The Air Force Reserve is not the same garrisoned force that existed during World War II and the command’s senior leadership wants to make sure it stays that way. The Reserve is no longer the old strategic reserve that surged when necessary. It has since evolved into a “sustained irregular warfare posture” that rotates forces into the fight when and where needed. It’s also comprised of the most combat proved and experienced airmen in history. “No one wants to go back to the strategic command where we are just sitting on a shelf,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, commander of Air Force Reserve Command, at AFA’s Air & Space Conference Monday afternoon. “That would be terrible on retention.” Instead, AFRC needs to provide a “trained, equipped, available, and ready” Reserve force capable of operating in today’s fight and the future operating environment.
The use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border this week—which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to abruptly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas—will be a “case study” on the complex web of authorities needed to employ such weapons near civilian areas and the consequences of agencies…
