All Honor Flights canceled through the remainder of 2020.

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The National Board has extended the suspension of all Honor Flight travel through the remainder of calendar year 2020.  This decision was not made lightly. We’d like to share a note from Meredith Rosenbeck, CEO, from the national office: “The safety of our veterans has always been and will continue to be the number one priority of the Honor Flight Network.  Our veterans are among the most vulnerable of the population as it relates to serious complications and death from COVID-19 and, as a result of this, it is just not prudent for Honor Flight to risk the health and safety of those we seek to honor at this juncture. The national staff will continue to be available to assist Hubs in any way we can or answer any questions you may have.  We look forward to resuming flights with you all again in 2021.”

Honor Flight suspension extended through June 30

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A note from the National Honor Flight Board

HFN Flight Suspension Extension:  Based on current federal and state guidelines, the HFN mandatory flight suspension has been extended through June 30.  Currently, Maryland’s stay home order is “indefinite” in duration and Virginia’s stay home order runs through at least June 10.  Also, Arlington National Cemetery remains closed to the public and there is no date certain upon which ANC will reopen to the public and/or resume public viewing of the changing of the guard.  We are continuing to monitor the federal and DC area orders very closely and will keep you all updated.  The Honor Flight Board will meet again on May 13th to further discuss this matter and determine if any further suspensions are necessary under the circumstances at that time.

Stay safe!

Real ID deadline extended by 1 year

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Acting Secretary Chad Wolf Statement on the REAL ID Enforcement Deadline

“Due to circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the national emergency declaration, the Department of Homeland Security, as directed by President Donald J. Trump, is extending the REAL ID enforcement deadline beyond the current October 1, 2020 deadline. I have determined that states require a twelve-month delay and that the new deadline for REAL ID enforcement is October 1, 2021. DHS will publish a notice of the new deadline in the Federal Register in the coming days.

“The federal, state and local response to the spread of the Coronavirus here in the United States necessitates a delay in this deadline. Our state and local partners are working tirelessly with the Administration to flatten the curve and, therefore, we want to remove any impediments to response and recovery efforts. States across the country are temporarily closing or restricting access to DMVs. This action will preclude millions of people from applying for and receiving their REAL ID. Extending the deadline will also allow the Department to work with Congress to implement needed changes to expedite the issuance of REAL IDs once the current health crisis concludes.

“Protecting both the health and national security of the American people continues to be the top priority for the President of the United States and the Department of Homeland Security.”

Last Published Date: March 26, 2020

More information can be found here on the DHS website

March and April Honor Flights postponed until further notice

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Effective immediately, Honor Flights are suspended until at least April 30, 2020 – please check back regularly for updates.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has reported a growing incidence of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) infections across the United States.

The leadership and Board of Honor Flight Network have been closely monitoring guidance from the health authorities concerning COVID-19. The CDC recently issued advisory that adults over the age of 60 are particularly at risk of infection and should avoid all non-essential air travel.  In consideration of the CDC’s guidance and the serious nature of the public health threat posed by COVID-19, the national Board is issuing a mandatory suspension of all Honor Flight trips effective immediately through at least April 30, 2020.  The national Board will continue to monitor CDC guidance over the coming weeks to determine if the mandatory suspension of Honor Flight travel will be extended further.

We value the health and safety of our veterans, their guardians, and everyone who supports the Honor Flight trips above all else. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Changes to DCA airport and impacts on greeting veterans

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Reminders and updates for navigating DCA airport, greeting, and Real ID if greeting inside of security and requesting a Gate Access Pass.

Construction: DCA is undergoing a major construction project to build a new terminal. The project affects Terminals B and C and closes down and/or restricts certain parts of the airport. While Terminal A is not undergoing construction directly, traffic and traveler pickups will have rippling affects. Subscribe to construction advisories to stay abreast. 
Key Points:
Terminal A: Not directly effected.
Terminal B: No change from last year. Veterans will use Terminal B/C elevators and exit and reenter on Level 3 Door 1 on the departure platform (see airport map).
Terminal C: NEW CHANGES this year. Veterans will use Terminal B/C elevators, which are a different set of elevators from what we used last year and the same set that Terminal B uses (we used the elevators by the metro hallway). This means Terminal C arrivals will have a farther distance to travel through the airport if they need to use elevators. It also means Terminal B and Terminal C arrivals will have to share and be patient. It is up to the hub if they will allow their veterans to take the escalators. Once taking the Terminal B/C elevators up to Level 3, hubs flying with American Airlines will still exit Door 6 on the departure platform where the buses will be staged (see airport map). As always we will try to help guide the veterans and their guardians and hub staff through the airport. This will be their first season experiencing these new changes so they will undoubtedly ask us questions. Please remember any of this can change so please make sure to listen to airport officials if they provide different directions. 

Real ID: Goes into effect 1 October 2020 so if you want to go through security, you’ll need to make sure you have a Real ID license or other approved documentation. Visit the VA DMV website to find out more.