Embedded Associates

That’s a term we may be hearing of a lot more of as the Air Force embarks on a new phase of Total Force Integration efforts, says Air National Guard Director Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt. Speaking at AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium Feb. 27, Wyatt said the concept is “being worked at the staff level,” but offered no additional details. He did say it is one idea to go beyond the current types of associations that integrate units from the Air Force’s active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve arms to perform missions more efficiently and effectively. “We can’t stop with those particular constructs,” he said. Appearing with Wyatt, Maj. Gen. James Graves, assistant for reserve matters to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Air Force has integrated the active duty and reserve components well at the tactical and operational levels, but faces the challenge of doing so “throughout the entire force.” In this regard, Air Force could perhaps learn from the Navy’s experience, he said. “They challenged naval officers in the reserve component … to be more active in Navy staff and in joint operations,” he said.