AF Reserve streamlining plans will adjust manpower in 3 states

Published Sept. 12, 2011
By Col. Bob Thompson
Office of Air Force Reserve Public Affairs

Washington -- Air Force Reserve officials announced plans to streamline unit structures and adjust manpower in California, Georgia and Texas by fiscal year 2012.

"These changes are the result of a 13-month analytical effort intended to ensure we are operating as effectively and efficiently as possible," said Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner, Jr., Chief of Air Force Reserve at the Pentagon and commander of Air Force Reserve Command at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. "Today's Reservists serve every day as interchangeable partners in the Total Force, and are no longer held back just for big surges. This new reality led the 2008 Commission on the National Guard and Reserve to recommend a force restructure."

The biggest changes will affect the Air Force Reserve's three numbered air forces: 4th Air Force, March Air Reserve Base, Calif.; 10th Air Force, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas; and 22nd Air Force, Dobbins ARB, Ga. These three headquarters will now focus on readiness, ensuring their subordinate units are trained and ready to deploy when needed.

Overall, California will see the addition of 132 manning positions, Texas will gain one position and Georgia is scheduled to lose 101 positions.

However, as Congress reviews the FY 12 budget request, many resourcing and manning requests are subject to changes and reductions, especially during the current effort to tighten federal spending.

"Focusing on readiness results in a leaner numbered air force structure," said Col. Greg Vitalis, the Headquarters AFRC Program Manager. "The major command headquarters will provide support to the wings in functional areas no longer resident at the numbered air forces and regional support groups. The numbered air forces will advocate for units' readiness requirements and support inspection preparation."

This action will remove personnel, intelligence, communications, chaplain, history, public affairs and medical directorates from the numbered air forces. Also, three regional support groups will be inactivated including: the 604th RSG, March ARB; 610th RSG, Ft. Worth; and the 622nd RSG, Dobbins ARB.

"We will provide our people time to adjust to these changes and help them understand their options," said General Stenner. "We're going to set up an employee-assistance database to assist them so we can retain their expertise in the Air Force Reserve where and whenever possible."

California will add 132 manning positions:

March ARB will have a manpower reduction of 63 part-time and one full-time Reservist as well as 50 civilian authorizations due to 4th Air Force restructure. However, the base will add five part-time Reservists' slots and one civilian authorization as part of a new Exercise Evaluation Team mission.
Beale AFB will have an increase of 213 part-time Reservists and 17 civilian authorizations with the activation of a new civil engineer unit. Also, the base will add four part-time Reservists' slots and one civilian authorization as part of a new Exercise Evaluation Team mission.
Travis AFB will have an increase of four part-time Reservists' slots and one civilian authorization as part of a new Exercise Evaluation Team mission.

Texas will gain one manpower position:

At Fort Worth, manpower will be reduced by 61 part-time Reservists and 51 civilian authorizations due to the 10th Air Force restructure. However, the base will add five part-time Reservists and one civilian authorization for the Exercise Evaluation Team mission.
Joint Base San Antonio will see an increase of 77 part-time and 24 full-time Reservists as part of a new cyber operations unit, as well as five part-time Reservists and one civilian authorization for the Exercise Evaluation Team mission.

Georgia will lose 101 positions:

Dobbins ARB will see a manpower reduction of 128 part-time and one full-time Reservist and 35 civilian authorizations due to the 22nd Air Force restructure. The base will then add five part-time Reservists and one civilian authorization for the Exercise Evaluation Team mission.
Robins AFB will see an increase of 57 civilian billets associated with the establishment of the new Air Force Reserve Force Generation Center.

"The number of mission areas supported by Reservists have doubled over the past decade," said Colonel Vitalis. "The Total Force needs us to fill requirements in leading-edge missions in space, Intelligence, cyberspace, and new weapons systems."

The demand for Air Force Reservists on the frontlines has grown as well. According to Air Force Reserve officials, 2,300 Reservists filled deployment taskings in 1999. However since 9/11, on any given day, approximately 5,000 Air Force Reservists are now serving in the United States, Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations around the globe.