Guard, Reserve leaders testify before appropriations committee Published May 2, 2006 By Senior Airman J.G. Buzanowski Air Force Print News WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- In recent testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense, representatives of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve updated senators on the status of the forces. The panel questioned Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, and Maj. Gen. Charles V. Ickes II, Air National Guard director, about issues such as recruiting, funding and current operations overseas. “Today’s Reserve (Airmen) are a great improvement and the people we’re recruiting today are better than when I joined,” General Bradley said.Several senators asked about some of the missions that the Guard and Reserve carry out, specifically aeromedical evacuation and flying the F-22A Raptor. “The Air National Guard is engaged in every mission the Air Force has,” General Ickes said. “We’re truly part of the total force.” Guardsmen are a vital part of Raptor operations at Langley Air Force Base, Va., and senators wanted to know if the New Mexico Air National Guard would have a similar role when F-22s arrive at Holloman AFB. General Ickes said that was something that was definitely being considered. Much praise was also brought on citizen Airmen for their role in evacuating injured troops by air to hospitals in Germany or the U.S. One senator told a story about when he was flying over Afghanistan in a Guard C-130 Hercules. A call came in and the plane was diverted to nearby Bagram Air Base. The plane was converted for aeromedical evacuation of injured Soldiers, right before the senator’s eyes. Aeromedical evacuation couldn’t be done without the Air Force, the senator said. Questions also focused on the future missions of some Guard and Reserve units, including flying unmanned aerial vehicles and the joint cargo aircraft, currently being developed for the Army and Air Force. What’s most important, General Ickes said, is matching resources to training, and as the total Air Force modernizes its fleet, getting every Airman the training he or she needs to get the mission done. In addition, the generals answered questions on recruiting and retention in the service and the effect last year’s base realignment and closure actions have on the Guard and Reserve. “We’re working hard to place every person who wants to stay in the service with a new unit,” General Bradley said. “We’re assisting them in finding a job whether it’s (helping them) stay in the Reserve, move over to the Guard, or even join the Army or Marines. Overall, we’ll be more efficient through the BRAC process.” The generals expressed thanks for the senators’ praise when it came to service and fighting the war on terror. “Our vision is to provide the world’s best mutual support to the Air Force and our joint partners,” General Bradley said.