Deployed Airmen serve on Reserve's 60th anniversary

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shawn J. Jones
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  More than 1,400 Air Force reservists will celebrate their command's 60th anniversary April 14 while fighting the war on terrorism throughout U.S. Central Command's 27-nation area of responsibility throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. 

"The real success story is you cannot tell the reservist from the active-duty member at first glance, you have to ask them where they are from, then they will tell you they are reservists," said Col. Bill Forshey, the senior air Reserve component adviser for U.S. Air Forces Central. 

"They do not want to be treated differently but their difference brings a lot of other skills to the fight," Colonel Forshey said.

The regular Air Force separated from the Army in September 1947, and the Air Force Reserve was formally established seven months later. Originally, the Air Force Reserve was established for stand-by replacements for active-duty Airmen during wartime mobilization. 

Over the course of the past 60 years, the Air Force Reserve has become more integrated with the regular Air Force at home and while deployed. Since Desert Storm, the Air Force Reserve has provided near-seamless integration of Airmen into Air Force operations. 

"The Air Force Reserve provides an indispensable contribution to airpower," said Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, the U.S. Air Forces Central commander. "They are professional warfighters who roll up their sleeves and fight side-by-side with our active-duty Airmen." 

The use of reservists as forward-deployed warfighters is not just a temporary reaction to the war on terrorism. 

"To meet future requirements, we will continue to build and sustain this viable force of an operationally-engaged Reserve -- a force in use every day," said Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, the Air Force Reserve Command commander. 

Though reservists' role in the fight has changed over the past 60 years, General Bradley said Reserve Airmen still adhere to their founding principles. 

"Today, responding to a variety of threats to our national security and fighting a war on terrorism, we serve with the same courage, commitment and confidence that defined us in our first years," he said. "Now celebrating our 60th anniversary, we are more than ever essential to the Air Force's ability to fly, fight and win."

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