Air Guard chief says force pushed to limit by war

The Air National Guard's personnel and equipment are being pushed to the limit in the war on terrorism and could soon reach the breaking point, according to Air Guard Commander Lt. Gen. Daniel James.

"The Air Force is looking at getting folks off active duty and demobilized as fast as we can," James said at a meeting Thursday with the Defense Writers Group.

About 25,000 Air Guardsmen have been called up to support the war on terrorism with about 15,000 still on active duty, carrying out missions ranging from combat air patrols over U.S. cities to directing traffic at airfields in Central Asia.

The Air Guard is now surveying members to determine whether the increased operational demands will cause them to quit the reserve. James said the Air Guard will use the surveys to find out "what is too much" for the force to handle.

"People are in the process of making up their minds right now, whether they will stay or get out. I think the effects of this [increased operational tempo] will show up in about a year," James said. Generally, he said, the Air Guard loses no more than 15 percent of the 80 percent of its members who are up for re-enlistment every three years.

James also warned that the Air Guard should not simply be used for homeland security missions. "It's important that the National Guard remain involved in a full spectrum of missions so we don't become a second class force," he said. All the services, both active and reserve, should have responsibility for homeland defense, James added.

In recent conflicts, the Air Guard has supplied about 40 percent of the nation's aircraft, including fighters, tankers and cargo planes, despite an aging fleet. James said that on average, Guard aircraft have flown 3,600 to 6,200 hours and were built for about 8,000 hours of flying. The Air Guard has been able to maximize flying hours because it has an "experienced" cadre of guardsmen to maintain and, in some instances, manufacture obsolete repair parts in house, James added.

James said the Air Guard is not focused on a possible attack on Iraq, but added, "You'd have to assume the guard is going to be a player." He said Air Guardsmen would readily accept any role, despite the added burden it would place on them. "You've heard of 'just say no'," James said. "We have become the 'always say yes' force."