Collapse to view only § 2640. Charter air transportation of members of the armed forces or cargo
- § 2631. Preference for United States vessels in transporting supplies by sea
- § 2631a. Contingency planning: sealift and related intermodal transportation requirements
- § 2632. Transportation to and from certain places of employment and on military installations
- § 2633. Stevedoring and terminal services: vessels carrying cargo or passengers sponsored by military department
- [§ 2634. Repealed.
- § 2635. Medical emergency helicopter transportation assistance and limitation of individual liability
- § 2636. Deductions from amounts due carriers
- § 2636a. Loss or damage to personal property transported at Government expense: full replacement value; deduction from amounts due carriers
- § 2637. Transportation in certain areas outside the United States
- § 2638. Transportation of civilian clothing of enlisted members
- § 2639. Transportation to and from school for certain minor dependents
- § 2640. Charter air transportation of members of the armed forces or cargo
- § 2641. Transportation of certain veterans on Department of Defense aeromedical evacuation aircraft
- § 2641a. Transportation of American Samoa veterans on Department of Defense aircraft for certain medical care in Hawaii
- § 2641b. Space-available travel on Department of Defense aircraft: program authorized and eligible recipients
- § 2642. Transportation services provided to certain non-Department of Defense agencies and entities: use of Department of Defense reimbursement rate
- § 2643. Commissary and exchange services: transportation overseas
- § 2644. Control of transportation systems in time of war
- § 2645. Indemnification of Department of Transportation for losses covered by vessel war risk insurance
- § 2646. Travel services: procurement for official and unofficial travel under one contract
- § 2647. Next-of-kin of persons unaccounted for from conflicts after World War II: transportation to annual meetings
- § 2648. Persons and supplies: sea, land, and air transportation
- § 2649. Civilian passengers and commercial cargoes: transportation on Department of Defense vessels, vehicles, and aircraft
- § 2650. Civilian personnel in Alaska
- § 2651. Passengers and merchandise to Guam: sea transport
- § 2652. Prohibition on charge of certain tariffs on aircraft traveling through channel routes
§ 2631. Preference for United States vessels in transporting supplies by sea
(a)In General.—Supplies bought for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force, or for a Defense Agency, or otherwise transported by the Department of Defense, may only be transported by sea in—
(1) a vessel belonging to the United States; or
(2) a vessel of the United States (as such term is defined in section 116 of title 46).
(b)Waiver and Notification.—
(1) The Secretary of Defense may waive the requirement under subsection (a) if such a vessel is—
(A) not available at a fair and reasonable rate for commercial vessels of the United States; or
(B) otherwise not available.
(2) At least once each fiscal year, the Secretary of Defense shall submit, in writing, to the appropriate congressional committees a notice of any waiver granted under this subsection and the reasons for such waiver.
(c)Requirements for Reflagging or Repair Work.—
(1) In each request for proposals to enter into a time-charter contract for the use of a vessel for the transportation of supplies under this section, the Secretary of Defense shall require that—
(A) any reflagging or repair work on a vessel for which a proposal is submitted in response to the request for proposals be performed in the United States (including any territory of the United States); and
(B) any corrective and preventive maintenance or repair work on a vessel under contract pursuant to this section relevant to the purpose of such contract be performed in the United States (including any territory of the United States) for the duration of the contract, to the greatest extent practicable.
(2) The Secretary of Defense may waive a requirement under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that such waiver is critical to the national security of the United States. The Secretary shall immediately submit, in writing, to the appropriate congressional committees a notice of any waiver granted under this paragraph and the reasons for such waiver.
(3) In this subsection:
(A) The term “reflagging or repair work” means work performed on a vessel—
(i) to enable the vessel to meet applicable standards to become a vessel of the United States; or
(ii) to convert the vessel to a more useful military configuration.
(B) The term “corrective and preventive maintenance or repair” means—
(i) maintenance or repair actions performed as a result of a failure in order to return or restore equipment to acceptable performance levels; and
(ii) scheduled maintenance or repair actions to prevent or discover functional failures.
(d)Compliance.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that contracting officers of the Department of Defense award contracts under this section to responsible offerors and monitor and ensure compliance with the requirements of this section. The Secretary shall—
(1) ensure that timely, accurate, and complete information on contractor performance under this section is included in any contractor past performance database used by an executive agency; and
(2) exercise appropriate contractual rights and remedies against contractors who fail to comply with this section, or subchapter I of chapter 553 of title 46, as determined by the Secretary of Transportation under such subchapter, including by—
(A) determining that a contractor is ineligible for an award of such a contract; or
(B) terminating such a contract or suspension or debarment of the contractor for such contract.
(e)Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.—In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—
(1) the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives;
(2) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and
(3) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 146; Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title III, § 315(a), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1619; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title X, § 1033, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1580; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 924(b)(3)(GG), title X, § 1024(a)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3822, 3841.)
§ 2631a. Contingency planning: sealift and related intermodal transportation requirements
(a)Consideration of Private Capabilities.—The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that all studies and reports of the Department of Defense, and all actions taken in the Department of Defense, concerning sealift and related intermodal transportation requirements take into consideration the full range of the transportation and distribution capabilities that are available from operators of privately owned United States flag merchant vessels.
