Total Force concept The Air Force Reserve (AFRES) was created as a separate operating agency (SOA) and replaced a major command –
Continental Air Command – which inactivated in August 1968. Upon activation, AFRES assumed command of all personnel, equipment and aircraft previously assigned to ConAC. With the implementation of the Total Force Policy, the Air Force Reserve became a multi-mission force, flying the same modern aircraft as the active Air Force. Mobilization planning and operational evaluation were integrated with the corresponding active duty functions. With the same equipment and budget authority, the Air Force Reserve was held to the same readiness standards and inspections as regular Air Force units. Special operations, air refueling, weather reconnaissance, and, once again, fighter missions were added to the airlift, rescue, and mission support roles performed by the Air Force Reserve. The associate concept soon expanded to include the
C-5 Galaxy. The Air Force Reserve had become indistinguishable from the active force in capability; there was no difference between an Air Force Reserve pilot and an active duty pilot, or a boom operator, or loadmaster. Air Force Reservists made significant contributions by flying close air support, combat delivery, rescue, strategic airlift, and air refueling missions supporting operations in Afghanistan. They also provided
B-52 Stratofortress, special operations, aeromedical, security forces, and civil engineering support. Air Force Reserve A-10s, HH-60s and
C-130 Hercules continue to perform rotational tours in Afghanistan, and Air Force Reservists have been instrumental in building the
Afghan National Army Air Corps. When
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), the war against
Saddam Hussein's regime in
Iraq began in March 2003, Air Force Reserve combat-ready A-10, B-52, and F-16 aircrews flew numerous strike operations during the first hours of engagement and performed special operations and rescue missions. Air Reserve rescue personnel were among the first into
Tallil Air Base as Reserve A-10s provided close air support. Part of the lead tanker force, Reserve tankers offloaded more than 21 million pounds of fuel to more than 1,000 aircraft. In late March 2003, fifteen
C-17 Globemaster III Reserve associate crews supported the C-17 airdrop, which opened up the Northern Front in Iraq. Additionally, Reservists supported Air Force
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) missions and space-based operations in Southwest Asia, providing essential data to battlefield commanders. During the combat phase (19 March-1 May) of OIF, Air Force Reserve aircraft and crews flew nearly 162,000 hours and deployed 70 unit-equipped aircraft in theater while aeromedical personnel provided 45 percent of the Air Force's aeromedical crews that performed 3,108 patient movements. The Air Force Reserve continues to expand its associate construct across the mission spectrum. Specific examples are the Air Force Reserve
477th Fighter Group associating at
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, flying the
F-22 Raptor jointly with the
PACAF 3d Wing and the active duty associating with the
C-40 Clipper-equipped
932d Airlift Wing with the
375th Air Mobility Wing at
Scott AFB, Illinois, and the
433d Airlift Wing C-5 Galaxy at
Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. On the horizon, associate units will include future weapon systems such as the
F-35 Lightning II and the
Next-Generation Bomber in the 2020s.
Lineage • The War Department established an Army Air Forces Air Reserve Program as part of the
United States Army Air Forces, July 1946. With the establishment of an independent U.S. Air Force in September 1947, Air Force Reserve personnel and units were assigned to
Continental Air Command (CONAC). • Established as
Air Force Reserve (AFRES) and activated as an Air Force Separate Operating Agency (SOA) on 21 June 1968 : Organized on 1 August 1968, assuming reserve assets of Continental Air Command (Inactivated) : Status changed from SOA to an Air Force Direct Reporting Unit (DRU) on 1 July 1978 : Status changed from DRU and returned to SOA status on 1 May 1983 : Status changed from SOA to an Air Force Field Operating Agency (FOA) on 5 February 1991 : Re-designated as Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and status changed from a FOA to a Major Command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force on 17 February 1997
Assignments • United States Air Force, Since 1 August 1968
Components ;; Air Forces: Air Force Reserve's entire intermediate management structure was realigned effective 8 October 1976. The Reserve Regions were inactivated and succeeded by the reactivated Fourth, Tenth and Fourteenth Air Forces • Fourth (Reserve) (later, Fourth) Air Force: Since 8 October 1976 • Tenth (Reserve) (later, Tenth) Air Force: Since 8 October 1976 • Fourteenth (Reserve) (later, Fourteenth) Air Force: 8 October 1976 – 1 July 1993 • Twenty-Second Air Force: Since 1 July 1993 ;; Regions: • First Air Force Reserve Region: 1 August 1968 – 31 December 1969 • Third Air Force Reserve Region: 1 August 1968 – 31 December 1969 • Fourth Air Force Reserve Region: 1 August 1968 – 31 December 1969 • Fifth Air Force Reserve Region: 1 August 1968 – 31 December 1969 • Sixth Air Force Reserve Region: 1 August 1968 – 31 December 1969 • Central Air Force Reserve Region: 31 December 1969 – 8 October 1976 : (
Ellington AFB, TX) Became Responsible for the Fourth and Fifth Region areas • Eastern Air Force Reserve Region: 31 December 1969 – 8 October 1976 : (
Dobbins AFB, GA) Became responsible for the First and Third Region areas • Western Air Force Reserve Region: 31 December 1969 – 8 October 1976 : (
Hamilton AFB, CA) Re-designation of the Sixth Air Force Reserve Region ;; Support components: • Individual Mobilization Augmentee Readiness Management Group: Since 1 April 2005 • 8600th Air Force Reserve Command Support (later, 952nd Reserve Support Squadron; Air Force Reserve Command Force Generation Center): Since 1 February 1991 •
Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC): 1 July 1978 – 1 May 1983; Since 15 September 1997 • Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting Service (AFRC/RS): Since 1 October 1994 • 581st Air Force Band (later, Command Band of the Air Force Reserve; Band of the Air Force Reserve; Band of the USAF Reserve): 1 August 1968 – 1 October 2016 • 2400th Reserve Advisor Squadron (later, 2400th Reserve Readiness and Mobility Squadron; 951st Reserve Support Squadron): 1 December 1972 – present • 953d Reserve Support Squadron: 1 July 1997 – 1 October 2011 • 954th Reserve Support Flight (later, 954th Reserve Support Squadron): 15 December 1997 – 1 October 2011 • 954th Reserve Support Squadron: Since 1 October 2011
Stations •
Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Since 1 August 1968 == Notable Reservists ==