The Air Force understands your need to know when and if you can be deployed as a member of the military. The deployment structure recently changed to respond to the increasing number of contingencies, maintain a sense of predictability and enhance the readiness of all military branches.
As of September 15, 2004, the length of Air Force deployment has been changed. It ranges to four, six or 12 months depending on your specific job, location and mission requirements. And there is a possibility of being deployed every 20 months. This new structure was designed to achieve more predictability in deployments.
In an effort to help ease the stress of deployments, the Air Force offers a free online service that lets Airmen communicate with friends or family in the Air Force. Through Friends and Family Instant Messenger (AFIM), extended family and friends can stay in touch with Airmen from virtually anywhere in the world. AFIM can be accessed through the Air Force portal and requires you to be sponsored by a friend or family member with an active account.