Travel pay on UTAs available to critical AFSCs Published March 20, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Nick Przybyciel 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Certain 446th Airlift Wing Reservists will now be reimbursed for travel expenses accrued during Unit Training Assembly commutes and other inactive duty training. In order to qualify, Airmen must reside outside of the local commuting area as determined by the Defense Table of Official Distances: https://dtod.sddc.army.mil. Additionally, Reservists must either hold an Air Force Specialty Code that is critically manned or have been forced to change bases due to the Base Realignment and Closure Act. According to Master Sgt. Alfredo Cruz, 446h AW Financial Management, the distance a Reservist travels is determine by his or her zip code. "If that's 150 miles or more one way and the Reservist is in a critical AFSC, than he's eligible for this reimbursement." The policy change is intended to offset commuting costs for those forced to change bases through no fault of their own, and to also encourage Airmen in crucial fields to continue training at McChord, said Senior Master Sgt. Louis Desjardins, 446th AW/FM superintendent. This policy change is in effect until Dec. 31, 2010. Qualifying Reservists may receive up to $300 per round trip, limited to 12 trips per year. A separate travel voucher will be required for each reimbursement. Aside from UTAs, Reserve Management Periods, Additional Flying Training Periods and Ground Training Periods are eligible duty periods. Airmen can check to see if they are eligible for this IDT travel reimbursement by contacting their supervisor or orders clerk.