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A First in 60 years: JB Andrews Stands Up New Helicopter Squadron

Sunday, September 6th, 2026

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AFNS) —

Joint Base Andrews activated the 5th Helicopter Squadron Aug. 27, marking the installation’s first U.S. Air Force helicopter squadron activation in 60 years.

The squadron stands up at a time when the base anticipates accepting the HH-60W Jolly Green II to execute Andrews’ 24/7 operations. The 5th HS will do so alongside the 1st Helicopter Squadron, which was the Air Force’s only rotary-wing unit in the National Capital Region for six decades until now.

“The vision is very straightforward,” said Lt. Col. Jonathan Bonilla, who assumed command as the first 5th HS commander. “We aim to rapidly and safely integrate the HH-60W into the missions here in the National Capital Region and establish a premier rotary-wing organization that supports our nation’s most critical missions, without any pause in operations.”

Transitioning to the HH-60W will modernize the fleet and ensure sustainable operations with a modern airframe that meets current and future requirements. The HH-60W’s increased speed, range and carrying capacity will better deliver safe operations for U.S. senior leaders, service members and the communities around the region.

In the next few years, the 5th HS will train aircrew and maintainers, establish operational and maintenance processes, and receive new aircraft as it prepares to execute the national security mission within the National Capital Region. Throughout the transition, the 1st HS will continue providing immediate-response capability and support daily operations with the UH-1N airframe.

“The Huey has been part of this mission and this community for generations,” said Col. Kevin Geoffroy, 316th Operations Group commander and an HH-60W pilot. “Today, we are standing up the 5th Helicopter Squadron — a unit that inherits a proud, storied legacy. We will honor that legacy by delivering excellence as we modernize our fleet at Joint Base Andrews for the future.”

The phased transition is designed to maintain the 1st HS’ immediate-response mission while Airmen establish the new squadron to train aircrew and maintainers and progressively bring HH-60Ws into service at JBA. The two squadrons will operate in parallel as the 5th HS progresses toward full operational capacity, which the Air Force anticipates will occur in 2030.

Once the 5th HS has transitioned fully to the new airframe and can safely and sustainably execute the missions, the 1st HS will then begin transitioning from the historic UH-1N to the HH-60W platform. Its replacement will bring a platform with greater capacity for the demanding conditions of the mission, including enhanced navigation, secure communications, weather capability and personnel recovery.

Since 1969, the 1st HS has supported its no-fail mission of immediate-response contingency operations in support of vital national security requirements while maintaining a rigorous training schedule to ensure readiness over the decades, and has flown the UH-1N since 1971, with three of the Hueys that flew in the Vietnam War still flying today.

As the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the 1st HS’s response remains a notable part of its history. Following the attack, the Airmen immediately responded to provide support to U.S. senior leaders.

“Our 24/7 mission continues while we prepare the next generation of Airmen and aircraft to continue the legacy of excellence,” said Lt. Col. Zachary Minner, 1st HS commander. “The incredible professionals of the 1st Helicopter Squadron are ready to respond whenever the National Capital Region needs us.”

The HH-60W represents a significant modernization of capability, including updated communications, navigation, weather, sensor and survivability systems. The aircraft is suited to support civil search and rescue, medical evacuation, disaster response, humanitarian assistance and rescue command-and-control missions.

“Our priority is to maintain uninterrupted mission support and ensure the safety of our aircrew, senior leaders, and neighbors, while preparing the next generation of Airmen for future operations,” Bonilla said. “The Airmen here have carried out this mission for more than half a century. We stand on the shoulders of giants, and the 5th HS is the next evolution of Airmen who time and time again deliver exactly what our nation asks of the military in a crisis or contingency.”

In a time-honored tradition, the 5th HS gains its heraldry from the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron, which was operational from 1944 to 1956. When Lt. Wilton Bowman, a YR-5 pilot assigned to the 5th ERS, flew the unusual machine past Andrews to a nearby air show in 1946, Airmen dubbed it a “whirling oddity.” Eighty years later, the 5th Helicopter Squadron is carrying that legacy into a new era of rotary-wing operations.

As the 5th HS activates, its Airmen will turn a historic “whirling oddity” into a modern chapter of rotary-wing readiness. The unit’s task extends beyond receiving a new helicopter: it will train Airmen, expand capability to meet future challenges, and lead the way in modernizing a legacy fleet to execute the Air Force’s vital national security mission.

