Beyond the call for the nation's security

I begin the review of 2004 with heartfelt congratulations to the men and women of the Air Force Reserve for another exceptional year of service to our great nation--"Beyond the Call." As an important part of the Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command forces serve in defense of the nation at home and around the world. From the sands of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan, from the jungles of South America to the Antarctic icecap, in the skies above the nation, inside hurricanes threatening our coastal areas and through wildfires endangering our countryside, dedicated Reservists answer the call to duty symbolizing the values of integrity, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

With change as our only constant, this year's focus on rebalancing, volunteerism and the need for innovative management techniques to navigate the uncertainty of our times produced numerous accomplishments and highlighted many challenges specific to strengthening the relevance of the Air Force Reserve. Throughout it all, our citizen-airmen stood shoulder to shoulder with Active Duty, Guard, joint and allied forces seamlessly performing their essential missions. They showed the unwavering dedication and the sacrifice of their families and employers in their answer to duty--"Beyond the Call."

TOTAL FORCE BEYOND THE CALL

Approximately 20 percent of the U.S. Air Force's capability currently resides in the Air Force Reserve Command. Performing seamlessly in many essential roles, Reservists forge an irreplaceable bond to the Total Force. Reservists meet these challenges daily, by maintaining a phenomenal operational tempo beside their Active Duty and Air National Guard counterparts. This optempo translated into a tremendous increase in aircraft flying time. This year, Reserve aircraft flew more than 250,000 hours, a 36 percent increase over original estimates. More importantly, our crews flew 85,000 hours and 26,000 sorties in direct support of worldwide contingencies--"Beyond the Call."

A shining example was the command's wartime-tasked C-130 fleet. Since September 11, 2001, all eight AFRC operational C-130 wings have found themselves mobilized in support of the global war on terrorism. Hand-picked to lead Active Duty, Guard and Reserve forces, the 440th Airlift Wing and the 908th Airlift Wing deployed from General Mitchell IAP-ARS, Milwaukee, and Maxwell AFB, Ala., to spearhead tactical airlift operations within the CENTCOM theater. Our dedicated crews, maintainers and support personnel executed more than 10,600 combat sorties into Iraqi and Afghan airfields while dodging small-arms fire and deadly surface-to-air missile attacks. To counter these extremely hazardous threats, Reserve crews led by the 914th Airlift Wing from Niagara Falls JRB, N.Y., pioneered blacked-out airfield landings on night-vision goggles. Until recently, only the elite Air Force Special Operations crews flew these procedures. Not only did Reservists airlift supplies critical to engaged coalition forces, the 440th C130s were also the first U.S. military aircraft to deliver humanitarian relief after massive earthquakes devastated Iran. Similarly, 302nd Airlift Wing Reservists from Peterson AFB, Colo., were first on the scene to support Russian relief efforts in the wake of the Beslan school terrorist attack.

With 12 strategic airlift squadrons mobilized and C-5s from the 433rd Airlift Wing at Lackland AFB, Texas, and 439th Airlift Wing at Westover ARB, Mass., furnishing unprecedented volunteers, the Reserve command contributed one-half of the crews and 25 percent of the aircraft to Air Mobility Command's airlift surge operations. Reserve C-5, C-17, and C-141 crews and maintenance personnel sustained the largest airlift operation in history, supporting ongoing operations in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), including the largest rotation of forces since World War II.

The 445th Airlift Wing at WrightPatterson AFB, Ohio, and 452nd Air Mobility Wing at March ARB, Calif., established the aeromedical evacuation airbridge between CONUS and Southwest Asia. In the past year and a half, the wing and their venerable C141 crews have flown more than 11,000 patient sorties to return injured soldiers from the CENTCOM theater to the United States. Crews from all 17 Reserve aeromedical evacuation squadrons served in all theaters of operation, with more than 700 personnel activated and more than 350 serving volunteer tours. Constituting 65 percent of the total Air Force aeromedical evacuation assets, AFRC's forces were key to providing expert in-flight care to injured American soldiers at home and abroad.

