MILITARY TO EXPAND REST AND RECUPERATION LEAVE PROGRAM

News Release - HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND ^ | October 31, 2003 | HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND

[tgslTakoma]

	NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
	October 31, 2003 Release Number: 03-10-04 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MILITARY TO EXPAND REST AND RECUPERATION LEAVE PROGRAM MacDill AFB, Tampa – U.S. Central Command has approved an expansion to the Rest and Recuperation Leave program for service members supporting operations in Iraq beginning November 2. The Coalition Forces Land Component Command-Forward (CFLCC-FWD) at Camp Doha, Kuwait, will execute the expansion from approximately 270 soldiers a day to approximately 479. Soldiers will begin departing Iraq on October 31 and arrive at Atlanta International, Dallas Fort Worth, and Baltimore Washington Airports on November 2. The expansion of troops going on R&R leave is accompanied by the addition of two airport destinations, Dallas and Atlanta, to get troops closer to their homes. The expansion of the R&R leave program is an opportunity to get even more of our heroes serving in the region a deserved break. As current units begin rotating out of Iraq, the number of eligible participants will justifiably decrease. Accordingly, the number of soldiers participating in the R&R Leave program is expected to eventually get smaller to accommodate this transition of outgoing and incoming units. However, once transitions are complete, the number of daily rotations will resume at the new levels. -30-

[tgslTakoma]

The Coalition Forces Land Component Command-Forward (CFLCC-FWD) at Camp Doha, Kuwait, will execute the expansion from approximately 270 soldiers a day to approximately 479. Soldiers will begin departing Iraq on October 31 and arrive at Atlanta International, Dallas Fort Worth, and Baltimore Washington Airports on November 2.

The expansion of troops going on R&R leave is accompanied by the addition of two airport destinations, Dallas and Atlanta, to get troops closer to their homes. The expansion of the R&R leave program is an opportunity to get even more of our heroes serving in the region a deserved break.

....wouldn't it be nice to see these arriving flights greeted at the airports by crowds of approving and grateful Americans, waving flags and holding "Welcome Home" signs? I know it's short notice, but it's doable... (now going to check tomorrow's incoming flight to BWI, if I can find the info...)

[tgslTakoma]

Jeez, this thread took off like a lead balloon.

Maybe I should add "Kobe" or "Peterson" into the title...

[mystery-ak]

Oh, geez....he may not be coming into BWI....home station is Peoria...I wonder where he'll fly into...none os these airports seem any closer.

[tgslTakoma]

I don't know about Atlanta and DFW, but BWI has evening flights to Chicago-O'Hare (and St Louis and Atlanta) and on to Peoria...

Well, let me know either way. And if he does go through one of the other airports (DFW or ATL) ping the thread.

Hopefully there will be people at each airport to welcome the troops home.

[Rebelbase]

"and arrive at Atlanta International, Dallas Fort Worth, and Baltimore Washington Airports "

The Lib Press will headline this as "SOLDIERS ON LEAVE MUST PAY OWN AIRFARE HOME"

[mystery-ak]

flights from Kuwait to US are chartered not commercial

[tgslTakoma]

I just listened to a recorded message from "Air Mobility Command" at BWI - they haven't announced flight times for tomorrow's flights yet, and advise to call back tomorrow morning and listen to the new recorded message.

The woman who read the message today had a very thick accent, so I couldn't understand most of the message. She read off flights arriving today from Frankfurt, but other arriving flights from... was so garbled I couldn't understand.

FYI, to other folks wanting to go to greet the arriving troop flights at BWI - the phone number is 410-918-6900 (office is open M-F 0800 - 1400hours, all other times you have to wade through the menu and listen to recorded announcement.) At the end of the recorded announcement, the woman also gave a toll-free number for BWI Air Mobility Command info. That is 1-877-429-4262.

[tgslTakoma]

FYI

[VOA]

bump...and a reminder to get the holiday care-packages in the mail NOW...for the troops
who won't make it home for the holidays...

NOW HEAR THIS ALL LURKERS/POSTERS:

THIS WEEKEND (November 8 and 9) is the LAST SHOPPING WEEKEND for Parcel Post mailing
of care packages to our BEST AND BRIGHTEST who will be stationed far from home for the holidays
(deadline for this inexpensive mailing route is November 13th).

TIME to:
SHOP
BOX
and
MAIL

for shipping advice, see threads at these URLs:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1003802/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/997310/posts

THAT IS ALL!
At-eezzz! Now, take five; smoke 'em if you've got 'em!
(just had to add a gratuitous politically-incorrect remark!)

[VOA]

bump

[jwelling]

My son is scheduled to leave Iraq on Friday, November 28th. He will be going into Baltimore. Can you tell me if troops on R&R come in the following day (Sat) or if I should expect him on Sunday? I am trying to make arrangments for a family get-together and don't know if the trip takes 1 or 2 days.

Any help would be appreciated