AF Reserve commander praises total force

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Ashleigh Peck
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  The Air Force Reserve Command's highest ranking officer discussed the virtues of total force integration in remarks at the 2012 Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 18.

Lt. Gen. James Jackson, chief of Air Force Reserve and the Air Force Reserve Command commander, described successes ranging from Air Force components working as a whole to the continuity and future for the Air Force Reserve.

"We are a seamless total force and we see that every single day whether you go to a deployed location or any organization here," Jackson said. "Wherever you go, you will know there is a seamless operation going on with different components including the active duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard -- all three of those bring something special to the organization."

Jackson related the role the Reserve plays in the Air Force's enduring contributions.

"We know that cyberspace is growing, not just for our service but for our nation, and we have the opportunity to go and help with that," Jackson said. "There will be opportunities for the Air Reserve components -- Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard -- if they want to participate in these endeavors."

He also noted Air Force Reserve contributions within the 10 major commands, including Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Space Command, Air Education and Training Command, and Air Force Global Strike Command.

"As we bring the active duty and Air Force Reserve together, we see the benefits from that association," Jackson said. "We have Air Force Reserve members teaching in-flight training and it helps with continuity when you have (an experienced) member (who) stays on location for a long time."

The general concluded by saying that he strives to provide Reserve opportunities for Airmen who opt to continue military service.

"We want to offer all of our members the flexibility to be able to change or get in the mission set that fits them so they can continue to serve our nation instead of retiring or separating," Jackson said. "We want to retain every Airman we can as they move from the active component into the Air Force Reserve."