Homestead trains active-duty and reserves through Total Force Integration

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Aja Heiden
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  U.S. Air Force Gen. Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command, addressed continued commitment to Total Force Integration at an all call at Homestead Air Reserve Base, July 14.

Total Force Integration aims to embed active-duty personnel with guard and reserve service members to cut costs and train Airmen.

Here at Homestead ARB, 495th Fighter Group, Detachment 93 and the 482nd Fighter Wing have come together as a part of this initiative.

Although Det. 93 is located here, it reports directly to the 495th Fighter Group located at Shaw AFB.

"As an integrated unit we recently returned from a successful Air Expeditionary Force deployment with Carswell Joint Reserve Base, Texas and their TFI detachment," said Lt. Col. Scott Walker, Commander for Det. 93. "The success of this deployment directly supports the comments made by Gen. Hostage on the ability of TFI units to deploy together with the right number of combat mission ready Air Reserve Component and Regular Air Force personnel to support combatant command requirements."

The first members of Det. 93 arrived here in May 2012. Since then, the TFI has trained new Airmen to proficiency using the experience and knowledge of their reserve counterparts.

"Det 93 received 40 pipeline Airmen fresh out of technical school, and ARC and RegAF members began training them right away. The experience that ARC and RegAF Airmen have earned over the years is tremendously valuable in training these young Airmen, and the speed in which they have become proficient is inspiring," said Senior Master Sgt. Gary Silvia, First Sergeant for Det. 93.

TFI capitalizes on the unique strengths of both active and reserve Airmen.

"Our reserve hosts have a large pool of experienced personnel that can help train and prepare our young Airmen. On the flip side, the RegAF brings the newest tactics, techniques and procedures that are being taught at technical training, upgrade schools and throughout the Combat Air Force," said Walker. "Combined, we increase ARC and RegAF member's knowledge and ability which leads to a smarter more efficient and combat ready force provider to deploy and execute combatant command's strategic objectives."

TFI enhances the Air Force's ability to conduct missions by sharing resources, aircraft, crews and support.

"TFI is just a smart way to do business in a, back-to-basics, train-as-you-fight, thought process," said Silvia.