{"id":39255,"date":"2021-02-12T12:26:53","date_gmt":"2021-02-12T12:26:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/02\/12\/air-force-extends-first-term-unaccompanied-tours-at-some-overseas-duty-stations-to-36-months\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:07:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:07:40","slug":"air-force-extends-first-term-unaccompanied-tours-at-some-overseas-duty-stations-to-36-months","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2021\/02\/12\/air-force-extends-first-term-unaccompanied-tours-at-some-overseas-duty-stations-to-36-months\/","title":{"rendered":"Air Force extends first-term, unaccompanied tours at some overseas duty stations to 36 months"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Air Force is extending the length of first-term, unaccompanied tours for airmen and guardians in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Japan from 24 months to 36 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The change is designed to give the service member additional time to train with the unit and allow newer troops greater \u201cstability,\u201d the Air Force said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDuring these moves, service members not only have to adjust to their new jobs, but also to a new culture and country, which takes time,\u201d Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, said in an Air Force news release<\/a> on Feb. 11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA 24-month tour was not adequate for our new Airmen and Guardians to thrive, nor was it enough time to provide the continuity needed for the unit,\u201d Kelly said. \u201cThe change was made to support the mission and to ensure our members receive a longer transitional period.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t