Thoroughly read and fully understand your orders regarding luggage and travel arrangements. Service members are authorized two pieces of checked luggage (no longer than 62 inches in length and no more than 70 lbs. each), one purse, or laptop bag, and one carry-on bag able to fit inside an aircraft’s overhead storage bin, (no longer than 45 inches long.)

To accommodate additional gear, such as bicycles, dishes or kitchenware, enlisted personnel are entitled to a 500 lbs. Household Goods move; officers are entitled to a 1,000 lbs. Household Goods move. Expect any goods shipment to take as long as two months to arrive on island.

Travel to Diego Garcia from within the continental United States occurs via either the East Coast rotator or the West Coast rotator. The East Coast rotator usually flies out of Naval Station Norfolk, Va., every two weeks. The West Coast rotator runs more frequently and has two routes, whereas the East Coast rotator only has one.

NOTE: The route selected for travel is depends upon the point of origin. Regardless of the route, all personnel are strongly encouraged to travel with orders, passport and at least $200 on their person. Contact your PSD or travel office to confirm which route you’ve been selected for, and to provide a Port Call if you require one.

Personnel traveling via the West Coast rotator will fly through Singapore or Japan.

Travelers flying via AMC (government air) will land at Paya Lebar Royal Singapore Air Force Base. Travelers flying commercial airlines will land at Changi International Airport. Customs will check for passports, but personnel PCSing only need their orders and military identification. SATO Singapore can arrange transportation to Paya Lebar to connect with the AMC flights to Diego Garcia. If you encounter a layover in Singapore, AMC representatives can assist with overnight accommodations or call the Navy Gateway Inn at 6257-0256 directly. If no rooms are available at the inn, travelers will be provided a Certificate of Non-Availability (CNA), and authorized to obtain a room in town.

NOTE: Keep a copy of the CNA and all receipts to submit in your travel claim.

If you are scheduled to fly through Japan, you will fly into Narita International Airport. If you encounter an overnight layover in Japan, locate the Department of Defense information booth in the international terminal to arrange transportation and lodging. Buses are available to Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Naval Air Facility Atsugi and Yokota AFB from the air terminal.

NOTE: The DoD booths have bus schedules and route information. If you would like to find out more information about either of these military installations, or Narita International, visit their Web sites –

http://www.yokota.af.mil/index.asp,

Installations: NAF Atsugi/

http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/

Installations: CFA Yokosuka

It is recommended that travelers arrange lodging at the Kanto Lodge at Yokota AFB. Free shuttle service is available from the air terminal. If lodging is not available at the Kanto Lodge, you will be issued a statement of Non-Availability and authorized to stay in town. Again, keep all receipts so you can be reimbursed on travel claims.

Personnel travelling via the East Coast rotator will fly out of the Norfolk AMC terminal of Naval Station Norfolk. The approximate 32-hour flight will fly through Lajes Field, in the Azores of Portugal; onto Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy; then onto Chania Airport in Crete, Greece; to the Kingdom of Bahrain’s International Airport, through Muscat International Airport in Oman, before arriving on Diego Garcia.

NOTE: The likelihood of an overnight layover is highly improbable, however it can happen. Should you encounter an overnight layover via this route, accommodations will be arranged through the airline carrier.