$MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- A McDonnell Douglas DC-10, dubbed the "patriot express" arrives April 25. This was the last of three chartered flights acquired to bring back dependents from Misawa who participated in the Department of State-approved voluntary departure program for families affected by the March 11 earthquake. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Brown\Released)$

Special flights help reunite Misawa families

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- A McDonnell Douglas DC-10, dubbed the "patriot express" arrives April 25. This was the last of three chartered flights acquired to bring back dependents from Misawa who participated in the Department of State-approved voluntary departure program for families affected by the March 11 earthquake. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Brown\Released)

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$MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Col. Al Wimmer, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander, welcomes back military families April 25. Military family members, Defense Department civilians and contractors assigned to mainland Japan were eligible to depart for a period not to exceed 30 days under the Department of Defense voluntary authorized departure order. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Brown\Released)$

Special flights help reunite Misawa families

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Col. Al Wimmer, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander, welcomes back military families April 25. Military family members, Defense Department civilians and contractors assigned to mainland Japan were eligible to depart for a period not to exceed 30 days under the Department of Defense voluntary authorized departure order. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Brown\Released)

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$MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Military family members and Department of Defense civilians returning on the voluntary authorized departure order wait in line to process through customs April 25. Approximately 500 individuals took advantage of the three chartered missions, commissioned specifically to reunite family members with their loved ones. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Brown\Released)$

Special flights help reunite Misawa families

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Military family members and Department of Defense civilians returning on the voluntary authorized departure order wait in line to process through customs April 25. Approximately 500 individuals took advantage of the three chartered missions, commissioned specifically to reunite family members with their loved ones. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Brown\Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
$MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Misawa residents wait outside the passenger terminal for their loved ones arrival April 25. More than 1,300 dependents from Misawa participated in the Department of State-approved voluntary departure program for families affected by the March 11 earthquake. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Brown\Released)$

Special flights help reunite Misawa families

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Misawa residents wait outside the passenger terminal for their loved ones arrival April 25. More than 1,300 dependents from Misawa participated in the Department of State-approved voluntary departure program for families affected by the March 11 earthquake. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Brown\Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Special flights help reunite Misawa families

Published April 26, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Marie Brown
35 FW/PA

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- A McDonnell Douglas DC-10, dubbed the "patriot express," carrying military families, Department of Defense civilians and contractors arrived here April 25. Approximately 500 individuals took advantage of the three chartered missions, commissioned specifically to reunite family members with their loved ones at Misawa Air Base.

The special chartered flights have ended. Those wishing to return after April 25 can still book their return flights on the Patriot Express or through commercial air by calling a military travel office. Family members that did not return to Misawa on one of the three chartered flights still have up to a year to use their return travel. However, travelers are reminded that per diem will no longer be paid to some families who remain stateside.

"Financial entitlements ended for most families that left Misawa under the voluntary departure program April 25," said Capt. Darrick Lee, 35th Fighter Wing, Public Affairs officer. "Families with kids enrolled in school will receive entitlements until school ends."

More information on the voluntary departure and the return process can be found at http://newpreview.afnews.af.mil/misawa/voluntarydepature.asp.