The new workhorse of strategic airlift, the C-17 maintained a very busy pace. The 446th Airlift Wing at McChord AFB, Wash., and the 315th Airlift Wing at Charleston AFB, S.C., answered the call: more than 40,000 hours and 7,650 combat sorties. During this historic airlift, Reserve crews still continued to fly special airlift missions such as Operation Deep Freeze to the Antarctic icecap, Palmetto Ghost counterdrug missions to South America, as well as Phoenix Banner, the presidential airlift.

During the beginning stages of OIF, the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo., was the first American fighter squadron to establish a 24-hour combat operations base inside Iraq, a presence that lasted 225 days. They were the lone Air Force wing in Iraq with the capability to execute close air support, combat search-and-rescue missions and forward-air-control missions with the new Litening II precision targeting pod. The 442nd FW achievements speak for themselves: 1,204 combat sorties, 3,590 flying hours, zero combat damage and a staggering 100 percent sortie generation rate at two separate ill-equipped, austere and battle-damaged former enemy air bases. Not surprisingly, they quickly became the Close Air Support (CAS) Unit of Choice for Special Operations and Army units theater-wide. Answering the call to duty, 442nd FW A-10s earned the status of the most-feared weapons system in theater, saving an untold number of lives due to its responsiveness and presence.

Carrying on this impressive tradition, A-10s from the 926th Fighter Wing again deployed from New Orleans ARS to Afghanistan. Mobilized once for OEF after September 11, the 926th FW aggressively trained with new systems--Litening pod and Rover streaming video--to return as part of its normal Air and Space Expeditionary Force (AEF) cycle. This time, however, Reservists answered the call to duty with 100 percent volunteers. Clearly beyond any level of commitment previously provided by the Reserve fighter community, the 926th met the challenge even though the AEF tour length increased to 120 days--"Beyond the Call."

VOLUNTEERISM BEYOND THE CALL

Although the pace of action has slowed from the height of OIF, OEF and Operation Noble Eagle (ONE), Reserve warriors sustain a historic operational tempo. Since September 11, more than three-fourths of the command's operational aviation squadrons have been mobilized to support contingency operations. One-fourth of these units has already completed two years of service, with still more approaching this mark. As testament to answering the nation beyond the call to duty, these citizen-airmen heroes returned home, reconstituted, and are now heading back for another tour of duty as volunteers in the Total Force effort to meet worldwide commitments. To date, in support of the global war on terrorism and OIF, AFRC has activated more than 29,000 of the command's 75,800 members, with more than 4,000 members still on orders. Even more impressive, this year more than 29,200 Reservists filled AEF requirements. A majority of these airmen were volunteers. As always, I am encouraged that our citizen-airmen continue to answer their nation's call to duty with unprecedented volunteerism and steadfast devotion--"Beyond the Call."

The following accomplishments provide evidence of our Total Force relevance while celebrating our volunteer spirit. To sustain the historic airliftbridge, Reserve tanker units created a vital link between the United States and Southwest Asia with an all-volunteer Tanker Task Force. Led by the 514th Mr Mobility Wing from McGuire AFB, N.J., eight volunteer KC-10 crews and maintainers provided critical OEF/OIF support. These same volunteers and their West Coast counterparts from the 349th Air Mobility Wing from Travis AFB, Calif., recently completed a volunteer AEF deployment to the same CENTCOM location they deployed to during mobilization.

Likewise, a rainbow of Reserve KC-135 wings, led by the 434th Air Refueling Wing from Grissom ARB, Ind., and the newly converted 939th Air Refueling Wing from Portland International Airport, Ore., deployed to CENTCOM for more than three months. Their air-refueling exploits enabled Global Reach to combat aircraft engaging insurgent Iraqi fighters. On the home front, Reserve tankers and F16 fighters remain on alert to guard the nation's skies with Combat Air Patrols over our cities. They conducted more than 220 ONE sorties, totaling 1,250 hours to protect the nation. In addition, Reserve tankers and fighters provide around-the-clock launch capability at a moment's notice to defend U.S. airspace from terrorist threats.

