AirForce Force Structure Changes 20120203

7/30/2019 AirForce Force Structure Changes 20120203

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USAF Force StructureChanges:

SustainingReadinessand

Modernizingthe Total Force

February2012

NewStrategicGuidance

Forthelastdecade,theUnitedStateshasundertakenextendedoperationsinIraqand

Afghanistan. Asweresponsiblydrawdownfromtheseoperations,takestepstoprotectour

Nationseconomicvitality,andprotectourinterestsinaworldofacceleratingchange,wefacean

inflectionpoint. Thechanginggeopoliticalenvironmentandourchangingfiscalcircumstances

meritedareassessmentofU.S.defensestrategy. Outofthisassessment,theDepartmentof

Defense(DoD)developedastrategythattransitionsourdefenseenterprisefromanemphasison

todayswarstopreparingforfuturechallenges,protectsthebroadrangeofU.S.nationalsecurity

interests,advancestheDepartmentseffortstorebalanceandreform,andsupportsthenational

securityimperativeofdeficitreductionbyreducingdefensespending. Theresultingstrategic

guidanceprovidedasetofpreceptstoguidedecisionsregardingthesizeandshapeoftheforce

oversubsequentbudgetcycles.

Toimplementthenewstrategicguidance,theJointForcewillneedtorecalibrateits

capabilitiesandmakeselectiveadditionalinvestmentstosucceedinthefollowingmissions:

counteringterrorismandirregularwarfare,deterringanddefeatingaggression,projectingpower

despiteantiaccess/areadenialchallenges,counteringweaponsofmassdestruction,operating

effectivelyincyberspaceandspace,maintainingasafe,secure,andeffectivenucleardeterrent,

defendingthehomelandandprovidingsupporttocivilauthorities,providingastabilizing

presence,conductingstabilityandcounterinsurgencyoperations,andconductinghumanitarian,

disasterrelief,andotheroperations.

ThesemissionswilldetermineandshapethecapabilitiesrequiredbythefutureJointForce,

andtheAirForcemustcontinuetoprovidekeycapabilitiesinall10missionareas. However,the

overallcapacity,orsizeoftheforce,willbebasedontherequirementsthatthefollowingmissions

demand: counteringterrorismandirregularwarfare,deterringanddefeatingaggression,

maintainingasafe,secure,andeffectivenucleardeterrent,anddefendingthehomelandand

supportingcivilauthorities. U.S.forceswillnolongerbesizedtoconductlargescale,prolonged

stabilityoperations.

ThenewguidancerequiresU.S.forcestoremaincapableofdeterringanddefeating

aggressionbyanypotentialadversary. Credibledeterrenceresultsfrommaintainingboththe

capabilitiesrequiredtodenyanaggressortheprospectofachievinghisobjectivesandfromthe

complementarycapabilitytoimposeunacceptablecostsontheaggressor. Ourplanningenvisages

forcesthatareabletofullydenyacapablestatesaggressiveobjectivesinoneregionby

conductingacombinedarmscampaignacrossalldomainsland,air,maritime,space,and

cyberspace. EvenwhenU.S.forcesarecommittedtoalargescaleoperationinoneregion,they


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willbecapableofdenyingtheobjectivesoforimposingunacceptablecostsonanopportunistic

aggressorinasecondregion.

TheAirForceemployedthisguidancetoprepareanFY13budgetrequestthatensuresthe

AirForcemeetsthecapabilityandforcesizingrequirementsdirectedbythenewstrategic

guidance,andis:

Adaptableandcapableofdeterringaggressionandprovidingastabilizingpresence,especiallyinthehighestpriorityareasandmissionsintheAsiaPacificregionand

theMiddleEast,whilestillensuringourabilitytomaintainourdefense

commitmentstoEuropeandotheralliesandpartners;

Ready,rapidlydeployable,andexpeditionarysuchthatitcanprojectpoweronarrival;

Capableofconductinghomelanddefenseandprovidingsupporttocivilauthorities; Armedwithcuttingedgecapabilitiesthatexploitourtechnological,joint,and

networkedadvantage;

Abletoreconstitutequicklyorgrowcapabilitiesasneeded;and Mannedandledbythehighestqualityprofessionals.

Todeliverthecapabilitiesrequiredbythenewstrategicguidanceandremainwithin

fundingconstraints,theAirForcemadedifficultchoicesinallcorefunctions,includingthedecision

todivestportionsofcombatandcombatenablerforces. Theguidingprinciplewasbalance. To

retaincriticalcorecapabilitiesandmaintainourabilitytorapidlyrespondtomissiondemands,the

AirForcebalancedrisktoforcestructureandmodernization,whilemaintainingreadinessand

peopleprogramsacrossallmissionareas. WewillprovidemoredetailsaboutourFY13decisions

onmodernization,

readiness,

and

people

programs

in

the

coming

weeks.

