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Air Force Reserve to expand associate role with Shaw F-16 unit

  • Published
WASHINGTON --  As part of the Air Force Total Force Integration initiatives, Air Force Reserve Command is teaming up with Air Combat Command to expand its associate presence with additional F-16 pilots at the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., in fiscal 2008.

Air Combat Command's 20th FW flies three squadrons of F-16CJ fighter aircraft in conventional and anti-radiation suppression of enemy air defenses, strategic attack, counter air, air interdiction, joint maritime operations and combat search-and-rescue missions. Plans call for Shaw AFB to eventually receive the F-35 Lightning II.

"The associate unit program begun in 1968 has served the Air Force and the Air Force Reserve well over the years," said Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command.

"Under the classic associate structure, our reservists operate and maintain equipment with their active-duty counterparts," said General Bradley. "This approach has been so successful in recent years that the Regular Air Force has begun forming active associate units in partnership with unit-equipped Reserve organizations. By sharing equipment, we are able to train more people and make better use of the equipment."

"Associate units make good business sense because they capitalize on the experience and skills of reservists, many of whom were on active duty before joining the Air Force Reserve," General Bradley said. "Through the associate unit programs, that training investment can be multiplied over and over as people come and go in a unit."

Shaw AFB is one of the Air Force's initial Joint Strike Fighter locations, according to an announcement Oct. 4. The Air Force is expected to start taking delivery of F-35A aircraft in 2009, with planned deliveries continuing beyond 2025.

The development of ACC-gained Reserve associate units began in March 1997 with the launching of the Fighter Reserve Associate Test program. At that time, a dozen reservists worked with the 20th FW as part of a FRAT detachment. The success of that program led to the signing of an agreement in April 2003 by the commanders of ACC and AFRC to establish associate units at ACC F-16 and F-15 bases, including a second unit at Shaw AFB.

Under the classic associate concept, the active-duty unit will retain principal responsibility for its equipment, and the Reserve unit will share in operating and maintaining it. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)