AEF Evolution
This graphic represents the air and space expeditionary force deploy-to-dwell tempo. Called AEF Evolution, each career field will fall into a different category of deployment cycles. The deployment categories are called tempo bands. Air Force officials have created five tempo bands: A through E. Tempo Band A reflects the original AEF cycle of a 1:4 dwell ration based on 120-day deployments. Bands B through E are based on 179-day deployments. Tempo band B is a 1:4 dwell ratio -- or six months deployed, 24 months home. Tempo band C is a 1:3 dwell, band D is a 1:2 dwell and band E, reserved for the most stressed career fields, is a 1:1 dwell, or six months out, six months in. (U.S. Air Force graphic)