Integration unites active duty, Reserve powers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Samantha A. Mathison
  • 301st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas --  The 457th Detachment, 495th Fighter Group, NAS Fort Worth JRB, said goodbye to its first commander June 6, 2014.

Lt. Col. Matthew J. "Meat" Cliver retired after directly supporting the Total Force Integration initiative established a few years ago.

According to Cliver, the number one objective behind TFI is to train fighter pilots.

"The regular Air Force has trouble producing enough pilots because they have a lack of hardware and a lack of experience to train up those pilots. So they came up with an idea of putting more regular Air Force young pilots in the Guard and Reserve."

As a result of integration, the detachment has grown and changed. Two years ago the detachment started with eight Airmen, but there are now more than 150.

"You can imagine the biggest change for us has been the rapid growth of regular Air Force Airmen in the wing."

According to Cliver, this gives the Reserve more full time manpower to generate the sorties required for the increased full time pilot training.

"Our fighter pilots are getting flying training that is by far, far and away, better than what the guys are getting in the regular Air Force."

Col. Kevin M. "Fuzzy" Zeller, commander of the 301st Operations Group, believes integration has benefits for both active duty Air Force and the Air Force Reserve.

"Our experienced citizen Airmen provide training and much needed seasoning to the active duty force," said Zeller.

"We benefit by having a larger full-time force available to execute our daily mission, and Reservists get a fresh perspective on how active duty does business."

The benefits of integration will soon become the norm for the 301st Fighter Wing.

"Over the next year we will transition into a normal TFI battle rhythm, and the rotation of our active duty personnel will become a regular and expected piece of our everyday operation."