LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Arkansas -- More than 100 Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 913th Airlift Group returned from deployment to Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, on May 19, 2019, from various bases in Southwest Asia in support of Operations Freedom’s Sentinel and NATO’s Resolute Support. The deployed group consisted of the 327th Airlift Squadron, 913th Maintenance Squadron, and is augmented by members of the 403rd Wing and active-duty personnel from the 19th Airlift Wing.
During the deployment, the Airmen provided C-130J combat airlift capabilities across the deployed theater supporting U.S. Central Command operations. This first deployment proved the Air Force Reserve group can fulfil its mission of providing combat ready tactical airlift and support resources worldwide.
“The combined Reserve and active-duty team did a fantastic job downrange,” said U.S. Air Force Reserve Col. Christopher Lay, 913th AG commander. “Their hard-work and efforts prove that we can continue to provide strategic depth and operational capability in meeting our combatant commander’s expectations. I’m proud of our Airmen’s accomplishments.”
After converting to the classic association with the 19th AW in 2017, the 913th AG became a combat coded C-130J unit. Throughout the year, the 913th AG partnered with various reserve and active duty combat airlift units to synergize training and exercise events.
"The challenge with being a Reservist is meeting the high readiness standards in such short time frames," said U.S. Air Force Reserve Col. Anthony Brusca, 913th AG deputy commander. "As Traditional Reservists, most personnel hold full-time civilian jobs and work a minimum one weekend a month and two weeks a year in military status. We truly appreciate their efforts and the unwavering support from their families.”
During 2018, the 913th AG trained approximately 500 Airmen for worldwide deployments, successfully participated in four major exercises and deployed 39 individual Airmen to support combatant commanders across the globe. These efforts ensure the Air Force Reserve is a lethal, combat-ready force.