be... lol... but since I have never met a non-officer spouse who has used the Space-A even TO PCS over seas, I thought maybe they were right on that one. Thanks

[Shawn]

I was wondering if anyone has used space A for travel to Europe and is so what bases are the best to use for out bound flights? Specifically, trying to take my Wife to visit her daughter stationed in Germany. I am on active duty in the US Navy. Any info on scheduled flights i.e...two flights a week or xx seats available, best time of year to find available seats etc. would definitely help in planning a trip. Thanks in advance

[Channon]

Aloha. My DH just left for Iraq. I want to go back to Virginia (home) for a visit. I am in Hawaii and I am clueless about who I'm supposed to talk to about Space A travel! I tried to find out who the FRG person was for 84th ENG BN here at Schofield,(Hawaii) only to be told by information that there was no listing for that!!! Can anyone please help me??? Mahalo & God Bless