Not just another Tuesday: Air Force Reserve marks 67 years

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Abigail Klein
  • 931st Air Refuelin Group Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  On April 14, 1948, a joint directive signed by Gen. Omar Bradly, the Army Chief of Staff, and Gen. Carl Spaatz, the Air Force Chief of Staff, transferred the Army Air Corps Reserve to the Air Force, officially becoming the Air Force Reserve.

After more than 67 years in existence, the Air Force Reserve continues to play a significant role in the military. The Air Force Reserve consists of officers, enlisted and civil servants who are tasked by law to fill the needs of the armed forces whenever more units and people are required than are in the active duty Air Force.  

In a video announcement marking the 67th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve, Lt. Gen. James F. Jackson, the Air Force Reserve Command commander, expressed the importance of the role Citizen Airmen have played in Air Force history.

"The Air Force Reserve provides integrated and flexible operational capability to combatant commanders worldwide," he said. "We are part of every Air Force core mission function and perform the same missions as our active-duty partners."

Echoing Jackson's comments, Col. Albert Miller, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, congratulated the members of the Air Force Reserve and the 931st Air Refueling Group on an amazing 67 years.  McConnell leadership also commented on the capability of their reserve counterparts, and how they contribute to Team McConnell's ability to fly, fight and win 24/7.

In the total Air Force Reserve, Citizen Airmen completed almost 500,000 man-days in support of Defense Department requirements and filled more than 4,000 deployed air expeditionary force taskings. On any given day, there are approximately 5,000 Reservists mobilized and serving globally.

The members of the 931 ARG continuously contribute to these DoD requirements.  In addition to being selected as the first Reserve unit to fly and maintain the incoming KC-46 Pegasus tanker, the 931st ARG achieved a variety of accomplishments in 2014. These include partnering with the active duty 22 ARW to fly a total of 30,725 hours, comprised of more than 3,700 sorties and the offloading of 87 million pounds of fuel. This ultimately accounted for 49 percent Air Mobility Command's KC-135 Stratotanker hours.

The unit's deployment record during the past year was also noted by Air Force Reserve Command officials. This past year alone, the unit deployed 98 of its 659 members, providing mission-critical backfills for active duty, accumulating more than 6,700 deployed man-days in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Overseas Contingency Operations.

The Air Force Reserve, and the members of the 931 ARG continue to grow as the home of the KC-135, and the future home of the KC-46A. 

"Today, we try and take time to remember where the Air Force Reserve has been and where we are headed in the future," said Col. Mark S. Larson, the 931st Air Refueling Group commander. "By reflecting on the day, we also honor the legacy of the Airmen who have sacrificed so that today's Reserve Airmen can continue the Air Force's mission to fly, fight and win."