Space A allows dependent travel

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. James C. Burnham
  • 728th Air Mobility Squadron
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Since November 2005, personnel stationed in Turkey have been under a tight restriction limiting Space-Available travel to permanent party and their command sponsored dependents.

However, the current policy has been changed to be made more lenient for everyone stationed at Incirlik, Izmir Air Station, Ankara Detachment 1, and other places around Turkey.

U.S. European Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe policy has been altered to allow permanent party and their family members (regardless of command sponsorship) to fly Space-A now. What this means for everyone stationed in Turkey is that now their eligible family members can come visit them at a much lower cost by using Space-A.

All family members taking advantage of this new policy must keep in mind a few simple rules which can be found in DoD 4515.13R, Passenger Travel Eligibility:

1) They must be eligible to fly Space-A in one of the six categories.
2) They must have in their possession an approval letter authorizing entry into Turkey. This can be obtained by the sponsor from their orderly room.
3) If traveling to/from Turkey on Emergency Morale Leave status, travel will be unrestricted and no approval letter is required.

At the time of Space-A signup at any AMC terminal, all travelers need to have all of their paperwork together (ID card, passport, etc). It is also encouraged for travelers to carry cash in case they must purchase a visa. Turkish visas cost $20 and are required for anyone traveling on a traveler’s passport.

“I think this is a great initiative for family members to come and see Turkey.” said Master Sgt. Eric Wilson, 728th AMS noncommissioned officer in charge of the passenger service. “With this change it allows ease of travel and less cost for our men and women stationed here.”

For safety and base infrastructure reasons, all other unofficial travel to/from Turkey remains restricted.

For more information on Space-A travel, call the AMC terminal at 676-6424 or 676-6425.