Skip to navigation Skip to content
click here to view our 'Why' videos

DFW Airport Hits 500,000 Milestone for Greeting Military Personnel on R&R

News & Happenings

June 20, 2007

Photo by John Hearon

The military's Rest and Recuperation (R&R) program reached the half-million milestone for arrivals at Dallas-Fort Worth's Terminal D, where hundreds of cheering volunteers and supporters gathered June 12 to greet military personnel getting a two-week break from service in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

DFW became an R&R hub in September 2003, joining Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport in handling the flights, which all depart from Kuwait City International. Some 450 service members fly home most weeks for critically needed time to recuperate and reconnect with families and friends.

TSA has provided vital services and support for the program since its inception at DFW, issuing about 50 passes a day that allow military families access through the security checkpoint so they can spend more time with a service member completing R&R and departing for combat. Transportation security officers (TSOs) also volunteer their personal time assisting the United Service Organizations (USO) with needs military personnel might have while visiting the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

I love working with soldiers," said Supervisory TSO John Hearon. "They do so much for us, it is it is the least that I can do for them.