ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Since my last commentary to the Command, there have been a lot of changes including a new Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Troy E. Meink, and a new Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen Kenneth Wilsbach. With new leadership comes a new perspective on how we manage our Air Force. The Air Force Reserve will remain agile as missions we’ve executed for years may shift. We will continue to be the experts driving that change.
In today's complex global landscape, the demand for a combat-ready force has never been more urgent. Gen. Wilsbach has given us a clear and direct mission: to be ready to Fly, Fix, and Fight. This is not just a call to action for the active component; it is a mandate that every Airman must answer. We are, and will continue to be, an indispensable part of the Total Force, delivering on this charge with the professionalism and expertise that defines us.
Over the last year we overcame unique challenges as Citizen Airmen. Time and again, you went above and beyond to complete the mission; generating aircraft, training to match how we fight, and executing short-notice deployments. Our commanders and finance professionals worked tirelessly to execute our $7 billion budget at 99.8%, an unprecedented accomplishment. You met the challenge, and we fully executed our flying hour program for the first time in recent history. This success demonstrates the efficiency and effectiveness that is foundational to the Air Force Reserve. Despite the many obstacles thrown your way, you crushed it.
It isn’t by accident that The Air Force Reserve is able to exceed expectations in the face of adversity. We achieve this by providing what I call “The Reserve Advantage,” an unmatched combination of military experience and civilian expertise.
The Reserve Advantage exists because our Citizen Airmen are not only masters of their military craft but also leaders in their local communities and civilian professions. They bring a depth of knowledge from across the private sector including aviation, technology, logistics, medicine and countless other fields, increasing innovation and providing different perspectives on problem solving. This fusion of expertise is
a force multiplier, making the Joint Force more capable and lethal.
To ensure we deliver on CSAF’s intent, we will continue to focus our efforts with that same intensity and capitalize on our strengths as we look forward.
Our primary focus, Generating Readiness, hasn’t changed. This is the outcome of everything we do. This means we must streamline our processes to ensure you, our Airmen, are prepared for deployment faster and more efficiently. It also means modernizing our equipment and training to meet the demands of a high-end fight to ensure at the end of the day, when the nation calls, the Air Force Reserve remains ready.
We will achieve this by fostering a Warrior Culture defined by technical expertise, accountability and a strict, non-negotiable adherence to standards. This culture ensures we are all physically, mentally and emotionally prepared for the joint fight because we have trained and exercised to the highest level. Building interoperability with our partners and allies, we will train as we fight.
We will enhance the DAF’s Surge Capacity by integrating Reservists into training, exercises and campaign planning. We will ensure Combatant Commanders know how to leverage mobilization authorities to maximize combat power and assure access to the Reserve Advantage.
At the same time, we will increase our Strategic Depth by advocating for the resources you need. Chief Nuñez and I are constantly engaging decision makers to drive recapitalization of our fleets. We cannot let our squadrons divest without a plan to put new, relevant weapon systems on our ramps. We are also pursuing a comprehensive Total Force retention strategy because we know our depth depends on our people and our platforms.
Finally, to better support our people and missions, we are getting after Force Mix Optimization. We are analyzing requirements to determine the correct balance of our full-time and part-time force. Our goal is to create a long-term, data-driven plan to structure our organization to meet current and future mission growth.
We will achieve all of this and more with a continued commitment to our Airmen and their families. We cannot Fly, Fix, and Fight without strong support networks. We are committed to maintaining and growing resources designed to help families navigate the challenges of military service. Our strength lies in your dedication and expertise, grounded by the support of the home front.
The Air Force Reserve has a proud legacy of excellence. That is the Reserve Advantage, it is what makes us effective, efficient, accessible and lethal. It is the advantage our nation counts on, and it is the commitment each of us makes every time we put on the uniform.
Thank you to you and your families for your continued service and sacrifice. Let’s get to work.