Support agencies ease deployed Airmen's return

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ken Hall
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Family and friends welcomed the safe return Sept. 24 of several Airmen who were deployed in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

After spending time with their families, the Airmen returned to the base the next morning to process through a "reintegration" line at Laughlin's personnel deployment facility.

The reintegration process fulfills the Air Force's intent of ensuring returning Airmen are given the tools they need for a smooth transition back into family life and responsibilities after performing demanding duties deployed to combat-zone locations. The line includes stations for Airmen and Family Readiness, personnel, finance, chaplain, legal and medical assistance.

"We bring our services to returning Airmen so they don't have to travel from office to office around the base fulfilling their re-deployment needs," said Maj. Michelle Loper, Life Skills Flight Commander at the 47th Medical Group. "It's kind of like one-stop shopping. They receive a health assessment and any needed immunizations, as well as information on homecoming and stress management."

In response to lessons learned from earlier conflicts, returning Airmen are also screened for depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorders.

"We provide information on how to recognize stress from returning from deployment, relaxation techniques, sleep information and coping skills," said Tech. Sgt. Renee Brown-Holley, 47th Medical Operations Squadron.

Other lessons learned from earlier conflicts include taking blood samples before and after deployments.

"We collect a post-deployment blood sample for potential comparison at a later date to a sample taken before deployment," said Master Sgt. David Adkins, 47th Aeromedical Dental Squadron. "The samples are then sent to the Epidemiology Surveillance Division at Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio and stored for later comparison against a sample taken prior to deployment."

The sergeant noted this practice was instituted as a result of health investigations into the Gulf War Syndrome after Operation Desert Storm.

"The Airmen and Family Readiness Center presents a return and reunion briefing for Airmen coming home from deployment," said AFRC flight superintendent Master Sgt. Rufino Gonzalez. "Our goal is to prepare them to identify and overcome common homecoming challenges such as being prepared for changes in personal relationships, and phasing back into home life and the garrison work environment slowly."

The master sergeant said this is all done in order to make homecoming the most joyful occasion it can be instead of a stressful one.

"We fulfill two missions here at Laughlin -- training the world's best future combat pilots and sending fully qualified warfighters down range to fight and win the global war on terrorism," said Col. Laro Clark, 47th Flying Training Wing vice commander, "and when our deployed Airmen come back home, we welcome them with open arms and do everything in our power to ensure they and their families are taken care of."