Staff Reports

Pacific Daily News/USA TODAY Network

A charter flight will begin regular flights between Guam and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to better accommodate pets of military members, according to the Air Force.

The Patriot Express is a commercial charter flight contracted by the Department of Defense. It provides international support to travelers on official duty and their families, the Air Force said.

The flight will travel between Andersen Air Force Base and Washington state, and the route will now include a servicing stop in Anchorage, Alaska, instead of Honolulu.

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The Air Force said the charter flight is anticipated to help defray government costs associated with permanent change of station, or PCS, travel and personal costs of transporting pets.

Patriot Express flights start March 7.

"The Patriot Express will provide a much-needed service to the military families on Guam,” said Cindi Boswell, spouse of Brig. Gen. Gentry W. Boswell, the 36th Wing commander, in a news release. “Relying on commercial airfare during a PCS to Guam can be extremely expensive, especially if the family is going to be moving with pets.”