Patriot Express adds stop to Misawa

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stefanie Torres
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Service members here now will have another option to get back to the states than shelling out money for a commercial flight. 

Beginning Oct. 5, the Patriot Express will make its way back to Misawa Air Base.
U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command have contracted North American Airlines to fly from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Misawa, Yokota and Iwakuni, Japan. The aircraft will remain overnight at Iwakuni, then back-track to Yokota, and Misawa, before traveling to Seattle. The newly added stop at Misawa eliminates the gateway through Tokyo which includes a 12-hour bus trip, and more than $100 for a train ticket or domestic flight. 

"I think it's great," said Tech. Sgt. Lydia Moralez, 35th Medical Group NCO in charge of pharmacy services. "Traveling from Misawa to Tokyo can be quite an expensive ordeal, and I think this will allow for more travel opportunities as well as relieve some of the stress from people who have a permanent change of station." 

The intended purpose of the Boeing 757, with its 190-seat aircraft, is for official travel, explained Mr. Christopher Barnett, Misawa AMC Station Manager. 

"The Patriot Express is used for people who are PCSing, going on temporary duty or deploying," he said. "Basically, anyone on official orders has priority."
However, with 45 seats available for Misawa personnel, flying space-available is also an option. 

"We have the allocated seats at Misawa; however, whatever seats Yokota and Iwakuni don't use, we get to offer to Space-A travelers," said Mr. Barnett, "So, we might actually get more seats for Space-A than we originally planned." 

Family members will also be able to ride Space-A; however, there will be no Government of Japan Immigration agents available at Misawa on Mondays. This means non-Status of Forces Agreement members arriving from Seattle will have to travel down to Yokota to clear customs and immigrations. 

"If Misawa is the final destination for these people, the hope is that they will be able to clear customs and immigrations at Yokota on Monday and then catch the Patriot Express to Misawa on Tuesday," said Mr. Barnett. "Due to the harsh winter conditions and the early morning scheduled time of the flight on Mondays, GOJ Customs and Immigration agents won't be able to get down to Misawa. Only SOFA members can clear because they don't require any immigrations clearing." 

There are a total of 11 designated pet spaces. Eight spaces will accommodate pets in an environmentally controlled compartment of the aircraft, while three pets may be housed in the main cabin area for people who are PCSing. Traveling with pets will be on a first come first served basis because not a lot of spots are allotted for pets, but the member can reserve a spot months ahead of their departure through their applicable personnel support detachment or travel management office. Families PCSing are authorized two pets - single members are authorized one pet, and pet and kennel can only weigh a maximum of 150 pounds, explained Barnett. 

"Travelers PCSing can contact TMO months before receiving their orders because they know when they are supposed to leave," said Mr. Barnett. "This will allow pre-coordination to allocate the spot for their pets and after they receive official orders, they can bring the orders to their applicable office to confirm it. TMO will have communication with the other bases to reserve spots." 

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. 

For more information about the Patriot Express, visit FAQs.