TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Maj. Gen. Randall Ogden and Chief Master Sgt. Timothy White, the Fourth Air Force commander and command chief, respectively, visited the 349th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California, during the February Unit Training Assembly weekend.
The general and command chief visited the units of the 349th AMW, where they recognized star performers and observed airmen completing readiness training.
“We went from a time where we had recurring training, to ‘just in time’ training,” said Ogden. “We realized we needed to go back to that focus of always ready, and a commitment we made to all American people, be ready to go at all times. We tell our public that we’re ready to defend our nation at a moment’s notice.”
Ogden was impressed with the readiness training exercise, which involved many units.
“The way the whole inspection team put together this exercise that involves all squadrons, all groups in the whole wing, was impressive to see,” said Ogden.
In addition to ongoing readiness training, another piece of the mission-ready puzzle is the Air Reserve Technician program. In the ART program a reservist works as a full-time Department of Defense civil service employee. The program is unfortunately going through a period of low manning, a concern brought up by many Airmen throughout Ogden’s visit.
“We need to make sure we have a full-time force that is well manned, and the ART program is the bedrock of our full-time force. We need to make sure it’s viable, our people are compensated well, and that people are attracted to [full-time] service,” said Ogden. “Do we need incentives to compensate our individuals better? How do we break down the workload so that they aren’t overwhelmed as they try to support a large squadron? There are some challenges with manning, but I think leadership is doing well at getting after those things.”
Ogden acknowledged the unique commitment Citizen Airmen make, as they take time away from their everyday employment.
“We need to make sure that when our Airmen give up their time, their time away from their families, time away from their businesses and employers, we need to make it relevant,” said Ogden. “Getting away from some of our computer based training, and getting them focused on turning wrenches, training on patients, flying airplanes, [the Airmen need to] see that they are making a difference each time they are on duty. We want to work hard and we want to train hard, but we want to enjoy coming to work, and enjoy working with people who are dedicated to putting the uniform on and defending our country.”
Despite the issue of low manning, Ogden is pleased with the shape of the Air Force Reserve and sees it improving even more as time goes on.
“I see the young people coming up and they’re better than I am,” said Ogden. “The Air Force Reserve will continue to be better than it was last year, it’ll be better in the future. The future is very bright.”
White added his opinion of the future of the enlisted force.
“If you think about it, between officers, enlisted, and our civilian counterparts, [the enlisted force] make up the bulk of the reserves, and even the bulk of the military,” White said. “Therefore, I think we own the bulk of responsibility, and it’s important for us to make sure we’re holding up to our end of the bargain. We do that by meeting our responsibilities, taking challenges head on, and leading by example. Just like the general said, to continue being relevant into the future and beyond, the enlisted corps is going to be a big part of that.”
As they wrapped up their visit, Ogden and White spoke highly of their time with the 349th.
“I always heard the 349th had a great reputation, but seeing it in action was great,” said Ogden. “Not only knowing that the Airmen are good at what they do, but then to see it in some realistic training this weekend, doing their job, I was absolutely impressed. The reputation is outstanding and well deserved.”
White echoed Ogden’s praise, adding, “I am in awe of Travis and of the 349th. I grew up here at Travis, and it took me a long time, even when I went to another unit, to stop saying, “this is how we did it at Travis,” but this [Travis] was my frame of reference, and it provided me with a solid foundation. In coming back here, and seeing the seriousness and the emphasis on professionalism in all the things that Travis does, you can understand why excellence is the standard here.”
Ogden and White also praised the Total Force integration with the 60th Air Mobility Wing here at Travis.
“How [the 349th] teams with the 60th in the Force Support Squadron, in maintenance, in the Logistics Readiness Squadron, it was fantastic to see,” said Ogden. “When it comes to doing the mission, we are operationally indistinguishable, you can’t tell the difference.”
White added, “I think the relationship between the active duty and the reserve here is second to none and it shows.”