From the NFRW Armed Services Committee

President Harry S. Truman directed the creation of the U.S. Air Force Reserve soon after the U.S. Air Force was decoupled from the U.S. Army Air Forces on September 18, 1947. It was stood-up the next year on April 14, 1948. Its mission is to “Provide Combat Ready Forces to Fly, Fight and Win” with the vision “Reserve Citizen Airmen – An Agile, Combat Ready Force Answering Our Nation's Call …Always There!”  

Lt. Gen. Richard W. Scobee is the current Chief of Air Reserve headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, and Commander, Air Force Reserve Command at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.   

The Air Force Reserves were called up to support the Korean War, the Berlin and Cuban Crises, and the Vietnam War. When thousands of men from all the services were called up to serve during the Vietnam War, some services reported the reserves were not combat ready due to minimal prior practical experience.

Around 1970, with the intent to implement an All-Volunteer Armed Force, the “Total Force” concept first envisioned in the 1950s was considered a viable solution to ending the draft. Under Secretary of Defense Schlesinger, “Total Force” was implemented under the framework that when Reserve Forces are activated, “Governors and Members of Congress are the stakeholders in the defense of America…”  

The reserve components are no longer the “weekend warriors” of the past. They now routinely participate in military missions at home and abroad. The Air Force Reserves are proud of their contribution to national security and accomplishing their honored tradition. The Air Force Reserve is comprised of approximately 69,200 personnel and currently performs about 20 percent of the U.S. Air Force missions, serving primarily on nine Reserve; 54 Active Duty, Joint Reserve, and Air National Guard bases; and at five miscellaneous locations. 

Wish our Air Force Reserve men and women "Happy Birthday" today, April 14.