DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — U.S. Airmen at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base are expanding their deployment readiness through the Mission Ready Airmen program, an initiative designed to prepare service members for the challenges they may face in deployed environments. The program provides Airmen with training and briefings outside their primary career fields, exposing them to expeditionary skills, intelligence updates and emergency response procedures intended to build a more agile force. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Mack, 612th Air Operations Center battle management operator and MRA instructor, said the program helps bridge the gap between initial training and the realities of the operational Air Force. “It’s geared toward training more multi-capable Airmen by giving them exposure to skills outside their normal jobs,” Mack said. Participants receive hands-on briefings on operational environments, chemical preparedness and tactical combat casualty care. “The end goal is to make every Airman more versatile so we can fill the gaps where they’re needed,” Mack said. U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Antonio Mendoza, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron water and fuels technician, said the training provided valuable insight on what to expect during future deployments. “The training gave me a better sense of what deployment could look like,” Mendoza said. “It made everything feel more real and put things into perspective. After MRA, I’d feel more comfortable if I ever got in a position where I had to take care of my Airmen or myself.” Through the Mission Ready Airmen program, Davis-Monthan continues to equip Airmen with the knowledge and skills needed to remain ready for any operational challenge.