(b)Private Capacities Presentations.—The Secretary shall afford each operator of a vessel referred to in subsection (a), not less often than annually, an opportunity to present to the Department of Defense information on its port-to-port and intermodal transportation capacities.
(Added Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title XI, § 1173(a), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1767.)
§ 2632. Transportation to and from certain places of employment and on military installations
(a)
(1) Whenever the Secretary of the military department concerned determines that it is necessary for the effective conduct of the affairs of his department, the Secretary may provide the transportation described in paragraph (2).
(2) Transportation that may be provided under this subsection is assured and adequate transportation by motor vehicle or water carrier as follows:
(A) Transportation among places on a military installation (including any subinstallation of a military installation).
(B) Transportation to and from their places of duty or employment on a military installation for persons covered by this subsection.
(C) Transportation to and from a military installation for persons covered by this subsection and their dependents, in the case of a military installation located in an area determined by the Secretary concerned not to be adequately served by regularly scheduled, and timely, commercial or municipal mass transit services.
(D) Transportation to and from their places of employment for persons attached to, or employed in, a private plant that is manufacturing material for that department, but only during a war or a national emergency declared by Congress or the President.
(3) Except as provided under subsection (b)(3), transportation under this subsection shall be provided at reasonable rates of fare under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.
(4) Persons covered by this subsection, in the case of any military installation, are members of the armed forces, employees of the military department concerned, and other persons attached to that department who are assigned to or employed at that installation.
(b)
(1) Transportation described in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) of subsection (a)(2) may not be provided unless the Secretary concerned, or an officer of the department concerned designated by the Secretary, determines that—
(A) other facilities are inadequate and cannot be made adequate;
(B) a reasonable effort has been made to induce operators of private facilities to provide the necessary transportation; and
(C) the service to be furnished will make proper use of transportation facilities and will supply the most efficient transportation to the persons concerned.
(2) The Secretary of Defense shall require that, in determining whether to provide transportation described in subsection (a)(2)(A) at any military installation, the Secretary of the military department concerned shall give careful consideration to the potential for saving energy and reducing air pollution.
(3) In providing transportation described in subsection (a)(2)(A) at any military installation, the Secretary concerned may not require a fare for the transportation of members of the armed forces if the transportation is incident to the performance of duty. In providing transportation described in subsection (a)(2)(C) to and from any military installation, the Secretary concerned (under regulations prescribed under subsection (a)(3)) may waive any requirement for a fare.
(4) The authority under subsection (a) to enter into contracts under which the United States is obligated to make outlays shall be effective for any fiscal year only to the extent that the budget authority for such outlays is provided in advance by appropriation Acts.
(c) To provide transportation under subsection (a), the department may—
(1) buy, lease, or charter motor vehicles or water carriers having a seating capacity of 12 or more passengers;
(2) maintain and operate that equipment by—
(A) enlisted members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or the Coast Guard, as the case may be;
(B) employees of the department concerned; and
(C) private persons under contract; and
(3) lease or charter the equipment to private or public carriers for operation under terms that are considered necessary by the Secretary or by an officer of the department designated by the Secretary, and that may provide for the pooling of Government-owned and privately owned equipment and facilities and for the reciprocal use of that equipment.
(d) Fares received under subsection (a), and proceeds of the leasing or chartering of equipment under subsection (c)(3), shall be covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 146; Pub. L. 95–362, Sept. 11, 1978, 92 Stat. 596; Pub. L. 96–125, title VIII, § 807(a)–(c)(1), Nov. 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 949, 950; Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title III, § 318(a)–(c), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1076, 1077; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 924(b)(2)(A)(vii), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3821.)
§ 2633. Stevedoring and terminal services: vessels carrying cargo or passengers sponsored by military department
(a) Notwithstanding section 1301(a) of title 31, the Secretary of a military department may, under such regulations as he may prescribe, furnish stevedoring and terminal services and facilities to vessels carrying cargo, or passengers, or both, sponsored by his department.
(b) The furnishing of services and facilities under this section shall be at fair and reasonable rates.
(c) The proceeds from furnishing services and facilities under this section shall be paid to the credit of the appropriation or fund out of which the services or facilities were supplied.
(Added Pub. L. 85–44, § 1, June 1, 1957, 71 Stat. 45; amended Pub. L. 87–651, title I, § 111(a), Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 510; Pub. L. 96–513, title V, § 511(87), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2927; Pub. L. 97–258, § 3(b)(7), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1063.)
[§ 2634. Repealed. Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title VI, § 621(g)(1), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 784]
§ 2635. Medical emergency helicopter transportation assistance and limitation of individual liability
(a) The Secretary of Defense is authorized to assist the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security in providing medical emergency helicopter transportation services to civilians. Any resources provided under this section shall be under such terms and conditions, including reimbursement, as the Secretary of Defense deems appropriate and shall be subject to the following specific limitations:
(1) Assistance may be provided only in areas where military units able to provide such assistance are regularly assigned, and military units shall not be transferred from one area to another for the purpose of providing such assistance.
(2) Assistance may be provided only to the extent that it does not interfere with the performance of the military mission.
(3) The provision of assistance shall not cause any increase in funds required for the operation of the Department of Defense.
(b) No individual (or his estate) who is authorized by the Department of Defense to perform services under a program established pursuant to subsection (a), and who is acting within the scope of his duties, shall be liable for injury to, or loss of property or personal injury or death which may be caused incident to providing such services.