Senior Airman Gabriel Jones

316th Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Forces Focus, Guest Post | No Comments »

New App Aims to Unify Military Fitness Training Across Branches

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) —

A newly developed fitness app is giving service members across the Department of War a single tool to build training programs tailored to their fitness test requirements at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 11.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Zachary Hicks, a family medicine physician and emergency medical services medical director at Yokota Air Base, developed the app to turn fitness requirements into actionable training guidance that service members can use to improve or maintain their readiness. The app goes beyond information and offers actionable guidance that members can use to improve or maintain their fitness. It also assesses a member’s current level, builds a starting program and adjusts over time, with an emphasis on improving weaker areas.

“There are apps for individual branches but none that unify them into one app, and this was something I wanted to solve,” Hicks said.

The idea traces back four years, when Hicks set out to create a more organized, actionable approach to fitness preparation. When updated fitness standards were released this year, he said it was time to build a solution.

“If you are doing well and you want to do great, then this app will help you,” Hicks said. “If you are doing great and wish to maintain that greatness, then this app will help you retain your fitness.”

The app has continued to expand since its development. Its most recent update added guidance for pregnancy and postpartum exercise, and Hicks is now developing nutrition guidance as the next addition.

To ensure the app aligned with official standards, Hicks transcribed each scoring calculator directly from service-specific scoring charts. He also built the training guidance using publicly available military resources, including the Air Force’s Warfighter Fitness Playbook.

“I did not feel the need to reinvent the wheel, but simply made it more accessible,” he said. For Hicks, the app’s purpose is simple: give every member, regardless of branch or starting point, a clear path to becoming stronger, more prepared and ready to reach their next fitness milestone.

By Senior Airman Tallon Bratton

374th Airlift Wing

Posted in Air Force, Department of War, Guest Post, Warrior Athlete | No Comments »

Air Force Global Strike Command Directs Stop Use of AN/PRM-10 Test Oscillator Set

Sunday, August 30th, 2026

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. —

Air Force Global Stike Command has directed units within the command to stop use of the AN/PRM-10 test oscillator set, a signal generator used to examine intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)communications systems.

This order stems from a notification AFGSC and 20th Air Force received in August that an Airman assigned to F.E. Warren AFB discovered and was exposed to residue on a component of an AN/PRM-10 kit while performing a routine inspection. The Airman reported the issue, received medical attention, and was returned to duty with no adverse effects.

Subsequent tests on the residue confirmed the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a substance commonly used in electrical devices during the time that equipment was developed to maintain the Minuteman III ICBM system.

Upon notification confirming the presence of PCBs in one AN/PRM-10 unit at F.E. Warren AFB, 20th AF directed a one-time inspection (OTI) to assess all AN/PRM-10 kits. Officials also directed updated safety warnings, precautions, and mandatory personal protective equipment requirements where legacy testers remained in use.

The OTI-directed review was completed within three days of issuance and covered the entire inventory of AN/PRM-10 kits across the command. Inspections found potential residue on six of eight AN/PRM-10 systems. Samples have been collected and are being sent for testing.

Upon receiving the OTI findings indicating the presence of potential residue on additional AN/PRM-10 kits, and as a precautionary measure while sample test results are pending, units in 20th AF are immediately stopping use of the AN/PRM-10 and transitioning from the AN/PRM-10 to a modern, PCB-free replacement tester.

“Twentieth Air Force takes the responsibility to protect our Airmen very seriously,” said Maj. Gen. Colin Connor, 20th AF commander. “As our Airmen are our greatest asset, their safety and health are my top priority.”

In addition to these measures, AFGSC and 20th AF officials are working closely with the Minuteman III systems program office to appropriately dispose of existing AN/PRM-10 kits and identify any other pieces of test equipment that may contain PCBs.

There are no mission impacts as a result of these actions, and U.S. ICBM forces remain safe, secure, and effective to protect the U.S. homeland.

“We remain vigilant for issues like these and will continue to aggressively and immediately take the appropriate actions,” added Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of AFGSC.

This effort is the latest in a series of initiatives Air Force officials have directed, following the launch of the Missile Community Cancer Study in 2023, to review the Minuteman III system and its associated equipment to ensure a safe, hazard-free working environment for America’s ICBM force.

For more information on the Missile Community Cancer Study, please follow this link: www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/Resources/Missile-Community-Cancer-Study.

By Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

Posted in Admin, Air Force, Comms, Medical, Press Release | No Comments »

919th SOW Proves Mettle in New Readiness Inspection Construct

Sunday, August 30th, 2026

DUKE FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) —

Air Commandos from the 919th Special Operations Wing validated their warfighting capabilities during a Combat Readiness Inspection Aug. 6-9 at Duke Field and Hurlburt Field, Florida.

The inspection was formally spearheaded by the Air Force Reserve Command Inspector General to evaluate the wing’s ability to generate combat power under realistic, high-pressure situations in a simulated forward operating location.

“The ability of our wing to take a complex operational concept and within a month execute a synchronized event across multiple platforms is a profound testament to the work our wing does every day,” said Lt. Col. Brandon Wood, lead exercise planner, 919th SOW Inspector General’s office.

The August inspection marked the operational climax of a ground-breaking, four-month long distributed campaign that spanned across the INDOPACOM and SOUTHCOM theaters of operations since April 2026. Representing a revolutionary shift from traditional, localized events, the 919th SOW produced the model blueprint for all future AFRC CRIs.

The 919th SOW validated its distributed mission command and agile combat support alongside simulated partner nation forces proving the readiness and capability in a new high-tempo, campaign construct.

The assessment evaluated the wing across three phases: generation, employment and sustainment. Simulated deploying personnel processed through formal deployment lines to verify readiness, receive mission-essential equipment, and marshal cargo to evaluate mobilization capabilities.

Operating from a simulated forward operating location, Air Commandos demonstrated their ability to project power, assist host-nation partners in disrupting transnational threat networks, and counter near-peer adversarial influence within the region. Concurrently, tactical aviation and maintenance operations generated sorties and maintained a strict readiness posture from their respective simulated home stations.

“Our members were incredibly motivated to demonstrate their capabilities during this exercise, and their professional drive was a huge factor in our success,” said Wood.

Executing such a vast operation alongside AFRC required extensive preparation. Wood noted that designing the exercise and aligning the evaluating organizations came with its own set of internal hurdles.

“One of the greatest challenges during the exercise development was the communication and integration of dissimilar mission sets across the wing to ultimately operate together in harmony.” said Wood.

Setting up a framework then allowing the units to express their own mission sets was critical to success, Wood further credited the wing’s local inspection team for the massive undertaking in capturing the 919th SOW’s performance across many unique mission sets throughout the campaign.

Col. Scott Hurrelbrink, 919th SOW commander, praised the wing’s performance under pressure.

“The wing demonstrated outstanding tactical lethality, particularly in aircraft maintenance and base defense operations,” said Hurrelbrink. “We prepared for these assessments by focusing on the wing’s priorities: achieving a maximum state of readiness and promoting innovation across all daily operations.”

By integrating compliance checks directly into ongoing training cycles, the wing treated routine preparation as the foundation of its combat capability. This ensures Citizen Air Commandos are ready now for immediate taskings while fostering the innovation needed to transform for future operations.

“We welcomed this external evaluation as an opportunity to find our blind spots and improve our warfighting posture,” said Hurrelbrink. “I am incredibly proud of this wing’s hard work and outstanding performance. We will use these findings to refine our training, streamline our resources, and ensure the 919th SOW remains the premier special operations wing in the Air Force Reserve.”

By Senior Airman Emily Bloodworth

919th Special Operations Wing

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, SOF | No Comments »

‘Final Denial’: Air Force Leaders Lean in to the Future of Drone Defense

Thursday, August 27th, 2026

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. — The 31st Air Task Force sharpened and refined a layered counter-small unmanned aerial system defense capability, culminating in a kinetic “final denial” live-fire demonstration, August 3-7, 2026.

The week-long training event built on counter-sUAS initiatives first employed during the ATF’s February field exercise and increased knowledge among Airmen from Hurlburt Field and Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, assigned to the 31st ATF.

“Through a crawl, walk, run approach, Airmen gained practical knowledge of a full spectrum of layered counter-sUAS capabilities,” said the 31st ATF’s force protection superintendent. “The ATF is posturing to provide tiered defense through detection, electronic warfare defeat, and physical interception of hostile drones.”

Throughout the week, Airmen trained on AI-powered systems that detect, track, and filter aerial objects from planes and drones to birds. They also improved real-time data sharing across multiple levels of command and control from an expeditionary base defense operations center.

The 31st ATF hosted leaders from Air Force Special Operations Command and the 1st Special Operations Wing, joining experts on drone warfare, precision munitions, and unmanned threat detection and mitigation. They explored the latest ways to protect the warfighter and counter emergent UAS threats.

