Extra efforts to speed troops home for holidays

By Lt. Col. C. L. Morelle-OliveiraDecember 1, 2010

Flying Home
In this file photo, a Personnel Services Battalion Soldier collects identification cards from Soldiers headed out on leave. The 1st Theater Sustainment Command announced that military personnel on R&R for the holidays from Afghanistan and Iraq will h... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (Army News Service, Dec. 1, 2010) -- Extra measures are being taken by the 1st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC) and others this month to ensure troops get home for the holidays without delays and they will have the highest priority for flight seating.

During December, two aircraft are slated to leave Kuwait every day to bring troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan for Rest and Recuperation (R&R) leave.

"One flies to Atlanta and one to Dallas to speed you home," said Lt. Col. John Aarsen, chief, Reception, Staging, Onward Integration Division, 3rd Personnel Center. "

Aarsen also said the center process 100 percent of homeward-bound passengers with 24 hours of arrival in Kuwait.

Anytime during their transit, travelers can speak with a staff member at the Theater Gateway or view the R&R timetable file by logging on to <a href="https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/645671">R&R Travel Policies and Procedures via Army Knowledge Online</a>. The site requires a Department of Defense Common Access Card.

The Air Force Central Command Passenger Reservation system is also available online at <a href="https://aprs.afcent.af.mil/aprs/main.aspx">Airlift Passenger Reservation System</a> for up-to-date flight information.

"There's an urban myth out there, that troops have to leave days in advance so they won't 'miss' their R&R connections at the Gateway," said, Col. Gordon Roberts, 1st TSC chief of staff, forward. "It's just that, a myth. Soldiers and leaders need to synchronize the desired dates with the flights available."

Related Links:

Army.mil: Middle East News

Airlift Passenger Reservation System

R&R Travel Policies and Procedures