TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Medical deployment readiness is a key component in achieving the Tyndall mission to train and project unrivaled combat air power.
Daily training operations and readiness exercises prepare Airmen Air Force wide to deploy and successfully accomplish their missions. However, there is more to deployment readiness than physical fitness and job knowledge, knowing your role in medical readiness is just as important.
Airmen from the 325th Medical Group, 325th Aerospace Medicine Squadron recently participated in an unannounced mission readiness exercise at Tyndall.
During the exercise, the wing deployed a large number of Airmen and medical personnel surged to establish a deployment processing line. This surge and streamlined process ensured all identified Airmen were medically deployment ready in a timely manner.
“When we work with deployments on a grand scale, we review records for anyone in the deployment processing line to make sure they have everything they need,” said Carolyn Calvin, 325th AMDS deployment nurse practitioner. “Many Airmen are unaware of the conditions that require waivers. This is why it is important to start deployment preparation early.”
Preparation is key
Airmen who are preparing for a deployment should check their Individual Medical Readiness status on the Air Force portal for upcoming requirements, such as immunizations, and should schedule an appointment early to see the deployment readiness team located in public health.
“My role is to stay in contact with members who are about to deploy or are returning from a deployment, and schedule appointments for them to ensure they are mission ready,” said Chelsea Williams, 325th AMDS deployment readiness health assessment nurse.
An Airman will undergo a total of five deployment assessments. A deploying Airman will go through an initial evaluation as part of the pre-deployment process. A second assessment should occur at the Airman’s deployment site or within 30 days of returning from deployment. Once an Airman returns they will have continuous assessments to track their health and adjustment in their home life at the 90-day, 180-day and up to 2-year mark.
Tyndall’s Airmen are monitored for about two years after returning from a deployment. The assessments are performed face-to-face to ensure the members are well-adjusted and healthy, Williams added.
“When you deploy there are a lot of things that occur while you are away,” Calvin said. “It can be difficult to adjust back into family life when every day routines at home have been changed. The deployment assessments allow us to determine if any referrals need to be made for the member in order to make the adjustment process more seamless.”
Resources are available
Resources recommended for Airmen returning from a deployment are the mental health clinic, the behavioral health consultant located in family health, Military OneSource, chaplain, military family life counselor, and veterans clinics.
“For people experiencing [post-traumatic stress disorder] symptoms, who don’t feel comfortable reaching out to the mental clinic on base can visit veteran clinics, where older veterans who have been deployed and have similar experiences talk to the active-duty members, providing some comfort and understanding,” Calvin said.
Being deployment ready is essential for achieving the Air Force mission. Understanding your medical readiness responsibilities can go a long way in providing powerful forces for combatant commanders, resulting in the successful completion of the mission.
For more information about deployment readiness visit http://www.militaryonesource.mil/deployment-and-transition.