93rd Bomb Squadron approved as formal B-52 training unit

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  • 917 Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale AFB, LA --  As part of the Air Force's reorganization of its B-52 forces, Air Force Reserve Command's 93rd Bomb Squadron here will spearhead the Air Force's B-52 Formal Training Unit program.

Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Air Force chief of staff, formally approved the total force integration initiative March 9.

The reorganization of the B-52 FTU is part of an overall reorganization of the Air Force B-52 forces. Currently run by a Regular Air Force unit at Barksdale, the B-52 FTU will belong to the Air Force Reserve's 917th Wing at Barksdale.

The mission of the FTU will not change; the 93rd BS will train and prepare Air Combat Command and AFRC B-52 aircrews for worldwide missions.

Air Force Reserve Command's 93rd BS at Barksdale AFB, La., is assuming the lead for B-52H training under a shift underway in the B-52 fleet, said Col. Edmund Walker, commander, 917th Wing.

Currently a combat-coded unit, the squadron is transitioning to the B-52 formal training unit, or schoolhouse, Colonel Walker said.

The squadron's aircraft complement is expected to grow from eight to 16 by around this summer, with the new assets transferring over from Barksdale's active duty 2nd Bomb Wing, he said.

As part of the change, the 2nd BW's 11th BS, the current B-52 FTU, will become an active associate to the 93rd BS, Colonel Walker said. It will no longer operate its own aircraft. Instead, its aircrews will work in the schoolhouse under the operational direction of the 93rd BS.

On the maintenance side, Airmen of the 2nd BW will work under the Reserve wing's maintenance group to keep the training aircraft flying, Walker also said.

Reservist aircrews will form a Reserve associate with the 2nd BW. These Reservists will participate in the conventional and the nuclear-related activities of the active duty wing. They will also deploy with the B-52s, he said.

Under the reorganization, the Reserve squadron, which currently owns eight B-52s, will gain eight more aircraft to lead the FTU training.

In addition to gaining more aircraft, the squadron will also add more Airmen. The Air Force will reassign 400 Airmen from the Regular Air Force's 2nd Bomb Wing to an active associate squadron to support the Reserve squadron and conduct FTU training.

While leading FTU operations, the 93rd BS will have additional responsibilities. The squadron will produce sorties and provide aircraft for the 340th Weapons School and the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron, a B-52 test organization, at Barksdale AFB.

Although the 93rd BS will no longer be an operational unit once the FTU stands up, a small classic association comprised four crews will maintain combat proficiency with the 2nd BW.

"The idea of a reserve bomb squadron with a nuclear mission has been broached before but was determined unfeasible," said Lt. Col. Jeff Stogsdill, 93 BS, detachment commander. "The last decade has seen quite a bit more emphasis on the Air Force Reserve's role in national defense."

"The most challenging factor will be balancing requirements with the traditional Reservists' availability," he said. "Volunteerism will be the deal maker."

Plans call for the FTU to achieve initial operational capability no later than Sept. 1 and to have full operational capability by Dec. 1.

"The 93rd BS is ahead of scheduled milestones in converting combat ready crewmembers into (FTU) flight instructors, said Lt. Col. Keith D. Schultz, commander, 93rd BS. "Our goal is to have all of the reserve squadron members fully trained and certified to conduct flight line training operations by 1 June 2009.

"We currently have 30 percent of our crew force through the formal training certification," he said.

This TFI initiative will allow the 93rd BS to maintain ownership of the aircraft while providing the best forces in support of the B-52 mission. It will provide the Reserve with more opportunities to support the Air Force's bomber force. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)