Being prepared to deploy key to mission

  • Published
  • By Maj. Craig Juneau
  • 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Are you ready for your deployment? It is a question that is asked thousands of time in our expeditionary Air Force and most times answered without much thought into what it really means. 

To some it could mean having a set of orders and enough clean underwear to avoid laundry for a week. To others it means having a will and a good friend to care for your family while your off doing the nation's business. 

The truth is that there is no text-book answer to define Readiness. It is a never ending struggle to ensure we are all able to get out the door, do our jobs, and not to worry about what is going on at home. 

To achieve true readiness, it takes a three way partnership between the Airman, their unit and their family. 

As Airmen, we must do our part for readiness by making sure our training is up to par and we are medically and physically ready. We need to be proactive in our professional life so that pending feedbacks, enlisted performance reports, officer performance reports and decorations are good to go. We also need to make sure our personal affairs are in order such as finances, vehicles, pets and houses. 

I'm also going to take this opportunity to ask that you update your virtual record of emergency data. It's a key piece of information, so do it as soon as possible. This is by no means an all inclusive list, but it is a good start.
For more good ideas take a peek at your Airman's Manual, talk to your unit deployment managers and also pay a visit to the good people at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. 

The second member of this readiness partnership is your unit. Your squadron is mandated by Air Force Instructions and reporting instructions to check off certain things to ensure readiness, but the squadrons that really excel are the ones that focus on the most important thing...you! 

Supervisors need to be involved in their troop's lives both professionally and personally. Knowing what their concerns are and helping to cut through any red tape so that their Airmen can focus on the mission. 

The third and probably least prepared partner is your family. We all need to be proactive in making sure our loved ones are ready. We can do this through education with classes like Family Readiness and Reunion and with predeployment briefings.
Another essential is to develop a family care plan and understanding about powers of attorney. Also, services like Phoenix Spouse are vital in putting families in touch with community resources. 

Team Travis also has a great way to help your children be ready with the upcoming Kids Understanding Deployment Operations [KUDOS]. It takes children through a mock deployment line, a C-5 tour, bare base operations and a reunion. It is Oct. 4 and chocks depart every half hour from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Please take advantage of all these outstanding resources. 

Readiness isn't easy and it isn't a once-in-a-while task. It requires a dedicated effort from you, your squadron and your family.
If we all do our part, then readiness can be maintained and our Airmen can keep the mission moving and our nation free.