Deployment stress affects families, units Published Sept. 8, 2006 By Brig. Gen. Robert P. Steel 48th Fighter Wing commander ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- When I deployed for a year to Baghdad in 2004-2005, the biggest challenge for me was the separation from my family. I wasn't there to help my children with their homework. I couldn't go running with my wife. I wasn't around to cook dinner or to celebrate Christmas and birthdays. I could only be a surrogate parent, husband, and friend through e-mails and the occasional phone call or letter. With more than 800 Liberty Wing Airmen deploying over the next month as part of the Air and Space Expeditionary cycle, I know many of you--Airmen and families alike--will face the same challenges and frustrations of separation. As important as it is to remember our Airmen while they deploy, it is equally important to remember those who are left behind--our friends, families and co-workers. The stress deployments put on military families and military units is tremendous. For some families and squadrons, preparation and planning helps ease the transition of separation. For others, the road can, at best, be described as rocky. For squadrons, the members left behind face longer work days and more taskers to make up for those deployed, and unfortunately, there's not much relief available. However, for our families, there is help - and lots of it. Base agencies are here to help families transition from dual to single caregivers. No matter what problems may develop during the absence of loved ones, Liberty Wing programs can help. Project Care, run by the Airmen and Family Readiness Flight, provides information to families of deployed members on car care, childcare relief, social activities and how to contact your significant other at the deployed location. For example, the flight offers coupons for a free oil change for a family member's vehicle during the servicemember's absence. They also offer childcare relief programs to allow caregivers a break, and they sponsor deployed spouses dinners at the Knight's Table. Since we all know open lines of communication are necessary to keep healthy relationships going, the flight also arranges for morale calls to deployed members. Take advantage of this opportunity, and the ability to exchange instant messages through the Family Portal with the deployed member. Most importantly, avoid problems your family might face prior to the departure. Check your dependents' identification cards--will they expire before you return? Does your spouse know the location of insurance polices? Are your utility bills and rent paid by electronic funds transfer? Is your road tax disc or MOT scheduled to expire while you're gone? Is your spouse in contact with your unit's key spouse group? These are just a few of the questions to answer before leaving the area. While you are deployed, ensure your family knows where to turn to get help. I encourage everyone to lessen the emotional strain deployments cause and use our base agencies. Their sole purpose is to help alleviate as many worries as possible for both the deployer and those left behind. From our units to our children, our co-workers to our spouses, I encourage Team Liberty to do as much as we can now to lessen the impact of deployments on our squadrons and our families. Not only will it help ease the stress for those left behind, but it allows every Liberty Warrior to safely focus on the mission downrange and continue to fight against terrorism and tyranny world-wide.