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Introduction

When it was conceived more than 60 years ago, the Air Force Reserve was designed to be a "stand by" force. Through the years it has evolved into a major command of the U.S. Air Force. Although the majority of the members of the Air Force Reserve serve part-time, they work side-by-side with the Active Duty Air Force members and perform the same jobs. The main difference is that members of the Air Force Reserve serve where they live and can continue their civilian careers or be full-time students.

The Air Force Reserve performs many of the day-to-day functions on bases around the United States. About 20 percent of the work of the Air Force is performed by members of the Air Force Reserve. As the Air Force Reserve takes on more duties, missions change. Missions are not to be confused with jobs, of which there are many. For example, if you are interested in a particular mission listed here but do not believe you have the skills or training to be involved, remember - we train people. We can teach you the skills; we want you to bring the enthusiasm.

Aerial Spray
Download PDF Brochure Operating out of the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Ohio, the 757th Airlift Squadron of the 910th Airlift Wing conducts the only aerial spray missions in the Air Force. These Reservists use four C-130H aircraft equipped with Modular Aerial Spray Systems (MASS). This squadron is called upon where there is a need to treat huge areas; for example, crews were tasked with spraying areas in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, devastated by Hurricane Katrina to prevent the spread of disease.
Weather Reconnaissance
Download PDF Brochure This is another mission unique to the Air Force Reserve and it's probably one of the most well-known in the U.S. Military. You may recognize them by their popular name - the Hurricane Hunters. Based at Keesler Air Force Base near Biloxi, Mississippi, the Hurricane Hunters, are actually teams of pilots, scientists, technicians, and maintenance personnel, to name a few. They are all members of the 403rd Wing, the largest flying organization at Keesler Air Force Base. These members of the Air Force Reserve fly WC-130J aircraft back and forth through tropical depressions, following the storms paths and measuring intensity as they churn through the Atlantic or Pacific. Amazingly, these aircraft not only fly directly into a hurricane, but they cross back and forth through these storms, gathering and transmitting data for several hours. From the creation of a storm in the oceans of Earth until they make landfall, the Hurricane Hunters project the directions, intensity and project time of landfall. Once a storm hits, tracking is turned over to the National Weather Service. By forecasting storm paths and predicting where and when landfall will be, the Air Force Reserve "Hurricane Hunters" save thousands of lives and millions of dollars every year.
Aeromedical Evacuation
Download PDF Brochure Approximately 65 percent of the total Air Force medical evacuation capability is provided by the Air Force Reserve. By serving in the Air Force Reserve health care professionals can continue their civilian careers and still serve their country. The Air Force Reserve primarily uses the C-130 Hercules and the C-17 Globemaster III to fulfill this mission, but virtually any cargo aircraft can be configured for these critical missions. Specially trained technicians set up the interior of the aircraft and operate the medical equipment necessary. Specially trained doctors and nurses turn these planes into flying intensive care units that can transport those injured in combat or in natural disasters to waiting hospitals. The Aeromedical Evacuation mission is conducted by members of the Air Force Reserve at the following bases:
    Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama (908th Airlift Wing)
    March Air Reserve Base, California (452nd Air Mobility Wing)
    Travis Air Force Base, California (349th Air Mobility Wing)
    Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia (94th Airlift Wing)
    Scott Air Force Base, Illinois (932nd Airlift Wing)
    Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts (439th Airlift Wing)
    Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland (459th Air Refueling Wing)
    Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Air Reserve Station, Minnesota (934th Airlift Wing)
    McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey (514th Air Mobility Wing)
    Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York (914th Airlift Wing)
    Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (445th Airlift Wing)
    Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania (911th Airlift Wing)
    Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina (315th Airlift Wing)
    Lackland Air Force Base, Texas (433rd Airlift Wing)
    McChord Air Force Base, Washington (446th Airlift Wing)
Aerial Port
Download PDF Brochure Aerial Porters know about every piece of cargo and exactly how many people will be in an aircraft. Every item must be inspected, weighted, packed and weighted again. Then the Aerial Porters determine how the aircraft must be loaded. This exercise in weight and balance determines the center of gravity of an aircraft and that determines if it can successfully take off. Aerial Porters tend to passengers, assisting them in boarding and deplaning. Aerial Porters work at every base with an Airlift Mission.
Airlift
Download PDF Brochure The Air Force Reserve participates in two kinds of Air Lift Missions: Strategic Air Lift and Theater, also known as Tactical Air Lift. The Air Force Reserve performs about 46 percent of the Strategic Air Lifts, meaning carrying equipment and troops from a neutral area to an area of operations. Theater or Tactical Air Lifts refers to the transport of equipment and troops within an area of operations, and the Reserve performs 21 percent of this mission for the Air Force.

