OXON HILL, Md. (AFNS) -- For the Air National Guard to continue as an operational force, it should be fielded concurrently with the same equipment as its active-duty counterparts, the director of the Air Guard said Sept. 13.
"Now that costs money, but it doesn't cost nearly as much money as trying to maintain an operational force and a tiered readiness or strategic reserve only force," Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt told attendees of the 2010 Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here.
"I think the National Guard is positioned exactly where we want to be to show that we are (an) efficient force," General Wyatt said. "We provide the capability that the country needs. We are an operational force, and as long as we are fielded concurrently with the active component ... we can be operational at a fraction of the cost."
General Wyatt said the Air Guard should continue to build off of its past experiences, but also adapt to the changing times and missions.
"When you take a look at what the Air National Guard has done through the years, it's nothing new," he said. "We've been doing it for a long time ... (and) we think we're pretty good at it, but we're going to have to sharpen our pencils and get even better at what we're doing."
For this plan to become a reality, there are questions to be answered.
"What are the demands? What's the operation tempo? Do we need access to Airmen 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for a particular mission, or is this a mission that we need to have highly trained, highly skilled Airmen (who) can answer the call within 72 hours?" he asked.
"I think that the National Guard, because the cost of efficiency, would be the answer or solution to those questions," he said.
Another topic being discussed at the Pentagon is the appropriate active component and reserve component mix.
"There will have to be some tough decisions made regarding force structure and end strength ... in the three components of the Air Force as we go forward in the future," General Wyatt said.
While establishing the proper mix and its operational usage will be difficult, the Air National Guard will be able to adapt and overcome those difficulties because of the Airmen, he said.
"Our Airmen will figure out a way to take whatever deficiencies ... handed them and they will figure out a way to win," he said.
General Wyatt added that senior Air Guard leadership must also help their Airmen to adapt.
"We've got to invest in education," he said. "We've got to invest in support of their families, and we've got to invest in joint experiences to make sure that these Airmen are at the top of their game."