The Air Force will create active associations with every Air Force Reserve fighter squadron in the coming years as it looks to cut costs and maximize capabilities, said Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz on Thursday. At the same time, Air Mobility Command intends to utilize associations at all future KC-46 tanker units located inside the continental United States, he said at AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla. Air Force leaders have said they plan to bump the number of associations from 100 to 115 across the Fiscal 2013-2017 future years defense program. Secretary Michael Donley has said there may be even more room for growth with associations beyond that.
When Airmen eject, the mission is clear: America leaves no warrior behind. Airmen are trained to survive, evade, resist, and escape the enemy, and everyone from ground crew to rescue personnel and commanders are committed to doing everything necessary—and possible—to bring downed Airmen home.