US Air Force Reserve Command
9:46 AM
US Air Force Reserve Mission
The Air Force Reserve Command supports the Air Force mission to defend the United States through control and exploitation of air and space by supporting Global Engagement. The AFRC plays an integral role in the day-to-day Air Force mission and is not a force held in reserve for possible war or contingency operations.
US Air Force Reserve Purpose
The purpose of the Air Force Reserve as derived from Title 10 United States Code is to:
Provide combat-ready units and individuals for active duty whenever there are not enough trained units and people in the Regular component of the Air Force to perform any national security mission.
Peacetime Missions
Air Force Reservists are on duty around the world. In addition to its role as a proven and respected combat force, the Air Force Reserve is also involved in international humanitarian relief missions, from repairing roads and schools to airlifting supplies.
At the request of local, state or federal agencies, the Air Force Reserve conducts aerial spray missions using specially equipped C-130s.
Special Capabilities
The Air Force Reserve has some specialized capabilities not found in regular Air Force units. These include support of counter narcotics efforts, weather reconnaissance including hurricane penetration, aeromedical evacuation, aerial spray capabilities and forest fire suppression.
US Air Force Reserve Vision
To provide the world’s best mutual support to the Air Force and our joint partners—flying and fighting as An Unrivaled Wingman.
Resources
The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) has more than 74,000 officers and enlisted personnel who serve in thirty-five wings equipped with their own aircraft and seven associate units that share aircraft with an active duty unit. Four space operations squadrons share satellite control missions with the active force. The AFRC has more than 620 mission support units equipped and trained to provide a wide range of services, including medical and aeromedical evacuation, aerial port, civil engineer, security forces, intelligence, communications, mobility support, logistics, and transportation operations, as well as more than 440 aircraft assigned to it. This includes the latest, most advanced aircraft in the Air Force inventory, such as the C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, HH-60 Pave Hawk, KC-10 Extender, KC-135 Stratotanker, WC-130J Hercules ("Hurricane Hunter"), MC-130 Combat Talon, MC-130P Combat Shadow, HC-130P Hercules and A-10/OA-10 Thunderbolt II. On any given day, 99% of these aircraft are mission ready and able to deploy within seventy two hours without need for any additional training or preparation. However, Air Combat Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Mobility Command and Air Education & Training Command would gain these aircraft and personnel in the event that they are mobilized.
Although the Air Force Reserve provides slightly more than 10% of the Air Force's available manpower, the extent of its contribution is much greater. More than 30% of all Air Force missions are accomplished through the efforts of Air Force Reservists. Reservists average more than 360 missions away from home each month, supporting other Commands and Department of Defense requirements for important fighter, airlift, aerial refueling, rescue, and force projection assets.
US Air Force Reserve Structure
Thirty-five wings, four groups, and 73 squadrons comprise the Air Force Reserve Command. Each wing is charged with a core mission that is accomplished through the collaboration of a variety of specifically tasked squadrons.
Reserve wings report to one of three numbered Air Forces reporting to Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. The numbered Air Forces assist their wings in using the guidance and resources provided by their higher headquarters to ensure combat readiness.
Fourth Air Force
- 349th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California
- 433d Airlift Wing, Lackland Air Force Base/Kelly Field Annex, Texas
- 434th Air Refueling Wing, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana
- 445th Airlift Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
- 446th Airlift Wing, McChord Air Force Base, Washington
- 452d Air Mobility Wing, March Air Reserve Base, California
- 459th Air Refueling Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland
- 507th Air Refueling Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma
- 624th Regional Support Group, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
- 916th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina
- 927th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida
- 931st Air Refueling Group, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas
- 932d Airlift Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
Tenth Air Force
- 301st Fighter Wing, NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas
- 307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana
- 310th Space Wing, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado
- 340th Flying Training Group, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
- 414th Fighter Group, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina
- 419th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah
- 442d Fighter Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri
- 477th Fighter Group, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska
- 482d Fighter Wing, Homestead Air Force Base, Florida
- 610th Regional Support Group
- 919th Special Operations Wing, Duke Field, Florida
- 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida
- 926th Group, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
- 940th Air Refueling Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California
- 944th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona
Twenty-Second Air Force
- 94th Airlift Wing, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia
- 302d Airlift Wing, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
- 315th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina
- 403d Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi
- 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts
- 440th Airlift Wing, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina
- 512th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware
- 514th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey
- 908th Airlift Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
- 910th Airlift Wing, Youngstown-Warren Air Reserve Base, Ohio
- 911th Airlift Wing, Pittsburgh International Airport, Pennsylvania
- 914th Airlift Wing, Niagara Falls International Airport, New York
- 934th Airlift Wing, Minneapolis-St Paul Joint Air Reserve Station, Minnesota
US Air Force Reserve Categories
There are several categories of service in the Air Force Reserve. Most Reservists serve in the Unit Program, in which they are required to report for duty at least one weekend a month and an additional two weeks a year.
A smaller but equally important category of Reservist is the Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA). IMAs are Reservists who are assigned to active-duty units to do jobs that are essential in wartime but do not require full-time manning during times of peace. They report for duty a minimum of one day a month and twelve additional days a year.
A small number of Reservists serve limited tours of active duty, usually at headquarters staff level or in other special assignments. Their job is to bring Reserve expertise to the planning and decision-making processes at senior levels within the Air Force and other services.
Reservists serving in the Active Guard and Reserve Program (AGR) perform functions for the Air Force Reserve Command that require full time manning. Recruiting is one of the fields in which a reservist can become an AGR. AGRs receive full pay and benefits just like active members of any branch of the armed forces. They serve four year controlled tours of special duty that can be renewed. AGR's have the option with good conduct and performance to serve 20 or more years and receive a retirement after 20 years just like active members of the armed forces.
Reservists serving in the Air Reserve Technician Program (ART) carry dual status, working as full-time civil service employees for the Air Force and as military members in the same AFRC units where they work as civilians and performing the same job.
Reservists are categorized by several criteria in the Ready Reserve, Standby Reserve, Inactive Ready Reserve or Retired Reserve:
US Air Force Ready Reserve
The Ready Reserve is made up of approximately 74,000 trained Reservists who may be recalled to active duty to augment active forces in time of war or national emergency. These Reservists are combat ready and can deploy to anywhere in the world in seventy-two hours.
US Air Force Standby Reserve
The Standby Reserve includes Reservists whose civilian jobs are considered key to national defense or who have temporary disability or personal hardship. Most Standby Reservists do not train and are not assigned to units.
US Air Force Individual Ready Reserve
These Reservists no longer train but are qualified in their fields and eligible to be recalled in the event of a national emergency.
There is a small group of these reservists labeled PIRR or Participating IRR who receive points toward retirement and are under Cat E status. There are over 1,000 ALOs or Academy Liaison officers in this field, as well as some chaplains, and a few other positions that require Military duty but not a fixed schedule. These CAT E personnel can earn mandays just like Cat A and B reservists but on a more limited basis.
US Air Force Retired Reserve
The Retired Reserve is made up of officers and enlisted personnel who receive pay after retiring from active duty or from the Reserve, or are Reservists awaiting retirement pay at age 60.
