This report examines both the impact of Operation Desert Shield/Storm on the families of active duty service members who were deployed to the Persian Gulf region, and the effectiveness of the Air Force's family support systems in meeting family and mission needs. The Air Force's Family Matters Office sponsored this study in order to identify the lessons learned during the Gulf War and to enhance the readiness of Air Force families and agencies for future large-scale mobilizations. Researchers collected information from a variety of sources, including: (1) telephone interviews with single parents, dual-military couples, and civilian spouses; (2) on-site focus groups with active duty personnel, civilian spouses, youth, single parents, and dual military couples; and (3) interviews with service providers and unit leadership. Specific questions addressed in the study include: (1) How well were families prepared for the deployment? (2) What types of problems did families experience most frequently? (3) What formal and informal support systems were most likely to be used by families? and (4) What problems were experienced during the reunion phase? The analysis is presented in four chapters: (1) a literature review on family separation issues; (2) the methodology employed in the study; (3) the results of the analyses; and (4) the conclusions and recommendations of the study. Future phases of the study will include a workshop with Air Force policy-makers, follow-up interviews with single parents and dual-military couples, and the conclusion of a comparable study with Reserve Component service members, spouses, leadership and service providers. (RJM)