Reservists integrate with active duty to support TSP mission

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Reservists from the 302nd Fighter Squadron are assigned with the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron here to support the U.S. Pacific Command commander's Theater Security Package program in the Asia-Pacific region.

Both the 302nd FS and the 525th EFS are deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The Air Force Reserve 477th Fighter Group, which the 302nd FS falls under, has no aircraft assigned. They operate and maintain 3rd Wing aircraft under the Reserve classic associate construct, assisting the 525th FS, 525th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and other units at Elmendorf with manpower through functional integration.

Lt. Col. Hubie Hegtvedt, 302nd FS commander, is assigned to the 525th EFS as an F-22 Raptor pilot. He is one of eight pilots who volunteered for the four-month deployment to integrate with the active-duty Airmen.

"Our reservists typically volunteer to participate in these types of deployments for 40 to 60 days," Hegtvedt said. "This amount of time, on a recurring basis, is sustainable over the long term for our citizen Airmen, their families and their civilian employers. Reservists understand, however, that they can be mobilized -- put on active duty orders -- at any time for a much longer period to support contingency operations."

The "Arctic Reservists" are part of the Air Force Reserve Command's first F-22 Total Force Integration unit. They are fully integrated with their active duty counterparts. While deployed, they wear the same patches, seamlessly train together and, if required, fly combat missions together anywhere in the world.

"You wouldn't know that we're reservists, and that's the way we want it," Hegtvedt said. "Our pilots and maintainers uphold the same standards of excellence as our active-duty partners. We bring experience and continuity to the fight.

"The vast majority of our reservists have extensive active duty experience, and we don't have the typical two-to-three year personnel turn-over as the active-duty force," he added.

The colonel said that being deployed in the Pacific region is a great training opportunity and provides a chance to build on the already strong relationships that have been developed while working together at home station.

"The training air space here is ideal for us to exercise the full capabilities of the Raptor," the colonel said. "We've also had the opportunity to get some night training, which is virtually impossible to get in Alaska this time of year due to the extended daylight hours."

Hegtvedt said he has enjoyed the opportunity to work in a deployed environment with the 525th EFS.

"It's an elite group of fighter pilots," he said. "They are some of the best pilots in the Air Force -- very professional and dedicated to the mission of air dominance, and it's been great working with them."

The active-duty force has enjoyed the opportunity of working with the reservists as well, according to Lt. Col. Mark Snowden, 525th EFS assistant director of operations.

"This is my best experience yet with total force integration," Snowden said. "They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the fight." 

Snowden said one of the benefits of being integrated with the reservists is the ability to draw from their experience.

"It doesn't matter if you're active duty or Reserve -- we all fly together," he said. "At the end of the day, their experience makes us all better, and we get to draw from that knowledge and train our younger pilots.

"When they are flying, the younger pilots can fly with them, seeing what they do, and then, in the de-brief, [they are] able to get a different perspective on how to handle a situation," Snowden said.

Maj. Brett Paola, an F-22 Raptor pilot and 302nd FSchief of weapons is one those pilots sharing his knowledge with the 525th EFS. His combat flying experience consists of 14 years in both the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.

Here, he flies with both active-duty and Reserve pilots to complete the missions at hand. The major also assists the 525th EFS as the deployed weapons officer.

"This isn't my first time being integrated with the active duty, but this is my first time supporting the Theater Security Package," Paola said. "Ultimately, there's no difference between active duty and Reserve. It's seamless; we all have the same goal.

"Everybody has been great," the major said. "I think the relationship is good. I don't get treated any differently; I get treated as part of the squadron. Both sides of the equation work hard to function well together. Because of that, most people don't know we are reservists."

In addition to the citizen Airmen aviators, five reservists from the 477th FG are also supporting the 525th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit. 

"[Chief Master Sgt. Charles Shaw of the 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron] was the senior enlisted for the 525th EAMU during his time here," Hegtvedt said. "It goes to show you what the reservists can offer. He has a vast amount of experience in leadership and expertise in aircraft maintenance. It was a great experience for him and the 525th EAMU."