(Added Pub. L. 93–155, title VIII, § 814(a), Nov. 16, 1973, 87 Stat. 620; amended Pub. L. 96–513, title V, § 511(88), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2928; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(b)(1), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2314.)
§ 2636. Deductions from amounts due carriers
(a)Amounts for Loss or Damage.—An amount deducted from an amount due a carrier shall be credited as follows:
(1) If deducted because of loss of or damage to material in transit for a military department, the amount shall be credited to the proper appropriation, account, or fund from which the same or similar material may be replaced.
(2) If deducted as an administrative offset for an overpayment previously made to the carrier under any Department of Defense contract for transportation services or as liquidated damages due under any such contract, the amount shall be credited to the appropriation or account from which payments for the transportation services were made.
(b)Simplified Offset for Collection of Claims Not in Excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold.—
(1) In any case in which the total amount of a claim for the recovery of overpayments or liquidated damages under a contract described in subsection (a)(2) does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary concerned, in exercising the authority to collect the claim by administrative offset under section 3716 of title 31, may apply paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a) of that section with respect to that collection after (rather than before) the claim is so collected.
(2) Regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense under subsection (b) of section 3716 of title 31—
(A) shall include provisions to carry out paragraph (1); and
(B) shall provide the carrier for a claim subject to paragraph (1) with an opportunity to offer an alternative method of repaying the claim (rather than by administrative offset) if the collection of the claim by administrative offset has not already been made.
(3) In this subsection, the term “simplified acquisition threshold” has the meaning given that term in section 134 of title 41.
(Added Pub. L. 97–258, § 2(b)(5)(B), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1053; amended Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title X, § 1009(a)(1)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–250; Pub. L. 111–350, § 5(b)(43), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3846.)
§ 2636a. Loss or damage to personal property transported at Government expense: full replacement value; deduction from amounts due carriers
(a)Procurement of Coverage.—The Secretary of Defense shall include in a contract for the transportation at Government expense of baggage and household effects for members of the armed forces or civilian employees of the Department of Defense (or both) a clause that requires the carrier under the contract to pay the full replacement value for loss or damage to the baggage or household effects transported under the contract.
(b)Deduction Upon Failure of Carrier To Settle.—In the case of a loss or damage of baggage or household effects transported under a contract with a carrier that includes a clause described in subsection (a), the amount equal to the full replacement value for the baggage or household effects shall be deducted from the amount owed by the United States to the carrier under the contract upon a failure of the carrier to settle a claim for such loss or total damage within a reasonable time. The amount so deducted shall be remitted to the claimant, notwithstanding section 2636 of this title.
(c)Inapplicability of Related Limits.—The limitations on amounts of claims that may be settled under section 3721(b) of title 31 do not apply to a carrier’s contractual obligation to pay full replacement value under this section.
(d)Regulations.—The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations for administering this section. The regulations shall include policies and procedures for validating and evaluating claims, validating proper claimants, and determining reasonable time for settlement. The regulations may include a requirement that a member of the armed forces or civilian employee of the Department of Defense comply with reasonable restrictions or conditions prescribed by the Secretary in order to receive the full amount deducted under subsection (b).
(e)Transportation Defined.—In this section, the terms “transportation” and “transport”, with respect to baggage or household effects, includes packing, crating, drayage, temporary storage, and unpacking of the baggage or household effects.
(Added Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VI, § 634(a), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1509; amended Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title III, § 363(a), (b), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2167; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title III, § 373, Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 82.)
§ 2637. Transportation in certain areas outside the United States
The Secretary of Defense may authorize the commander of a unified combatant command to use Government owned or leased vehicles to provide transportation in an area outside the United States for members of the uniformed services and Federal civilian employees under the jurisdiction of that commander, and for the dependents of such members and employees, if the commander determines that public or private transportation in such area is unsafe or not available. Such transportation shall be provided in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.
(Added Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title III, § 326(a)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1531.)
§ 2638. Transportation of civilian clothing of enlisted members
The Secretary of the military department concerned may provide for the transportation of the civilian clothing of any person entering the armed forces as an enlisted member to the member’s home of record.
(Added Pub. L. 98–525, title XIV, § 1401(j)(1), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2620.)
§ 2639. Transportation to and from school for certain minor dependents
Funds appropriated to the Department of Defense may be used to provide minor dependents of members of the armed forces and of civilian officers and employees of the Department of Defense with transportation to and from primary and secondary schools if the schools attended by the dependents are not accessible by regular means of transportation.
(Added Pub. L. 98–525, title XIV, § 1401(j)(1), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2620.)
§ 2640. Charter air transportation of members of the armed forces or cargo
(a)Requirements.—
(1) The Secretary of Defense may not enter into a contract with an air carrier for the charter air transportation of members of the armed forces or cargo unless the air carrier—
(A) meets, at a minimum, the safety standards established by the Secretary of Transportation under chapter 447 of title 49;
(B) has at least 12 months of experience operating services in air transportation that are substantially equivalent to the service sought by the Department of Defense; and
(C) undergoes a technical safety evaluation.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(C), a technical safety evaluation—
(A) shall include inspection of a representative number of aircraft; and
(B) shall be conducted in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of Transportation.
