Before you deploy

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Barbara Plante
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  You have gotten the call; you are going to deploy. You have talked to your family, notified your employer and run through the gambit of emotions that comes with this kind of news. Now what?

There are many requirements that must be met before you say your farewells and step on the plane. Are you medically qualified and have you passed your fitness test? Have you accomplished your annual training and completed all of your computer based training, such as Chemical Warfare, Self Aid & Buddy Care? Is your security clearance current, do you have your Airman's Manual and your dog tags? Is your will up to date, your family plan filed with your first sergeant, and your SGLI accurate along with your emergency contact information? There is equipment you will need; there are orders to be cut, reservations and travel plans to be made.

There is a lot to do but you are not in this alone. Your Unit Deployment Manager will work with you to help make sure you are ready to go on your departure date.

Upon receiving your tasking from the Air Expeditionary Force Cell through a classified system called DCAPES, the 944th Logistics Readiness Squadron will plug you into the locally-built Unit Deployment Manager AEF Deployment Tracker which lists 26 different line items that will need to be checked off before you deploy. The deployment tracker was developed by the 944th LRS Readiness Office in conjunction with wing leadership, the UDMs, and 944th Fighter Wing Personal Readiness Flight.

"In an effort to make the process less stressful and more efficient for our deploying members, we combined common deployment reporting instruction requirements, UDM and PRF responsibilities into one awesome product that has created a great accountability tool for the different wing deployment entities," said, Master Sgt. Jay Lindsay, 944th LRS readiness superintendent and 944th FW 56th Fighter Wing deployment liaison. "This is a very positive tool for the wing and it will also show how we perform and track our deployment business during the upcoming Unit Compliance Inspection in 2009."

This new tool helps to centralize all of the requirements of deploying Airmen.

"As a one-stop tracker, this tool has helped to organize all the deployment needs into one program," said Tech. Sgt. Roger Barrientos, 944th Fighter Wing UDM. "If you use this deployment tracker, you really can't go wrong. It helps keep everything in line."

The 944th LRS will work with Airmen on providing all equipment needs. For example: mobility bags, weapons, gas mask, uniforms, etc. The 944th LRS also makes transportation arrangements. The unit orders clerk will work with you and your functional manger to create orders. Your UDM will assist you through the checklist process; facilitate in getting your mobility folder up to speed, schedule training, make appointments and get reservations for your travel stops.

"If a reservist has taken personal responsibility and has kept up with all their annual requirements their mobility folder should be about 90 percent ready when they get the call to deploy," Sergeant Barrientos said. "The UDM plays a really important role in assisting a member who is deploying but the reservist must take action as well."

With the Air Force Reserve providing 20 percent of the Air Force capability, deployments will continue to be a part of the culture. Staying current with all annual requirements and being ready for that call, if it comes, goes a long way in avoiding excess stress for you, your family, and your employer.