Why Is the Air National Guard Ready to Assume a Major Leadership Role in the Aerospace Expeditionary Force?

The Air Force has just implemented the aerospace expeditionary force. The aerospace expeditionary force will help add some predictability to deployment schedules. The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command are full partners in the aerospace expeditionary force. The Air Force is currently facing a shortage of rated officers (pilots and navigators). The shortage has already affected staffs at headquarters. This paper examines the use of Air National Guard rated officers in leadership positions in the aerospace expeditionary force. It will review the different leadership position in the aerospace expeditionary force and the responsibilities of those positions. It will also review the training of active duty and Air National Guard officers for leadership positions.