Nellis Air Force Base(AFB) Space-A Travel

Welcome to Nellis Air Force Base(AFB) Space-A Travel. Space-Available flights are available out of Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) to eligible active-duty members, retirees, and their families.

While many fly through Nellis and have incoming space travel from bases like Travis AFB and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, outward-bound flights are less frequent.

Summary of Space-A (Space Available) Travel

Space-A traveling allows eligible persons to fly for free on military flights should there be available seats left when all Space-R passengers are taken on board.

It is open to members of the military, veterans, and their families but it only travels whenever the trip does not compromise the missions set.

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Who Can Use Space-A?

Active Duty Members: Must be on leave or a pass when they register, during the wait, and for the entire trip.
Dependents: Must travel with their sponsor or meet specific rules for independent travel.

No Reservations

Nellis Air Force Base(AFB) Space-Available travel is first-come, first-served, with no reservations. All eligible groups, from officers to enlisted, can use it, but seating is prioritized.

Categories of Eligibility

The priority categories Military Space-Available defined by DoDI 4515.13 are categorized into six;

Category I: It encompasses emergency leave in immediate family emergencies.

Category II: Accompanied Environmental and Morale Leave status, coupled with a sponsor

Category III: Ordinary leave; Medal of Honor holder and some members of their families

Category IV: Some unaccompanied dependents under Environmental and Morale Leave.

Category V: Permissive TDY students and other dependents by family

Category VI: Retirees; Some Reserve members; ROTC and others with specific conditions of being disabled veterans.

Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating are eligible for Space-A travel under the terms of the 2019 John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act.

Nellis Air Force Base(AFB) Space-A Travel Guide For Shaw Air Force Base

You would like to take advantage of Space-Available travel from Shaw AFB in South Carolina? Here’s what you need to know:

Shaw AFB primarily supports active-duty military members, retirees and their families.

Nellis Air Force Base(AFB) Space-Available travel is available to eligible people for free open seats on military flights, but because the base is small, there are likely not as many flights as at a bigger airport. It would be wise to call Shaw’s Passenger Terminal at (803) 895-4868 to get their daily and next-day flight schedules.

Lodging

Shaw AFB offers temporary housing through their on-base lodging office, but availability may vary.
Sumter, the nearby city, has many hotels if Shaw’s lodging is complete or you need a more extended stay.

Things To Keep In Mind

Shaw AFB has a smaller terminal so that flights may change unexpectedly.
Be flexible with your plans and be ready for last-minute changes.
Arrive early and prepare your travel documents for roll call, similar to regular flight check-ins.

Tips For Space-A Travel

Be Flexible: Space-A travel is unpredictable as flights are mission-based, so travelers should prepare for potential delays or changes.
Pack Light: Military aircraft have limited baggage capacity, so check the terminal’s baggage guidelines.
Stay Informed: Many bases post flight schedules and updates on their social media pages, such as Facebook or AMC’s official website.
Bring Necessary Documentation: If you’re on active duty, have a valid military ID and any additional paperwork you’re using, such as leave forms.

Travel Rules

Space A travelers cannot use this benefit for personal business or to move for long-term purposes. Restrictions apply to particular international destinations.

This simplified guide helps outline Nellis Air Force Base(AFB) Military Space-A travel eligibility and priority categories. For detailed information, check the AMC Travel Site or DoD instructions.

Nellis Air Force Base Training Schedule

The training schedule at Nellis Air Force Base includes essential exercises designed to improve the combat skills of both U.S. and allied forces. Red Flag and Green Flag are two of the most significant exercises held there.

Red Flag is a highly realistic aerial combat training exercise. Aircrews practice flying in challenging combat situations, simulating actual battle conditions. This exercise happens multiple times a year and involves forces from different branches and countries working together. The training covers many areas, such as defense, offense, and electronic warfare.
Green Flag focuses on teamwork between air and ground forces. It’s mostly about close air support, where aircraft help ground troops in challenging situations. These exercises often occur with the U.S. Army at the National Training Center, where aircrews and ground units work together in complex environments.

Both of these exercises occur at the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), a large area Nellis manages. The NTTR allows military units to practice high-speed flying, air defense, and other critical skills needed for real-life operations.

Planning Your Space-A Trip from Nellis

Before traveling, it is best to contact the Passenger Terminal to check the latest schedules since flights depend on military missions and available seats. You can call them at (702) 652-2562 or sign up for flights by emailing space-a.signup@us.af.mil.

Amenities at Nellis AFB

Lodging: The Nellis Inn offers on-base accommodations.
Dining: Crosswinds Dining Facility provides meals.
Transportation: You can rent cars or use taxis with no base shuttle.
Nearby Options: Nellis is only 30 minutes from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, making commercial flights accessible if needed.

