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BEYOND READINESS
Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do.
These are the Air Force Core Values.
The foundation is integrity, fortified by a commitment to the service
of our country, and fueled by a drive for excellence in all that
we do. These are the values every member must believe in, and more
importantly, must live by.
"Integrity, service and excellence. These simple words epitomize
the core values of our military profession..."
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Eric W. Benken, USAF (Retired)
 To
the average civilian, the focus of Air Force Reserve is modern hardware:
jets, missiles, computers and the other equipment used to get the
job done. In reality, the heart and soul of the Air Force Reserve
is its people. About 74,000 people actively train and participate
in Reserve activities. They are our neighbors and co-workers and
they come from every walk of life.
Although the Air Force Reserve provides slightly more than 10 percent
of the Air Force's available manpower, the extent of its contribution
is much greater. More than 30 percent of all Air Force Missions
are accomplished through the efforts of Air Force Reservists. Reservists
average more than 360 missions away from
home each month, supporting other Commands and Department of Defense
requirements for important fighter, airlift, aerial refueling, rescue
and force-projection assets.
Structure
Headquarters for the Air Force Reserve is located at Robins Air
Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia. It is charged with monitoring
and overseeing the day-to-day activities of more than 300 flying
and support units.
Thirty-six Wings comprise the Air Force Reserve. Each Wing is charged
with a core mission that is accomplished through the collaboration
of a variety of specifically tasked squadrons.
Reserve Wings report to one of three numbered Air Forces reporting
to Headquarters Air Force Reserve. The numbered Air Forces assist
their Wings in using the guidance and resources provided by their
higher headquarters to ensure combat readiness.
See
our structure
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Reserve Categories
 There
are several categories of service in the Air Force Reserve. The
men and women who serve in the Reserve are among the best trained
and most combat ready military professionals in the world. Most
Reservists serve in the Unit Program, in which they are obligated
to report for duty at least one weekend a month and an additional
two weeks a year.
A small number of Reservists are selected to serve on limited tours
of active duty, usually at headquarters staff level or in other
special assignments. Their job is to bring Reserve expertise to
the planning and decision-making processes at senior levels within
the Air Force and other services.
Reservists are categorized by several criteria in the Ready Reserve,
Standby Reserve, Inactive Ready Reserve or Retired Reserve:
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A smaller but equally important category of Reservist is the Individual
Mobilization Augmentee (IMA). IMAs are Reservists who are assigned
to active-duty units to do jobs that are essential in wartime but
do not require full-time manning during times of peace. They report
for duty a minimum of one day a month and 12 additional days a year.
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The Ready Reserve is made up of approximately 74,000 trained Reservists
who may be recalled to active duty to augment active forces in time
of war or national emergency. These Reservists are combat ready
and can deploy to anywhere in the world in 72 hours.
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The Standby Reserve includes Reservists whose civilian jobs are
considered key to national defense or who have temporary disability
or personal hardship. Most Standby Reservists do not train and are
not assigned to units.
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These Reservists no longer train, but are qualified in their fields
and eligible to be recalled in the event of a national emergency.
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The Retired Reserve is made up of officers and enlisted personnel
who receive pay after retiring from active duty or from the Reserve,
or are Reservists awaiting retirement pay at age 60.
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Assigned Aircraft
The Air Force Reserve has over 400 aircraft assigned to it, most
of which are fuel tankers and transports. The inventory includes
the latest, most capable models of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10
Thunderbolt II, C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III,
C-130 Hercules, KC-10 Extender, KC-135 Stratotanker, B-52 Stratofortress
and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter. These aircraft and their crews
are immediately deployable without need for additional training.
On any given day, 99 percent of these aircraft are mission-ready
and able to deploy within 72 hours.
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Peacetime Missions
Air Force Reservists are on duty today around the world. In addition
to its role as a proven and respected combat force, the Air Force
Reserve is also quick to lend a helping hand. International humanitarian
relief missions may involve anything from repairing roads and schools
to airlifting badly needed supplies.
At the request of local, state or federal agencies, the Air Force
Reserve conducts aerial spray missions using specially equipped
C-130s. With the only fixed-wing aerial spray capability in the
Department of Defense, these missions range from spraying pesticides
to control insects to spraying compounds used in the control of
oil spills. Other specially equipped C-130s check the spread of
forest fires by dropping fire retardant chemicals. Other real-world
missions include support of counter narcotics efforts, weather reconnaissance,
rescue and aeromedical evacuation.
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