Thispaperwillfocusonthedecisionswemadetodivestaircraftandremissionunits,with

aparticularemphasisonhowthesechoicesaffecttheAirNationalGuard(ANG)andAirForce

Reserve. Ourprogrammedreductionsfollowdetailedassessmentsoffutureconflictscenariosand

enduringrotationaldeploymentrequirementsandwerechosentomaintaincapableandlethal

forceswhilepreservingreadyandsustainableActiveandReserveComponents. TheAirForcewill

besmaller,butwillremainhighlycapable,lethal,ready,agile,anddeployable.

AirForceAircraftReductions

TheAir

Force

FY

13

Budget

Request

achieves

$8.7

billion

in

savings

across

the

Active

and

ReserveComponentsbyretiringover200aircraftinFY13andnearly300aircraftovertheFYDP,

consistentwiththenewstrategicguidance. Ourprogrammedforcereductionsarewideranging

andaffectover60installations. WithouttheTotalForceremissioningactionsdescribedlaterin

thepaper,theywouldhavesignificantlyaffected24unitsandlefteightinstallationswithoutanAir

Forcepresence. Theywillhavedirectimpactin33states,butinordertosupportTotalForcere

missioning,themanpowerrealignmentplanbuiltbytheReserveComponentswillsignificantly


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affectadditionalunitsinall54statesandterritories. Wewillbeabletoprovidemanpower

adjustmentsbyinstallationandstateinthecomingweeks.

Ouranalysisofrequirementsdrivenbythenewstrategyshapedallofourdecisions. Our

forcesizinganalysisansweredtwocomplementaryquestions:whatisthemaximum,orsurge,

requirementposedbytheforcesizingmodelofthenewstrategy;andwhatisthesteadystate,or

postsurge,

requirement

for

deployed

rotational

forces?

Because

the

new

guidance

requires

the

JointForcetobecapableoffightingonelargescale,combinedarmscampaignwithsufficient

combatpowertoalsodenyasecondadversary,anddeemphasizedlargescale,prolongedstability

operations,ourFY13budgetrequestacceptsriskbyretiringfighter,mobility,andintelligence,

surveillance,andreconnaissance(ISR)aircraftexcesstothesurgerequirementsofthenewforce

sizingconstruct. AlthoughtheU.S.hasremovedallcombatforcesfromIraqandthenewstrategic

guidancereducesthesteadystaterequirementforgroundforces,weexpectAirForcesteadystate

rotationalrequirementstoremainnearlyconstant,orperhapsincrease,underthenewstrategy.

Thiscontinuingrotationalpostsurgerequirementisakeyfactorindeterminingtherequiredmix

betweenActive

and

Reserve

Component

forces

due

to

differences

in

sustainable

deployment

rates

andoperationstempo.

Wherepossible,weattemptedtoretireallaircraftofaspecifictype,allowingustoalso

divesttheuniquetrainingandlogisticsupportstructureforthataircraft. Wherethatwasnot

possible,weworkedtoretiretheoldestaircraftfirst,andredistributedaircraftintoeffectiveand

economicalunits,eliminatingotherunitswhenthatwasmostefficient. Whereweretainedolder

aircraft,wearetakingstepstoensuretheywillremainviableintothefuture.

CombatAirForces

Asdirectedbythenewstrategicguidance,weacceptedriskinourCombatAirForcesby

retiringor

reclassifying

aircraft

from

seven

squadrons:

five

A

10

squadrons,

one

F16

squadron,

andonetraining/supportcodedF15Aggressorsquadron. BecauseoftheDepartmentsevolving

posture,oneoftheretiringsquadronsisanoverseassquadron. WechosetoretiremoreA10sas

aresultofguidancetosizeourforcesforonelargescalecombinedarmscampaignwithsufficient

combatpowertoalsodenyasecondadversary,withoutconductingalargescale,prolonged

stabilityoperation. TheA10remainsessentialforcombinedarmsandstabilityoperationsandwe

retainenoughA10stomeettherequirementsofthenewstrategicguidance,butmultirole

platformsprovidemoreutilityacrosstherangeofthepotentialmissionsforwhichwearedirected

toprepare.

Afterreductions,

we

retain

54

combat

coded

fighter

squadrons

and

maintain

the

capabilitiesandcapacityrequiredtomeettherequirementsofnewstrategicguidanceat

increasedriskwhileprovidingabridgetotheFifthGenerationF35. AlthoughwetransferfiveF15

AggressoraircrafttoattritionreservestatusandeliminateoneAggressorsquadronflag,we

maintainarobustAggressortrainingcapability. WewillrelocateourF16Aggressorsquadronin

AlaskafromEielsonAFBtoElmendorfAFB,allowingustoachievesavingsinbasesupportat

EielsonbeginninginFY15.


