Patriot Express now first option for military travel
Starting
Feb. 7 the first option for all PCS and TDY travel will be via Patriot
Express.
The U.S. Army is implementing a new phase in the Patriot Express Department of Defense-chartered air travel originating at Baltimore/Washington International Airport and transiting to Ramstein Air Base.
Starting Feb. 6 in Baltimore/Washington International Airport, all Department of the Army personnel and family members departing to U.S. Army in Europe on permanent change of station orders with assignments in Germany will use the twice-weekly flights from BWI as the first option of travel.
Returning personnel stationed in Germany and PCSing to the continental U.S. will also use the flights to BWI starting Feb. 7 as their primary air transportation method.
The Army also considers PE flights as a viable transportation method for travelers from Germany on temporary duty orders. Therefore, personnel going on temporary duty may be routed on the PE if it meets their mission requirements.
Commercial Travel Office agents have started booking personnel with availability/reporting dates of Feb. 7 in the Global Air Transportation Execution System (GATES) to fill the Patriot Express mission(s). CTO has agents in the KMC/Wiesbaden area who have access to GATES and IMCOM-E logistics personnel are working to get an agent in the Baumholder community GATES access. In the mean time personnel going PCS starting Feb.7, from Baumholder to CONUS will have to be booked by a GATES authorized agent.
The twice-weekly flights are expected to enhance the international travel experience for Army personnel and their families. PE flights are contracted with all the amenities of a traditional international commercial flight and will provide an arrival at an English-speaking airport where dollars are used, not euro, making the initial transition to a foreign duty station a bit easier.
Other benefits include a higher luggage weight allowance than commercial airlines, with passengers authorized to check two pieces of baggage, each weighing up to 70 pounds.
People traveling with pets should notice a significant savings; although cost for pet travel from the current duty station to BWI will vary based on airline and origin of travel, the cost for the international leg of the flight is expected to average approximately $110 per pet. And, a veterinarian on duty at the Reception Operations at Ramstein will clear pets to enter Germany.
The team at Ramstein will track the flights from BWI and will know of any travel delays. They will meet the passengers regardless of arrival time, help passengers clear customs, and arrange military transportation to their new duty station. The goal is for all new US Army in Europe employees to spend their first night in Germany in their new community.
In early 2012, the USAREUR and Installation Management Command-Europe newcomers’ pages will include a Patriot Express Frequently Asked Questions page to help travelers understand how to ensure a smooth ride on their Patriot Express flight.
The Patriot Express microsite contains more information about the program. The address is www.eur.army.mil/PatriotExpress