(b)Inspections.—The Secretary shall provide for inspections of each air carrier that contracts with the Department of Defense for the charter air transportation of members of the armed forces or cargo. The inspections shall be conducted in accordance with standards established by the Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, and shall include, at a minimum, the following:
(1) An on-site capability survey of the air carrier conducted at least once every two years.
(2) A performance evaluation of the air carrier conducted at least once every six months.
(3) A preflight safety inspection of each aircraft conducted at any time during the operation of, but not more than 72 hours before, each internationally scheduled charter mission departing the United States.
(4) A preflight safety inspection of each aircraft used for domestic charter missions conducted to the greatest extent practical.
(5) Operational check-rides on aircraft conducted periodically.
(c)Commercial Airlift Review Board.—The Secretary shall establish a Commercial Airlift Review Board within the Department of Defense. The Board shall consist of personnel from the Department of Defense and other Government personnel as may be appropriate. The duties of the Board shall be—
(1) to make recommendations to the Secretary on suspension and reinstatement of air carriers under subsection (d);
(2) to make recommendations to the Secretary on waivers under subsection (g); and
(3) to carry out such other duties and make recommendations on such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(d)Suspension and Reinstatement.—
(1) The Secretary shall establish guidelines for the suspension of air carriers under contract with the Department of Defense for the charter air transportation of members of the armed forces or cargo and for the reinstatement of air carriers that have been so suspended. The guidelines—
(A) shall require the immediate determination of whether to suspend an air carrier if an aircraft of the air carrier is involved in a fatal accident; and
(B) may require the suspension of an air carrier—
(i) if the carrier is in violation of any order, rule, regulation, or standard prescribed under chapter 447 of title 49; or
(ii) if an aircraft of the air carrier is involved in a serious accident.
(2) The Commercial Airlift Review Board shall make recommendations to the Secretary on suspension and reinstatement under this subsection.
(3) The Secretary shall include in each contract subject to this section the provisions on suspension and reinstatement established under this subsection.
(e)Authority To Leave Unsafe Aircraft.—A representative of the Military Airlift Command, the Military Traffic Management Command, or such other agency as may be designated by the Secretary of Defense (or if there is no such representative reasonably available, the senior officer on board a chartered aircraft) may order members of the armed forces or cargo to leave a chartered aircraft if the representative (or officer) determines that a condition exists on the aircraft which may endanger the safety of the members or cargo.
(f)FAA Information.—The Secretary shall request the Secretary of Transportation to provide to the Secretary a report on each inspection performed by Federal Aviation Administration personnel, and the status of corrective actions taken, on each aircraft of an air carrier under contract with the Department of Defense for the charter air transportation of members of the armed forces or cargo.
(g)Waiver.—After considering recommendations by the Commercial Airlift Review Board, the Secretary may waive any provision of this section in an emergency.
(h)Authority To Protect Safety-Related Information Voluntarily Provided by an Air Carrier.—
(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary of Defense may (notwithstanding any other provision of law) withhold from public disclosure safety-related information that is provided to the Secretary voluntarily by an air carrier for the purposes of this section.
(2) Information may be withheld under paragraph (1) from public disclosure only if the Secretary determines that—
(A) the disclosure of the information would inhibit an air carrier from voluntarily providing, in the future, safety-related information for the purposes of this section or for other air safety purposes involving the Department of Defense or another Federal agency; and
(B) the receipt of such information generally enhances the fulfillment of responsibilities under this section or other air safety responsibilities involving the Department of Defense or another Federal agency.
(3) If the Secretary provides to the head of another agency safety-related information described in paragraph (1) with respect to which the Secretary has made a determination described in paragraph (2), the head of that agency shall (notwithstanding any other provision of law) withhold the information from public disclosure unless the disclosure is specifically authorized by the Secretary.
(i)Regulations.—The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section, including requirements and identification of inspecting personnel with respect to preflight safety inspections required by subsection (b)(3).
(j)Definitions.—In this section:
(1) The terms “air carrier”, “aircraft”, “air transportation”, “cargo”, and “charter air transportation” have the meanings given such terms by section 40102(a) of title 49.
(2) The term “members of the armed forces” means members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force.
(Added Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XII, § 1204(a)(1), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3969; amended Pub. L. 103–272, § 5(b)(1), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1373; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title X, § 1075(a), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1911; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 924(b)(1)(P), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3820; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title X, § 1083(d)(1), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1923.)
§ 2641. Transportation of certain veterans on Department of Defense aeromedical evacuation aircraft
(a) The Secretary of Defense may provide transportation on an aircraft operating under the aeromedical evacuation system of the Department of Defense for the purpose of transporting a veteran to or from a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility or of transporting the remains of a deceased veteran who died at such a facility after being transported to the facility under this subsection. Transportation of the remains of a deceased veteran under this subsection may be provided to the place from which the veteran was transported to the facility or to any other destination which is not farther away from the facility than such place.
(b) Transportation under this section shall be provided in accordance with an agreement entered into between the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Such an agreement shall provide that transportation may be furnished to a veteran (or for the remains of a veteran) on an aircraft referred to in subsection (a) only if—
(1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs notifies the Secretary of Defense that the veteran needs or has been furnished medical care or services in a Department of Veterans Affairs facility and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs requests such transportation in connection with the travel of such veteran (or of the remains of such veteran) to or from the Department of Veterans Affairs facility where the care or services are to be furnished or were furnished to such veteran;
(2) there is space available for the veteran (or the remains of the veteran) on the aircraft; and
(3) there is an adequate number of medical and other service attendants to care for all persons being transported on the aircraft.