Approximately half of all the members of the Air Force Reserve are in someway involved in the Airlift Mission, which is moving people and equipment around the world. Aircraft used for this mission are the C-5 Galaxy, one of the largest aircraft on Earth, and the C-17 Globemaster, one of the most versatile. Most of the tactical airlift is performed by the vunerable C-130 Hercules. The Airlift Mission is conducted by Air Force Reserve Wings at:
    Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama (908th Airlift Wing)
    March Air Reserve Base, California (452nd Air Mobility Wing)
    Travis Air Force Base, California (349th Air Mobility Wing)
    Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado (302nd Airlift Wing)
    Dover Air Force Base, Delaware (512th Airlift Wing)
    Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia (94th Airlift Wing)
    Scott Air Force Base, Illinois (932nd Airlift Wing)
    Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts (439th Airlift Wing)
    Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Air Reserve Station, Minnesota (934th Airlift Wing)
    Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi (403rd Wing)
    McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey (514th Air Mobility Wing)
    Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York (914th Airlift Wing)
    Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (445th Airlift Wing)
    Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio (910th Airlift Wing)
    Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania (911th Airlift Wing)
    Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina (315th Airlift Wing)
    Lackland Air Force Base , Texas (433rd Airlift Wing)
    McChord Air Force Base, Washington (446th Airlift Wing)
Aerial Fire Fighting
Download PDF Brochure Wildfires are a seasonal burden particularly to the western United States and throughout the national parks. These fires are first fought on the local level with volunteer and civilian resources. If these fires still cannot be contained, the Air Force Reserve may be called in to spray fire retardant or drop massive quantities of water on particular sites. These Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) are installed in C-130 aircraft. This mission is primarily handled by the 731st Airlift Squadron, assigned to the 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.
Personnel Recovery (Pararescuemen)
Download PDF Brochure Pararescue units are elite units of the Air Force Reserve. These units are comprised of a small group of men, for Pararescuemen are always men, who are intensely trained to perform conventional and non-conventional rescues. Their primary mission is to rescue air crews downed behind enemy lines.

This mission came into being in 1943 when an aircrew bailed out of a C-46 in the jungle along the China-Burma border. There was no doubt medical aid would be necessary, and so a few medical corpsmen voluntarily parachuted into this desolate region to find and care for the crew. And that is exactly what they did for months until the party could be lead to safety. These para-jumpers, known as PJs, began the tradition of the Pararescuemen. Still known as the PJs, these men live by their motto, "that others may live," and operate around the world.

Their work is not confined to times of conflict. The PJs assist during natural disasters, and were some of the first on the scene in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit. Across the United States, they have assisted in rescues at sea, deserts and mountains. They are well known in the Northwest for saving people who get stranded on Mt. Hood in Oregon.

The PJs are a part of the 920th Rescue Wing of the Air Force Reserve and primarily operate out of Patrick Air Force Base in Florida near the Kennedy Space Center. In fact, the PJs assist during every launch from Cape Canaveral. The PJs work with HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and HC-130P/N tankers that can refuel the helicopters in mid-air, dramatically increasing their range. PJ teams also work out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.

The requirements to become a Pararescuemen are stringent, but the most important attribute is the desire to do the job. Other skills can be learned. The training is long and intense, including a paramedic course, and can take the better part of two years. After that, Pararescuemen can live and work in their local communities - many are paramedics and firemen - and serve as they are needed.

This is one of the most exciting jobs in the Air Force Reserve and 920th Rescue Wing is credited with saving thousands of lives that would otherwise be lost.
Tanker (Inflight Refueling)
Download PDF Brochure The reach of the U.S. Military is maximized by In-flight Refueling, and this refueling option may be used by most military aircraft from the giant C-5 Galaxy to the HH-60 Pave Hawk Helicopters. Tankers, such as the KC-135 Stratotankers (cargo tankers) and KC-10 Extenders (advanced cargo tankers), fly a pre-arranged route picture a racetrack, in the sky. At appointed times, aircraft approach and the Boom Operator on the tanker threads a fuel line into the waiting aircraft as both tanker and receiving plane are flying at hundreds of miles an hour. The number of aircraft that can be refueling per tanker depends on the size of the planes being refueled.
The Air Force Reserve operates refueling missions out of these bases:
    March Air Reserve Base, California (452nd Air Mobility Wing)
    Travis Air Force Base, California (349th Air Mobility Wing)
    Scott Air Force Base, Illinois (932nd Airlift Wing)
    Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana (434th Air Refueling Wing)
    Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland (459th Air Refueling Wing)
    Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina (916th Air Refueling Wing)
    McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey (514th Air Mobility Wing)
    Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma (507th ARW & 513th ACG)
    MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa (927th ARW Air Refueling Wing)
Intel (Intelligence Support)
Download PDF Brochure The Intelligence Utilization Field encompasses formulating programs, policy planning, and command or direction of activities involved in comparing United States and foreign overall air potential; intelligence operations and application activities to prevent strategic, tactical, or technological surprise, and to participate in planning or conducting aerospace operations; and responsibility for mapping, charting, and geodetic policy, objectives, requirements, guidance, and oversight as they apply to planning and programming support for military operations. To accomplish these functions, intelligence personnel direct, plan, manage, and conduct activities to collect, analyze, exploit, produce, and disseminate intelligence information, including human, signal, imagery, and measurement and signature intelligence; assess industrial, technological, geographical, and sociological factors; use processed intelligence information to support military operations; prepare intelligence assessments; provide input to national, DoD, and Air Force plans and programs; provide support to air operations, special missions, and weapon system acquisition; provide support to force structure planning and international security assistance plans and programs; perform special security officer functions; provide security guidance and functions for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) programs and activities; use and manage intelligence data handling systems; and exchange information and intelligence with other services, agencies, and governments.