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MobilityAirForces

Wealsoreducedourmobilitycapacityinlinewiththerequirementsofthenewstrategic

guidanceandtheparallelreductionsinlandforces,retiringall27C5As,retiringorcanceling

procurementofall38plannedC27Js,andretiringthe65oldestC130s. WechosetoretireC5As

becauseofhistoricallylowermissioncapableratesrelativetotheC17andC5M. Retiringthe

entireC5Afleetprovidesadditionalsavingsintrainingandlogisticssupportthatcouldnothave

beenachievedbyspreadingretirementsovermultipleaircrafttypes. DivestingtheentireC27J

fleetalsoachievessavingsbysubstitutingthelowerlifecyclecostsofthemorecapableC130for

thenicheC27Jcapability. AspartofourC130retirementstrategy,westreamlineoperationsand

maintenancebyrealigningsomeadditionalC130aircrafttoensureReserveComponentunits

operateonlyoneC130typeatanylocation.

Afterretirements,wewillmaintainafleetof275strategicairlifters(52C5Msand223C

17s)and318C130s(134C130Jsand184C130Hs)andouranalysisshowsthattheremaining

aircraftaresufficienttomeettheairliftrequirementsofthenewstrategy,includingour

commitmentfordirectsupportoftheArmy. WeappreciateCongresssupportinadjustingthe

legislatedmandatorynumberofstrategicairlifters. Giventhechangesinstrategyandforcesizing,

wewillbeseekinganewminimumof275aircraft.

Wealsoretire20KC135sandmaintainafleetof453airrefuelingaircraft,sufficientto

meetrefinedrequirements. KC46developmentremainsontrackforinitialdeliveriesinFY16.

Intelligence,Surveillance,andReconnaissance

Intelligence,surveillance,andreconnaissancereductionsdivestall18Block30RQ4s,

generating

$2.5

billion

in

Future

Years

Defense

Program

(FYDP)

savings

by

choosing

to

rely

on

the

provencapabilityofthematureU2Saircraftandsensors. TheU2hassuperiorsensorcapabilities

now,meetsthenewJointRequirementsOversightCouncil(JROC)forcestructurerequirement,

andisviablethrough2040. Wegenerateadditionalsavingsbyeliminatingfundingforall11RC

26swhiletransferringthemorecapableMC12fleetfromtheActiveComponenttotheAir

NationalGuardinFY14. WealsoretireoneE8Caircraftthatisdamagedbeyondeconomical

repair.

ReserveComponentAircraftReductionsandReMissioning

TheAirForcehasenjoyedgreatsuccessinleveragingourTotalForceEnterprisetopresent

ourenduring

capabilities

to

the

Joint

warfighter,

and

we

have

successfully

met

the

demand

of

increasedoperationstempooverthelasttwodecadesthroughacombinationofvolunteerism,

selectivemobilization,andthecreationofActive,Reserve,andGuardAssociations. TheAir

NationalGuardandAirForceReserveareintegratedintoallmajorAirForcemissionareas,trainto

thesamehighstandardsastheActiveComponent,andareinvaluablepartnersinmeetingour

manyandvariedcommitments. Overtheyears,wehaveadjustedthemixbetweenActiveand

ReserveComponentstoensurewemaintainedareadyandsustainableforceandcouldmeetour


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surgeandrotationalrequirements. However,twodecadesofmilitaryendstrengthandforce

structurereductionshaveshiftedtheratioofActivetoReserveComponentforces. In1990,the

ReserveComponentrepresented25percentoftheTotalForceendstrength;thatpercentagehas

increasedto35percenttoday. ReserveComponentaircraftownershipalsoincreasedfrom

approximately23percentto28percentoverthesameperiod.

OurReserve

Components

have

proven

to

be

asuperb

investment

providing

critical

Air

Forcecapabilitiesthroughaverychallengingtime. However,ouranalysistellsuswehavereduced

theActiveComponenttothepointthatfurtherreductionswouldlimitourabilitytorespond

quicklytomultiplecrisesorsustainlongdurationcommitmentswithoutaskingourAirmen

ActiveandReserveComponenttodeployatratesthatcannotbesustainedbyourTotalForce

Airmenandtheirfamilies. WealsoknowthattheentireTotalForceActiveComponent,Air

NationalGuard,andAirForceReservedependsontheActiveComponenttorecruit,train,and

equiptheAirmenofthefuture. FurtherActiveComponentaircraftreductionswouldrequire

detailedanalysistoensurewedonotmaketheActiveComponenttoosmalltoprovidetheskilled

aircrew,maintenance,

and

support

personnel

required

to

sustain

the

Total

Force.

Maintaining

the

appropriateActive/ReservemixwillremaincriticaltosustainingAirForcecapabilitiesforforward

presenceandrapidresponse,meetingoverseasrotationaldemandswithasmallerforce,and

takingcareofourmostpreciousresource,ourpeople.

