Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif -- Vacationing cross-country or internationally via commercial airplane, ship, train or car can be expensive - but thanks to the comforts of military jumbo cargo planes helmed by Air Force pilots, you can travel across the world without spending a dime. "It's absolutely free, and you can eat a lot for a few dollars - it's the Air Force," said 1st Lt. Russell W. Becker, 5th Marine Regiment's former morale officer. Through extensive research and personal experience, Becker learned to navigate the military Space Available Air Travel program designed to transport service members and their families free of charge.Becker has organized or flown on approximately 20 military flights - all successful, except one where the Marine didn't follow the rules.Because aircraft space is limited, Space-A travel is on a first-come, first-served basis. So planning your departure, return and contingencies is important.The Space-A handbook, available at the Marine Corps Association bookstore at Mainside Center, provides postal and electronic addresses of military air terminals, telephone and fax numbers."You have to fax your leave papers to the Air Force bases (where) you think you may land and keep the fax receipts," Becker said. "Fax receipts are like reservations - it just puts you ahead of the line," Becker added. For example, if your final destination is Ramstein Air Base in Germany, with a departure from California, leave papers should be faxed to Travis Air Force Base (45 minutes from Sacramento) and Ramstein as soon as your leave begins. Once you arrive at Travis for check-in, it's important that terminal personnel are aware of your final destination. Chances are, the plane will make one pit stop prior to landing in Germany. Find the location of that air base and fax them your leave papers to cover possible rerouting. For security reasons, passengers may only retrieve flight schedules in person at the terminal or via telephone.Becker suggested investing in a copy of "Military Space-A Air Opportunities Around the World" and the "Military Space-A Air Opportunities Air Route Map.""The worst you can do is not prior-plan. If you do your research, you'll get to where you want to go," Becker said. Traveling via military aircraft requires flexibility and patience because it's unpredictable."Sometimes flights are canceled, which compels you to wait or reroute. Things change day-to-day," Becker said. Family members may fly; but be careful. If a dependent is authorized on the first flight, he or she may not be cleared for the connecting flight and could get left behind."A soldier and his wife flew from Ramstein, Germany, to Dover, Del., then tried to get a separate flight from Dover to their final destination - Travis," Becker said, explaining the consequences of poor planning. "Travis airport told the soldier's wife she can't continue on the Dover-to-Travis flight with her husband. They were in tears the last time I saw them."Becker recommends traveling out of season or on non-holidays to avoid standby. "Flights are smooth overall and Space-A works - just plan your trip and be patient," says Becker, assuring he will use the program in the future.