MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

Navigating the Skies with Patriot Express

JULY 17, 2025 – For thousands of U.S. military personnel and their families embarking on Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves to or from Europe, the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command (AMC) serves as the backbone of their journey. While commercial airlines handle much of the general air travel, AMC’s dedicated Patriot Express flights remain a cornerstone for official military moves, offering a direct and often mandatory link across the Atlantic.

The Patriot Express, a military-contracted civilian charter service, primarily funnels travelers through key hubs like Ramstein Air Base, just west of Kaiserslautern. The Ramstein Air Base Passenger Terminal stands as the largest AMC passenger terminal in Europe. From here, servicemembers and their families connect to various destinations across the continent or embark on their journeys back to the U.S. Stateside, the Baltimore-Washington International Airport in Maryland is the primary gateway to and from Europe via Patriot Express flights.

For most PCS moves to and from Europe, the servicemember’s official orders dictate authorized travel, and contracted flights like Patriot Express are often mandatory. This emphasizes the critical role AMC and Patriot Express play in ensuring personnel are where they need to be, when they need to be there.

However, the landscape of AMC travel in Europe is evolving. Effective Oct. 1, 2025, Patriot Express flight services will cease for several naval support activities in the Mediterranean, including Incirlik Air Base, Turkey; Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy; Naval Station Rota, Spain; Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy; and Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece.

This change will likely shift more military travelers to commercial airlines for these specific routes. Travelers departing from or arriving at these locations for a PCS after the cut-off date will need to coordinate their travel through commercial means, typically via the contracted travel office at their losing duty station.

Despite these adjustments, Ramstein Air Base will remain a vital AMC hub, continuing to facilitate a significant portion of PCS traffic. Travelers utilizing Patriot Express are advised to contact their local transportation office for reservations, which can typically be made 90-120 days prior to departure. It’s also crucial to be aware of baggage limitations, which generally allow for two bags per individual, up to 70 pounds each, with additional allowances for a carry-ons and personal items.

Beyond official PCS moves, AMC also offers the Space-Available (Space-A) travel program, a privilege for eligible servicemembers, retirees and their dependents. While Space-A can offer substantial savings for leisure travel, it requires extreme flexibility as seats are offered on a standby basis, often confirmed just hours before departure.

For any military family navigating a PCS to or from Europe, early and thorough planning is paramount. Obtaining no-fee government passports, ensuring medical and pet clearances, and coordinating household goods shipments well in advance are all critical steps. Local transportation offices and resources like Military OneSource are invaluable for specific guidance and assistance in ensuring a smooth transition to a new duty station.

For more information on the AMC flights to or from Ramstein Air Base, Patriot Express flights at Ramstein, and Space-A, go to the AMC Ramstein Passenger Terminal webpage.

With its Consolidated Personal Property Shipping Office and European Travel Branch, Base Support Operations (BASOPS) Transportation is a field operating activity under the 405th Army Field Support Brigade (405th AFSB) providing back-office support functions for personal property shipping, official travel services and quality control for the U.S. military communities in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, and more. Go to the BASOPS Transportation webpage for more information.

The 405th AFSB is assigned to U.S. Army Sustainment Command and headquartered in Kaiserslautern. The brigade provides materiel enterprise support to U.S. forces throughout Europe and Africa – providing theater sustainment logistics; synchronizing acquisition, logistics and technology; and leveraging U.S. Army Materiel Command’s materiel enterprise to support joint forces. For more information on the 405th AFSB, visit the official website and the official Facebook site.

By John Hebert
chief of the BASOPS Transportation’s European Travel Branch, 405th AFSB

Comments

Filed Under: News, Travel

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

Guard Rescues Climber Trapped on Cliff

JULY 29, 2025 — Members of the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing rescued a climber who was trapped and unable to climb down a steep cliff July 27 near Seward. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center opened the mission in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers. The Alaska Air National […]

Air National Guard Unveils New Bonus Program

MARCH 11, 2023 – On March 1st, the Air National Guard (ANG) launched a new bonus program to attract and retain personnel in critical specialties. The initiative offers significant financial rewards, with bonuses of up to $90,000 for eligible members, depending on their Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). This strategic move aims to strengthen the […]

Education Benefits Make Stronger Service Members

APRIL 3, 2025 – Within the armed forces, a variety of educational benefits are available that allow service members to both improve themselves and make themselves more valuable to their service branch. One example is the Military Tuition Assistance Program. The program is available to enlisted personnel, officers and warrant officers in the Army, Navy, […]

Former Soldier Navigates Job Hunt

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 — In early 2017, Michael Quinn endured what he called the worst day in the worst year of his life. Quinn, then a sergeant major and 24-year Army Soldier, had weathered deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines. As an Army counter-intelligence agent, he said he learned to operate under grave circumstances […]

Financial Planning for Military Families

JUNE 25, 2025 – Have you ever wondered how military families manage their finances while dealing with deployments, relocations, and changing pay structures? Financial planning is a vital part of life for families who serve. With unique benefits, challenges, and lifestyle changes, military families must make smart financial decisions that protect their future and help […]

Recent Posts

  • Guard Rescues Climber Trapped on Cliff
  • General Blaz Gets Highway Named After Him
  • Worst Navy Disaster at Sea Led to Safety Changes
  • Service Members and Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know
  • Employers See What Guard Soldiers Do
MAINMENU



Powered by pixfuture


SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2025 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.