Panel discusses Air Force integration of part-time servicemembers

A senior leader panel discussed Tuesday the Air Force integration of Guard and Reserve personnel into missions during the Air Force Association Air, Space, and Cyber Conference in National Harbor.

Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, part-time forces heavily have been relied upon to meet manpower and mission requirements while providing security. Part-time forces are used for surveillance and reconnaissance as well as intelligence.

Air Mobility Command has more reserve personnel than active-duty airmen, according to the panel.

The panel included Gen. James M. Holmes, commander of Air Combat Command; Shon J. Manasco, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; Lt. Gen. Richard W. Scobee, chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander Air Force Reserve Command; and Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, director of the Air National Guard. Former Secretary of the Air Force F. Whitten Peters moderated the session.

“It would be impossible for the Air Force to recruit and retain the level of experience Guard and reservists bring to the team without a part-time service option,” Scobee said.

Priorities are organizational reform, resilient leadership, and strategic depth and readiness, he added.

Integration has presented some challenges including the ability for military members to transition between active duty, Guard and Reserve, Manasco said.