Guardsmen meet to discuss 2020 vision Published Dec. 13, 2005 By Senior Airman J.G. Buzanowski Air Force Print News BALTIMORE (AFPN) -- Senior Air National Guard leaders met for a three-day conference here to discuss the future and their role in the Air Force. Scores of generals, command chief master sergeants and adjutant generals attended the Dec. 12 event opening. They will spend the duration of the conference discussing a global strategy to ensure the Air National Guard meets the requirements of the nation for the next 15 years and beyond. Lt. Gen. Daniel James III, the ANG director, provided opening remarks and set the tone for the conference. He congratulated fellow Guardsmen on their continued support of operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom and their response to hurricanes earlier this year. “This has been one of the busiest years for the Air National Guard,” the general said. “We’ve moved hundreds of tons of cargo and we reached our finest hour during the relief for Hurricane Katrina. “That (operation) was my proudest moment being a Guardsman.” General James encouraged everyone to look to the future on how to fulfill the Guard’s missions. “We will continue to transform this organization to meet the needs for the defense of this country,” General James said. “This conference represents an opportunity to discuss current and future issues. We must work together and the Air National Guard must be seen as part of the solution to the changing Air Force.” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley outlined several ways the Guard is contributing to the total force. One example he cited was the F-22A Raptor. “Down at the 1st Fighter Wing, there are Virginia Guard pilots flying the F-22 alongside the active duty,” General Moseley said. He urged attendees to think about ways the Guard will stay relevant over the next decade and a half. “We’re all fighting the global war on terror," General Moseley said. "For example, when someone goes to Al Udeid (Air Base) now, they can’t tell the difference between someone from the Guard, Reserve or active duty. All of us are on the same team but we need to ask, ‘What does the total force look like in 10 years, in 15 years?’ “If we don’t think about what the fight looks like 20 years from now, how do we prepare for it? It’s an interesting challenge,” General Mosley said. The general put forth that challenge to the hundreds of conference attendees. They will spend the remainder of the conference discussing some of the details as the Guard plans for the future.