Patriot Express changes route

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jamal Sutter
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Beginning April 1, the Patriot Express will change aircraft and route, dropping Yokota and Iwakuni, Japan, and picking up Osan, South Korea.

The U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command will change the Patriot Express aircraft to a 240-seat Boeing 767 and give it a new route of Seattle to Misawa to Osan. The aircraft will remain overnight at Osan, then back-track to Misawa before making its way to Seattle. Of the 240 seats available, Misawa will keep its allotted 45.

The change is primarily due to Osan recently opening a new terminal, said Master Sgt. Jason Berg, superintendent, 730th Air Mobility Squadron operating location Bravo.

"They are currently sending passengers to Incheon, South Korea, to fly out commercially," he said. "Now that Osan's terminal is open and they can handle a lot more passengers, we can throw the Patriot Express their way."

Arrival times to and from Misawa will not change, said Sergeant Berg. However the change in aircraft will reduce the amount of time to fly back to Seattle. With the Boeing 757, the current Patriot Express has to make a two-to-three hour stop at Anchorage, Alaska, for refuel. The Boeing 767 will be able to fly straight to Seattle in approximately eight hours without stopping.

Issues regarding the availability of Government of Japan Immigration agents at Misawa and how non-Status of Forces Agreement passengers arriving from Seattle will clear through customs are still being worked out, said Sergeant Berg.

The AMC Passenger Terminal holds monthly Space-A briefings the last Friday of the month at 4 p.m. in the Passenger Terminal, Bldg. 943. These briefings cover the requirements for using the Space-A system to travel on AMC aircraft. Mass briefings at workplaces or meetings can also be scheduled by calling the Passenger Terminal. Any questions on using Space-A can be answered by visiting the passenger terminal, or calling 226-2370 or 2371. For 24-hour recorded flight information, call 226-2852.

Travelers are still encouraged to check with different airlines for luggage requirements.
For more Space-A information, visit www.amc.af.mil/amctravel/index.asp.