Although the majority of our recent missions are combat related, supporting the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, we are also extremely busy in other parts of the world. When maintenance inspections grounded the U.S. Forest Service's civilian fleet of firefighting aircraft, volunteers from the 302nd Airlift Wing from Peterson AFB, Colo., came to the rescue. Throughout the summer, these brave airmen fought Western wildfires from four deployed locations using the unique C-130 Modular Airborne FireFighting System. In 326 drops, the 302nd dispersed nearly eight million pounds of retardant to save millions of acres and countless homes from devastating fires. Equally impressive, the hurricane hunters of the 403rd Wing at Keesler AFB, Miss., flew countless WC-130 weather missions into the eye of Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Ivan and Jeanne. Displaying service before self, these Reservists relocated to Homestead ARB in Florida and continued tracking the storm even as its destructive winds lashed at their own homes. From C-17 and C-130 crews distributing relief supplies in hurricane-devastated areas to the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla., assisting rescue efforts throughout Florida, dedicated warriors carry the Reserve flag forward serving those closest to our hearts, our fellow citizens--"Beyond the Call."

INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT BEYOND THE CALL

The Air Force Reserve has always been committed to continuous improvement and finding creative solutions to the many challenges we face; this year has been no exception. In fact, in example after example, our applied innovative management methodologies have led to numerous accomplishments. After two years of continuous deployment, with more than 550 Reservists mobilized for two years, the 919th Special Operations Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla., brought its MC-130 crews home as the most decorated Reserve heroes in recent times. Continuing to display the patriotism indicative of all Reservists, they volunteered to deploy again to support OEF. Reserve transportation specialists from eight wings conducted harrowing convoy operations in Iraq. The Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center at St. Joe, Mo., developed techniques to protect mobility crews from emerging threats. Reserve leadership filled 62 deployed commander billets around the globe. The 403rd Wing developed and evaluated the C-130J for future deployment to Iraq.

Air Force Reserve Command is exploring ways to transform its warfighting capability to meet the demands of the continuously changing world. The command is contributing to the transformation efforts by expanding its associated program. Traditionally, Reserve associate units are based at active duty bases and provide aircrew and maintenance support for active duty owned aircraft. However, Air Force Reserve Command is partnering with Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Combat Command in new types of associate programs. The 919th SOW owns 14 MC-130 Combat Talon I aircraft and shares flying and maintenance responsibilities with two active duty squadrons. The Fighter Associate Program shares people and equipment to benefit both the Reserve and active duty commands in a total force effort. Reserve pilots and aircraft maintainers work at active duty units to provide training and continuity within Air Combat Command.

All these examples and countless other acts by Reservists pinpoint dedicated individuals who have shown a remarkable willingness and readiness to serve in time of need. Even with continuing pressures presented by the glob al war on terrorism, both unit and individual retention currently remains high for the Air Force Reserve Command. For FY04, the overall enlisted retention rate was 88.4 percent, and overall officer retention rate was 92.3 percent. To ensure a viable Air Force Reserve force into the future, I will continue to address recruiting and retention issues, volunteerism, pay and benefits, Reserve health care, equipment modernization and reconstitution.

Our nation has discovered something that you and I have always known; It takes citizen-warriors to defend our freedom. Reserve forces have been the backbone of American defense since the country's birth as a nation. Even in a new century of unidentified threats and mounting deployments, the Air Force Reserve Command will continue to stand tall and heed the call to arms. Our future depends on us not only answering the call to duty, but also continuing to go "Beyond the Call."

Lt Gen John A. Bradley is chief of Air Force Reserve, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington D.C., and commander, Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Ga. As chief of Air Force Reserve, he serves as principal advisor on Reserve matters to the Air Force chief of staff. As commander of Air Force Reserve Command, he has full responsibility for the supervision of all U.S. Air Force Reserve units around the world.

General Bradley was born in Lebanon, Tenn. He was commissioned in 1967 after completing the Air Force ROTC program as a distinguished graduate at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

As a fighter pilot, General Bradley flew 337 combat missions in Vietnam. He has commanded a fighter training squadron, fighter group, fighter wing and numbered air force. He also served as deputy to the chief of the Air Force Reserve and as the deputy commander of Joint Task Force-Computer Network Operations. Before assuming his current position, General Bradley was assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Reserve Matters. The general is a command pilot with more than 6,800 flying hours in the T-38, A-37, A-10, F-4 and F-16.

His major awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with three silver oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Mr Force Achievement Medal, and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Reserve Officers Association of the United States
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