Wing adapts to new AEF Construct

  • Published
  • By 482nd Fighter Wing
  • Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  October marked a significant change in how the Air Force, including members of the 482nd Fighter Wing, deploy in support of contingencies or combatant commands.

Under the revised Air Expeditionary Force construct, Air Force Reserve Command units will deploy larger numbers of Airmen from the same unit under a 1:5 mobilization-to-dwell ratio for aviation/maintenance and agile-combat-support Airmen, according to AFRC Public Affairs.

The revised construct establishes a 48-month mobilization battle rhythm where a reservist may deploy for up to six months and be home for up to 42 months. This will allow wings to more effectively posture forces to meet global mission requirements while allowing them to continue to train at home station. In the past, Airmen deployed as individuals or small elements in a system of tempo bands, based on their Air Force specialty codes.

While the 1:5 deployment ratio is the goal, some high-demand specialties may deploy more frequently. Additionally, active duty Air Force leadership has worked hard to secure the 1:2 deploy-to-dwell as the baseline active component standard battle rhythm while continuing the 1:5 mobilization-to-dwell as the reserve component mobilization battle rhythm.

When asked about the most notable changes of the AEF construct, Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Smith, 482nd Logistics Readiness Squadron planning section specialist, discussed changes in requesting substitutions or replacements.

"Requesting name replacements or member substitution will be more difficult to accomplish after a member is tasked to be mobilized," explained Smith. "Members will most likely not be able to retire, leave the unit or get out of the tasking until the mobilization line has been fulfilled by that member."

Many Reservists volunteer out-of-cycle for deployments or military personnel appropriation (MPA) days, but Smith advises for supervisors to factor in AEF windows prior to approving a volunteer for non-AEF tours.

"Members can still volunteer to perform MPA days, which will likely be short notice fill-taskings," he said. "They'd still be able to volunteer using the Volunteer Reserve System outside of their deployment bucket. However, there would be the possibility of being mobilized upon return if tasked to fill a position within their particular deployment window."

This VRS system can be accessed through the Air Force Portal, allowing members to search for AEF and non-AEF openings; however the same wing package routing process will still apply, explained Smith.

For more information on the new AEF construct, LRS has developed a SharePoint site with up-to-date deployment processing information. The 482nd FW SharePoint site can be accessed through a link located on the desktop of government computers here. Additionally, members can contact their UDM for more information on deployment battle rhythms.