Reserve Chief Outlines Priorities

Lt. Gen. James Jackson, Air Force Reserve chief, outlined his top three priorities during a budget hearing on Capitol Hill last week. Jackson said his top focus area is to “remember the fight today and tomorrow.” Of the roughly 70,000 Air Force Reservists, more than 2,000 are deployed around the globe and about 4,000 are serving on Active Duty status, he said during the April 17 hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense panel. “The Air Force Reserve remains in high demand and we expect that trend to continue,” said Jackson. “That is why it’s imperative that your Air Force Reserve is properly organized, trained, and equipped for any contingency across the spectrum of conflict.” His second priority is to “adapt the force.” The Air Force’s Total Force Task Force and the congressionally established Air Force structure commission are positive steps toward determining the appropriate Total Force mix and the best way to leverage each component’s unique capabilities, he said. Finally, Jackson said he is focused on “developing the team.” Finding the appropriate work-life balance between Reserve duty, civilian employers, and family life is always challenging, but budget sequestration will make that job even more difficult, he noted. (Jackson’s prepared statement)