Air Force extends current, upcoming deployments
by Master Sgt. Rick Burnham
01/30/03 - WASHINGTON -- Currently and soon-to-be deployed airmen will remain deployed longer than the previously targeted three-month rotation, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper announced Jan. 28 in a message to all airmen. The change was made to meet the needs of combatant commanders.
Specifically, active-duty and mobilized reserve component airmen deployed with Air and Space Expeditionary Forces 7 and 8 and those deploying as part of new taskings ordered by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on Dec. 24 should anticipate remaining in place until further notice, Jumper said in the message.
Airmen in some "stressed" career fields have already been extended beyond three months.
The need for additional forces is part of a buildup of air power in Southwest Asia, ready to achieve national security objectives if directed by the president.
"We must interrupt our normal three-month AEF rotation cycle because the resources in a single AEF pair can no longer satisfy the needs of our combatant commands," Jumper said.
The general said that the change would likely increase the amount of time many airmen are forward deployed. But, he added, it is a necessary move and one he feels will be taken in stride by airmen everywhere.
"I know this is a lot to ask, and I am confident that every airman understands we have been called upon once again by our nation," he said. "Our success as an Air Force depends on how we prepare for and execute operations."
Jumper's words echoed those in a message sent by Rumsfeld the same day to people in the Department of Defense.
"In recent weeks and months, the president has called the world's attention to Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq," Rumsfeld said. "He has rallied the United Nations to enforce its resolutions calling for the regime's disarmament."
In light of these developments, DOD leaders recognize the uncertainty longer deployments may create for those in uniform, the civilians who work beside them, and their families, Rumsfeld said.
"Be assured that the president will not decide to commit forces unless conditions require it, and only as a last resort," Rumsfeld said. "Should action be necessary, you will have what you need to carry out the missions assigned."
Jumper said every effort will be made to relieve those deployed in a way that accommodates mission requirements.
"I assure you that we will continue to assess the evolving situation and develop rotation plans which seek to relieve our forces in the most equitable fashion while still meeting combatant commanders' warfighting requirements," he said. "Although AEF rotation timing will change, we will make every effort to preserve the AEF sequence which will give us the ability to sustain our operations over the long term.
"When able, we will return to a more normalized three-month AEF battle rhythm."
Although that rhythm is intended to provide airmen and their families with a predictable schedule for deployments, resulting in a more normal lifestyle, an implicit understanding is that increased operations tempo changes everything, Jumper said.
"Sustaining on-going requirements with three-month rotations has become part of our Air Force culture," Jumper said. "But we need to remember that the AEF structure also allows us to posture for a full range of combat operations, including major theater contingencies that require more forces than can be provided by one AEF pair on a three-month rotation."
It is a national security matter, he said, one in which the efforts of the entire Air Force team will be needed.
"I have never been (more proud) of our Air Force and of the great men and women that bring America's resolve to the doorsteps of those who would seek to inflict harm upon us and our allies," he said. "I know you are all equal to the task, and I look forward to seeing our great Air Force continue to successfully defend American values and freedoms."
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
