Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, Air Force Reserve chief, highlighted the importance of the Reserve’s partnership with Air Education and Training Command during a visit to the 340th Flying Training Group, a Reserve unit, at JBSA-Randolph, Tex. Air Force Reserve Command is a large part of the education and training mission, and the front end of undergraduate pilot training on some platforms, said Stenner. It is starting training efforts with the C-130 and F-16 pipeline as well, he added. The Reserve is also building a presence in aircrew training at Altus AFB, Okla., and Little Rock AFB, Ark., and will reach full capacity at those bases by Fiscal 2014, he said. A Reserve presence at Active Duty bases is key to retaining valuable skills in the Total Force, as active airmen separate, he noted. Reservists, as “trained and ready assets,” are “very necessary to continue the mission and, in a part-time capacity, they are very efficient,” said Stenner during his April 4 visit. (JBSA-Randolph report by SSgt. Clinton Atkins)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