“It’s inspiring to see a unit at this level proactively tackling a problem-set that is top of mind for leaders across the Air Force and the Department of War,” said 1st SOW Deputy Commander, Col. Clayton Schuety. “The blend of entrepreneurial foresight, AI surveillance, and human-directed targeting will no doubt create positive impacts for the warfighter. We look forward to seeing how this effort continues to mature and receiving the lessons learned which will benefit Air Commandos and the larger force.”

By teaming with top industry partners and using existing Air Force equipment, the 31st ATF trained Airmen on weapons designed to defend against hostile drones and safeguard against electromagnetic warfare threats. Airmen practiced organic reconnaissance and denial of high-speed sUAS targets mimicking hostile flight patterns.

“The team successfully executed a capstone event that validated new tactics, techniques, and procedures across force protection and distributed communications,” said 31st ATF commander, Col. Brad Dvorak. “Our mission is to enable airpower operations, anytime, anywhere. By establishing a sUAS instructor cadre, we trained our personnel on counter-sUAS architecture and employed unique solutions for Airmen to track, jam, and kinetically defeat sUAS threats.”

The 31st ATF is a combat-ready unit of action bringing competitive advantage to meet pacing challenges. The wing, commanded by an Air Force colonel, consists of a command-and-control element and a combat air base squadron with up to 2,500 Airmen across more than 60 Air Force specialty codes. The team can provide base operating support for deployed flying units, also known as mission generation force elements, and the necessary logistics to execute agile combat employment.

Story by 2nd Lt Daniel White

Air Force Special Operations Command

Posted in Air Force, C-UAS, Guest Post | No Comments »

Cold War-era Law Finds New Use at America’s B-2 Bomber Base

Monday, August 17th, 2026

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AFNS) —

Qilin Wu, a Chinese national who returned to Whiteman Air Force Base after being warned not to photograph the installation, was sentenced to six months in federal custody following a case built on a 76-year-old executive order signed by President Harry Truman.

The conviction showed how a Cold War-era legal framework can be used against repeated, unauthorized photography around sensitive military installations, and how Special Agents will investigate similar cases before they develop into something more.

“For our Special Agents, this isn’t about a single case,” said Col. David Bethel, commander of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Region 8. “It’s about recognizing that the operating environment has changed.”

Bethel was referring to a shift from clear-cut threats in overseas environments to more ambiguous activity around military installations inside the United States. In Wu’s case, investigators said the concern was not just his camera, but that he returned after being warned and photographed more than the aircraft.

That conduct ultimately led to an investigation, guilty plea and sentencing. After the hearing, held earlier last month, the court remanded Wu to the U.S. Marshals Service. He was later processed on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer and will be deported to China.

“When someone gathers information around a sensitive military installation, AFOSI has the tools to hold them accountable,” Bethel said.

The encounter began on Dec. 2, 2025, when members of the 509th Security Forces Squadron responded to a report of a suspicious minivan near Whiteman’s perimeter. Wu, who was driving a vehicle with Massachusetts license plates, said he had come to observe the B-2.

“What made this different was the pattern of behavior,” said a senior AFOSI official involved in the investigation. Wu’s return after the warning, along with his focus on the base’s perimeter and infrastructure, heightened concerns.

Wu later admitted to photographing aircraft and installations at other U.S. military bases, including locations in Florida and Virginia.

Section 795 of Title 18, together with Executive Order 10104, prohibits unauthorized photographs, sketches, maps and other visual representations of designated military installations, aircraft, weapons and equipment requiring protection from the general dissemination of information.

AFOSI officials said the law provides authorities with a means to address unauthorized photography involving protected military property. In Wu’s case, investigators focused on his repeated conduct, his return after being warned and the subjects captured in his photographs.

Officials said the case also demonstrates the importance of coordination between installation security forces and federal investigators when suspicious activity is reported near sensitive military facilities.

AFOSI will continue to identify, assess and investigate suspected unauthorized photography around protected installations and equipment, officials said, while evaluating each incident based on its specific facts and circumstances.

For Bethel, the case highlights the agency’s role in protecting the homeland.

“Det. 811’s work delivered strategic deterrence,” he said. “This case reflects AFOSI’s professionalism, integration and operational discipline required to defend our installations in an increasingly complex threat environment.”

By Thomas Brading

AFOSI Public Affairs

Editor’s note: Some AFOSI personnel and mission partners are not identified by name in this article to protect operational security, personal privacy and ongoing mission readiness.

