Telling the Air Force Reserve story Published June 9, 2014 By Col. Dan Sarachene 914th Airlift Wing Vice Commander NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- Each Airman has a compelling story. Every one of you, regardless of specialty, contributes to producing unparalleled air power for our nation. You're part of a select team, the Air Force Reserve, a team comprising only 70,400 members... not even enough to fill Ralph Wilson Stadium! And yet the Air Force Reserve Command provides the U.S. Air Force about 20 percent of its capability with only about four percent of the total Air Force budget... and it does so mostly with volunteerism. Your volunteerism through commitment to service while providing an excellent return on tax payer investment. You do make a difference! I'm beginning my twenty-fifth year in the Air Force Reserve and am honored to be on the team here and serve as your Vice Wing Commander. Like you, I have my own story. I was hired "off-the-street" into the Air Force Reserve as a UPT candidate for the 757th Airlift Squadron at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Ohio. I served in the 910th Operations Group there in many capacities as a "bum" pilot, Air Reserve Technician and Traditional Reservist. I became an expert in my AFSC, took on some leadership roles and made the sacrifices, like you, to deploy and perform the mission. I have a family back home in Youngstown, Ohio and a civilian career as a pilot for Delta Air Lines. I've seen the military from a parent's perspective as well as a child's. I'm a "Navy brat," having moved around a lot as a kid before my parents settled down in Southern New Jersey. My father joined the Naval Reserve then and I lived life as a son who saw his dad pull weekend drills and two week deployments until his retirement after 28 years of service. Like some of you, I've lived through the changes within the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC); from our "strategic" reserve posture to present day "operational" reserve footing. Now more than ever, we are relied on to fulfill ongoing combatant commander requirements, making a difference in the Total Force on a daily basis. Many serving now only know this footing and have met the obligation to deploy remarkably well. We're required to maintain the highest states of readiness all the while balancing the "Reserve Triad." Like you, I juggle my obligations with my civilian employer and family amid the present day requirements of the Air Force Reserve. Our readiness takes no day off and it's reported routinely to Higher Headquarters. We need to manage what's important as we move through our careers, all the while looking ahead to plan to meet our requirements and staying "mission ready." To do so, I believe it's important to maintain healthy relationships in all three areas of the triad to best serve our country as "Citizen Airman." Preparing families for our absences allows us to focus on the mission. Being a good employee reflects well not only on us individually, but also on the unit and employers are more likely to embrace our time away. The third leg of the triad is our service here. Today it means the previously mentioned mission readiness while meeting service obligations to provide unparalleled air power for our nation. Managing each leg alone is not an easy task. Together they require exceptional skill and sacrifice. This is at the core of what makes our unique stories remarkable! As your Vice, it's my responsibility to represent the Wing Commander and this Wing at all times. My desk is in building 800, but I consider my office walls the fence line of the base. The strength here, and throughout AFRC, is its people. I hope to meet many of you in the coming months as we perform duty together. Let's build on a great legacy of excellence the 914th Airlift Wing possesses and deliver unrivaled results our country has come to rely on from its Air Force. The next time you're watching a Bills game with another sold out venue, realize that there are more there than serve on our Air Force Reserve team. Our "small" team delivers big results thanks in large part to your service. Tell your story, it's a compelling one; and one this nation relies upon to Fly, Fight and Win!