Landing Gear prepares Airmen for deployment

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeff Nevison
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The Air Force's Landing Gear program, initiated in 2008, mentally prepares Airmen for deployment conditions before they travel "down range."

Additionally, the program provides assistance to Airmen who may suffer from traumatic stress and connects them with a variety of resources upon their return.

"Landing Gear is the Air Force's new and improved standardized version of pre-and-post deployment briefings," said Maj. Alicia Edwards, 39th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health flight commander.

The program makes deployments easier for Airmen who may not know what to expect during the deployment and when returning home, said Staff Sgt. Donnie Henderson, 39 MDOS Mental Health technician.

Before the Landing Gear program went into effect, Airmen received base-specific pre-deployment briefings.

"Before, every mental health clinic had their own program, but now the Air Force has a program that every base uses," said Major Edwards. "It's not only for pre-and-post deployments, but it also covers the requirement for redeploying personnel as well."

Landing Gear has a much broader focus than previous programs.

"Before this program, when we did post-deployment and reintegration training, we only focused on family-related situations," said Major Edwards. "We now also needed to focus on the possible psychological conditions that may be encountered 'down range' during a war-time environment."

The Landing Gear program is beneficial in critical ways, according to Sergeant Henderson.

"When personnel are sent home early because of psychological issues, that affects the mission greatly," he said. "If we can brief our Airmen before they deploy and give them an idea of what to expect, they won't be blindsided when something happens that they're not used to. They'll be able to better handle situations that may come their way."

The program also focuses on teamwork and unit cohesiveness.

"In the past, people were often briefed by mental health providers several days before a deployment.This does not give Airmen adequate preparation," said Major Edwards. "Feeling close to those with whom you are deployed, and knowing who to talk to if you need assistance can be the best predictors to a healthy deployment experience."

For more information about the Landing Gear program, contact Major Edwards or Sergeant Henderson at 676-6452.