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Air Guard, Reserves make 379th AEW mission happen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Chances are the Airman standing next to you turning that wrench or getting ready to execute the day's air tasking order may be serving in the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserves.

Without these Airmen activating from the Guard or Reserves, active duty Airmen would see an increase in deployments, said Lt. Col. Dawn Muller, U.S. Air Force Central Air Reserve Component advisor.

"At any given time, roughly 15 percent of Airmen serving in (the area of responsibility), and as many Airmen stationed at the (379th Air Expeditionary Wing) are guardsmen and reservists," Muller said. "You can say without a doubt, wherever there are Airmen, there are guard or reserve members working with them."

Muller, deployed from the 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville, Ky., has said the addition of National Guard or Reserve Airmen in the deployed environment is so seamless it is difficult to tell the difference.

"We have integrated so well, our active-duty counterparts have gotten used to us being a part of the Total Force and have embraced what we bring to the fight," Muller said. "Often, a reserve member has many more years of military experience and expertise in their career field. This experience is invaluable for continuity and readiness in the war effort."

As part of her job as ARC advisor, Muller explains to leadership throughout the AOR the differences guardsmen and reservists have, and how these differences may impact their guard members serving under their command.

"They face some different stressors like ensuring they still have their job when they return, or no longer having full-time health insurance coverage for them and their families after they complete their deployment," Muller said. "I help their commanders and supervisors understand these stressors and point them in the right direction if they have questions.

"Leadership recognizes these differences and has been incredibly helpful in working with the guard and reserve forces. They also provide us with information on trends and issues that they see from their perspective."

Despite these different stressors, most guardsmen and reservists who serve are actively volunteering to deploy to serve the country.

"I'm so proud of what these Airmen are doing," Muller said. "For some of them, this is their third, fourth or even fifth time leaving their full-time job back home and volunteering to support the mission."

Volunteering to deploy gives these Airmen a different experience and a chance to impart their work experiences on other Airmen.

"This deployment has given me a whole new appreciation for the active-duty first sergeants," said Master Sgt. Rick Dunkelberger, 7th Expeditionary Air Command and Control Squadron. "It is unbelievable how much the Airmen rely on the first sergeant on active duty. I hope I served each and every Airman to the fullest; it was my goal to accomplish that."

Staff Sgt. Jordanna Pinaula, whose normal full time job is a Marine traffic controller at Naval Base Guam, shares Dunkelberger's enthusiasm.

"My experience as a guardsman and being activated to active-duty status has been and is very beneficial," said Pinaula, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. "The skills and knowledge gained while working with active duty Airmen has been great. Their experience from multiple deployments has benefited those with little to none."

In some places in the AOR, guardsmen and reserve Airmen are doing unique jobs where there are no jobs descriptions on the active duty side.

"We have entire teams of Guardsmen as part of an agricultural development mission," Muller said. "Some of these Airmen are farmers or horticulturists as their normal everyday job back home. We also teach beekeeping as part of the Afghan Women's Empowerment Program. There simply are no jobs like that in the Air Force."

One of the unique facts that many do not realize about the Air National Guard is their dual hatted role. Guardsmen serve both the federal government and the Governor in each of the 50 states and U.S. territories.

"Our mission back in the states is to be a ready force and prepared to respond when called upon by the Governor," said Captain Craig Carper, 379th AEW Public Affairs chief. "Most recently, my Air Guard unit, the 192nd Fighter Wing, along with many other ANG units were called up to support the response and recovery effort during hurricane Sandy. Alongside our Army Guard counterparts, we provided support, rescue and recovery efforts for the residents of Virginia."

With guardsmen and reservists actively participating so much, there doesn't seem to be a shortage of volunteers in the future to serve their country in the AOR.

"I know at my home station guardsmen regularly volunteer to assist in the AOR," Muller said. "They are doing some really incredible work, and I couldn't be prouder."