Subscribe

I have some important information for people who have had items stolen or damaged in their bags while flying on a government-contracted commercial flight. I had items taken out of one of my duffel bags while flying from Atlanta to Kuwait.

The military representatives at the Atlanta airport told us we could not have locks on our bags or they would be cut off. After arriving at Ali Al Salem, I received two of my three duffels and went to tent one to report a missing duffel. While filling out the form, I was told sometimes missing bags show up on the next night’s flight. I waited until the next night and my duffel showed up, but with items missing. I was told to contact the military police and file a report. The MPs showed up, took my statement, gave me a copy of the paperwork and told me to file a claim.

Long story short, after 10 weeks of trying, going through tents 1 through 5 at Ali Al Salem, legal assistance and the airline, I finally received the correct information.

People should contact the AMC Baggage Service Center at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. People need to call or mail them about what happened or what is missing. They will give you a case number and mail you the paperwork and instructions as to what all is needed to be turned in.

So please, if you work at Ali Al Salem, or have a troop who is going through what I am, please use the information below to help them:

AMC Baggage Service Center105 South Bates StreetBuilding 164Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. 29404Phone number: 800-851-5761Sgt. 1st Class Michael FreemanCamp Taji, Iraq

Sign Up for Daily Headlines

Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets from around the world.

Sign Up Now