Flight crews are briefed on the nature of the area into which they are flying, from a description of landmarks to assist in identifying objectives to the safety of the airspace and possible obstacles that may be encountered. Intelligence support exists at every base.
Pilot Training
Download PDF Brochure The hallmark of the Air Force Reserve is training, which happens continually at all bases. The Air Force Reserve is specifically involved with training pilots for the Reserve and the Active Duty Air Force. This training is conducted in the T-1, T-6, T-37, and T-38 Aircraft. The Air Force Reserve also trains F-16 pilots at Luke Air Force Base.
Security Forces
Download PDF Brochure These Reservists are responsible for "force protection" meaning they secure the perimeter of the base and act against any threat trying to enter the base. The Security Forces are also similar to civilian police forces, and so are the duties, from writing parking tickets to investigating crimes. There are more than 45 security force organizations in the United States and they have been deployed to protect bases in areas of operation.
Air Operations Command
Download PDF Brochure Multiple sources pour information into the Department of Defense. This must be sorted and evaluated and then formulated into action plans. This occurs through systems that enable commanders to manage massive amounts of data. These systems are Theater Battle Management Control System and Falconer Air and Space Operations Center (AOC). The Air Force Reserve 710th Combat Operations Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, and the 701st Combat Operations Squadron at March Air Reserve Base, California, are involved in this task.
Space
Download PDF Brochure The Air Force Space Command is a large operation at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. The Air Force Reserve 310th Space Wing, located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, works with Air Force Space Command. Using printouts of orbital parameters, Reservists assist in constructing command format and mission objectives. Space Command also transmits and verifies commands using aerospace ground equipment; receives, analyzes, processes, stores, and relays data received from spacecraft/ground systems; and advises supervisors of operational problems.
Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)
Download PDF Brochure This is a flying command center that captures all the action over a prescribed air space and reports that to the Joint Air Operations Center in real time. These airborne command posts control everything military in the sky and are constantly looking for unidentified aircraft or missiles. They can coordinate information about weather, air traffic, unidentified aircraft and more.

The aircraft used for this mission is the E-3 Sentry, which is a highly modified Boeing 707. This aircraft is easily identified by the large disc-like dome, called the C2BM, that is mounted near the fuselage. This dome, actually 30-feet in diameter and about 6 feet thick, looks deceivingly thin when mounted on such a large plane, and it houses the radar system. With this equipment, the crew can conduct surveillance from the stratosphere to the surface of the Earth over a range of 250 miles. The E-3 Sentry and C2BM form the Airborne Warning and Control System or AWACS. These "systems" can fly for 8 hours at a time or longer with in-air refueling. AWACS fly 24/7. The 513th Air Control Group is operated by the Air Force Reserve and operates out of Tinker Air Force Base near Oklahoma City.
Special Operations Forces
Download PDF Brochure The 919th is the only Special Operations Wing in the Air Force Reserve. This wing operates at Duke Field, an adjacent field to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The U.S. Special Operations Command primarily involves this wing in supplying special operations forces and in the re-fueling of aircraft. The 919th Special Operations Wing operates MC-130E and MC-130P aircraft that support helicopter refueling requirements.
Bomber
Download PDF Brochure The B-52 Stratofortress has been in the U.S. Air Force inventory since the 1950's. This massive bomber has undergone numerous upgrades and weapons capability improvements since its inception. The skill and experience level of Air Force Reservists keeps this bomber an operational and highly effective weapon that is in use today in the War on Terrorism. It can drop a massive amount of bombs in a single run. This high-altitude aircraft is also capable of surveying large areas and is particularly effective over long distances. The Air Force Reserve aerial precision bombing mission operates at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.
Unmanned Aerial Surveillance/Interdiction
Download PDF Brochure The Air Force Reserve Command plays a daily role in the support of various Unmanned Aerial Surveillance/Interdiction vehicles to include the RQ-4 Global Hawk, which is a UAV designed for long range high altitude surveillance missions operated from Beale Air Force Base, California. Reserve units also operate and support the more commonly known MQ-1 Predator a light weight, small unmanned aircraft that provides interdiction, as well as, surveillance capabilities. The Predator, controlled out of Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, routinely surveys the area ahead of ground troops in Iraq for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and then explodes these devices or alerts the troops to their presence. In addition to the Predator the Air Force Reserve is also playing an integral role in the deployment of the newest UAV, The MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle which is also in inventory at Creech. The Reaper is primarily intended to destroy targets. It is much heavier and larger than the Predator and can fly at high altitudes. This aircraft has a sophisticated sensor package to gather information and identify targets.
Fighters
Download PDF Brochure The F-22 Raptor, the most sophisticated jet fighter is part of the Air Force Reserve mission at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. The Reserve operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon out of Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida; the NAS Ft. Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas; and Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The versatile A-10 Thunderbolt operates at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia; Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana; and Whiteman Air Force base in Missouri.