Barksdale: Total Force Enterprise success story

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jeff Walston
  • 307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale AFB, La. --  Where an Active Duty Airman may have experience on three different air frames in an eight-year career in maintenance, a Reservist will probably have spent that same eight-year career on the same airframe and possibly the same aircraft.

At Barksdale Air Force Base, La., the best of both the Active and Reserve components have been brought together by the Total Force Enterprise.

According to the Department of Defense, The actual (TFE) concept, which has its beginnings in 1973, as the Total Force Policy, develops a way to structure DoD components into a "Total Force that is essential to successfully implementing U.S. defense strategy and, indeed, are a prerequisite to a cost-effective force structure."

On Jan. 8, 2011, Lt. Col. Dwayne W. Slack assumed command the 707th Maintenance Squadron during standing up ceremonies for the new Reserve squadron at Barksdale. The squadron is a "classic association" maintenance squadron for the 2nd Bomb Wing, which is an Active Duty Air Force wing that owns the aircraft, while the 707th MXS supplies people to help maintain and support them.

"We are integrated with active duty. So, we get to take the best of both worlds from active duty and what they bring to the fight and what the Reserve brings. We get to stand side-by-side and provide the best unit...for the Air Force," Slack said.

The TFE concept is not new to Barksdale. Airmen from the 2nd Bomb Wing have been working with Airmen from the 307th and 917th Maintenance Squadrons on aircraft owned by Reserve components for more than two years.

Now, with the standing up of the 707th MXS, the tables have turned.

"The 2nd (Bomb Wing) owns 22 aircraft, and the Reservists bring years of experience to help maintain them," said Chief Master Sgt. Eddie Young, who is the superintendent for the 707th MXS. "We are here to keep those 22 aircraft flying."

"I think the continuity is the biggest impact," Young said. "I'm going to be here for quite awhile over my active duty brethren, who are changing stations throughout their career."

According to the DoD, to achieve success and ensure the readiness of TFE, senior commanders, at Barksdale, both Active, and Reserve have developed a mutual understanding of each unit's mission, and what each other brings to the table.

All elements of the Total Force Enterprise have to be able to work together seamlessly. Today, Reserve Airmen are integrated into all war plans, and no major military operation can be successful without their involvement. With Reservists incorporated throughout bases all around the world, it is difficult to distinguish them from Regular Air Force Airmen.

"It helps to have the experience of what (Reservists) have seen over the years," said Col. Stephen Petters, who is the commander of the 2nd Maintenance Group. "They are a real plus for us and Barksdale. They're a real mission enabler."
Because of TFE at Barksdale, the vision of cooperation and success between U.S. Air Force Reserve and Regular Air Force components has been realized, and it is reinforced on a daily basis.