(c) A veteran is not eligible for transportation under this section unless the veteran is a primary beneficiary within the meaning of clause (A) of section 8111(g)(5) of title 38.
(d)
(1) A charge may not be imposed on a veteran (or on the survivors of a veteran) for transportation provided to the veteran (or for the remains of the veteran) under this section.
(2) An agreement under subsection (b) shall provide that the Department of Veterans Affairs shall reimburse the Department of Defense for any costs incurred in providing transportation to veterans (or for the remains of veterans) under this section that would not otherwise have been incurred by the Department of Defense.
(e) In this section, the term “veteran” has the meaning given that term in section 101(2) of title 38.
(Added Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title XII, § 1250(a)(1), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1167; amended Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title XVI, § 1621(a)(1), (2), (8), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1602, 1603; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title VI, § 652(b), title X, § 1070(e)(8), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2794, 2859.)
§ 2641a. Transportation of American Samoa veterans on Department of Defense aircraft for certain medical care in Hawaii
(a)Transportation Authorized.—The Secretary of Defense may provide transportation on Department of Defense aircraft for the purpose of transporting any veteran specified in subsection (b) between American Samoa and the State of Hawaii if such transportation is required in order to provide hospital care to such veteran as described in that subsection.
(b)Veterans Eligible for Transport.—A veteran eligible for transport under subsection (a) is any veteran who—
(1) resides in and is located in American Samoa; and
(2) as determined by an official of the Department of Veterans Affairs designated for that purpose by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, must be transported to the State of Hawaii in order to receive hospital care to which such veteran is entitled under chapter 17 of title 38 in facilities of such Department in the State of Hawaii.
(c)Administration.—
(1) Transportation may be provided to veterans under this section only on a space-available basis.
(2) A charge may not be imposed on a veteran for transportation provided to the veteran under this section.
(Added Pub. L. 105–262, title VIII, § 8121(a), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2332; amended Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title X, § 1066(a)(24), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 771.)
§ 2641b. Space-available travel on Department of Defense aircraft: program authorized and eligible recipients
(a)Authority to Establish Program.—
(1) The Secretary of Defense may establish a program (in this section referred to as the “travel program”) to provide transportation on Department of Defense aircraft on a space-available basis to the categories of individuals eligible under subsection (c).
(2) If the Secretary makes a determination to establish the travel program, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations for the operation of the travel program not later than one year after the date on which the determination was made. The regulations shall take effect on that date or such earlier date as the Secretary shall specify in the regulations.
(3) Not later than 30 days after making the determination to establish the travel program, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees an initial implementation report describing—
(A) the basis for the determination;
(B) any additional categories of individuals to be eligible for the travel program under subsection (c)(6);
(C) how the Secretary will ensure that the travel program is established and operated in compliance with the conditions specified in subsection (b); and
(D) the metrics by which the Secretary will monitor the travel program to determine the efficient and effective execution of the travel program.
(b)Conditions on Establishment and Operation.—
(1) The Secretary of Defense shall operate the travel program in a budget-neutral manner.
(2) No additional funds may be used, or flight hours performed, for the purpose of providing transportation under the travel program.
(c)Eligible Individuals.—Subject to subsection (d), the Secretary of Defense shall provide transportation under the travel program (if established) to the following categories of individuals:
(1) Members of the armed forces on active duty.
(2) Members of the Selected Reserve who hold a valid Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card.
(3) Retired members of a regular or reserve component of the armed forces, including retired members of reserve components who, but for being under the eligibility age applicable under section 12731 of this title, would be eligible for retired pay under chapter 1223 of this title.
(4) Subject to subsection (f), veterans with a permanent service-connected disability rated as total.
(5) Such categories of dependents of individuals described in paragraphs (1) through (3) as the Secretary shall specify in the regulations under subsection (a), under such conditions and circumstances as the Secretary shall specify in such regulations.
(6) Such other categories of individuals as the Secretary, in the discretion of the Secretary, considers appropriate.
(d)Priorities and Restrictions.—In operating the travel program, the Secretary of Defense shall—
(1) in the sole discretion of the Secretary, establish an order of priority for transportation under the travel program for categories of eligible individuals that is based on considerations of military necessity, humanitarian concerns, and enhancement of morale;
(2) give priority in consideration of transportation under the travel program to the demands of members of the armed forces in the regular components and in the reserve components on active duty and to the need to provide such members, and their dependents, a means of respite from such demands; and
(3) implement policies aimed at ensuring cost control (as required by subsection (b)) and the safety, security, and efficient processing of travelers, including limiting the benefit under the travel program to one or more categories of otherwise eligible individuals if considered necessary by the Secretary.
(e)Special Priority for Retired Members Residing in Commonwealths and Possessions of the United States Who Need Certain Health Care Services.—
(1) Notwithstanding subsection (d)(1), in establishing space-available transportation priorities under the travel program, the Secretary of Defense shall provide transportation for an individual described in paragraph (2), and a single dependent of the individual if needed to accompany the individual, at a priority level in the same category as the priority level for an unaccompanied dependent over the age of 18 traveling on environmental and morale leave.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), paragraph (1) applies with respect to an individual described in subsection (c)(3) who—
(A) resides in or is located in a Commonwealth or possession of the United States; and
(B) is referred by a military or civilian primary care provider located in that Commonwealth or possession to a specialty care provider for services to be provided outside of that Commonwealth or possession.
