- This article or section should be merged with Air Force Reserve Command
Overview
The Air Force Reserve is an integral and essential part of the United States' presence in air and space. As a Federal force, the Air Force Reserve contributes daily to the Air Force mission and is actively involved in Air Force operations around the world. On any given day, it is not uncommon for thousands of Reservists to be on duty at locations throughout the world. About half of them directly support ongoing contingencies.
The primary charge of the Air Force Reserve is readiness, providing the nation's leaders with Air Force Reserve units and people who are trained and ready for duty at a moment's notice.
Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do. These are the Air Force Core Values (http://www.afreserve.com/code_core.asp). The foundation is integrity, fortified by a commitment to the service of their country, and fueled by a drive for excellence in all that they do. These are the values every member must believe in, and more importantly, must live by.
General Information
To the average civilian, the focus of Air Force Reserve is modern hardware: jets, missiles, computers and the other equipment used to get the job done. In reality, the heart and soul of the Air Force Reserve is its people. About 74,000 people actively train and participate in Reserve activities.
Although the Air Force Reserve provides slightly more than 10 percent of the Air Force's available manpower, the extent of its contribution is much greater. More than 30 percent of all Air Force Missions are accomplished through the efforts of Air Force Reservists. Reservists average more than 360 missions away from home each month, supporting other Commands and Department of Defense requirements for important fighter, airlift, aerial refueling, rescue and force-projection assets.
Structure
Headquarters for the Air Force Reserve is located at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. It is charged with monitoring and overseeing the day-to-day activities of more than 300 flying and support units.
Thirty-six Wings comprise the Air Force Reserve. Each Wing is charged with a core mission that is accomplished through the collaboration of a variety of specifically tasked squadrons.
Reserve wings report to one of three numbered Air Forces reporting to Headquarters Air Force Reserve. The numbered Air Forces assist their wings in using the guidance and resources provided by their higher headquarters to ensure combat readiness.
Reserve Structure (http://www.afreserve.com/whatwedo_popup.html)
Reserve Categories
There are several categories of service in the Air Force Reserve. The men and women who serve in the Reserve are among the best trained and most combat ready military professionals in the world. Most Reservists serve in the Unit Program, in which they are obligated to report for duty at least one weekend a month and an additional two weeks a year.
A smaller but equally important category of Reservist is the Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA). IMAs are Reservists who are assigned to active-duty units to do jobs that are essential in wartime but do not require full-time manning during times of peace. They report for duty a minimum of one day a month and 12 additional days a year.
A small number of Reservists are selected to serve on limited tours of active duty, usually at headquarters staff level or in other special assignments. Their job is to bring Reserve expertise to the planning and decision-making processes at senior levels within the Air Force and other services.
Reservists are categorized by several criteria in the Ready Reserve, Standby Reserve, Inactive Ready Reserve or Retired Reserve:
Ready Reserve
The Ready Reserve is made up of approximately 74,000 trained Reservists who may be recalled to active duty to augment active forces in time of war or national emergency. These Reservists are combat ready and can deploy to anywhere in the world in 72 hours.
Standby Reserve
The Standby Reserve includes Reservists whose civilian jobs are considered key to national defense or who have temporary disability or personal hardship. Most Standby Reservists do not train and are not assigned to units.
Inactive Ready Reserve
These Reservists no longer train, but are qualified in their fields and eligible to be recalled in the event of a national emergency.
Retired Reserve
The Retired Reserve is made up of officers and enlisted personnel who receive pay after retiring from active duty or from the Reserve, or are Reservists awaiting retirement pay at age 60.
Assigned Aircraft
The Air Force Reserve has over 400 aircraft assigned to it, most of which are fuel tankers and transports. The inventory includes the latest, most capable models of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, C-141 Starlifter, C-130 Hercules, KC-10 Extender, KC-135 Stratotanker, B-52 Stratofortress and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter. These aircraft and their crews are immediately deployable without need for additional training.
On any given day, 99 percent of these aircraft are mission-ready and able to deploy within 72 hours.
Peacetime Missions
Air Force Reservists are on duty today around the world. In addition to its role as a proven and respected combat force, the Air Force Reserve is also quick to lend a helping hand. International humanitarian relief missions may involve anything from repairing roads and schools to airlifting badly needed supplies.
At the request of local, state or federal agencies, the Air Force Reserve conducts aerial spray missions using specially equipped C-130s. With the only fixed-wing aerial spray capability in the Department of Defense, these missions range from spraying pesticides to control insects to spraying compounds used in the control of oil spills. Other specially equipped C-130s check the spread of forest fires by dropping fire retardant chemicals. Other real-world missions include support of counter narcotics efforts, weather reconnaissance, rescue and aeromedical evacuation.
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