Future Total Force: benefits outweigh growing pains

  • Published
  • By Lt.Col. Michael Brill
  • 419th Fighter Wing Future Total Force coordinator
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFPN) --  It has been six months since the chief of staff of the Air Force announced the Air Force Reserve Command's 419th Fighter Wing would become an associate wing with the active duty 388th FW here under the Future Total Force initiative.

Since this announcement came as a surprise to the Airmen in each fighter wing, it generated quite a bit of stress and anxiety in both organizations. I want to make it clear that, in fact, the sky is not falling.

Here is an update on where we are now.

The concept of operations, developed by Air Force Reserve Command and Air Combat Command officials, soon should be approved and signed.

The CONOPS calls for three phases to occur.

Phase One, set to end in September, directs some administrative adjustments that will be transparent to most members of the wing.

Phase Two begins in October and calls for a gradual increase in association of Airmen in the two wings. It also is the period in which officials in the two wings review and modify regulations and instructions to develop joint publications and procedures.

Phase Three, the end state, occurs when all our jets have been transferred to other AFRC units. The commanders at both AFRC and ACC have given the 419th and 388th FWs the task to make the association work, but they have not given us a blueprint for that plan. It is up to us to devise and implement an organizational structure that meets the needs of both units.

Unfortunately there are several immediate impediments to developing that end-state organization. The 388th is scheduled for an operational readiness inspection in November and the 466th Fighter Squadron and 419th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron will deploy for two months in support of the AFRC AEF, so both wings have their hands full right now.

The current plan calls for our aircraft to be redistributed by September of 2007, but the CONOPS has a possible adjustment to that date to ensure adequate airframes are available here to maintain combat readiness while 388th FW jets receive avionics upgrade modifications.

Additionally, we all need to remember that the Base Realignment and Closure recommendations released in May are only proposals. The BRAC commission may alter the initial recommendations presented to them, which will ultimately affect aircraft and personnel.

Finally, execution of Phase Three will require the construction and renovation of numerous 388th FW facilities. It is likely that it will be two to three years after the commencement of Phase Three before these facilities are completed. These new or renovated facilities will necessitate the relocation of functions and squadrons.

The true end-state to the association may not be realized until 2010 and the Phase Three organizational structure we have in September of 2007 will itself be a transitional phase.

Currently, the 388th Operations Support Squadron and the 466th FS have made significant progress in creating and implementing common data bases and procedures for day-to-day operations on the fighter pilot side of things.

Both operations and maintenance hope to set up a memorandum with the 388th to allow Air Reserve Technicians and traditional reservists to be detailed into 388th FW organizations to allow each of the cultures the opportunity to get familiar with each other. We also hope to have 388th people detailed into our wing to further enhance the education process.

Col. Gary Batinich, the 419th FW commander, and Col. Robert Beletic, the 388th FW commander, are meeting regularly to discuss the “big picture” and identify the concerns and requirements of both organizations.

Leaders in the 419th are committed to preserving the environment and characteristics of the 419th that have served us well in our charter to recruit and train reservists to serve the defense needs of our country.

This association will result in a big change in how both the 419th and the 388th operate. There is always a level of fear and anxiety with change.

It is important to remember that we have been hand-picked by the CSAF to be the role model for the Fighter Associate Program. What we do here will impact our nation’s defense posture for many years to come.

We have a unique opportunity and it will take compromise and adjustment on everyone’s part. While there will undoubtedly be growing pains, I am confident when we look back, we will recognize what we have accomplished here will stand as a significant milestone and legacy to the worlds greatest Air Force.