77th leaves for deployment

Wives, family members and friends say their final goodbyes as U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing leave for a deployment, Oct. 10, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Several Team Shaw Airmen and F-16 fighter pilots from the 77th Fighter Squadron deployed from Shaw to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston/Released)

77th leaves for deployment

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing say their goodbyes to loved one as they prepare to leave for a deployment, Oct. 10, 2012, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. Several Team Shaw Airmen and F-16 fighter pilots from the 77th Fighter Squadron deployed from Shaw to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston/Released)

3 pillars of mission readiness: Family preparation

Published July 24, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Michael A. Cossaboom
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C -- Editor's note: This is part two of a three-part series on three essential keys to maintaining mission readiness.

When an Airman deploys, they leave their family behind and it can cause a huge amount of stress on their loved ones. It's important to make sure Airmen, and their families, are prepared when duty calls.

"In the blink of an eye you could be gone and your loved ones will be left to do everything the service member did all on their own," said Chief Master Sgt. Charles Mills, 20th Fighter Wing command chief. "They have to make every meal, cut the grass, pay the bills and take care of everything else by themselves."

This can be difficult for any parent leaving their children behind, but may pose specific challenges for single parents.

Staff Sgt. Kimberly Swanagan, 20th Fighter Wing chaplain assistant, is a single mother of two preparing for a deployment.

"The hardest thing I've faced so far, while trying to deploy, has been telling my children I will be gone for a while," said Swanagan.

To help parents in the transition, the Air Force provides many services to help military families while their service member is deployed.

"I had a lot of resources at my disposal," said Swanagan. "I had the Airman and Family Readiness Center, chaplains office, but, most of all, I had all my friends and family helping me."

Families can go through tough times when their loved ones leave, said Mills.

"If you leave behind a spouse and kids, the spouse's life instantly becomes a challenge, because they are left with 50 percent of the resources to do everything," said Mills. " The spouse has to take care of the kids all by themselves, take care of the house all by themselves, and do everything all by themselves. It's tough. That's why it's important to make sure that they are all taken care of before you leave. Ensure the spouse is plugged-in to one of many supporting agencies, such as their units Key Spouse program or into the Officer or Enlisted Spouse Clubs."

For Airmen to maintain their mission readiness, they have to maintain their families' mission readiness. So, before an Airman leaves, it's important to make sure they prepare their family.