AsweweredriventoconsiderreductionsinFY13,wecarefullyconsideredtheratio

betweentheActiveandReserveComponentsandmadechoicesthat:

1) EnsuredtheTotalForcecouldfulfilltheAirForcessurgerequirementsasdirectedbytheforcesizingconstructofthenewstrategicguidance;

2) MaintainedthebalancebetweenActiveandReserveComponentsrequiredtofulfillcontinuing

rotational

requirements

at

deployment

rates

and

personnel

tempos

that

aresustainableforboththeActiveandReserveComponents;

3) MadesuretheActiveComponentretainedtherecruiting,training,andoperationalseasoningbaserequiredtosustaintheActiveAirForce,AirNationalGuard,andAir

ForceReserveintothefuture;and

4) EnsuredtheReserveComponentremainsrelevantandengagedinbothenduringandevolvingmissions.

TheAirNationalGuardandAirForceReservewereinvolvedinallanalysisanddecisions,

andemployedthefollowingprinciplesandstrategiestobuildReserveComponentaircraft

reductionand

re

missioning

plans.

TheAirNationalGuardsCapstonePrinciplesinformedAirForcedecisionsinvolvingthe

ANG:

1) AllocateatleastoneflyingunitwithANGequipmenttoeachstate;2) Recapitalizeconcurrentlyandinbalancewiththeregularcomponent;3) ManageAirNationalGuardresourceswithAirNationalGuardpeople;


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4) Adoptmissionsthatfitthemilitiaconstruct;and5) Builddualusecapabilities.

TheAirForceReserveemployedthefollowingrealignmentstrategiesinselectingspecific

locationsforaircraftreductions:

1)Ensure

aircraft

reductions

do

not

negatively

impact

operational

support

to

the

CombatantCommands;

2) EnsureforcestructuremovementsdonotcreateanynewAirForcebills;3) Ensureriskisminimizedbyoptimizingcrewratiostoexploitexpectedincreasein

missioncapabilityrates;and

4) ConsideredlocationsthatcontinuedtohaveanAirForcemissionduetothepresenceofanotherAirForceComponent.

TotalForceAircraftReductionsbyFiscalYear

FY13Actions: DivestsallC27Jaircraft,eliminatingaircraftbasedatorplannedfor

WarfieldAGS(MartinState),MD(4),KelloggAGS(BattleCreek),MI(4),FargoAGS(Hector),ND

(4),MansfieldLahmAGS,OH(4),GreatFalls,MT(4),Bradley,CT(4),andKeyFieldAGS(Meridian),

MS(6). RemovesA10sfromBarksdaleAFB,LA(retires21andtransfersthree),SelfridgeANGB,

MI(21),FtSmith,AR(20),FtWayne,IN(20),andanActiveComponentoverseaslocation(20).

RemovesF16sfromDesMoines,IA(21)andtransfersActiveComponentF16Aggressorsfrom

EielsonAFB,AK(19)toJointBase(JB)ElmendorfRichardson,AK(19). Aircraft retirementsand

transfersresultinnetreductionsofC130HsatJBElmendorfRichardson,AK(4H2)(eliminatingan

Activeassociation),Niagara,NY(3H2)(eliminatingaReserveassociation),RosecransAGS(St

Joseph),MO(10H2.5),YoungstownWarren,OH(6H2),Louisville,KY(1H2.5),Charleston,WV(1

H3),Cheyenne,

WY

(1

H2.5),

Stratton

AGS

(Schenectady),

NY

(4

H2),

Dobbins

ARB,

GA

(7

H2),

and

Pittsburgh,PA(7H2). ThePittsburghactionsresultintheclosureoftheassociatedAirReserve

StationatPittsburgh,PA(closuredoesnotexceedBaseRealignmentandClosure(BRAC)threshold

inaccordancewith10U.S.C.2687). RetiresKC135sfromRickenbacker,OH(6),Pittsburgh

ANGB,PA(4),TinkerAFB,OK(4),andAltusAFB,OK(threeActiveComponent)aswellasthree

BackupAircraftInventory(BAI)aircraftfromSkyHarbor(Phoenix),AZ(1),SiouxCityAGS,IA(1),

andMarchARB,CA(1). ReducesKC135satMcGheeTyson,TN(2)andGenMitchell,WI(2).

BeginsretirementoftheC5AfleetatJBSanAntonio(LacklandAFB),TX(5)andeliminatesanE8C

damagedbeyondeconomicalrepairfromRobinsARB,GA(1). RetiresActiveComponentBlock30

RQ4s

from

Beale

AFB,

CA

(18).

ProposedFY14Actions: RemovesC130HsfromMaxwellAFB,AL(7H2),NavalAirStation

(NAS)JointReserveBase(JRB)FtWorth(Carswell),TX(8H2)andMinneapolisStPaul(8H3),and

removesC130JsfromKeeslerAFB,MS(10). ContinuestoretireC5AsatJBSanAntonio(Lackland

AFB),TX(3)andShepherdFieldAGS(Martinsburg),WV(5). ConvertsActiveComponentF15Csat

NellisAFB,NV(5)fromPrimaryAircraftInventory(PAI)toBAIstatus. Transfers42Active

ComponentMC12sfromBealeAFBtotheAirNationalGuard.


