Outstanding Arctic Reservists recognized

The 477th Fighter Group outstanding performers were recognized during the Elmendorf AFB, Alaska Initial Operational Capability ceremony September 10. The IOC celebration was held to recognize the first attainment of the capability to employ effectively a weapon, item of equipment, or system of approved specific characteristics that is manned or operated by an adequately trained, equipped and supported military unit. (U.S Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Matt Owens)

Initial Operational Capability Achieved!

Col. Eric Overturf, 477th Fighter Group Commander, speaks during the Elmendorf AFB, Alaska Initial Operational Capability ceremony September 5. The IOC celebration was and a Total Force celebration held to recognize the first attainment of the capability to employ effectively a weapon, item of equipment, or system of approved specific characteristics that is manned or operated by an adequately trained, equipped and supported military unit. (U.S Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Matt Owens)

Elmendorf units achieve combat-ready status

Published Sept. 9, 2008
By Capt. Torri White
477th Fighter Group Public Affairs

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Airmen here took time out Sept. 5 to celebrate achieving initial operational capability in three units.

Elmendorf's 3rd Wing, Alaska Air National Guard's 176th Wing and Air Force Reserve Command's 477th Fighter Group were all declared combat ready in their respective airframes.

"After years of aircraft development, testing training, and the hard work of thousands at both industry and the Air Force, today the dream is realized," said Col. Thomas Bergeson, 3rd Wing commander. "It is my honor to officially report that Gen. Howie Chandler, commander of Pacific Air Forces, has declared that both the F-22 and the C-17 at Elmendorf have achieved official operating capability."

The first C-17 arrived at Elmendorf in June 2007, and two months later the base welcomed its first F-22.

Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Fighter Squadron is a classic associate unit, and its pilots share the base's F-22A's with the 3rd Wing's 525th and the 90th Fighter Squadrons. The Air National Guard's 249th Airlift Squadron is a C-17 classic associate unit with the 3rd Wing's 517th Airlift Squadron.

Under the classic associate unit structure, the air reserve component units fly, maintain and share facilities and equipment with the 3rd Wing.

A total of four events marked the IOC ratings. Maj. Steve Johnson, an Air Force Reserve pilot in the 302nd FS, was the project officer for the entire celebration. Guard, Reserve and Regular Air Force members planned an icebreaker, a golf tournament, an official ceremony and a banquet.

"The 477th FG and the 302nd FS didn't even exist a year ago, and at first we had five Reserve maintainers, two crew chiefs, one trained pilot and no patch," said Col. Eric Overturf, 477th Fighter Group commander. "Over the last year, the 477th Fighter Group hired more than 100 Arctic Reservists. We grew from five to 50 maintainers, one pilot to 11, and we've had reservists deploy on every deployment with active-duty F-22s.

"What you have here at Elmendorf is the premier total force team in the world," he added. "We're a seamlessly integrated total force team, working together to build the best air supremacy unit in the world."

Air Force leaders like the associate unit program because it uses the experience and manpower of reservists to augment Regular Air Force units.

"We often focus on the machines, but it's the people who make it happen," said Lt. Col. Charles Corcoran, commander of the 3rd Wing's 525th Fighter Squadron. "Without them, the machines would just sit on the ramp." (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)