(3) If an individual described in subsection (c)(3) is a retired member of a reserve component who is ineligible for retired pay under chapter 1223 of this title by reason of being under the eligibility age applicable under section 12731 of this title, paragraph (1) applies to the individual only if the individual is also enrolled in the TRICARE program for certain members of the Retired Reserve authorized under section 1076e of this title.
(4) The priority for space-available transportation required by this subsection applies with respect to both—
(A) the travel from the Commonwealth or possession of the United States to receive the specialty care services; and
(B) the return travel.
(5) The requirement to provide transportation on Department of Defense aircraft on a space-available basis on the priority basis described in paragraph (1) to individuals covered by this subsection applies whether or not the travel program is established under this section.
(6) In this subsection, the terms “primary care provider” and “specialty care provider” refer to a medical or dental professional who provides health care services under chapter 55 of this title.
(f)Veterans With Service-connected Disabilities Rated as Total.—
(1) Travel may not be provided under this section to a veteran eligible for travel pursuant to subsection (c)(4) in priority over any member eligible for travel under subsection (c)(1) or any dependent of such a member eligible for travel under this section.
(2) The authority in subsection (c)(4) may not be construed as affecting or in any way imposing on the Department of Defense, any armed force, or any commercial company with which they contract an obligation or expectation that they will retrofit or alter, in any way, military aircraft or commercial aircraft, or related equipment or facilities, used or leased by the Department or such armed force to accommodate passengers provided travel under such authority on account of disability.
(3) The authority in subsection (c)(4) may not be construed as preempting the authority of a flight commander to determine who boards the aircraft and any other matters in connection with safe operation of the aircraft.
(g)Construction.—The authority to provide transportation under the travel program is in addition to any other authority under law to provide transportation on Department of Defense aircraft on a space-available basis.
(Added Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title III, § 374(a), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 82; amended Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title VI, § 622(a), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1779; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VI, § 624, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1801; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title X, § 1081(a)(43), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3873.)
§ 2642. Transportation services provided to certain non-Department of Defense agencies and entities: use of Department of Defense reimbursement rate
(a)Authority.—Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary of Defense may authorize the use of the Department of Defense reimbursement rate for military transportation services provided by a component of the Department of Defense as follows:
(1) For military transportation services provided to the Central Intelligence Agency, if the Secretary of Defense determines that those military transportation services are provided for activities related to national security objectives.
(2) For military transportation services provided to the Department of State for the transportation of armored motor vehicles to a foreign country to meet requirements of the Department of State for armored motor vehicles associated with the overseas travel of the Secretary of State in that country.
(3) For military transportation services provided to any element of the Federal Government outside the Department of Defense in circumstances other than those specified in paragraphs (1) and (2), but only if the Secretary of Defense determines that the provision of such services will promote the improved use of transportation capacity without any negative effect on the national security objectives or the national security interests contained within the United States commercial transportation industry.
(4) For military transportation services provided in support of foreign military sales.
(5) For military transportation services provided to a State, local, or tribal agency (including any organization composed of State, local, or tribal agencies).
(6) For military transportation services provided to a Department of Defense contractor when transporting supplies that are for, or destined for, a Department of Defense entity.
(b)Termination of Authority for Certain Categories of Transportation.—The provisions of paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (6) of subsection (a) shall apply only to military transportation services provided before October 1, 2024.
(c)In this section, the term “Department of Defense reimbursement rate” means the amount charged a component of the Department of Defense by another component of the Department of Defense.
(Added Pub. L. 102–88, title V, § 501(a), Aug. 14, 1991, 105 Stat. 435; amended Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title X, § 1006(a), (b)(1), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1585; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title III, § 351(a), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2262; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, § 1075(b)(40), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4371; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title X, § 1073(a), (b), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 869; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title X, §§ 1044(a)–(c)(1), 1071(f)(22), (g)(4), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3493, 3494, 3511; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, § 1081(f), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1601; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title III, § 373, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1332.)
§ 2643. Commissary and exchange services: transportation overseas
(a)Transportation Options.—The Secretary of Defense shall authorize the officials responsible for operation of commissaries and military exchanges to negotiate directly with private carriers for the most cost-effective transportation of commissary and exchange supplies to destinations outside the continental United States without relying on the Air Mobility Command, the Military Sealift Command, or the Military Traffic Management Command. Section 2631 of this title, regarding the preference for vessels of the United States or belonging to the United States in the transportation of supplies by sea, shall apply to the negotiation of contracts for sea-borne transportation under the authority of this section.
(b)Payment of Transportation Costs.—
(Added Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title III, § 334(a), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 261; amended Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VI, § 673, Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3319; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VI, § 661(h), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2172.)
§ 2644. Control of transportation systems in time of war
In time of war, the President, through the Secretary of Defense, may take possession and assume control of all or part of any system of transportation to transport troops, war material, and equipment, or for other purposes related to the emergency. So far as necessary, he may use the system to the exclusion of other traffic.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 266, § 4742; renumbered § 2644 and amended Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title IX, § 906(a), (b), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2620.)
