Wisconsin Air Guard may see slight boost in 2011

May 14, 2010 - The Wisconsin Air National Guard would see a modest increase in civilian and military personnel as well as aircraft in the next fiscal next year, under a proposed force structure realignment announced May 11 by the Air Force.

This Force Structure Announcement addresses the Air Force's Fiscal Year 2011 force structure, realignment and management actions supporting President Barack Obama's 2011 budget submission. The document specifies the force structure changes experienced by the active duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard.

All the Wisconsin Air Guard gains in the 2011 proposal are slated for the 128th Air Refueling Wing, based at Gen. Mitchell Field in Milwaukee. The unit stands to gain 12 full-time National Guard positions, 41 part-time or drill status positions, and 32 civilian technician positions. However, decreased maintenance requirements at the Air Guard base associated with a drop in programmed flying hours will result in the loss of three civilian technician jobs, leaving a net gain of 29 civilian technicians.

The overall strength increase is due to the proposed addition of three KC-135R stratotankers, or air refuelers, which would bring the total at Mitchell Field to 12.

Brig. Gen. John McCoy, commander of the Wisconsin Air National Guard, said the 128th Air Refueling Wing has already started hiring personnel and anticipate receipt of the first additional aircraft later this year. The increase is the result of actions associated with the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission.

"The Air Force continues to support new and emerging missions while making every effort to remedy the stress experienced by critically manned career fields," said Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force chief of staff. "This realignment emphasizes the strength and synergy of the total force - active duty, National Guard and Reserve - putting the right skills in the right place."

Schwartz said these initiatives would continue to make more efficient use of Air Force resources and savings to the U.S. taxpayer over the long term.