Are you ready...to deploy? Published Sept. 25, 2013 By Maj. Susan M. McMullen 934th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION -- "Always ready to fly, fight and win" is the mission statement of the 934th Airlift Wing. The Wing Commander provides combat ready Airmen to the United States Air Force Reserve Command to fulfill the mission of the Department of Defense. As a member of the wing, it is your responsibility to maintain a state of readiness at all times. If you get called to deploy next week, are you ready? Readiness not only includes your military technical skills, uniforms, fitness, and ancillary training required, but also taking care of your family, home, finances, and civilian employment. Luckily, there are many tools to help you prepare. It is important to have all your documents in order and be sure your spouse, family member, or trusted friend can assume the roles in paying your bills and handling other responsibilities you have. You might need a power of attorney, which can be general or limited to the services you need them to handle when you are deployed. Every military member should also have a current will to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. If you do not have these documents, the Judge Advocate can help you. A Family Care Plan is required for single parents, dual military couples with dependents, and those with unique family situations as determined by the commander or first sergeant. A deployment can come on short notice, so you are required to always keep this plan accurate and current. The Wingman Toolkit provides you with resources and information to ensure you consider all elements of Comprehensive Airman Fitness: Mental, Social, Physical, and Spiritual. The Toolkit is located at http://afrc.wingmantoolkit.org Airmen and Family Readiness contributes to mission readiness through support to service members and their families. A&FR has resources and connections to assist with financial planning and assistance, resilience training, psychological health, pre-deployment information for families, transition and employer issues, and emergency assistance for families while deployed. In addition, A&FR can help and advise service personnel in the use of other resources: www.militaryonesource.com (800-342-9647) Military OneSource http://afrc.phap.net (888-810-2400) Psychological Health Advocacy Program (PHAP) www.tricare.mil TRICARE military health system www.esgr.mil Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Now is the best time to prepare for a possible deployment - while you have the time to plan for contingencies and identify challenges you may not have considered. As an Air Force member it is important to always be ready to fly, fight and win!