§ 2645. Indemnification of Department of Transportation for losses covered by vessel war risk insurance
(a)Prompt Indemnification Required.—
(1) In the event of a loss that is covered by vessel war risk insurance, the Secretary of Defense shall promptly indemnify the Secretary of Transportation for the amount of the loss consistent with the indemnification agreement between the two Secretaries that underlies such insurance. The Secretary of Defense shall make such indemnification—
(A) in the case of a claim for the loss of a vessel, not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary of Transportation determines the claim to be payable or that amounts are due under the policy that provided the vessel war risk insurance; and
(B) in the case of any other claim, not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary of Transportation determines the claim to be payable.
(2) When there is a loss of a vessel that is (or may be) covered by vessel war risk insurance, the Secretary of Transportation may make, during the period when a claim for such loss is pending with the Secretary of Transportation, any required periodic payments owed by the insured party to a lessor or mortgagee of such vessel. Such payments shall commence not later than 30 days following the date of the presentment of the claim for the loss of the vessel to the Secretary of Transportation. If the Secretary of Transportation determines that the claim is payable, any amount paid under this paragraph arising from such claim shall be credited against the amount payable under the vessel war risk insurance. If the Secretary of Transportation determines that the claim is not payable, any amount paid under this paragraph arising from such claim shall constitute a debt to the United States, payable to the insurance fund. Any such amounts so returned to the United States shall be promptly credited to the fund or account from which the payments were made under this paragraph.
(b)Source of Funds for Payment of Indemnity.—The Secretary of Defense may pay an indemnity described in subsection (a) from any funds available to the Department of Defense for operation and maintenance, and such sums as may be necessary for payment of such indemnity are hereby authorized to be transferred to the Secretary of Transportation for such purpose.
(c)Deposit of Funds.—Any amount transferred to the Secretary of Transportation under this section shall be deposited in, and merged with amounts in, the Vessel War Risk Insurance Fund as provided in section 53909(b) of title 46.
(d)Notice to Congress.—In the event of a loss that is covered by vessel war risk insurance in the case of an incident in which the covered loss is (or is expected to be) in an amount in excess of $10,000,000, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress notification of the loss as soon after the occurrence of the loss as possible and in no event more than 30 days after the date of the loss.
(e)Implementing Matters.—
(1) Payment of indemnification under this section is not subject to section 2214 or 2215 of this title or any other provision of law requiring notification to Congress before funds may be transferred.
(2) Consolidation of claims arising from the same incident is not required before indemnification of the Secretary of Transportation for payment of a claim may be made under this section.
(f)Construction With Other Transfer Authority.—Authority to transfer funds under this section is in addition to any other authority provided by law to transfer funds (whether enacted before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this section) and is not subject to any dollar limitation or notification requirement contained in any other such authority to transfer funds.
[(g) Repealed. Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title X, § 1031(a)(26)(B), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1598.]
(h)Definitions.—In this section:
(1)Vessel war risk insurance.—The term “vessel war risk insurance” means insurance and reinsurance provided through policies issued by the Secretary of Transportation under chapter 539 of title 46 that is provided by that Secretary without premium at the request of the Secretary of Defense and is covered by an indemnity agreement between the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Defense.
(2)Vessel war risk insurance fund.—The term “Vessel War Risk Insurance Fund” means the insurance fund referred to in section 53909(a) of title 46.
(3)Loss.—The term “loss” includes damage to or destruction of property, personal injury or death, and other liabilities and expenses covered by the vessel war risk insurance.
(Added Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title X, § 1079(b)(1), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2669; amended Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title X, § 1073(a)(57), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1903; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title X, § 1031(a)(26), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1598; Pub. L. 109–304, § 17(a)(4), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1706; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title X, § 1064(8), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1587.)
§ 2646. Travel services: procurement for official and unofficial travel under one contract
(a)Authority.—The head of an agency may enter into a contract for travel-related services that provides for the contractor to furnish services for both official travel and unofficial travel.
(b)Credits, Discounts, Commissions, Fees.—
(1) A contract entered into under this section may provide for credits, discounts, or commissions or other fees to accrue to the Department of Defense. The accrual and amounts of credits, discounts, or commissions or other fees may be determined on the basis of the volume (measured in the number or total amount of transactions or otherwise) of the travel-related sales that are made by the contractor under the contract.
(2) The evaluation factors applicable to offers for a contract under this section may include a factor that relates to the estimated aggregate value of any credits, discounts, commissions, or other fees that would accrue to the Department of Defense for the travel-related sales made under the contract.
(3) Commissions or fees received by the Department of Defense as a result of travel-related sales made under a contract entered into under this section shall be distributed as follows:
(A) For amounts relating to sales for official travel, credit to appropriations available for official travel for the fiscal year in which the amounts were charged.
(B) For amounts relating to sales for unofficial travel, deposit in nonappropriated fund accounts available for morale, welfare, and recreation programs.
(c)Definitions.—In this section:
(1) The term “head of an agency” has the meaning given that term in section 3004 of this title.
(2) The term “official travel” means travel at the expense of the Federal Government.
(3) The term “unofficial travel” means personal travel or other travel that is not paid for or reimbursed by the Federal Government out of appropriated funds.
