ATA was part of the FedEx Teaming Arrangement, a group of airlines contracted by the military to transport troops and their families overseas. The Indianapolis Star reported on the circumstances of the local air carrier’s demise:
Back on the home front, military families awaiting the return of their stranded loved ones are speaking out. The Hartford Courant has the story of one father who reached out to his old college roommate, Miramax Films co-founder Harvey Weinstein, for help:
The ATA-related stranding of a number of Vermont soldiers in Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq prompted a letter from the Vermont Congressional Delegation to Secretary of Defense Gates. The letter cited that many of the soldiers had their combat tours extended from 12 to 15 months as a result of the surge–and, it’s time for them to come home. From the letter:
Currao, desperate for a better answer, called U.S. Rep. John Larson and U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd. He even reached out to his old college roommate and Miramax Films co-founder, Harvey Weinstein, who is friends with the Clinton family.
“He’s been a great friend and I’ve never asked him for anything,” Currao said. “I just wanted to run this by him. Maybe I can get him to send out his jets over there to get the whole battalion picked up.”
Earlier this month, Aviation Week gave some background on the FedEx Teaming Arrangement:
As a result of the troop surge, many of the service-members participating in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom have had their deployments extended from 12 to 15 months. Ask any of these men and women when they are going home and most can give you a precise day and time. The same is true of their families who have been eagerly anticipating the return of their loved one. To be told within days of shipping out that your trip home has been delayed until a date uncertain is demoralizing. Unnecessary delays also result in additional troops remaining in a war zone beyond when their presence serves any constructive purpose for the war-fighting effort.
