If you are on a military network, you can find the "Iwakuni Space A Travel Signup Request Form" and flight information on our Intranet. Please click the "Air Transportation" button (blue aircraft) on the left on the intranet.
If you are not on a military network and need flight information or have further questions, please call the air terminal at DSN: 253-5509 / Commercial number from Japan: 0827-79-5509 / Commercial number from U.S.: 011-81-827-79-5509. If you already have a signup form, you can fax it to DSN: 253-4294 / Commercial number from Japan: 0827-79-4294 / Commercial number from U.S.: 011-81-827-79-4294.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PATRIOT EXPRESS
Procedures:
Once a Service Member receives orders to Iwakuni Japan, they must contact there S-1 or IPAC to fill out forms (Area Clearances, Port Call requests, pet and dependent information, etc) and get briefed on the entitlements for traveling to Iwakuni. Then S-1 or IPAC will submit a port call for the service member to the TMO office, with a 10 day flight window, to be booked on the Patriot Express. It is very important that the service member contacts their S-1 or IPAC as soon as possible if they have pets that need to travel here to Iwakuni Japan. There are only 10 pet spaces per flight and only 1 Patriot Express flight per week out of Seattle. Service members going to Iwakuni, Okinawa, and Yokota are authorized to utilize those pet spaces per flight.
Required Paperwork:
Members must provide proper documentation to fly on the Patriot Express. Proper documentation includes a complete set of orders with all endorsements to those orders, any endorsements from the TMO office, a valid ID, and if accompanied with dependents, a valid passport for your dependents.
Pets:
Members with a pet (cat or a dog) can request pet space for their pet to travel from Seattle to Iwakuni. Each member can request up to 2 pet spaces. Required paperwork for pets includes a health certificate (no more than 10 days old) and vaccination records (can be more than 30 days, but less than a year). All pets must be in a HARD cage with enough room for the pet to stand up and turn around. The Pet Fees and weight (which include the kennel) are:
Under 70 LBS: $103.00
70-139 LBS: $206.00
140-150 (max): $309.00
There are no entitlements for pets per the Joint Federal Travel Regulations. If seat are available, and no pet spaces, members are still required to fly Patriot Express.
Luggage:
Each individual traveling on the Patriot Express is authorized 2 pieces of luggage not exceeding 70LBS and a carry on. Luggage that exceeds 70LBS will incur an excess baggage fee of $103.00. Maximum weight for excess baggage is 100LBS, any luggage weighing more than 100LBS will not be checked in.
Security:
While going through security, each individual will need to remove their shoes, belts, jackets, etc. before entering the security detector. Liquids in a 3-1-1 will be authorized in a carry on baggage.
MOST COMMON PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH SPACE A TRAVEL
- Showing up late for Space A call. Space A call varies depending on the flights. Be on time for your flight.
- Not being ready to travel.
- Missing credentials such as passports and identification cards. For dependent children, under 10, only their passport is required. Dependent travelers 10 years and above are required to have both their passport and ID card. Military members only need a valid ID card. Passports may only be required if you are traveling outside of the country. If you are going from Iwakuni to Okinawa then you are not required to have a passport.
- Not having baggage available for check-in, including carry-ones.
- Not having the $27.40 per person to pay for the head tax and immigration fee, in case of using commercial flights.
- Expired passports or ID cards.
- Unfunded Environmental and Morale Leave (UEML) order not signed by sponsor.
- Try to sign up before effective date of the leave authorization or the effective sign up date on the UEML orders.
- Excess hand-carried baggage. Each person is allowed one carry-on. This is more of a recommendation for smaller flights such as C12 and C35 because of weight issues.
- Hand-carried baggage exceeding the size limitation. The size limit for hand-carried baggage is 22”Lx13”W.
- Checked baggage cannot exceed 70 pounds for each bag. Each passenger is allowed a maximum of two bags.