ACC members open first deployed Airman Readiness Center

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Erik Hofmeyer
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs Office
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Two Air Combat Command members marked a deployment first by opening the Air Force's first Airman Readiness Center in Southwest Asia.

Master Sgt. Steven Wright, from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and Jeff Halstead, from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., opened the new office literally overnight, arriving in theater and opening their office to help customers within 24 hours.

Air Force officials expect to evaluate the Airman Readiness Center's success after one year to determine if the center needs to remain in the AOR, Mr. Halstead said.

Airman readiness centers across the Air Force were previously known as family support centers, but the center's mission with the 379th AEW features a different mission focused on financial management, family reintegration and family life after each deployment.

The families of deployed service members go through a lot of changes while their loved ones spend months away from home during these deployments, and it's important for those in uniform to understand what their families dealt with during this time, Sergeant Wright said.

The center's staff works with the base's life skills clinic and chapel staff to support reintegration issues when service members return to families, loved ones and the workplace. They also provide information on home station reintegration programs.

Another issue they tackle involves post traumatic stress, which often affects service members six to eight months after returning home. The ARC helps these combat troops start the reintegration process, Sergeant Wright said.

In addition to helping people cope with the hardships associated with deployments, Mr. Halstead and Sergeant Wright offer personal financial management counseling, classes and briefings to help people with their budgeting and money management skills.

"If the interest is there, we'll be happy to teach any number of financial classes," Mr. Halstead said.

In addition, the center plans to offer relocation briefings for permanent party Airmen and transition assistance program briefings for people on their last assignment before separating from the military, tailoring classes to individual needs.

The center doesn't plan to hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new center but expects to offer its full range of services and programs by the end of the team's scheduled rotation in coming months.