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Air Force reservists to train C-17, KC-135 crews at Altus

  • Published
WASHINGTON --  Air Force Reserve Command will stand up a classic associate squadron at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., in 2010, according to an announcement here April 2.

Reserve C-17 Globemaster and KC-135 Stratotanker instructors will fly and instruct as part of the integrated Regular Air Force and Reserve crews.

"The new squadron's mission is to support the 97th Air Mobility Wing with exceptionally experienced instructor aircrew," said Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., chief of Air Force Reserve. "When we integrate Reserve instructors with the Regular Air Force, we enhance and optimize capabilities by increasing effectiveness and efficiency in training operations."

General Stenner said the reservists will bring experience and continuity to the Formal Training Unit instructor cadre. The initiative will also enhance earlier Air Education Training Command and Air Force Reserve Command cross-talk on FTU syllabus issues.

"Nearly 40 percent of the training load at Altus is from the reserve components," the general said. "This association is the first step in proportionality in the distribution of training placed on Regular Air Force crews."

If needed, the associate squadron will mobilize in-place to keep the C-17 and KC-135 formal training unit pipelines open when Regular Air Force instructors deploy.

In addition to a command-administrative section, the new squadron will have separate flights for the C-17 and KC-135 FTUs. Reserve instructors will be assigned to the squadron and attached to the appropriate flight. They will fall under the operational direction of the active duty Air Force squadron they associate with.

"This classic association is a natural extension of the long, successful history of Air Mobility Command and Air Force Reserve Command classic and active associations," General Stenner said. "The new Reserve crews will provide a total force schoolhouse for the C-17 and KC-135." (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)