Kadena AB  Military and Family Support Center

The family readiness program assists with all stages of deployment, mobilization, separations, local or national emergencies, disasters and evacuations. The Kadena Airman and Family Readiness Center’s readiness non-commissioned officer and staff provide preparation information, education and guidance aimed at optimally preparing military members and their families for deployments and extended temporary duty assignments. Services include pre-deployment briefings, child care, monthly social events and other programs offered to assist families while their loved ones are away.

Pre-Deployment Briefings

Briefings are held every Monday at 9 a.m. at the A&FRC, Building 220. Briefings are mandatory for all military personnel deploying from Kadena AB for more than 30 days. Briefings provide an overview of deployment checklist items, a review of the cycles of deployment and resources for the military member and dependent(s). Spouses are highly encouraged to attend pre-deployment briefings.

Resources and information provided at these briefings include:

• Car Care Because We Care – Spouses of members who are deployed for more than 30 days are authorized a free oil change and safety check on their primary vehicle, sponsored by the Air Force Aid Society. A copy of the deployed member's orders must be provided to claim a voucher.
• Operation Rest – Get personalized pillowcases and T-shirts with a photo of a deployed service member. They’re a great comfort item for kids.
• Give Parents A Break – This AFAS-sponsored program is designed to offer eligible parents a few hours’ break from the stresses of parenting. At Kadena, we offer 4-5 hours of free child care to parents who need a break while their active-duty member is deployed. Care is offered one weekend a month at either Wakaba Child Development Center or Niko Niko CDC for children 6 weeks to 5 years of age and at Himawari School Age Program for children 5-12 years of age.
• Family activities – The A&FRC hosts a deployed family activity for spouses and children quarterly. These activities are open to all military branches of a deployed service member. It's a great opportunity to meet other families and network in a fun and festive environment. Child care is available onsite.
• Deployed Spouses Dinner – The A&FRC hosts a deployed spouses dinner twice a year (June and December). The dinner is open to all spouses and children of a deployed or temporary duty assignment service member from any service. Child care is available onsite. This is a great opportunity to network and meet other spouses of deployed service members.

There are a number of resources to make a deployed member's reunion a successful and joyous one. Please see the following resources for further information.

Post-Deployment Briefing

Briefings are held twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) at 9 a.m. in the Building 220 training room. Briefings are mandatory for all military personnel returning from deployment. Spouses are highly encouraged to attend post-deployment briefings.

Other resources available for post-deployment

Returning home child care – Active-duty members returning from deployment 30 days or longer are eligible for 16 hours of child care through the Family Child Care center. Service is provided on a space-available basis. Call the FCC office at DSN 315-634-3464 for more information.

Disaster Preparedness

• Emergency evacuation training for units is provided by the Airman and Family Readiness Center in the event of an emergency during which family members must be evacuated.
• Emergency evacuation packets are issued by the military member’s host organization. All family members are defined as "noncombatants.”
• All active duty and their spouses (if applicable) are required to meet with their noncombatant evacuation operations warden within 60 days of their arrival to complete the emergency evacuation program.
• EEP's are kept with the family and include all necessary paperwork for noncombatants to evacuate and leave Okinawa in an event of an emergency.
• Prior to deployment, ensure that all information in your family's EEP is current.