LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Having a deployed family member can be tough, but as of Jan. 28, 931 Air Force families have taken steps to ease the hard times with the Year of the Air Force Family's DePLAYment Program.
Air Force Services Agency officials initiated the program to provide families of deployed military members with free youth classes, sports programs and hourly child care during a parent's deployment.
"An Airman's deployment is really a family's deployment," said Michael Donley, Secretary of the Air Force. "Airmen expect us to provide a stable environment for them and their families, and doing so is a part of our heritage and culture."
Families can register for DePLAYment Tag Pass Packs by logging on to www.myairforcelife.com. The tag pass packs contain numbered dog tags that serve as an identifier for each family and family member. They are available for families left at home during deployment and also upon return of the member.
Once a family has registered, the Web site provides information on what benefits and discounts they can receive at their installation's bowling center, golf club, Information Ticket and Travel office, arts and crafts center and fitness center.
"Leadership wants to show their appreciation to Air Force families and recognize how important they are to the mission," said Master Sgt. Darrius Stone, Langley's Airman Family and Readiness Center superintendent.
Sergeant Stone said the AFRC has received several calls from families telling them how great the Tag Pass Packs are and how much they appreciate them. Families are very happy with all the discounts and benefits the packs give them.
Once registered online, families can pick up DePLAYment Tag Pass Packs at the AFRC. The packs are available through July 31. For more information, call the AFRC at 764-3990.