The USAF’s Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) command has expanded the services of Patriot Express flights by re-routing its current flights and adding a third weekly flight.
This will provide Pacific-based airmen, soldiers, sailors and marines more travelling options to and from the US, from April 2010.
PACAF distribution policy and vehicles branch chief Lt.Col. Katherine Charecky said the problem with (travelling in) the Pacific is you’re dealing with a lot of islands separated by massive distances.
Following the announcement of new routes, the returning Patriot Express flights will now connect the US West Coast to the Korean peninsula.
The Patriot Express will depart from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and go to Yokota Air Base, Japan; Osan AB, South Korea; Kunsan AB, South Korea and then return back to Osan AB and Yokota AB on return to Seattle-Tacoma, as per the new weekly flights to South Korea.
One of the pre-existing routes connecting Japan and the US will now include a stop at Osan AB.
From now, this route will go from Seattle-Tacoma to Misawa AB, Japan; Osan AB and then follows the same route back to Seattle-Tacoma.
Patriot Express’s third route, connecting Japan-based personnel to the United States, has also been altered.
The third route will now begin at Seattle-Tacoma and goes to Yokota AB, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan; Kadena AB and then backward to Seattle-Tacoma.
The PACAF is one of two USAF Major Commands assigned outside of the Continental United States.
Under contract by the Department of Defense, the Patriot Express flights are operated by commercial airlines to provide transportation for military members, dependents and civil service employees.
