by Jon Hanson
Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs
11/8/2011 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- The latest "Deployed Leaders Guide to the AEF" is now available on the Air and Space Expeditionary Force Online website, and a print copy can be ordered Nov. 15.
The guide is a reference tool used by deployed leaders to help answer questions throughout deployments.
"It is designed for NCOs and above who will lead Airmen in a deployed environment," said Mike Sullivan, the lead training specialist with Air and Space Expeditionary Force and Personnel Operations at the Air Force Personnel Center here. "The more people are informed about the deployment process, the better it is for all."
The DLG covers a wide variety of subjects including rotating Airmen, security and force protection, base operating support, organization structure, morale and discipline, awards and decorations, joint environment, host country awareness, contractor support and civilian work force.
There are no restrictions or costs for an individual or unit to request copies of the guide, officials said. When possible, the AEF education and training staff will work with local installation deployment officers to consolidate installation Deployed Leaders Guide orders to save on mailing costs. However, Sullivan stressed the goal is to get Airmen to use the guide and to not turn away individual requests.
To get a copy of the DLG, individuals need to logon to AEF Online at https://aef.afpc.randolph.af.mil, click on the "Education & Training" tab and then locate the block "Guides to the AEF." The online guide is available for immediate download, or users can request a copy of the guide be sent to them by selecting the link "Request copies of Guides."
The training staff also creates two other guides. The first is the "Wing Leadership Guide" that focuses on supporting commanders and other leaders charged with preparing and deploying Air Force members downrange. The second product is the "Installation Deployment Officers and Unit Deployment Manager's Guide." This guide focuses on the specifics of the deployment process and maintaining and reporting unit deployment readiness.
All three guides are produced annually at different intervals. The AEF guides were recognized as an Air Force Best Practice earlier this year for providing significant contributions to the Air Force combat mission.
"Our goal is to support the combatant commander and make sure our Airmen are ready," Sullivan said. "So we update the guides following every rotation based on what is happening on the battlefield."
For additional information on the deployment guides or other deployment questions go AEF Online at https://aef.afpc.randolph.af.mil.
