Air Force Aid Society launches Road Ready grant to help spouses of deployed Airmen and Guardians

The Air & Space Forces Aid Society is offering a $200 “Road Ready” grant to help spouses of deployed Airmen and Guardians keep their vehicles in good working order while their service members are away. The nonprofit, which serves as the official relief organization for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, said the funds are a grant and do not need to be repaid.

“Deployments place a strain on the spouses and families left behind — there’s just no way around it. And sometimes even routine expenses like car maintenance just add to that burden,” said retired Maj. Gen. Ed Thomas, who leads AFAS. “Road Ready provides practical support that can make life a little easier for our families while their service member is away,” added retired Command Chief Master Sgt. Kris Spencer, AFAS chief operating officer.

“Gen. Wilsbach, our Air Force Chief of Staff, challenged us to ensure we’re helping support our spouses of deployed Airmen and Guardians, especially during [Operation] Epic Fury,” Thomas said, adding, “This is just one way we’re answering that challenge.”

The grant can be used for preventive maintenance such as oil changes, alignments, tire rotations, battery replacement and windshield wiper replacement. It is available to spouses of service members of any rank, with one grant allowed per deployment.

Applicants must apply while their service member is currently deployed and provide required documentation, including deployment orders, a military ID and the service member’s end-of-month Leave and Earnings Statement.

More information and the application are available at afas.org.