FTF initiatives make progress

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mitch Gettle
  • Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON --  The Air Force director of plans and programs provided an update of the six Future Total Force initiatives being tested in the United States during a roundtable discussion July 7.

Part of the FTF plan is to increase the number of bases where active-duty Airmen are assigned to Guard and Reserve units where everyone works side by side.

“This means the active duty will move to Guard and Reserve locations, not just the other way around,” said Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Wood. “By doing this, we can leverage the tremendous experience levels we have in the Guard and Reserve, as well as provide the ability to utilize the active-duty Airmen to sustain increasing levels of deployment necessitated by our expeditionary role.”

General Wood briefly explained the progress that has been made for the six FTF initiatives being tested:

-- In Virginia, the association between the Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Fighter Wing and 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base is quickly becoming a reality. The first Guard pilot and two maintainers are in training in the F/A 22 Raptor, and the concept of operations and memorandum of understanding between the two units is signed and sealed.

-- In Vermont, the first active-duty maintainers have arrived at the duty station with the Vermont ANG. They will test the community-basing concept. These Airmen will gain a wealth of knowledge from the highly experienced and skilled Airmen of the Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing.

-- In Texas, Arizona, New York and North Dakota, the Guard is preparing to stand up new Predator unmanned aerial vehicle units. One pilot from the Arizona ANG is in training and six will start in October. The Air Force is also close to determining the proper unit size and mixture of full- and part-time personnel.

-- In Nevada, there is progress in integrating the Guard and Reserve into the missions at the Air Warfare Center, to include MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle operations, advanced flying training and the Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team.

-- In Utah, the memorandum of understanding between the active duty and Air Force Reserve units has been approved by all stakeholders, which means the Air Force is a step closer to making this an F-16 Fighting Falcon classic associate unit.

-- In Hawaii and Alaska, the Air Force is moving forward to create classic associate wings with both the ANG and Air Force Reserve, respectively. They will share flying duties when the Air Force’s newest C-17 Globemasters arrive at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.