Reservists integrate with active duty for theater security

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) --  Air Force Reserve Command's first F-22 Raptor total integration unit is deployed here to suppport the U.S. Pacific Command commander's theater security package mission in the Asia-Pacific region.

These Airmen are from the 302nd FS and the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The Air Force Reserve 477th Fighter Group, which the 302nd FS falls under, has no aircraft assigned. They operate and maintain 3rd Wing aircraft under the Reserve classic associate construct, assisting the 525th FS, the 525th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and other units at Elmendorf AFB with manpower through functional integration.

Lt. Col. Hubie Hegtvedt, the 302nd FS commander, is assigned to the 525th EFS as an F-22 pilot. He is one of eight pilots who volunteered for the four-month deployment to integrate with the active-duty Airmen.

"Our reservists typically volunteer to participate in these types of deployments for 40 to 60 days," Colonel Hegtvedt said. "This amount of time, on a recurring basis, is sustainable over the long term for our citizen Airmen, their families and their civilian employers. Reservists understand; however, that they can be mobilized -- put on active-duty orders -- at any time for a much longer period to support contingency operations."

The reservists wear the same patches, seamlessly train together and, if required, will fly combat missions together anywhere in the world.

"You wouldn't know that we're reservists, and that's the way we want it," Colonel Hegtvedt said. "Our pilots and maintainers uphold the same standards of excellence as our active duty partners. We bring experience and continuity to the fight. The vast majority of our reservists have extensive active duty experience, and we don't have the typical two-to-three year personnel turn-over as the active duty force." 

The colonel said that being deployed in the Pacific region is a great training opportunity and provides a chance to build on the already strong relationships that have been developed while working together at home station.

"The training air space here is ideal for us to exercise the full capabilities of the Raptor," the colonel said. "We've also had the opportunity to get some night training, which is virtually impossible to get in Alaska this time of year due to the extended daylight hours."