How likely is it for someone in the Air Force to be sent to Iraq, Iran, etc.?

Question

Specifically medical apprentices, physical medicine apprentices, and pharmacy apprentices.

Or just a member of the Air Force in general.

Answer 1

Seeing how most members of the Air Force are assigned to one of the AEF cycles your chances are very good you will deploy somewhere. If it is not to Iraq or Afghanistan it will be somewhere supporting the troops there.

Answer 2

As was said, it will depend on your AEF cycle, but you are almost guaranteed to come over here at some point. People have this preconceived notion that the Air Force doesn't deploy, or if they do, it's to cozy little areas for 4 months. Well, some people do get lucky and get nice little deployments to places they don't even have to carry a weapon. Not everyone is so lucky and standard AF deployments are becoming longer and harder-- in part to take some of the burden off the other services. Just because there isn't an air base doesn't mean the AF won't go there. In some ways, yes, the AF has it better than the other services when it comes to their deployments (definately not as frequent as the Army's), but being deployed is hard, regardless.

I deployed over here with a group of 100+ AF personnel and we are stationed all over Iraq, serving right alongside the Army for the next year (none of us are at air bases, we are all at camps or FOBs). We are outside the wire daily and a lot of our teams go weeks without access to running water, hot meals, telephones, etc. So they are out there bathing with bottled water, living off of MREs and burning barrels of waste just like the other services.

Bottom line: AF members will deploy and don't listen to people who tell you it will be a piece of cake because you're AF.

Answer 3

I don't know who said we don't have bases in Iraq/Afghanistan (we do) or that we are supplementing the Army/Marines (we do that as well as man our own mission). There is a distinct need for medical personnel to deploy. Every medical person I worked with at Wilford Hall had either come back from a deployment, was deployed or was getting ready to go. I think you are really asking if you are likely to deploy? I don't think its reasonable to expect to do a four enlistment and not deploy at least once in the medical career field.
to go.

Answer 4

Well, it kind of depends what command you are in (or so I have heard), but medical at my base went ALL the time for longer than the normal 4 month deployment. Medical is apparently in high need over there... any branch of the service you can count on going...

Answer 5

Sending is diverse then leaving them there. they have prolonged the rotation sessions with a view to maintain the comparable footprint whilst looking greater advantageous on the books. Obama gets to declare a 33% help by doubling deployment lengths.

Answer 6

in the medical community: highly likely they will be sent as an individual to augment an Army unit/field hospital.

the AF in general is taking a much more active role and are sending its people to serve in limited capacity to give the overtaxed Army and Marines a break.

Answer 7

The Air Force it depends on your job. First of all you will be in the region. I don't think the AF has any bases or operates out of Iraq or Afghanistan. Fighter bases are generally closer to combat than bomber bases. There is also heavy transport.

Answer 8

you could also be filling at bases where members are deployed .my guard unit did this any number of time
was usually a good tour .

Answer 9

Prepare your will and power of attorney and always stand proud to serve your country. We are all behind you, even those who oppose war support our troops.

Answer 10

good chance........ask the recruiter.............
no taxes and hazard pay..............