Guard leaders commend Hickam's total force integration

  • Published
  • By Marine Sgt. Jeremy Vought
  • Air Force News Agency
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFNEWS) --  Senior Air National Guard officer and enlisted leaders were here recently to discuss current and future issues in the ANG as well as learning from the successes of Hickam's total force integration with the C-17 Globemaster III and how that can be reproduced elsewhere.

The group of ANG leaders make up the Air Directorate Field Advisory Council and the Enlisted Field Advisory Council. They meet quarterly to discus current and future Air Guard issues. Those deliberations are sent to the director of the ANG for policy considerations.

This was the group's first visit to Hawaii, where they witnessed total force integration successfully in place and caught up on the rapidly growing importance of the Pacific.

"We will discuss issues that effect the ANG, both on the enlisted side and the officer side, and the wings and councils," said Brig. Gen. Mike Edwards, ADFAC chairman and commander of the Colorado ANG's 140th Wing, "to figure out what types of issues we need to deal with and gain (the ANG director's) push and support so we can fix things for our various organizations."

One of the issues discussed was total force integration. Current and future total force integration projects are under way here, and the councils looked closely at how it is successfully accomplished so they can share that information with unit leaders who are planning for similar moves.

"Hawaii happens to be the leading edge in my opinion for all of the total force initiatives that are happening in the (Air Force)," General Edwards said.

One of the main initiatives at Hickam is the C-17 squadron, which is nearing its first anniversary in February.

"It's a model we have that is unlike anywhere else in the nation," said Brig. Gen. Peter S. Pawling, commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard's 154th Wing.

He explained how in the future Hickam will be receiving four additional tankers and in 2010 will receive the F-22 Raptor, all of which will be accomplished using a total force integration structure.

"So we're going to have every aspect of our wing associated with the active duty in some way, shape or form," he said.

In addition to the council meetings, the group toured Hickam's C-17 squadron and simulator.

"The 154th and 15th Airlift Wing (are) a great blend, already in place, of a total force integration wing," said Chief Master Sgt. Chris Muncy, chairman of the EFAC. "We've got a lot of wings that are getting ready to go through the same transition. This is a great snapshot for us to take back."

As the Air Force looks at new and different ways to fully integrate its forces, General Edwards explained why it is an important step.

"We are living in times of tightening resources. So with limited resources we have to be able to figure out the best way we can get the bang for the buck. By integrating, mixing and utilizing the active duty and the ANG together, the idea is to make us stronger and be able to do the best we can for the defense of the (United States)."