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ProposedFY15Actions: RetiresremainingAirNationalGuardC5AsbasedatShepherd

Field(Martinsburg),WV(6),andadditionalAirForceReserveC5AsatJBSanAntonio(Lackland

AFB)(2). Eliminatesfundingforall11RC26aircraft,retiringaircraftbasedatEllingtonField

(Houston),TX(1),KirtlandAFB,NM(1),Tucson,AZ(1),Fresno,CA(1),FairchildAFB,WA(1),Key

Field(Meridian),MS(1),DannellyField,AL(1),TruaxAGS(Madison),WI(1),HancockFieldAGS

(Syracuse),NY

(1),

Charleston,

WV

(1),

and

Jacksonville,

FL

(1).

ProposedFY16Action: CompletesretirementoftheAirForceReserveC5Afleetby

divestingtheremainingaircraftatJBSanAntonio(LacklandAFB),TX(6). RemovesC130Hfrom

Savannah,GA(8H2)andLittleRock,AR(eightActiveComponentH3). RemovesC5Msfrom

Westover,MA(8).

ProposedFY17Actions: RemovesC130HsfromNiagara,NY(8H2),LittleRock,AR(three

ReserveComponentH2),Charlotte,NC(2H3),andLittleRockAR(sixActiveComponentH3).

TotalForceReMissioningbyFiscalYear

AsaTotal

Force

Active

Air

Force,

Air

National

Guard,

and

Air

Force

Reserve

we

have

developedadetailedremissioningplanthatrealignscontinuingmissionstopreserve14of24

units,maintainsanAirForcepresenceonsevenoftheeightaffectedinstallations,expands

ReserveComponentparticipationinourgrowingISRmission,andpreservesanappropriateActive

andReserveComponentforcemix. TheAirForceFY13budgetrequestcommitsapproximately

$600millionovertheFYDPtoexecuteandsustainremissioningactionsthatestablishnewMQ

1/9RemoteSplitOperationsSquadrons,transfertheMC12fleettotheAirNationalGuard,

thickenReserveComponentISRandcyberparticipation,andtransferActiveComponentC17sto

theReserveComponent.

FY

12

Actions:

Transfers

six

WC

130

aircraft

from

Nashville,

TN

to

Luis

Munoz,

Puerto

Rico,

replacingretiringC130Es. EstablishesanMQ1/9RemoteSplitOperations(RSO)squadronat

Nashville. EnlargesNashvillesIntelligenceSquadronintoaTargetingGroupandcreatesanew

Cyber/ISRGroup.

FY13Actions: CompletingaFY12PBaction,transferseightC17sfromtheActive

ComponenttotheAirNationalGuardatMemphis,TN(replacingC5As). AddsC130Hsat

YoungstownWarren,OH(4H2.5)andCheyenne,WY(1H3).EstablishesanISRGroupandexpands

theNetWarfareSqatWarfieldAGS(MartinState),MDtoreplacedivestedC27s;establishesan

IntelligenceTargetingGroupatFargoAGS(Hector),ND;createsfouradditionalMQ1/9RSO

elements

at

Ft

Smith,

AR

(replacing

A

10s),

Des

Moines,

IA

(replacing

F

16s),

Kellogg

AGS

(Battle

Creek),MI(replacingC27s),andWillowGrove,PA;addsKC135stoSelfridgeANGB,MI(4). Adds

A10satWhitemanAFB,MO(3).

ProposedFY14Actions: Transfers42ActiveComponentMC12stotheAirNationalGuard

byassigningbetweennineandelevenaircrafttoeachoffourAirNationalGuardlocations Ft

Wayne,IN(replacingA10s),Bradley,CT(replacingC27s),KeyFieldAGS(Meridian),MS(replacing

C27s),andNASFtWorthJRB(Carswell),TX(replacingC130s). CreatesanActiveAssociationat

BealeAFB,CAtoconductMC12trainingandprovidesanadditionaldeployedCombatAirPatrol


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forwardusinguptosixAirNationalGuardaircraft. FinalaircraftassignmentsforthefourAir

NationalGuardlocationsandtheActiveassociationatBealewillbedeterminedaspartoftheAir

Force'sFY14budgetsubmissionaftercompletionofaprogramplanandoperationalconcept.

TransfersC130JstoDobbinsARB,GA(10)(replacingC130Hs)andC130HstoRosecransAGS(St

Joseph),MO(8H3)andGreatFalls,MT(8H2)(replacingC27s).

ProposedFY

15

Action:

Transfers

eight

Active

Component

C17s

to

the

Air

National

Guard

atShepherdFieldAGS(Martinsburg),WV(replacingC5As).

ProposedFY16Action: WithintheAirForceReserve,transferseightC5Msfrom

WestoverARB,MAtoJBSanAntonio(LacklandAFB),TX,(replacingC5As). ReplacesC130H2sat

Savannah,GA(8)withC130H3s. ReplacesActiveComponentC130H3s(8)atLittleRockAFB,AR

withC130H1(7).

