Travel companies return to Fort Buchanan with on-site assist

FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico — The Fort Buchanan Military Transportation Office has transitioned official journey companies from CWT Sato Travel’s digital assist to on-site help supplied by Veterans Travel, a subcontractor of CWT Sato Travel. The change restores face-to-face customer support and streamlines official journey for service members and Department of the Army civilians after years of primarily digital operations.

Transportation officers stated the on-site service resumed in late May, bettering coordination amongst vacationers, the Transportation Division and Veterans Travel. The change permits everlasting change of station strikes, mobilizations, official journey, itinerary modifications and cancellations to be processed extra effectively by the Defense Travel System.

“The most important thing is that we now have Veterans Travel at Fort Buchanan to provide those services,” stated Javier Rivera, chief of Fort Buchanan’s Transportation Division and high quality assurance evaluator.

Before Hurricane Maria, Fort Buchanan operated a neighborhood Travel Management Office that supported each the set up and the Puerto Rico National Guard. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Veterans Travel personnel within the continental United States processed journey requests remotely.

“The difference between not having them physically present and having them here in the office providing service is excellent,” Rivera stated. “I consider it very good and efficient.”

The Transportation Division helps active-duty Soldiers, Army Reserve and National Guard personnel touring on official orders, in addition to Department of the Army civilians touring on official enterprise. The workplace processes everlasting change of station journey, coordinates group journey for mobilizations and annual coaching, and assists vacationers utilizing the Defense Travel System.

Before reservations are issued, transportation personnel evaluate journey orders to confirm accuracy and ensure the approved cost methodology. Depending on the journey authorization, vacationers might use a Government Travel Charge Card, an Individually Billed Account or a Centrally Billed Account.

“If it’s not done according to the specific instructions, DFAS won’t reimburse the cost of that ticket,” Rivera stated. “We have to make sure it’s correct.”

The Transportation Division additionally coordinates industrial airline journey for models supporting mobilizations, annual coaching and different missions by working immediately with Veterans Travel to safe seats below authorities journey contracts each time potential.

Supporting the mission are Kendra Carballo, transportation assistant and passport agent assistant; Iris Choisne, transportation specialist; and Karina Silva, Veterans Travel’s on-site journey agent, who work collectively to course of reservations and help clients all through the journey course of.

“Having the office established under the Transportation Division is excellent service,” Rivera stated. “It has reduced delays and simplified communication between travelers and travel agents.”

Service members and Department of War civilians who can’t go to the workplace in particular person can contact the Fort Buchanan Transportation Division at (787) 707-3525.

With an annual price range exceeding $500 million, Fort Buchanan helps a army neighborhood of roughly 15,000 service members—together with Active Duty, Reserve, Puerto Rico National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve and Navy Reserve personnel. The set up’s mission is to boost readiness and allow the deployment of army forces to any location, at any time.

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