Air National Guard Fighters in the Total Force

Joseph E. Lucas
Lieutenant Colonel, IANG
and
Stuart C. Johnson
Lieutenant Colonel, USAF
is available in its entirety in a read only PDF format or HTML format,

Air War College
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Foreword

It is my pleasure to introduce the first Air War College monograph in the new Maxwell Papers series.

During the last few years, the United States Air Force has been involved in an unparalleled number of peacetime contingency operations. Air National Guard (ANG) tanker and airlift assets have been heavily engaged in these operations. However, the authors of this study point out that the same level of activity is not found in the ANG fighter force even though many of these units have demonstrated a willingness to participate.

Lieutenant Colonels Lucas and Johnson argue that US reliance on the Air National Guard will increase as declining defense budgets, a shrinking active fighter force, and a vigorous National Security Strategy of Engagement and Enlargement characterize the future. As a result, the authors contend that it is imperative to explore new options for increasing the availability of the Guard fighter force for peacetime contingency use.

Air National Guard Fighters in the Total Force examines current “work arounds” used to increase guard fighter availability and then explores a method to provide a long-term solution. The study presents and analyzes the pros and cons of three possible options: (1) increasing active duty manning in all Guard fighter units, (2) increasing active duty manning in only a few select Guard fighter units, and (3) moving most, if not all, of the fighters out of the Guard and into the active duty force.

If current trends play out, the US military will benefit from having thought about, discussed, and debated this problem. In their insightful study, Lieutenant Colonels Lucas and Johnson provide a fresh approach to finding a solution.

Lt Col Joseph E. Lucas (BA, Central College) is currently assigned as the 132d Fighter Wing Operations Group commander, Iowa Air National Guard. His military service began in 1971 as an aviator in the United States Marine Corps. After separating from the Marine Corps in 1976, he spent four years working in the civilian business community before joining the Iowa Air National Guard in 1980. Colonel Lucas has flown the A-6A/E, A-7D, and the F-16C. He is a graduate of Air Command and Staff College, the USMC Basic School, and Air War College.

Lt Col Stuart C. Johnson (MAS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) is currently assigned to the 347th Fighter Wing, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. He has flown the F-16 since 1982 in a number of locations including an assignment as the Air Force advisor to the 147th Fighter Group, Texas Air National Guard. Colonel Johnson is a graduate of Air Command and Staff College and the Air War College.

This publication was produced in the Department of Defense school environment in the interest of academic freedom and the advancement of national defense related concepts. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the United States government.

This publication has been reviewed by security and policy review authorities and is cleared for public release.

Air National Guard Fighters in the Total Force

Foreword

About the Authors

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