Happy 76th Birthday to the Air Force Reserve
History of the Air Force Reserve via afreserve.com
Since President Harry S. Truman called for the formation of the Air Force Reserve in 1948, it has been a critical part of the nation's defense. Its mission is to provide combat ready forces to Fly, Fight and Win.
Operating in various locations around the world, the Air Force Reserve has evolved from a "stand by" force for emergencies into a Major Command (MAJCOM) of the Active Duty Air Force.
The Air Force Reserve currently performs about 20 percent of the work of the Air Force, including traditional flying missions and other more specialized missions, such as Weather Reconnaissance (Hurricane Hunters), Modular Aerial Fire Fighting (MAFFs) and Personnel Recovery (Pararescuemen).
The Air Force Reserve is comprised of the 4th Air Force, 10th Air Force and 22nd Air Force. Under those numbered Air Forces are 35 wings, 10 independent groups and various mission support units at:
- 9 Reserve bases
- 54 active duty, Joint Reserve and Air National Guard bases
- 5 miscellaneous locations.
The total membership of the Air Force Reserve is 69,200. Of those, 80 percent are Enlisted and 20 percent are Officers. The Headquarters of the Air Force Reserve is at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. The Command Structure starts with the President of the United States.
Interested in a job with the Air Force Reserve?
The Air Force Reserve offers a variety of part-time job opportunities with full-time benefits including tuition assistance and low-cost health insurance. For specific part-time jobs, you may be eligible for a signing bonus.