Leaders talk budget, strategy, force mix at AFA conference

Published Sept. 18, 2012
By Col. Bob Thompson
Air Force Reserve Public Affairs

WASHINGTON -- As Air Force leaders look to the future, their vision is shaped around leveraging strengths of the Total Force - Active, Guard and Reserve as a team - to address the challenges of budget cuts and a new National Strategy.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley addressed the future of the Air Force to more than 6,000 attendees at the Air Force Association 2012 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 17.

"Trading size for quality" is the Air Force's guide for its strategic choices, he said. "Standing firm" and getting the "right mix between Active and Reserve Components" are key issues he told the crowd of industry leaders, lobbyists, media, Air Force and military leaders from all services as well as representatives from other countries.

After the opening ceremonies, Donley addressed the "conscious choices" the Air Force made to comply with the Budget Control Act that features a $487 billion DOD budget drawdown over the next 10 years and new strategic guidance that focuses on supporting Pacific Command. This resulted in the Air Force's fiscal 2013 budget submission that included retiring 286 aircraft and cutting 9,900 Total Force Airmen over five years.

"This is what has to be done to align with a $487 billion drawdown," said Donley, acknowledging that the proposed Air Force structure changes were not popular with the Congressional members who ordered the budget cuts. Also, if the Congressional plan called "Sequestration" kicks in after the January 2013 deadline, it will add another $55 billion in cuts to the FY13 defense budget, he said.

"We are part of the solution," said Lt. Gen. James F. Jackson, chief of Air Force Reserve at the Pentagon and commander of Air Force Reserve Command at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. "Your Air Force Reserve provides 17 percent of the Air Force's capacity and capability for only 4 percent of the Air Force's budget.

"We are a seamless Total Force," said Jackson. "All three components, Active Duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, bring something valuable to the table and each fulfills responsibilities assigned by the Constitution and law," he said.

"We're a Title 10 MAJCOM, and we're an integral part of every other MAJCOM and every mission," said Jackson referring to how Air Force reservists are activated and assigned roles and missions aligned with federal forces and the Air Force's major commands.

The Air Force Reserve has units at 56 locations. Of those, the Reserve has the lead for only 10 installations and cost-effectively shares facilities across the United States and in other countries.

Improving communication and integration inside the active and reserve component relationships is a priority, according to Donley. He said that the Total Force has 100 associate units and will grow to 115 and include the Air Force's newest weapon systems, such as the F-35 fighter and the KC-46 tanker.

Associate units work together in partnerships that share equipment and facilities around a common mission. This model has flourished for more than 40 years in strategic and tactical airlift communities and, according to officials, enhances combat capability and increases force-wide efficiency.

"Everyday our Active Duty, Guard and Reserve are adding new chapters to our Air Force history," said Donley. By working as one Air Force, the three components ensure the success of the Joint Team, he said.

Today, Air Force reservists work in every job specialty and mission area. Originally designed for strategic surges during the Cold War, the reserve components are relied upon as daily operational forces as directed by Department of Defense policies in February 2010.

"The Air Force Reserve will remain an operational force and continue to provide surge capability for our nation's needs," said Jackson. "This is one of our guiding principles and part of how we best match the AFR to the AF mission and our nation's security."