Misawa units strengthened by Total Force

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Allison Day
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) --  Air National Guard and Reserve Airmen support various missions throughout the Air Force, and it is no exception here.

In units like the 35th Security Forces Squadron, the active duty strength is complemented by Air Guard or Reserve support.

"The Guard and Reserve members currently attached to security forces fill the unit's education and training manager's position, perform security forces control center desk sergeant duties, fill integrated base defense positions, and oversee the Applegate Oversize Vehicle Search Area operation, said Maj. Bob Kafka, 35th Security Forces commander. "These positions are vital in our day-to-day operation."

Now that the fiscal 2007 Defense Appropriations Act has been signed by President Bush, the end-strength of the Reserve force has increased by 900 to 74,900.

"Although we currently have only five Guard and Reserve members, their help has had a huge impact upon the unit's ability to perform the mission," Major Kafka said.

"From what I've seen, Total Force definitely works, and it will become even more important as greater numbers of Guard and Reserve personnel will be needed to fill unit shortfalls due to increasing air and space expeditionary force deployments and the current force reductions," the major said.

Because of these unit shortfalls, many Guard and Reserve Airmen no longer perform the minimum requirements of two weeks of training along with some inactive training.

"Many times it is based on the individual's ability to take time away from (his or her) civilian commitments," said Lt. Col. Dawn Suitor, Pacific Air Forces individual mobilization augmentee program manager.

"Daily, you will find Reserve and Guard members deployed in support of current operations and the Air Force Reserve is fully committed to the success of Total Force integration," Colonel Suitor said.

From the act signed by the president, Air Force Reserve Command receives about $1.26 billion for its Reserve members' appropriation and approximately $2.56 billion in operation and maintenance funds to run the command.

"Tomorrow's Reserve force will provide significant and sustained operational support to the Air Force on a daily and ongoing basis," said Lt. Gen. John Bradley, chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command. "We are all part of one Air Force and share the same flight."

Requests for any support from the Reserve and Guard can be submitted through each unit's respective personnel office.

If the Reserve or Guard member is not local, then the requesting unit would need to pay for travel and per diem, Colonel Suitor said.