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post | No Comments »

Air National Guard Squadron Sharpens Readiness in Jungle Terrain

Monday, August 10th, 2026

Wind moves through the trees at Schofield Barracks’ East Range as leaves crunch underfoot and boots sink into mud. Humidity clings to uniforms as security forces airmen navigate steep terrain, flowing water and unfamiliar surroundings, trading the familiar landscape of the Midwest for the jungle terrain of Oahu, Hawaii.

For two weeks, July 13-27, airmen assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard’s 178th Security Forces Squadron challenged themselves through annual training designed to strengthen small-unit tactics, decision-making and expeditionary readiness.

The training combined classroom instruction with hands-on field exercises, including jungle familiarization, dismounted patrolling, ambush training, land navigation and rope systems. The realistic environment challenged airmen to apply what they learned while operating in unfamiliar terrain.

This was part of an 18-month effort by the squadron to increase its focus on small-team operations and prepare airmen to make tactical-level decisions in increasingly decentralized environments that will be needed in the future, said Air Force Maj. Eric Minshaw, 178th Security Forces Squadron commander.

The jungle environment quickly became one of the most valuable instructors.

“The terrain and the environment have been perfect,” Minshaw said. “It certainly has been the greatest challenge that we’ve faced out here, just navigating through the water and elevation changes.”

For Air Force 1st Lt. Kyle Mackerig, a guest jungle instructor assigned to the 820th Base Defense Group at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, the training provided an opportunity to share knowledge gained through his experience operating in jungle environments.

Mackerig graduated from the Army Jungle Operations Training Course in May 2025 and joined the 178th SFS to help airmen develop the skills necessary to operate in jungle terrain.

The goal extended beyond simply learning how to navigate. The training challenged airmen to remain effective when conditions were unfamiliar, and the path forward was uncertain.

“The jungle is the classroom, not the objective,” said Air Force Master Sgt. Bradley Akers. “Our purpose is to push our airmen beyond their comfort zones in one of the world’s most demanding environments, reinforcing disciplined leadership, teamwork and adaptability. Those are the qualities that make them more capable defenders, regardless of where the mission takes them.”

That challenge took many forms throughout the two weeks. Airmen hiked through steep terrain and mud, navigated waterways and practiced moving through the jungle while carrying their equipment.

During one exercise, they made their way to a river and moved chest-deep through the water, testing whether their packs could float and learning how to operate in and around a water obstacle. They emerged from the river covered in mud, carrying another lesson from an environment far removed from what they typically encounter in Ohio.

For Air Force Staff Sgt. Macy Flannery, squadron member, the experience also provided an opportunity to strengthen the bonds within her team. Flannery, who is in her fifth year of service, said the training challenged them to work together while learning basic survival skills and small-unit tactics.

“It’s been a good bonding experience for our team,” she said. “We’re going through it all together and having to do a lot of teamwork for our different training experiences.”

Mackerig said the teamwork he witnessed throughout the training gave him a new appreciation for the squadron.

“The biggest thing that surprised me about working with the [National] Guard, and in particular the 178th, is how tight-knit they are, how much of a family they are,” he said. “Everyone feels welcome here, even from being an outsider.”

That sense of teamwork became evident throughout the training, as airmen and noncommissioned officers looked after one another and shared skills developed through previous training and experience.

“We’ve got a great team,” Minshaw said. “The NCOs that we have and the instructor cadre that have come in [are] absolutely top shelf.”

From checking water supplies and applying sunscreen to sharing specialized skills and helping teammates navigate difficult terrain, the small actions demonstrated the team’s commitment to one another, he said.

“It’s really awesome to see the team come together” and use some of the special skills they have in the training environment and then teach their teammates, Minshaw said, adding that the ultimate value of the training lies in what airmen take with them when they leave. Training environments like this allow airmen to discover their limits in a controlled setting, giving them the confidence to face future challenges.

“It’s better to find … your breaking points and move past those in a training environment like this, rather than to be caught flat-footed in our operational environment,” Minshaw said.

As the airmen leave the mud, water and steep terrain of Schofield Barracks, the lessons learned in the jungle will follow them. The physical challenges, tactical problems and moments of uncertainty provided more than a test of endurance. It allowed them to build confidence, strengthen teamwork and develop the ability to make decisions in unfamiliar environments.

