Air Force Reserve adapts to new AEF Construct

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The Air Force's re-designed Air Expeditionary Force construct will modify how reservists mobilize for contingencies and support combatant commander.

The new AEF construct, scheduled to start in October, is intended to make deployments more predicable for reservists and improve opportunities for them to deploy with their units. Under the revised AEF construct, Air Force Reserve Command units will deploy larger numbers of Airmen from the same unit under a 1:5 mobilization-to-dwell ratio for aviation/maintenance and agile-combat-support Airmen.

The revised construct establishes a 48-month mobilization battle rhythm where a reservist may deploy for up to six months and be home for up to 42 months. This will allow wings to more effectively posture forces to meet global mission requirements while allowing them to continue to train at home station. In the past, Airmen deployed as individuals or small elements in a system of tempo bands, based on their Air Force specialty codes.

As a result, Airmen from bases throughout the Air Force came together downrange. "Our Airmen have performed superbly in their individual deployments under the current AEF structure for the last 11 years," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh, who approved the new AEF construct in April 2013. "I visited a deployed squadron last year that was manned by 81 Airmen from 41 different bases. While we've proven we can be successful with that approach, we believe the new AEF model is a more efficient way to get the job done. This new construct will facilitate better teamwork and unit performance during deployed operations."

While there are other subtle changes, the most noticeable changes for Airmen will be a stabilized battle rhythm and an opportunity to deploy with unit teammates. Air Force leadership has worked hard to secure the 1:2 deploy-to-dwell as the baseline active component standard battle rhythm while continuing the 1:5 mobilization-to-dwell as the reserve component mobilization battle rhythm. While this is the goal, some high-demand specialties may deploy more frequently.

"The new AEF construct should provide more opportunities for Air Force reservists to deploy with members of their own units," said Brig. Gen. Derek P. Rydholm, AFRC director of plans, programs, requirements, and assessments. "It will increase morale and esprit de corps among our Reserve units and provide reservists a better idea of when and with whom they will deploy." For more information on AEF battle rhythm and individual base dwell times, contact your local unit deployment manager or base deployment manager.