Space-A travel available at Yokota

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina R. Menchaca
  • 374 Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  The Space Available (Space-A) program is a great benefit available to many individuals in the armed services, to include spouses of deployed military members.

The program is meant as a way to help lessen the burden and expenses of traveling.

"Space-A travel is offered to the dependents of deployed members because the military is aware that family events do not stop once the military member has gone," said Tech. Sgt. Willis Yates, 730 Air Mobility Command NCO in charge of passenger services.

Military members may not be able to plan months ahead of time and purchase tickets in advance due to mission and job priorities.

"Dependents taking advantage of Space-A may feel more comfortable traveling, being that it is controlled within the military environment," said Sergeant Yates. "Traveling with children can be difficult, and using the commercial airlift system can be daunting."

The Air Mobility Command's primary mission is to ensure that duty passengers on permanent-change of station (PCS) or temporary duty (TDY) orders get where they need to go on time and cost effectively. However, when extra seats are not being used by duty passengers, Space-A travelers help fill the aircraft.

"This service keeps AMC aircraft operating at capacity and efficiently," said Sergeant Yates. "It keeps our terminal staff prepared to deal with large passenger movements."

"Space-A is important because it gives eligible travelers an opportunity to fly for little or no cost, allowing them to travel home, see family or vacation with less cost to themselves," said 1st Lt. Anders Johnson, OIC passenger and fleet service.

Space-A is a two-part process; sign-up and selection. Military members must be on leave in order to sign-up for Space-A. Retirees can sign-up any time with their retiree identification. Spouses may sign-up once given documentation. All parties must have proper paperwork and passports (if needed) in order to be entered into the system.

Space-A travelers can sign up in person or via fax, email or regular mail. It is highly recommended to sign-up with follow on destinations for return trips. Once entered into the system, personnel wanting to travel must show up at Space-A roll call and be selected for a flight, if seats are available.

"Space-A travel can be a great experience for Military members and their families," said Lieutenant Johnson.

For flight or registration inquires contact the 730th Air Mobility Squadron Passenger Terminal at DSN: 312-225-7111. To call from a commercial number, dial 011-81-311-755-7111.