In honor of the United States Air Force Reserve’s Birthday – it turns 73 today – here is a little bit about the Air Force Reserve and the ways in which they serve our country.
Military reserves were created to maintain trained units at home while active-duty members are deployed. The U.S. Air Force Reserve (AFRES), initially established on April 14, 1948, is an integral part of Air Force operations around the world.
The Air Force Reserve is relatively young compared to other branches of the military; however, air reserves were not a new thing in 1948. Prior to the creation of the Air Force in September 1947, the Army Air Corp flew America’s combat missions, and they had their own reservists, as well.
The AFRES acts in a support capacity to the U.S. Air Force, and unless called upon specifically, reservists are not active-duty service members. The branch is held to the same standards as the Air Force, providing combat-ready forces and flying the same aircraft as active-duty forces, meaning they are ready to mobilize and deploy quickly, if needed.
Most members of the Air Force Reserve serve part time at installations near their homes. They have access to the same professional training as their active-duty counterparts. Reservists attend bootcamp and must complete ongoing training throughout the year to maintain readiness in the event they are called upon to deploy alongside active-duty service members.
Time and again, the Reserve plays integral roles in major Air Force missions. They are called upon to assist active-duty crews in performing airlifts and conducting mid-air refueling operations. They also take part in combat patrol, personnel recovery, weather reconnaissance (Hurricane Hunters) and much more.
While not officially supporting the Air Force, the Reserve takes on other missions relevant to civil engineering, space-force operations, security, intel, and medical missions.
To join the Air Force Reserve, you must be between 17 and 38 years old. Minors seeking to enlist as a reservist must provide documentation of parental consent.
Happy Birthday to the Air Force Reserve. And thank you to the men and women who take time out of their lives to support the U.S. Air Force in protecting our Nation
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