By Air Force TSgt Tiffany Scofield, 178th Wing

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Training | No Comments »

Air National Guard Details Bonuses, Policy Changes Amid ‘Summer Surge Incentives’

Sunday, August 9th, 2026

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Air National Guard is rolling out sweeping recruiting and retention transformation initiatives—removing accession barriers, expanding enterprise support and reshaping how it competes for the talent required to build dominating air power and ensure wartime readiness.

The ANG has also launched a “Summer Surge Incentive,” which pairs $7,500 bonuses with 3-year enlistment contracts, to secure ANG reenlistments and to recruit Airmen looking to transfer from active duty or the Air Force Reserve.

“It is all part of an effort to continue reaching individuals seeking purpose, growth and the opportunity to make a lasting impact,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Mark Williams, director of Recruiting and Retention for the Air National Guard. “As the Air National Guard recapitalizes and modernizes its force to meet the needs of tomorrow, we must also evolve how we recruit and retain the talent our missions require.”

While the ANG has led a string of successful recruiting campaigns in years’ past, recent efforts highlighted an important lesson for U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. James Chubb, chief, Air National Guard Recruiting and Retention Accessions Branch.

“Standing still is not an option,” he said. “The Air National Guard wins when every state succeeds with recruiting efforts,”

Another new initiative empowers the Air Guard’s highest-producing recruiters to support wings facing the greatest recruiting challenges.

“This initiative creates an enterprise approach to recruiting, allowing us to maximize talent across the nation instead of limiting success to individual states,” said Chubb, adding the measure also significantly expands Air Guard “visibility by saturating key recruiting markets with experienced professionals who consistently produce results.”

Recruiting and Retention’s Marketing Branch launched an enterprise-wide “Guard What Matters” campaign and empowered local marketing teams with a 179% increase in funding while also transitioning wings to a data-driven funding model in lieu of a fixed allocation model.

“Every Airman protects something meaningful – family, community, freedom or future generations,” said Chubb. “This campaign connects military service to those deeply personal motivations while reinforcing the Guard’s unique role as both a community and national defense force.”

To generate reach and a strong social media program, the Marketing Branch created a collaborator program, which leverages hand-selected social media influencers to provide training, promotion, and development support to recruiting teams and wings.

The ANG’s R&R Directorate at the Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, implemented several procedural and policy changes following a collaborative, top-to-bottom analysis of workflows and challenges.

“The best ideas rarely originate at headquarters. They come from the recruiters serving their communities every day,” said Chubb. “Our responsibility is to listen, remove barriers, and provide them with every possible advantage to succeed.”

In an effort to unlock recruiting capacity, empower high-performing teams, and accelerate state, wing and national end strength growth, R&R implemented a Strength Management Initiative (SMI) adjustment that give wings the ability to fill positions at 100% plus four or 10% (whichever is greater) provided the wing maintains 90% or greater effective manning.

“One of our greatest challenges is balancing recruiting success with limited authorized vacancies,” said Chubb. “As recruiters successfully fill formations, available positions naturally become scarce, creating an artificial ceiling on continued growth.”

The SMI, Chubb added, provides states the flexibility to temporarily exceed authorizations while remaining within overall end-strength objectives, allowing the Air Guard to retain recruiting momentum, preserve high-quality talent and build on critical career fields.

“As we approach the end of the fiscal year, every accession and every retained Airman matters,” said Chubb. “By consolidating accession and retention incentives into a focused campaign, we encourage immediate action from qualified applicants while helping commanders retain experienced Airmen.”

Chubb said the future of successful recruitment marketing efforts will depend on collaboration, not competition among recruiters and other services, which is why the ANG Digital Recruiting Training and Standards Program was created “on the philosophy of train, create and collaborate,” Chubb said.

The program aims to create an enterprise where innovative digital media tactics developed by one recruitment team can benefit others – encouraging states to share digital content, recruiting campaigns and community-engagement ideas rather than “work in isolation.”

In the continued spirit of collaboration, the Air Guard established Recruiting Leadership Councils – made up of regional recruiting leaders – that serve to anticipate changes in recruiting markets.

In the end, recruitment efforts shine a light on what the Air Guard has always offered to those who may want to join the ranks of the nation’s primary air reserve component, said Williams, the recruiting and retention director.

“It’s about meaningful work, professional development and the opportunity to serve our nation, state and communities,” he said. “Whether you are a high school graduate, attending college or already established in the workforce, the Air National Guard offers a proven pathway to gain valuable skills, develop as a leader and achieve long-term personal and professional success.”

By MSgt Erich Smith

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, TacJobs | No Comments »