4th AF commander adresses Reserve issues on 'Front and Center'

Published Dec. 8, 2008
By Senior Airman Zach Anderson
4th Air Force Public Affairs

CHICAGO -- Major Gen. Robert E. Duignan, commander, 4th Air Force, took part in a world-wide webcast panel discussion Dec. 4 here to provide an update on the Guard and Reserve.

General Duignan was part of a three-person expert panel brought together for an appearance on "Front and Center," a monthly public affairs forum on military issues produced by the Pritzker Military Library here.

Joining General Duignan on the panel to address the issues were Major General (IL) William L. Enyart, 37th Adjutant General of the State of Illinois and Dr. John D. Winkler, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. The discussion was hosted by long-time Chicago television journalist John Callaway.

"The purpose of the Pritzker Military Library is to acquire and maintain an accessible collection of materials and develop appropriate programs focusing on the Citizen Soldier in the preservation of democracy," said Ryan Yantis, Executive Director of the Pritzker Military Library. "That individual service is key to our focus and helping citizens to understand that role and linkage," he continued.

Over a 90-minute discussion, the panel discussed a wide range of topics, including the increasing role the Reserve and Guard components of the military continue to play in the ongoing war on terror.

"The United States Air Force has been engaged in combat for over 16 years, and the Air Force Reserve has been and will continue to be an integral part of that effort," General Duignan said. "We maintain a combat-ready force that has a 72-hour response to global crisis with a single level of readiness with a full spectrum of combat operations."

General Duignan also addressed the capabilities of reservists to operate within the active duty Air Force.

"The Air Force Reserve will continue to integrate with the other components at all levels. We will always train to the same standards of the regular component. We exist as an operational component of the Air Force, serving side-by-side with regular and Guard Airmen and the Air Force Reserve will be even more relevant in the future. The Air Force cannot do the mission without the support of its dedicated wingman, the Air Force Reserve," the general said.

The discussion also centered on some of the key differences between the Guard and Reserve components and the different challenges faced by each.

"It is important that citizens understand and appreciate the difference between the Guard and Reserve and the different mission and role each is playing," Duignan said.
Following the moderated discussion, the panel also addressed questions from a live audience.

According to Yantis, the panel discussion was one of the best the library had produced. "It was excellent. We had more questions and the audience was engaged, asking dynamic questions. It was a topic that led to good discussion."

The discussion was webcast live and will be re-broadcast on WYCC, Chicago Public Television, Friday, Dec. 12. The webcast will be archived on the Internet and will also be available as an audio podcast from the Pritzker Military Library website at www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org.