Activities and Recreation

Nellis has plenty to enjoy with the help of the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) office, which offers activities, event tickets, and an RV park for RV travelers. For more detailed Military Space-A tips, check resources like Poppin Smoke or SpaceA.net.

Nellis Air Force Base Activity Today

Presently, Nellis Air Force Base is home to many vital training activities. Some of these exercises include the Red Flag and Green Flag, which enhance U.S. and allied force’s air combat and ground support operations.

The active shooter exercises are also periodically conducted at Nellis to prepare personnel in case of emergencies.

These exercises are critical to mission readiness as well as to training the aircrews and security teams to handle real-world challenges. For details of today’s activities, click the Nellis AFB official website or its recent news posts.

Common Departure Locations

Many large Air Force bases and joint service bases have Space-A passenger terminals. Popular locations for Military Space-A flights include:

Joint Base Charleston (South Carolina)
Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Washington)
Travis Air Force Base (California)
Ramstein Air Base (Germany)

Space-A Travel Locations

some popular Space-A travel destinations from various military bases:

Base Location	Destination Locations	Notes
Joint Base Charleston	Europe (Ramstein AB), Middle East, Southeast Asia, Alaska	Popular base for international flights.
Travis Air Force Base	Hawaii, Japan, Europe, Alaska, South America	Known for frequent trans-Pacific flights.
McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst	Europe, Hawaii, South America, Africa, Alaska	Often offers flights to remote locations.
Ramstein Air Base	U.S. (East Coast), Southwest Asia, Africa	Major hub for flights to and from Europe.
Hickam Air Force Base	Mainland U.S., Japan, Guam, Korea	Key departure point for Pacific-bound flights.
Kadena Air Base	Hawaii, Guam, South Korea, Japan	Popular for travel within the Pacific region.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord	Alaska, Japan, South Korea, Hawaii	Frequent connections to the Pacific and Alaska.
Rhein-Main Air Base	U.S., Afghanistan, Central Asia	Offers flights to support global operations.
Guam (Andersen AFB)	Hawaii, Japan, Alaska, Australia	Convenient for travelers in the Pacific region.
RAF Mildenhall	U.S., Middle East, Africa, European destinations	British base for travel to U.S. and international regions.
Elmendorf AFB (Alaska)	Europe, Hawaii, South Korea, Japan, Alaska	Often serves as a stopover for Space-A flights.
Aviano Air Base	U.S., Africa, Middle East, Central Asia	Gateway for travelers to European and African regions.

Note: Space-A seats normally confirm 3-4 hours prior to departure up to 30 minutes before takeoff. Check the passenger service center to determine time of day during your flight and be prepared to move in and board right away.

Note: Local travel information can be found at your local Terminal Air Mobility Command.

Must Read: Travel Hacks That Will Save You Time

Conclusion

Space-A travel is an excellent free opportunity for military personnel, retirees, and certain civilians to fly available seats on military aircraft. While it requires flexibility with schedules and availability, it’s a unique way to travel to many places at no cost.

FAQs

How much does it cost?

Space-A is free. There may be a nominal fee with checked bags though. If you have all your needs on board in carryon, the ride is basically free since this is seated capacity on Military aircraft available.

Is Space-A travel still offered?

Yes Space-A Travel is still open; contact base for current available and know what might not be allowable.

What documents are needed for Space-A travel?

To travel on Space-A flights, you will need:

A Military ID (for active duty members, retirees, or their families)

Leave or pass form (for active duty members)

Travel orders (for certain cases)

Proof of eligibility (for dependents, retirees, or veterans)

A passport or photo ID for international travel. Check with the specific base for any extra requirements.

Who is eligible to fly Space-A on military aircraft? Are civilians allowed at Nellis Air Force Base?

Active-Duty Military: retirees, National Guard members, certain veterans, and their families qualify to travel Space-A.

Civilian passengers: can also fly Space-A if they have special eligibility, such as Medal of Honor recipients.

Civilian passengers may visit Nellis AFB for public events such as airshows, but they may not enter without permission or a sponsor.

How fast does a space shuttle travel?

A space shuttle travels at about 17,500 miles per hour when in space. This high speed helps the shuttle stay in orbit around Earth.

How fast can a human travel in space?

Humans in spacecraft travel at speeds of about 17,500 miles per hour to stay in orbit around Earth. This speed helps spacecraft overcome Earth’s gravity and stay in space.

Can the general public visit Nellis Air Force Base?

The general public can visit Nellis AFB for events such as the Nellis Air Force Base Air Show. However, the general public cannot visit the base regularly, and civilians have to obtain permission to do so.

Who can fly Space-A on military aircraft?

Space-A flights are available to:

Active duty military members

Retirees

Dependents of military personnel

Service-disabled veterans; specific civilians, as examples, Medal of Honor recipients.

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