Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 4500.56
April 14, 2009
Incorporating Change 3, Effective June 24, 2014
USD(AT&L)
SUBJECT: DoD Policy on the Use of Government Aircraft and Air Travel
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. This Directive:
a. Reissues DoD Directive (DoDD) 4500.56 (Reference (a)).
b. Implements Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-126, Public Law 104-106,
and the White House Memorandum, “Use of Government Aircraft for Official Business”
(References (b), (c), and (d)).
c. Establishes policies for the transportation of DoD passengers and cargo and the use of
government aircraft.
d. Cancels and incorporates guidance contained in Directive-Type Memorandums
09-002 (Reference (e)) concerning the use of government aircraft.
e. Establishes policies for Operational Support Airlift (OSA) aircraft transportation.
f. Establishes the Executive Airlift Scheduling Activity (EASA).
g. Supersedes all previous memorandums concerning the travel of DoD senior officials.
h. Cancels Deputy Secretary of Defense Memorandum (Reference (f)) and provides new
guidance regarding the establishment of a DoD-wide OSA common movement management
system.
2. APPLICABILITY. This Directive applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD
