Planning for successful deployments

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. (AFPN) -- As you read this, some of your fellow Airmen are 6,000 miles from home defending our country on the front lines. Do you think they were prepared to go when they left? Would you be?

Many people have deployed or are preparing to deploy and serve the Air Force around the globe as part of air and space expeditionary forces. No matter where we are stationed, or what we do, deployments are a necessary way of life for Airmen.

We all know it's possible to deploy to remote locations on short notice, but are you ready if you get called today? As Airmen, we are required to be prepared to go, anytime, anywhere.

Deployments are a part of our lives, and now they are more important than ever. We are defending freedom around the globe, and we are called to support our fellow Airmen when our turn comes to replace them overseas.

Preparation is the key to having a successful deployment. I always found that if I was prepared from the outset, deployments were much easier, and I could help my commanders and subordinates achieve mission success when everyone was focused 100 percent on the job at hand.

Ensure that you and your family are ready for deployments. There is a lot of necessary training that you must complete before deploying to ensure that you are effectively prepared for operations away from home station.

Annual physicals guarantee that you are in the best possible condition before you deploy. Living and working in environments with poor sanitation, temperature variations and remote medical care requires that Airmen be physically prepared to handle adverse situations.

Combat arms training on an M-9 pistol or an M-16 rifle is essential when Airmen deploy to locations where they will need to know how to safely operate a weapon. Just because you aren't in the security forces, doesn't mean you won't be responsible for a weapon in a deployed location.

Mobility bags are a must for Airmen who deploy because austere locations do not come with a base exchange or a Wal-Mart to replenish supplies. The lists of required equipment were compiled by many people who deploy regularly and know what items would be needed.

Think through what your deployment will mean for your family and how it will affect your finances while you are away. Get to know the family support center staff -- they are the experts in personal and family readiness. They always have good things to make your deployment easier; from calling cards to car care for a spouse, the center is your source for personal support.

The center’s staff also can help you plan for the financial aspects of deployments. The bills will not stop just because you're deployed, so make sure that you have a plan and the means of covering expenses, checkbooks and credit cards.

The experienced staff has spent time putting together great packets of information and advice on how to prepare yourself and your family, when you deploy.

Things like yard maintenance, pet care and bills need to be resolved before you deploy -- you can't be worrying about what is going on thousands of miles away, when you've got an important job to do. Use the resources provided at home station to assist you; they will make life much easier when you're away.

The legal office staff also will ensure that you are fully prepared for personal contingencies when you deploy. Be proactive; use their resources to draft wills and powers of attorney before a deployment.

Finally, life insurance and personal data forms are more important than ever while deployed. Take care of your loved ones and update these forms regularly. Significant life changes occur frequently, and we must update these important repositories of information to ensure correct data is reflected. If you're not around to ensure your wishes are respected, you must communicate these through Servicemen's Group Life Insurance and the record of emergency data.

Now is the time for each of us to assess our readiness. Waiting until you are tapped for a deployment is too late, prepare now.

We are the world's most lethal Air Force, and we are the best because of our first-rate training and readiness. Keep our Air Force strong and do your part to ensure a successful deployment.