Minnesota’s only Air Force Reserve unit affected by manning announcement

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION— In an announcement released today, the Air Force Reserve proposes to realign approximately 3,000 affected Reservists into growing new career fields and help the Total Force reduce manning by 9,900 Airmen in Fiscal Year 2013.

What does this mean for the 934th Airlift Wing, Minnesota’s only Air Force Reserve unit? The document proposed for fiscal year 2013 that the Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, nicknamed the “Global Vikings,” would add one part-time drilling Reservist position and lose one full-time Air Reserve Technician/civilian position.

This announcement followed a previous proposal Feb. 3 in which the 934th Airlift Wing would transfer its eight C-130 H3 aircraft in fiscal year 2014 and drawdown by one flying squadron. The Feb. 3 proposal also stated that the real estate currently managed by the Air Force Reserve here would transfer to the Air National Guard’s 133rd Airlift Wing and that the 934th AW would be assigned a new mission to replace the flying mission.

“Great Airmen are our most valuable resource and I understand that this announcement may affect them and their families” said Col. Darrell G. Young, 934th AW commander. “As such, since the Feb. 3 announcement, we have been working hard to provide local guidance and field questions and address concerns from both our military and civilian communities. Keeping everyone informed about these proposed changes and directives is my immediate priority.”

Exactly which positions and squadrons may be affected is still undetermined. Colonel Young said that the installation has created a team whose sole purpose is to address concerns and answer questions from those who might be impacted by the announcements. Questions from military and civilian members can be addressed to 934cs.forcestructure@us.af.mil. Questions from the media and other members of the civilian community can be sent to the 934th Public Affairs Office at 934aw.pa@us.af.mil.

To find out more information on the 934th AW, visit http://www.minneapolis.afrc.af.mil.