ProposedFY17Action: DobbinsARB,GAreceivestwoadditionalC130Jsforatotalof12.

ReplacesC130H2satNiagara,NY(8)withC130H3s. ReplacesActiveComponentC130H3s(6)at

LittleRockAFB,ARwithC130H1s(7).

Afterproposedreductionsandremissioning,ReserveComponentendstrengthwillmake

up33percentofTotalForcemilitarypersonnel,areductionoftwopercentfromtheFY12

PresidentsBudget(PB)position. TheReserveComponentwillown24percentofTotalForce

aircraft,twopercentlessthantheirFY12PBshare. WithintheCombatAirForces,thepercentage

oftotalaircraftintheReserveComponentwillbe38percent,fourpercentlessthaninFY12. For

theMobilityAirForces,theReserveComponentshareshiftsfrom51percentto46percent.

AdditionalActions

Inadditiontospecificremissioningactions,theAirForcehasalsotakenavarietyofsteps

tosecure

the

future

of

the

Air

National

Guard

and

Air

Force

Reserve

in

abalanced

Total

Force.

FutureAircraftFlowDown

WeremaincommittedtoacquiringtheF35Aasourfuturemultirolefighter. Although

deliveryoftheF35hasbeendelayed,itisstillthefutureofbothActiveandReservemultirole

squadrons. TheAirForcehasacquired12F35stodateandplanstoacquireover160more

throughFY17. Thefullrateproductionplanisyettobedetermined.

WehavedecidedtopursueascalableServiceLifeExtensionProgram(SLEP)for

approximately350F16s. AlthoughouroldestF16swillremainviablethroughtheendofthis

decade,weplantobeginfieldingaircraftwithSLEPstructuralimprovementsin2017. The

programwill

ensure

the

F16

remains

viable

and

relevant

for

future

Active

and

Reserve

ComponentmultirolefightersquadronsuntiltheF35arrivesingreaternumbers. Wewillalso

upgradecombatavionicsforasubstantialportionoftheSLEPedaircraftwithaircraftdelivery

beginninginFY18.

Wearecommittedtodevelopingadetailedaircraftflowdownplanthatdescribeshowthe

F35andmodernizedandSLEPedF16swillbeintegratedintotheTotalForceandreplaceaging

aircraft. WewillbuildadetailedplanafterwehaveaclearerviewofF35deliveryschedulesand


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havecompletedForceCompositionAnalysisstudiestodeterminetheoptimumActiveandReserve

Componentunitsizeandforcemixforourremainingmultirolefighterforce. Asalways,the

leadershipoftheAirNationalGuardandAirForceReservewillbeactivepartnersindetermining

thismix.

Wearealsocommittedtomakingsureour184remainingC130Hvariantsremainviable

andrelevant.

We

developed

the

C130

Avionics

Modernization

Program

(AMP)

to

ensure

our

C

130Hfleetmetbasiccommunication,navigation,surveillance,andairtrafficmanagement

(CNS/ATM)requirements. Welaterdeterminedthattherearelesstechnicallycomplex

approachestomeettheserequirementsandresolveselectobsolescenceissues. Therefore,our

FY13budgetsubmissionterminatestheC130AMP. However,wehavefundedanFY13newstart

CNS/ATMprogramtoensureourC130Hfleetwillremainviableandrelevant,whilegenerating

morethan$2.2billioninsavingsovertheFYDP.

StrategicBasingProcess

TheAirForceStrategicBasingProcesswasestablishedbytheSecretaryoftheAirForcein

August2009tocreateanopen,transparent,andconsistentprocessforselectingpreferredTotal

Forcebasingoptions. WewillemploytheStrategicBasingProcesstoidentifypreferredActiveand

ReserveComponentbasinglocationsfornewaircraftastheybecomeavailableaspartofour

recapitalizationandmodernizationefforts.

BRAC2005establishedEglinAFBastheInitialJointTrainingSitefortheF35A. InJuly

2010,theAirForceannouncedpreferredalternativesforfurtherbasingoftheinitial250300F

35As,identifyingHillAFBandBurlingtonANGBastheinitialoperationallocationsandLukeAFBas

thenexttraininglocationafterEglin,accommodatingallF35Ascurrentlyscheduledfordelivery

throughFY19. TheAirForcewillannouncefuturepreferredandreasonablealternatives

approximatelythree

years

prior

to

delivery

of

aircraft

to

the

next

round

of

bases.

Given

current

F

35productionestimates,thenextsetofF35basingdecisionswillincludedomesticandoverseas

basesandwillnotberequiredpriortoFY17. Overthenexttwoyears,wewilldeterminethe

optimumsizeofActiveandReserveComponentF35unitsandthetotalnumberofrequiredF35

operatinglocations.

