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Commercial travel office at Vance closing March 1

By 2nd Lt. Justin Nichols, 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs / Published February 26, 2014

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VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Commercial Travel Office will close March 1, after 22 years of service to Vance AFB customers.

Everyone who has traveled on traditional orders has, at some time or another, passed through that travel office and worked with one travel agent, Joanna Beckwith.

Beckwith has been with the travel office for the last 17 years. She has worked in travel since 1985. Vance AFB will be losing a lot of history and experience when she leaves.

"I made a lot of friends here and enjoyed working with everyone," said Beckwith.

Vance AFB travelers on traditional orders have always gone directly to TRAVCO and talked with Beckwith. As of March 1, they will call Sheppard AFB, Texas, directly via the toll free hotline to make travel arrangements.

Vance AFB, Altus AFB, (Okla.), Columbus AFB, (Miss.), and Laughlin AFB, (Texas), TRAVCO offices are closing," said Jimmy Nevius, Traffic Management Office, 71st Logistics Readiness Squadron.

"The reason for the closures is the low volume of customers at these locations," said Nevius. The contractor that oversees the commercial ticket process for official travel has decided to consolidate many of its centers.

It is important to differentiate between the types of travelers. There are those that use the Defense Travel System to generate orders and book their travels. Then there are those that get issued traditional orders without using DTS. These are usually deployments.

The TRAVCO closure will affect those issued traditional orders. They will book their own travel arrangements over the phone with the Sheppard AFB TRAVCO.

Department of Defense personnel traveling from Vance AFB on official business will contact Sheppard AFB TRAVCO toll free at 1-855-804-4951, or by fax at 1-877-994-1453.

If the Sheppard AFB office is busy the phone will rollover to another TRAVCO office.

After March 1, the following items and information will help travelers when making travel reservations.
  • Make sure all personnel have a Government Travel Card, that it is activated and in the member's possession.
  • If going on a trip, process the orders in sufficient time for approval prior to departure.
  • If processing travel through DTS, book your travel on the contracted flight and lowest fare.
  • For Vance AFB, use Oklahoma City, Wichita KS, and Tulsa for government contracted fares and cost.
  • Ensure your GTC account information in DTS is up to date and accurate.
  • Do not book reservations more than 45 days in advance.
People needing assistance with DTS should contact the unit program coordinator in their squadrons, said Nevius.

For more information on the TRAVCO closure, contact Nevius, 580-213-6344 or 7470.