Reservists selected to lead active-duty units Published Dec. 24, 2015 By Philip F. Rhodes Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) -- Three Air Force Reserve officers have been selected to lead active-duty units under the voluntary extended active duty tour program. EAD tours assign reservists to active-duty units to help meet active force requirements. The assignments are part of a larger initiative to leverage total force capabilities that include assigning active-duty officers to lead Air Force Reserve units. Reservists recently selected to command active duty units are: Col. Michael Hernandez, the 482nd Fighter Wing vice commander at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, will command the 325th Fighter Wing at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Lt. Col. Matthew Bianchini, the 514th Maintenance Squadron commander at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, will lead the 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Dover AFB, Delaware. Maj. Albert Knapp, the Air Force Reserve Command Directorate for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection executive officer, will command the 56th Maintenance Squadron at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. They join Lt Col. Michael Giedt, who is currently on an EAD tour as deputy commander of the 23rd Maintenance Squadron at Moody AFB, Georgia. “Their selection speaks highly of their qualifications and continued outstanding performance,” said Lt. Gen. James F. Jackson, the Air Force Reserve Command commander and chief of Air Force Reserve. “I am confident they will excel in these command opportunities.” Each of the Air Force Reserve selectees brings extensive experience to the positions and go through a rigorous screening process. Candidates are selected by their development teams and must be on the AFRC Command Screening Board list. The names are then vetted and approved by a panel of general officers. After that, the active-duty command screening board considers them for assignment to fill command opportunities.