TheAirForceiscurrentlydevelopingrequirementsforthefirsttwoKC46bases,and

expectstoapprovebasingcriteriainMarch2012,identifycandidateinstallationsinJune2012,

selectpreferredandreasonablealternativesinDecember2012,andmakefinaldecisionsin

December2013. ThesefirsttwobaseswillbeginreceivingaircraftinFY16. Wewillannounce

futurepreferred

and

reasonable

alternatives

approximately

three

years

prior

to

delivery

of

aircraft

tothenextroundofbases. Givencurrentproductionestimates,thenextKC46basingdecisions

willnotberequiredpriortoFY14. WearecommittedtocreatingassociationsatallKC46

operatinglocationsinthecontinentalUnitedStates.

PotentialLegislativeChanges

IncoordinationwiththeAirNationalGuardandAirForceReserve,theAirForceandthe

DepartmentofDefensearereviewingtheauthoritiesthatmightbeneededtoaddresstheimpact


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10

ofprogrammedforcereductionandremissioningactionsontheaffectedmembersoftheAir

NationalGuard,AirForceReserve,andtheirfamilies.

AirForceTotalForceEnterpriseandAssociations

TheAirForceTotalForceEnterprise(TFE)managementapproachprovidesaninclusive,

factbased,anditerativeprocessdesignedtomaximizecombatcapabilityandoptimizeforce

structurethrougharangeofinnovativeorganizationalconstructsandpersonnelpoliciesthat

optimizeandintegratethecapabilitiesofallAirForcecomponents.

AssociationsareanintegralpartofbalancingtheTotalForcetomeetthecurrentand

futureair,spaceandcyberrequirementsoftheJointwarfighter. TotalForceIntegration(TFI)

associationspairtwounits,(hostandassociate)representingtwoAirForcecomponents,operating

together. Thehostunitisassignedthephysicalresourcesformissionaccomplishment(aircraft,

equipment,facilities)andtheassociateunitsharesthoseresources. Currently,therearethree

typesofTFIassociations: Classic,ActiveandAirReserveComponent(ARC).

Classic

Associations

pair

units

as

an

Active

Component

host

with

a

Reserve

Component

associatewhichcanimproveoperationalsynergiesandaddcapacityduringsurgeoperationsat

reducedcost. ActiveAssociationspairaReserveComponenthostandanActiveComponent

associatetoimproveaccesstoaircraftandtotalrotationalcapacitybyassigningActiveComponent

AirmeninReserveComponentunits,allowingthehighlyexperiencedReserveComponenttohelp

developandseasonmaturingActiveComponentAirmen. ARCAssociationspairaReserve

ComponenthostandaReserveComponentassociatetodeliveroperationalandorganizational

efficiencies.

Therearecurrently100TFIassociationsacrossavarietyofweaponssystems/functional

areasandAirForceMajorCommands. TheAirForceisplanningtoaddActiveAssociationsatall

ARCfighterlocations,andAirMobilityCommandintendstoestablishActiveorClassicAssociations

atallcontinentalU.S.KC46locations. TheAirForcewillcontinuetoexploreadditional

opportunitiesforassociationsinordertocreateefficiencies,encourageretentionofvaluable

humancapital,andaboveall,increaseAirForcecombatcapabilities.

NewAssociations

TheAirForcehasdecidedtomaintain18assignedF16aircraftatAirNationalGuard

fightersquadronstosupportnewF16ActiveAssociationsatTruaxAGS(Madison),WI,Buckley,

CO,JoeFossField,SD,andDuluth,MN,inadditiontotheAssociationsalreadyprogrammedat

Burlington,

VT,

and

Dannelly

Field,

AL.

Although

the

previously

programmed

Active

Association

at

BarksdaleAFB,LA,iseliminatedwiththeAirForceReserveCommandA10retirement,theActive

AssociationsatWhitemanAFB,MO,NASFtWorthJRB(Carswell),TXandHomesteadARB,FLwill

continueasplanned. TheChiefofStaffoftheAirForcehasdirectedtheAirForcetodevelop

additionalActiveAssociationsatallARCfighterlocationstoensurethattheTotalForceisableto

absorbandseasonenoughyoungpilotsandmaintainerstomeetfutureTotalForcerequirements.

TheAFFY13budgetrequestalsoestablishesC130JActiveAssociationsatDobbinsARB,GA

startinginFY14,QuonsetPointAirport,RIinFY16,andChannelIslands,CAinFY17,aswellasan


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ActiveAssociationwithaC130HunitinFY13atalocationstilltobedetermined. Additionally,

ClassicAssociationswillbeestablishedinintelligenceatFortMeade,MD,OffuttAFB,NEand

HurlburtField,FL,andinprogramanalysisatWrightPattersonAFB,OH. Wehavealsoestablished

anewassociationwiththeMC12WmissiontransfertotheAirNationalGuardinFY14. AnActive

AssociationwillbestooduptooperatetheMC12WFlyingTrainingUnitatBealeAFB,usingupto

sixAir

National

Guard

aircraft.

The

Active

Association

will

also

provide

one

Combat

Air

Patrol

(CAP)ofdeployedcapability.