(d)Inapplicability to Coast Guard and NASA.—This section does not apply to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, nor to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(Added Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title VIII, § 813(a), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2087; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1806(e)(1)(B), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4155.)
§ 2647. Next-of-kin of persons unaccounted for from conflicts after World War II: transportation to annual meetings
The Secretary of Defense may provide transportation for the next-of-kin of persons who are unaccounted for from the Korean conflict, the Cold War, Vietnam War era, or the Persian Gulf War to and from an annual meeting in the United States. Such transportation shall be provided under such regulations as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe.
(Added Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, § 574(a), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1122.)
§ 2648. Persons and supplies: sea, land, and air transportation
Whenever the Secretary of Defense considers that space is available, the following persons and supplies may be transported on vessels, vehicles, or aircraft operated by the Department of Defense:
(1) Members of Congress.
(2) Other officers of the United States traveling on official business.
(3) Secretaries and supplies of the Armed Services Department of the Young Men’s Christian Association.
(4) Officers and employees of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico on official business.
(5) The families of members of the armed forces, officers and employees of the Department of Defense or the Coast Guard, and persons described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (4).
However, a person described in paragraph (4) or (5) may be so transported only if the transportation is without expense to the United States.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 266, § 4744; Pub. L. 86–624, § 4(d), July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 411; renumbered § 2648 and amended Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title X, § 1072(a), (b)(1), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2057; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title III, § 352(d), (e)(1), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4193.)
§ 2649. Civilian passengers and commercial cargoes: transportation on Department of Defense vessels, vehicles, and aircraft
(a)Authority.—Whenever space is unavailable on commercial lines and is available on vessels, vehicles, or aircraft operated by the Department of Defense, civilian passengers and commercial cargo may, in the discretion of the Secretary of Defense, be transported on those vessels, vehicles, or aircraft. Rates for transportation under this section may not be less than those charged by commercial lines for the same kinds of service, except that in the case of transportation provided in response to an emergency, a disaster, or a request for humanitarian assistance, any amount charged for such transportation may not exceed the cost of providing the transportation.
(b)Crediting of Receipts.—Any amount received under subsection (a) with respect to transportation provided in response to an emergency, a disaster, or a request for humanitarian assistance may be credited to the appropriation, fund, or account used in incurring the obligation for which such amount is received. In all other cases, amounts received under subsection (a) shall be covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
(c)Transportation of Allied and Civilian Personnel and Cargo During Contingencies or Disaster Responses.—When space is available on vessels, vehicles, or aircraft operated by the Department of Defense and the Secretary of Defense determines that operations in the area of a contingency operation or disaster response would be facilitated if allied and civilian personnel and cargo were to be transported using such vessels, vehicles, or aircraft, the Secretary may provide such transportation on a noninterference basis, without charge.
(d)Commercial Insurance.—The Secretary may enter into a contract or other arrangement with one or more commercial providers to make insurance products available to non-Department of Defense shippers using the Defense Transportation System to insure against the loss or damage of the shipper’s cargo. Any such contract or arrangement shall provide that—
(1) any insurance premium is collected by the commercial provider;
(2) any claim for loss or damage is processed and paid by the commercial provider;
(3) the commercial provider agrees to hold the United States harmless and waive any recourse against the United States for amounts paid to an insured as a result of a claim; and
(4) the contract between the commercial provider and the insured shall contain a provision whereby the insured waives any claim against the United States for loss or damage that is within the scope of enumerated risks covered by the insurance product.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 267, § 4745; Pub. L. 96–513, title V, § 512(22), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2930; Pub. L. 97–31, § 12(3)(C), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 154; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(b)(1), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2314; renumbered § 2649 and amended Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title X, § 1072(a), (b)(2), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2057; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title III, § 352(a)–(c), (e)(2), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4193, 4194; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1076(e)(4), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1951; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title X, § 1041, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2392.)
§ 2650. Civilian personnel in Alaska
Persons residing in Alaska who are and have been employed there by the United States for at least two years, and their families, may be transported on vessels or airplanes operated by the Department of Defense, if—
(1) the Secretary of Defense considers that accommodations are available;
(2) the transportation is without expense to the United States;
(3) the transportation is limited to one round trip between Alaska and the United States during any two-year period, except in an emergency such as sickness or death; and
(4) in case of travel by air, the transportation cannot be reasonably handled by a United States commercial air carrier.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 267, § 4746; Pub. L. 98–443, § 9(k), Oct. 4, 1984, 98 Stat. 1708; renumbered § 2650 and amended Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title X, § 1072(a), (b)(3), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2057, 2058.)
§ 2651. Passengers and merchandise to Guam: sea transport
Whenever space is available, passengers, and merchandise produced in the United States, or the Commonwealths and possessions, and consigned to residents and mercantile firms of Guam, may be transported to Guam on vessels operated by the Department of Defense, under regulations and at rates to be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 267, § 4747; renumbered § 2651 and amended Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title X, § 1072(a), (b)(4), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2057, 2058; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title X, § 1057(a)(6), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3441; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title X, § 1075(h)(4)(A)(ii), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4377.)
§ 2652. Prohibition on charge of certain tariffs on aircraft traveling through channel routes
The United States Transportation Command may not charge a tariff by reason of the use by a military service of an aircraft of that military service on a route designated by the United States Transportation Command as a channel route.
(Added Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, § 1044(a), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1555.)