The Air Force Reserve is “in a good place,” said Lt. Gen. James Jackson, AFR chief, on Monday in his speech at AFA’s Air & Space Conference in National Harbor, Md. “Seventy-five percent of our Air Force Reserve forces have joined since 9/11,” so they don’t know any different environment, he said. Despite the constrained budget environment, “there’s not been any further discussion” about eliminating Air Force Reserve Command, he said. “Eliminating Air Force Reserve Command and eliminating the organizational structure” to support it are two cost-saving suggestions both Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff Mark Welsh oppose, he noted. However, the command, in accordance with efforts across the Total Force, will make an effort to consolidate infrastructure and will continue to try to maximize the value of its “citizen airmen,” said Jackson.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.