TheAirForcepreviouslyfundedaREDHORSEActiveAssociationatBealeAFB,CA,aswell

asClassicAssociationsincyberatJBSanAntonio(LacklandAFB),TX;AviationForeignInternal

Defenseatalocationtobedetermined;SecurityForcesatDavisMonthanAFB,NM;and

intelligenceatWrightPattersonAFB,OH,andJBLangleyEustis,VA. Inall,15newAssociationsare

programmed,andtheAirForcewillexploreadditionalopportunitiesforassociationsinourFY14

budgetsubmission.

MilitaryPersonnelAppropriationBudgetActivityCode

WearenormalizingourapproachtohowweprogramARCMilitaryPersonnel

Appropriation(MPA)mandayfundingbyimprovingthewayweforecast,plan,program,andfund

MPAmandayaccountsinourbudgetbuildprocess. Theseinputswillensureadequateand

predictablefundingtosupporttherequiredlevelofReserveComponentparticipation. Our

normalizationeffortsincludeintroducingMPArequirementsintoourcorporateplanningprocess

earlierandworkingwiththeOfficeoftheSecretaryofDefensetocreateadistinctbudgetactivity

withasubaccountdedicatedtofacilitatingmoreflexibleReserveComponentoperations,

increasingopportunitiesforReserveComponentparticipation,andtrackingMPAwithintheAir

ForceMilitaryPersonnelAccount. Ifapproved,wewouldexpecttoincludethisaccountinour

FY14budget

submission.

ImprovingStrategicPlanningTransparencyandProcesses

WehaveembarkedonanefforttoexamineActiveAirForce,AirNationalGuard,andAir

ForceReservecompositionacrossalltheAirForcesmajorfunctionsthroughtheTotalForce

EnterpriseReviewProcessandSystemForceCompositionAnalyses. TheTotalForceEnterprise

EvaluationGroupreviewsandprovidesoversightofallTotalForceAssociationsandensuresthey

havemettherequirementsforeffectiveoperations. ForceCompositionAnalysesexamine

individualweaponssystemsorprocessesandmakerecommendationsforanappropriate

Active/ReserveComponentmixbasedonanalysisofcombatrequirements,TotalForcecapacity,

andsystem

and

manpower

costs.

Mostimportantly,wehavestrengthenedandrefinedourcorporateprocessestoensure

thattheAirNationalGuardandAirForceReserveareinvolvedateverystepofouranalysisand

decisionmaking. AirForceseniorleadershavedirectedthattheAirForceReserveandAir

NationalGuardwillcontinuetobefullyrepresentedduringsystemForceCompositionAnalyses

andwillparticipatefullyindevelopmentoftheCoreFunctionMasterPlansthatguideactionsto

organize,trainandequiptheTotalForceineachcorefunction.


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AirForceReserveComponent2020Study

WebelievetheAirForceReserveComponentssettheDoDstandardforTotalForce

integrationandoperationaleffectiveness,butwemustensurethatwecontinuetoimproveour

performanceandprocessestomaximizeourcontributiontotheJointForceof2020andbeyond.

TheChiefofStaffoftheAirForceandReserveComponentleadershiparedevelopingtermsof

referenceto

guide

an

independent

study

that

will

evaluate

our

on

going

efforts

to

optimize

the

TotalForceandmakerecommendationstoguideandshapeourfutureefforts. Thestudyteam

willlikelybeledbyaformerChiefofStaffoftheAirForceandwillincludeaformerDirectorofthe

AirNationalGuardandChiefoftheAirForceReserve.

Conclusion

WeremainfullycommittedtotheessentialcontributionsoftheTotalForceandhavetaken

proactivestepsto:

AddresstheimpactofforcestructurereductionsinourReserveComponentsbyremissioning

units

with

enduring

missions

and

assigning

aircraft

with

extended

life

spansandimprovedcapabilities;

PlanforrobustuseofassociationsaswefieldF35andKC46units; IncreasethenumberofassociationsbetweenexistingActiveandReserveunits; NormalizeourmanagementofReserveComponentmandays;and ImprovethetransparencyofTotalForceplanninganddevelopourTotalForce

visionforthefuture.

ThefutureoftheAirForcedependsonsustainingstrongandreadyReserveComponents,

and

we

believe

the

Air

Force

Total

Force

sets

the

standard

for

integrating

Active

and

Reserve

Componentstoimproveefficiencyandeffectivenessinpeaceandwar. Theforcereductions

proposedintheAirForceFY13budgetrequestweredevelopedinresponsetonewDoDstrategic

guidance,informedbyreducedfunding,andshapedbyanalysistoensurethattheTotalForcewill

continuetofulfilltheAirForcessurgerequirementsandmeetcontinuingrotationaldemand. We

willensurethattheReserveComponentremainsengagedandrelevantastheActiveComponent

maintainstherecruiting,training,andoperationalseasoningbaserequiredtosustaintheTotal

Forceintothefuture.

Documents

AirForce Force Structure Changes 20120203