An MQ-9 Reaper sits on the flight line at Hurlburt Field, Fla., May 3, 2014.The MQ-9 Reaper is an armed, multi-mission, medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft that is employed primarily as an intelligence-collection asset and secondarily against dynamic execution targets. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Staff Sgt. John Bainter)

Commentaries

Truths of special operations forces in TFI

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Reid Henley
  • 5th Special Operations Squadron commander
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  Total Force Integration, or TFI, seems here to stay, impacting reservists across Air Force Reserve Command. Nowhere does TFI face more unique challenges as when applied to active and Reserve special operations forces. 

Air Force special operations require an agility and response that on the face would seem the exact opposite of capabilities provide by reserve personnel. But consider the typical 919th SOW Airman and you see a capability within the Reserves tailor made for SOF. This fit can best be described within the framework of the "SOF truths," enduring lessons learned within our small community of special operators. 

SOF truth No. 1: Humans are more important the hardware. This has been a key concept within the Reserves since our inception. Air Force Reserve Command people have often "made do" with aging aircraft and sub-optimal support facilities. 

But we've worked miracles with what we've been given and proved ourselves capable of mission accomplishment, all due to the professionalism and dedication of our people, pouring their heart into a mission. 

SOF truth No. 2: Quality is better than quantity. Compared to the rest of AFRC, we don't have a lot of reservists in the SOF mission, and we don't overwhelm our active duty counterparts with our numbers. But we bring experience, and lots of it. 

We bring SOF professionals that have participated in every major U.S. contingency operation over the last 20 years or more. These individuals have seen what works and what doesn't. 

They have deployed in just about every aerial weapon system that Air Force Special Operations Command fields and worked in key leadership positions within the community. SOF has learned to depend upon quality reservists to get the job done. 

SOF truth No. 3: Special operations forces cannot be mass produced. There is no "cookie-cutter" formula for developing and maturing an Air Commando, active or reserve. The standards are high, and you have to want to be here. 

This job requires dedication to mission, training discipline and time. It takes time to make an Air Commando -- time away from home, time spent honing skills necessary to function within a professional team that leaves very little room for error. 

Being a reserve Air Commando requires a time investment that competes with all of the other priorities in the life of a normal Citizen Airman. And the only reward for this dedication and investment is the personal knowledge that you are among an elite team, active and Reserve, relied upon to defend our nation. 

SOF truth No. 4: Competent special operations forces cannot be created after emergencies occur. Continuous readiness is part of this lesson learned. 

Emergencies by definition are unexpected occurrences, but the one constant is that they will happen, and as our nation's "Minutemen" we must remain continually ready to respond. Supporting special operations, the tip of the spear, makes this even more of an imperative. 

Remaining competent and ready is the challenge we've accepted to be counted among the "Quiet Professionals."  The 919th Special Operations Wing's history has proven that reservists are capable of being part of the SOF team. 

Are we ready for these new challenges? The answer lies, as it always has, with the people who make up this wing.