DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 4630.26C
N4
29 May 2020
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 4630.26C
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: PROCEDURES FOR ARRANGING NAVY-SPONSORED SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT
AIRLIFT MISSIONS
Ref: (a) DTR 4500.9-R
(b) JP 4-01 of 18 July 2017
(c) OPNAVINST 4614.1H
(d) DoD Instruction 4500.43 of 18 May 2011
(e) OPNAVINST 4631.2E
(f) NAVSUP Pub 505
(g) NTTP 4-01.5 of December 2013
(h) DoD Directive 4500.54E of 28 December 2009
Encl: (1) Specific SAAM Guidance
1. Purpose. To provide policy and guidance for the submission of U.S. Navy-funded
requirements for special assignment airlift missions (SAAM) arranged by the United States
Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). This update and validation is required per
OPNAVINST 5215.17A and only contains administrative changes.
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 4630.26B.
3. Background. SAAM is a mission performing special assignment airlift and provides an
exclusive service. SAAM is defined in reference (a), “Definitions” of 5 May 2020 as "airlift
requirements for special pick-up or delivery by Air Mobility Command (AMC) at points other
than established AMC routes, and which require special consideration because of the number of
passengers involved, the weight or size of the cargo, the urgency or sensitivity of movement, or
other special factors." SAAMs are prioritized through the Department of Defense (DoD)
Transportation Movement Priority System. Priority movement codes are in reference (b),
appendix A.
4. Applicability. This instruction supplements reference (a) by providing Navy specific policy
for requesting SAAMs and is applicable to all Navy personnel requesting SAAMs.
