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Air Force approves Reserve B-52 formal training unit

  • Published
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  As part of the Air Force's reorganization of its B-52 forces, Air Force Reserve Command's 93rd Bomb Squadron here will spearhead the Air Force's B-52 Formal Training Unit program.

Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Air Force chief of staff, formally approved the total force integration initiative March 9.

The reorganization of the B-52 FTU is part of an overall reorganization of the Air Force B-52 forces. Currently run by a Regular Air Force unit at Barksdale, the B-52 FTU will belong to the Air Force Reserve's 917th Wing at Barksdale.

"From the Reserve perspective, this is an outstanding opportunity to enhance our involvement in the B-52 mission and further support the Air Force's top priority," said Lt. Col. Jeff Swanson, the program element monitor at Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command.

Colonel Swanson also heads the fighter and bomber programs for the command in the directorate of plans and programs.

The mission of the FTU will not change; the 93rd BS will train and prepare Air Combat Command and AFRC B-52 aircrews for worldwide missions.

Under the reorganization, the Reserve squadron, which currently owns eight B-52s, will gain eight more aircraft to lead the FTU training.

In addition to gaining more aircraft, the squadron will also add more Airmen. The Air Force will reassign 400 Airmen from the Regular Air Force's 2nd Bomb Wing to an active associate squadron to support the Reserve squadron and conduct FTU training.

While leading FTU operations, the 93rd BS will have additional responsibilities. The squadron will produce sorties and provide aircraft for the 340th Weapons School and the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron, a B-52 test organization, at Barksdale AFB.

Although the 93rd BS will no longer be an operational unit once the FTU stands up, a small classic association comprised four crews will maintain combat proficiency with the 2nd BW.

"This association will allow the Reserve to continue to participate in conventional combat operations, expand our role to supporting nuclear operations and provide us the opportunity to hire young aircrew and grow them to be instructors who will eventually support the active associate FTU mission," said Colonel Swanson.

Plans call for the FTU to achieve initial operational capability no later than Sept. 1 and to have full operational capability by Dec. 1.

This TFI initiative will allow the 93rd BS to maintain ownership of the aircraft while providing the best forces in support of the B-52 mission. It will provide the Reserve with more opportunities to support the Air Force's bomber force. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)