Integration builds on fighter wings' strengths Published March 8, 2006 By Kari Tilton 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFPN) -- The ongoing association between the 419th and 388th Fighter Wings here will make both organizations stronger by capitalizing on the strengths of each, said Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, commander of Air Force Reserve Command. General Bradley welcomed reservists from the 419th FW home in late January upon their return from a deployment to Iraq. At that time, he said the reservists will have a great future with their active-duty counterparts in the 388th FW. "The integration provides the Air Force Reserve the opportunity to continue to be an integral member of the Air Force team. By exploring new organizational constructs, we are poised to make transformational leaps now and throughout the 21st century by leveraging the unique strengths that active duty and Citizen Airmen bring to the fight," General Bradley said. In late 2004, the fighter wings were selected as one of several Total Force Integration initiatives aimed at bringing together the strengths of the regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. The fighter wings will be the Air Force role model for the Fighter Associate Program. "On the Reserve side, we bring a lot of experience to the table," General Bradley said. On average, 419th FW pilots have 11 years of experience and more than 2,500 hours of flight time, while the wing's maintainers average about 18 years of experience. "Active-duty members are realizing that members of the Reserve are exceptionally professional and knowledgeable," said Chief Master Sgt. Lawrence Chang, command chief master sergeant for 10th Air Force, which oversees fighter units in the Air Force Reserve. "Reservists also provide stability and experience.” Currently, the wings are in phase two of a three-phase plan that will culminate in the fall of 2007 when 419th aircraft are transferred to Reserve units at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Carswell Field, Texas. After the transfer, 419th pilots will fly 388th aircraft exclusively. The 419th will integrate with the 388th under the Air Force's classic associate model, which has been successfully used throughout Air Mobility Command for more than 30 years. "A classic associate is a two-wing structure," General Bradley said. "The associate model is a time-tested, very successful model." Under this model, active and reserve component units retain separate organizational structures and chains of command. There will be varying degrees of functional integration based on the memorandum of understanding implemented. "The Air Force chief of staff and the secretary of the Air Force chose the classic associate model as the best fit, but there will be variations in this model," General Bradley said. "We are in the beginning stage and as we move forward, we will make adjustments to get the mission accomplished." Since late 2004, the wings have made significant progress in creating and implementing common databases and procedures for day-to-day flying operations. In late February, both wing propulsion shops began working under the same roof. The wing commanders meet regularly to discuss the "big picture" and identify the concerns and requirements of both organizations. Once fully associated, the 419th will support the 388th’s air and space expeditionary force commitment. "We want to be good wingmen to the Air Force," General Bradley said. Total Force Integration is a fundamental element of Air Force transformation, according to Air Force senior leaders. TFI incorporates innovative organizational constructs and a smaller, more capable force structure to increase capability from new technology. (Courtesy of Air Force Reserve Command News Service)