A&FRC helps you go remote Published Feb. 16, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Kali L. Gradishar 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- When a servicemember is selected or volunteers for a remote assignment, there can be a hint of uncertainty that follows. Whether the servicemember's family should accompany, what to expect at the base and in the community, and what sort of amenities will be available at the remote location could cause concern. The Airman & Family Readiness Center's staff here, does their best to put those uncertainties at rest with a new class that began in January - Going Remote. "Some people take it really hard when they find out they're going remote. Both the servicemembers and the spouses can be hesitant when it comes to short tours because of the things they might have heard about each location," said Liesel Woodard, an A&FRC community readiness consultant. "We put some of those fears at ease when we explain the environments and duties at each of the locations at the Going Remote class." The class offers a variety of resources for remote bases, such as Incirlik Air Base, Turkey; Osan and Kunsan Air Bases, Korea; and other locations. The A&FRC staff tries their best to equip the servicemember and their family members with as many tools as possible - from the checklist to remind the servicemember of important tasks to accomplish before the move to a personal booklet to document accounts, medical history, and other significant information. "When you do something for your country -- and serving is an honorable thing -- this is the least we can do to make someone's tour more pleasant," Mrs. Woodard said. "This class is like an awakening to show people what's available and to explain that we're here for them wherever they go." One of the points most stressed throughout the class is the importance of keeping contact with family and friends. The A&FRC provides servicemembers the information necessary to allow for bi-weekly morale calls - a free and invaluable benefit when a servicemember goes remote. "That doesn't stop with a servicemember's spouse," Mrs. Woodard said. "Especially for single people, we ensure we extend a hand to siblings, fiancés, parents or a best friend. Contact is a big thing." Another service the A&FRC provides for servicemembers going remote, as well as the family members they may leave behind, is a place for people to call if ever they have questions or concerns. The A&FRC ensures the servicemember is ready for his or her new assignment and so is the spouse. "The family members who stay behind when their husband or wife goes on a remote tour are in a unique situation, but not so different from the deployed spouses; so we connect them with the deployed spouses group," Mrs. Woodard said. And the role of the A&FRC extends far beyond when the servicemember makes a permanent change of station. "My job doesn't end when a servicemember leaves, especially for the singles and the spouses," Mrs. Woodard explained. "Someone can always contact us, and we can get them in tough with the nearest Airman and Family Readiness Center or the nearest military facility - it doesn't matter if it's inter-service. "We try to provide stability in military members' and family members' lives no matter where they are or what service they're in," she said.