AEF baseline increases for ACC Airmen

  • Published
  • By Justin Oakes
  • Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. --  A new Air and Space Expeditionary Force baseline is on the horizon for all Air Combat Command Airmen, based on an Air Force announcement changing the AEF rotational baseline from 120 to 179 days for the active component.

The transition to the new baseline begins this month for Combat Air Force units, although only a small portion of CAF forces will be affected. Since the majority of units already deploy for more than 120 days, the change will only affect an estimated 12 to 15 percent of aviation units.

"The new baseline increases continuity for combatant commanders and provides greater opportunities for Airmen to reset when they redeploy to home station," said Gen. William M. Fraser III, commander of Air Combat Command.

With the new baseline, the deployment-to-dwell ratio remains the same, meaning Airmen will have more time at their home station. For example, CAF aviation units, who function under a 1:3 ratio, would have 18 months at home station before their next deployment, an increase of six months at home station.

"The lengthened home station time will allow Airmen more opportunities to focus on training and spend time with their families," said Col. James Riemens-Van Laare, ACC Air and Space Operations deputy director. "We hope that longer, uninterrupted periods at home between deployments will positively affect families. Additionally, home station commanders will have a longer period conducive to enhancing their base's continuity and training before Airmen deploy."

Currently, 71 percent of the Air Force deploys outside the existing 120-day baseline.

According to a letter from Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff, announcing the change, "this change to the AEF construct affects only the baseline; all other tenets of the AEF remain unchanged. I expect all Airmen to embrace the 'All In' ethos and be deployment-ready for the duration of their vulnerability window."

AEF baselines were designed to effectively meet global force management requirements. They are used to schedule Air Force forces in order to meet combatant commanders' requirements and maintain the highest level of overall readiness.

"The desire to increase continuity while deployed in theater is another reason for the change," Colonel Riemens-Van Laare said. "With a six-month AEF rotation policy, a combatant commander can expect to have an Airman for six months versus four. This helps us continue fighting the joint fight and support the joint community's expectation of increased AOR continuity."

"I'm confident that the new baseline will provide a great balance between meeting the needs of combatant commanders, maximizing on our training opportunities while focusing on Airmen's professional development as well as creating more time for Airmen to enhance family life," the colonel said.

Click here to read the AEF baseline policy letter.