If you have been thinking about joining the Air Force, then you might be wondering about what happens when you do join, and what you will have to do.
Lots of things will be expected of you when you join up to the Air Force, and these are things that you will need to think about before you join.
Some of the most common things that people want to know are whether the Air Force go to war, and how dangerous it can be, which are two of the things that we are going to look at in this article to prepare you for some of the things that you can expect from joining the Air Force.
Does the Air Force Go To War?
The Air Force does go to war when they are needed, and it is actually a requirement for all Air Force personnel to be able to bear arms in defense of their country.
If you are someone that has a firm objection to participating in war in any form or to the bearing of arms due to religious beliefs or training, then you might not be able to meet these requirements.
During the screening process to join the Air Force, all applicants will be asked “Are you now or have you ever been a conscientious objector?”
Before anyone applies to join the Air Force, this is a question that you should seriously put some thought into and prepare yourself with an honest answer.
What Does the Air Force Do in a War?
The Air Force is the national military branch that will primarily conduct aerial warfare, and it is the branch of a nation’s armed services that will be responsible for aerial warfare, and they are just as important as other sectors like the army or navy.
Usually, the Air Force will be responsible for gaining control of the air, carrying out strategic and tactical bombing missions, and providing support to land and naval forces.
This help will typically come in the form of aerial reconnaissance and close air support.
Air forces will typically consist of a combination of fighters, bombers, helicopters, transport planes, and other aircraft.
There are some air forces that will command and control other air defense assets, like anti-aircraft artillery, surface-to-air missiles, or anti-ballistic missile warning networks and defensive systems.
Other air forces will be responsible for operations of the military space and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
In some nations, usually countries that have modelled their militaries along Soviet lines, they will have had or currently have an air defense force that is organizationally separate from their Air Force.
The Air Force does not solely rely on pilots for their line of work, and they will also have a lot of support from other personnel in order to function.
Some other sectors that you can expect to find in the Air Force are logistics, security, intelligence, special operations, cyberspace support, maintenance, weapons loaders, and many other specialties.
Does the Air Force Get Deployed?
The Air Force does get deployed, and they participate in many different types of deployments. The majority of Air Force deployments will involve flying to another place, usually an overseas Air Force base.
There are some Air Force units that have quite fast deployment cycles, and these involve shorter deployments, but with less time between deployments.
Phases of Deployment
Pre-Deployment - This phase will start once an assignment to a firm deployment has ended, and when the Airman departs home station.
Responsibilities during this time will include a standardized pre-deployment briefing, which is mandatory, and it is encouraged for family members to come along.
Deployment - This is the time when the member is away from the home station, and they will be deployed while the family is sustained during the member’s absence. Throughout this time, there are programs and services available to family members to reduce stress through the duration of the employment.
Reintegration - This phase will start 30 days before the redeployment back to the home station, and it will also last for 30 days upon their return. Reintegration education must be provided within 7 days of return and this will take place before any personal recovery leave.
Post-deployment - This phase will start 30 days after the return to the home station and it will last until 180 days following deployment This service will focus on reconnecting members with their families.
Is the Air Force Dangerous?
The Air Force can be dangerous as it involves lots of different things that could pose a threat to your life and wellbeing.
There are some parts of the Air Force that are known for being particularly dangerous, but this doesn’t put people off from joining the cause.
You should do your research before you even think about joining the Air Force to make sure that you are prepared and ready.