Wing hits peak of battle rhythm

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Donna Jeffires
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  June marked the start of the 514th Air Mobility Wing's turn to be "in the bucket", meaning for the next six months, wing members are more susceptible to deploy as part of the Air Expeditionary Force rotation schedule.

"In a nutshell, the AEF is a predictable, standardized battle rhythm that ensures rotational forces are properly organized, trained, equipped and ready to sustain capabilities required by a combatant commander," said Lt. Col. Robert Kownacky, 514th AMW Logistics Readiness Squadron commander.

The rotational schedule provides predictability and allows Airmen time to prepare themselves, their families and their employers for their upcoming departure.
Over the past ten years, the wing has filled about 5,000 deployed taskings.

"A good number of our folks have deployed at least twice," said Colonel Kownacky. He added that the wing has Airmen deployed across the globe in support of a broad spectrum of requirements.

Prior to leaving for his third deployment April 17, Tech. Sgt. Khary Hunt, a medical technician with the 514th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, said, "Although it's a little rough on my daughter, who's now old enough to understand why I'm going, I talk and explain what I do to help people around the world."

On average, Reserve Airmen now deploy for six months. It takes a lot of planning to prepare for each trip. The following tips will help members make the pre-deployment process smoother.

-Stay current on all ancillary training and medical requirements.
-Maintain a passing Fit-to-Fight score.
-Ensure all financial and legal paperwork, such as wills and powers of attorneys, are in order.
-Ensure a family care plan is updated.
-Stay current on job skill requirements.
-Meet deadlines for all paperwork.
-Keep family members and employers informed.
-Unit deployment manager and the pre-deployment checklist can help ensure departing Airmen are on track.

A big hindrance in the pre-deployment process happens when Airmen fail to disclose a medical condition or if they volunteer to fill a position without having the proper skill set, said Colonel Kownacky.

"If someone is deemed medically unqualified, a replacement must be found," said Senior Master Sgt. Lavar Jordan, a deployment manager with the 514th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. "It takes a lot of coordination and communication among many of the units in the wing to replace someone for deployment. Staying on top of all requirements on a regular basis minimizes the issues that are sure to come about."