Eglin passenger terminal services military, civilian flyers

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gaddie
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  
The Eglin passenger terminal, operated by the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron's Air Operations section, provides air travel for eligible passengers on official travel and space available travel.

The terminal operates here and at Duke Field, depending on where aircraft arrive or depart from, according to Amy Taitague, Air Terminal Operations and Passenger Travel Section chief.

"We process all passengers and cargo departing from and arriving at Eglin and Duke," she said.  We're also responsible for the passenger travel section, which processes official travel."

The terminal operates within the same guidelines as civilian airports.  It has metal detectors and x-ray machines for screening passengers and luggage; and manifesting counters.  The terminal follows all guidelines set forth by the Transportation Security Administration.  

"The active duty passengers we process here are usually deploying," Taitague said.  "The 7th Special Forces Group is our biggest customer.  We ensure everyone has the appropriate documentation, such as travel orders, and then manifest them for flight.  We ensure all cargo is properly prepared for flight.  We get equipment where it needs to be, on time, to help the warfighter."

The space available travel program provides an opportunity for active duty, reserve, and retired members and their dependents to occupy surplus seats on Department of Defense aircraft, after all passengers on official travel and cargo have been accommodated.

Space available flight schedules are posted on the terminal's Facebook page 72 hours before departure time, Taitague said.

Active duty members must be on leave or in a pass status for space available travel.  Dependents may travel with their sponsors.  There are special cases where dependents can travel without their sponsors.  For those cases, prospective passengers should contact the passenger terminal for more information.

Space available passengers are processed through Eglin's passenger service center, Taitague said.  They must have a military ID card and comply with TSA rules.  Reservists must have their DD Form 1853, Verification of Reserve Status for Travel Eligibility.  Retired members can travel with their military ID card.

For space available passenger categories and stipulations, click on Air Mobility Command's link here.

In most cases, passengers are allowed two pieces of checked luggage, not weighing more than 70 lbs. apiece, and one carry-on bag.  On smaller aircraft, they usually can take only one bag, weighing 25 to 30 lbs.  For TSA's baggage rules and requirements, click here.

"Our biggest challenge is adjusting to changes in aircraft arrival or departure time," Taitague said.  "We may have a mission due in at a certain time.  And then we may get a phone call an hour before the plane's arrival time, notifying us of a later arrival.  As a result, our personnel have to work beyond their established duty hours.  Most of our missions come in after duty hours or on weekends.  We have to be flexible."

Retired Tech. Sgt. Alex Yepez and his wife, Maggie, from Brownwood, Texas, recently flew from Dyess AFB, Texas to Eglin on a space available flight to visit their son, Master Sgt. Dan Yepez, a 19th Special Operations Squadron flight instructor at Hurlburt Field.

"The space available travel program is handy and convenient," Yepez said.  "I'm glad it's in place to allow my parents to travel this way."

The Yepezes have flown here six times to visit their son.  Alex Yepez doesn't mind telling people he's earned the privilege to fly space available.

"It's one of our perks," he said.  "I'm glad it's there for us."

Taitague said the air terminal is an essential part of the base's operations.  "Without us, no one would get where they need to be," she said.       

The terminal's hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, but are flexible based on mission requirements. 

For more information on the passenger terminal or for questions about space available flights, call 882-2488 or visit the terminal's Facebook Page here.