Families of deployed receive huge savings with RAFM's DePLAYment Tag program

  • Published
  • 100th Force Support Squadron
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Almost 200 families participating in RAF Mildenhall's DePLAYment Tag program have tallied up nearly $60,000 in savings on base programs such as local trips offered through RAF Mildenhall's Outdoor Recreation Center and ITT, as well as Youth Center sports programs, classes and camps.

The entire family may additionally benefit from fun entertainment activities such as free bowling.

The DePLAYment Tag program is a Year of the Air Force Family initiative to provide relief and support to deployed families. The program is open to any Active Duty member with dependents, who was deployed for 30 days or more in support of contingency operations as of Aug. 1, 2009, regardless if they have since returned home.

"It's a fantastic program and the kids absolutely love it," said Virginia Jones a military spouse of 22 years who is on her second tour at RAF Mildenhall. She said the program is a blessing and one of the best she's ever seen. "Over the years I have seen many programs come and go, and this has been the most well put-together and well thought-out program that I've seen.

"Every aspect of the program has truly benefitted me and my family, to help us keep our minds off the fact that dad is not around," she added. "And, now that my husband's back, he can also participate in the program. The two of us are going to see 'The Lion King.' The kids and I went before, and we were on the fourth row. The trips were pretty amazing too, and I am so grateful for the time, thought, and effort everyone put into the program for the families who have been left behind. We've been blessed by it."

The Airman & Family Readiness Center is RAF Mildenhall's distribution point for the tags.

"Families have expressed to us that they really do appreciate the tags," Cynthia Harrison, Chief of A&FRC and the YoAFF Coordinator for RAF Mildenhall said. "The free unlimited summer camps for children at the Youth Center, such as the Magic Camp have been a huge hit. Our goal is to get every eligible family enrolled in the program so that they too can enjoy the tag benefits."

How It Works

Air Force Installations are provided DePLAYment Tag Pass Packs for distribution to eligible families. Those packs contain numbered dog tags that can be placed on a key ring, much like the ones used at stores in the United States to indicate a frequent shopper. The pre-printed numbered code on the tag, called a tag code, serves as a unique identifier for each family its members.

Qualified personnel can obtain their tags and register at the Airman & Family Readiness Center, then redeem DePLAYment tag benefits at the following 100th FSS facilities: The Arts & Crafts Center; Information, Tickets & Travel (ITT); Bowling Center; Bob Hope Community Center; Outdoor Recreation; Youth Center; and Child Development Center.

You simply pick up your DePLAYment Tag Pass Pack, then log onto the www.myairforcelife.com Web site to register. Once registered, you may use your tag-pass for discounts and free programs identified by the installation.