Transcom Reduces Forecasted Redeployment Delays

From a U.S. Transportation Command News Release

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., Oct. 24, 2014 - Limited commercial airline capacity and greater global demand for passenger service has put a strain on flights for deploying service members and those returning home from deployment from the U.S. Central Command area of operations.

"This past year, we saw three of our Department of Defense passenger carriers go bankrupt during a time of increased demand to support global operations," said Air Force Lt. Col. Brad Hall, chief of U.S. Transportation Command's Centcom Branch.

"We had projected that we could see flight delays of up to 45 days, and we well understood the effect delays would have on redeploying service members," Hall said. "Fortunately, delays matching the forecast have not happened."

With limited exceptions, the vast majority of passengers have been returned within two days of their scheduled return time, the lieutenant colonel said.

"We all feel delays of 30 to 45 days are unacceptable," he noted. "I want to assure service members and their families these were projections that have not come into being. We have all worked hard to ensure projections do not become reality."

Some passengers experienced delays caused by a brief lack of passenger service. But based on the original forecast, Transcom and Centcom had already been arranging for additional flights. Redeploying troops can expect they won't face significant delays.

Hall added that passengers who may be delayed need to stay in touch with their unit deployment managers, and those managers need to keep in close contact with transportation management officers because seats have been added, and those seats must be filled to ensure soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen can redeploy on schedule.

"With the support of military senior leaders, our team has added flights, and relaxed policies for passengers to fly on 'grey tails,' putting roughly 5,000 passengers on C-17s," Hall said. "In addition, recent Transcom contract awards have increased aircraft availability. We sincerely regret the delays that have occurred."