AF officials announce manpower force structure changes

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  • By 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Air Force officials released force structure changes and resulting manpower impacts from the new DoD strategic guidance and fiscal 2013 President's Budget Mar. 6.

The fiscal 2013 President's Budget adjusts Air Force military end strength to 501,000, with net reductions of 3,900 Active Duty, 5,100 Air National Guard and 900 Air Force Reserve billets.

Of those reductions, 668 positions are being proposed for reduction at Eielson, which includes 41 civilian and 7 military positions already eliminated in previous force structure initiatives.

"There are tough decisions being made here as we, as an Air Force, work to balance our total force structure and readiness capabilities," said Brig. Gen. James Post, 354th Fighter Wing commander. "It's important to remember that the personnel reduction numbers recently announced are proposed, pending an in-depth review of how those changes would affect Eielson. While I understand this is an emotional subject, and people want definitive answers, it's important not to make assumptions as the steps are taken to ensure a well-informed decision is made."

The announced numbers are pending an assessment team visit slated for April, and higher headquarters approval, said Howard Rixie, 354th Force Support Squadron Manpower and Personnel flight chief.

"The assessment process is very deliberate," said Rixie. "It's not something we take lightly. It truly is an unbiased evaluation of how the potential move could affect our force structure and delivery capabilities here at Eielson."

According to the Air Force Chief of Staff, the Air Force's strategy is to apply resources to the people, programs, and systems that will best contribute to the new DoD strategic guidance.

The Air Force is also announcing manpower changes on unit manpower documents resulting from the previously announced force structure reduction of 227 aircraft as well as additional adjustments not tied to aircraft. These changes primarily include the inactivation of a combat communications group and several air control squadrons, as well as right-sizing Air Force bands.

"We made a deliberate decision to avoid a 'hollow force' by prioritizing readiness over force structure," Schwartz said. "A smaller, ready force is preferable to a larger force that is ill-prepared because it lacks adequate resources."

Achieving the right Active and Reserve Component manpower balance became a priority under the new strategic guidelines for the Air Force's future. Since then, the governors have been given an opportunity to provide input to the plan as Reserve Component force structure reductions directly or indirectly impact all 54 states and territories.

"To prepare for the FY13 end strength reductions, the Air Force is evaluating the entire suite of currently authorized force management programs to determine which ones will best size and shape the force to support force structure changes," explained William Booth, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Force Management Integration. "We plan to announce additional FY12 programs for the active component in the coming weeks, but neither the Air National Guard nor Air Force Reserve currently has force management programs scheduled for FY12 implementation."

Booth said all components are exploring force management options for fiscal 2013.

"As the Air Force takes steps to reduce our end strength, we will offer support programs to help separating Airmen translate their military skills into the private sector and facilitate the transition in a way that capitalizes on the tremendous experience in technical fields and leadership that they develop while serving," Booth said.

Schwartz emphasized the tough decisions required in the fiscal 2013 President's Budget request.

"In this economy we had to make difficult choices to align with the new strategic guidance and with the cuts required by the Budget Control Act over the next 10 years," Schwartz said.

"Finding the proper balance between force structure, readiness, activity levels and modernization was essential."

The Air Force determined the best course of action is to trade force size for quality.

"We will become smaller in order to preserve a high-quality and ready force, one that will continue to modernize and grow more capable in the future," Schwartz said.

(Portions of this story taken from a Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs report)