Blog Posts tagged in "Poppin' Smoke Blogger"

Getting ready to take a military hop? Make sure you have everything you need to be comfortable, entertained, and travel-ready! Here’s how you can prepare for Space-A travel. Table of Contents Documentation What to Wear on a Space-A Flight Layer #1: Lightweight Shirt Layer #2: Thin Fleece Jacket or Vest Layer #3: Lightweight Insulated Jacket Layer #4 Windbreaker Other Clothing What to Bring Small, Lightweight Sleeping Pad/Mattress Travel Pillow Travel Blanket or Sleeping Bag Ear Protection Water Bottle Kindle or Other E-Reader Portable Charger For the Kids: Movies and Games Other Essentials Do... read more

9 Things to Know About Flying Space-A Via JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii Hawaii is a top destination for Space-A travelers seeking year-round warm weather, beautiful beaches, epic surfing, and world-class golf. But it’s also a frequent stop for travelers en route to and from bases in Japan, Korea, Guam and other U.S territories. Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (“JBPHH” or “Hickam”) has the most Space-A flights of any military base in Hawaii and is an extremely busy hub. Whether Hickam is your destination, or you’re just passing through, here’s what you need to know about flying Space-A via Haw... read more

You can fly Space-A on the Patriot Express to Greece, Germany, Japan, and many other places around the world! Have you ever heard reference to the “Patriot Express” or the “rotator” and wondered what it was? It’s one of many possible aircraft you may take when flying military Space-A, and some seasoned Space-A travelers would argue that there’s no better way to travel! The Patriot Express (PE) is a commercial charter flight contracted by the Department of Defense to transport passengers on official military duty and their families. As with other Space-A flights, extra seats on the PE may be a... read more

The coastal city of Cadiz is a short ferry ride from Rota. Started as a trading post by the Phoenicians as early as 1100 B.C., Cadiz claims to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in Western Europe. Are you thinking about moving overseas post-retirement? Here’s the inspiration you need to consider southern Spain! In the latest profile of our Expat Military Retiree Series , Tony Guyette, a Navy retiree, tells us what he loves about living in Rota, Spain. He has embraced the slower-paced lifestyle that comes with Spanish culture, and he has plenty of great advice for military retirees who ... read more

7 Things You Need to Know About Flying Space-A to Rota, Spain Sunshine, beautiful beaches, delicious food, and convenient access to cities all over southern Spain – that’s what you get when flying into Naval Station Rota. It’s one of the easiest U.S. bases in Europe to reach from the continental U.S., and it should definitely be on your list if you’d like to take advantage of Space-A for leisure travel. To help you plan your trip, here are seven things to know about flying Space-A to Rota. If you are new to Space-A flying, read this Quickstart Guide to Space-A Flights first to get a basic und... read more

If you want to fly Space-A to the United Kingdom, Royal Air Force (RAF) Mildenhall is your best bet. The base is located about 80 miles northeast of London, making it an equally great starting point for a relaxing tour of the English countryside or a busy week exploring the sites of London. RAF Mildenhall is also a convenient gateway to the rest of Europe. With three international airports and the Eurostar train within a few hours’ drive, RAF Mildenhall is the perfect place to start your European vacation. Ready to plan your trip? Here’s what you need to know! If you are new to Space-A flying... read more

Ramstein Air Base is in the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC), the largest U.S. military community in Europe. It’s 90 minutes from Frankfurt and about 4 hours from Paris, making it a great starting point for exploring Europe or other places in Germany. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to fly Space-A to Ramstein. If you are new to Space-A flying, read this Quickstart Guide to Space-A Flights first to get a basic understanding of how the process works. 1. Ramstein is the most accessible base in Europe when flying from the Continental United States (CONUS). The CONUS locatio... read more

Japan is one of the most unique travel destinations in the world and well worth the time and effort required to get there. Flying Space-A to Japan is an incredible opportunity that makes the possibility of visiting this beautiful country very realistic. Here’s what you need to know to plan your trip. If you are new to Space-A flying, read this Quickstart Guide to Space-A Flights first to get a basic understanding of how the process works. 1. The CONUS passenger terminals with the most Space-A flights to Japan are Travis Air Force Base and Seattle Tacoma (SeaTac) International Airport From Sea... read more

Flying Space-A Without Your Sponsor: How Military Spouses Can Travel Solo Did you know that as a dependent (18 years or older), you can take a military Space-A flight without your sponsor? However, there are restrictions to where and how often you can travel, depending on your category . Here’s how you figure out what category you’re in, where you can fly, what paperwork you need, and how to sign up. Information for All Unaccompanied Dependents For all categories, you obtain the required paperwork from your sponsor’s commander. You must keep the paperwork with you at all times while traveling... read more