Reservists head active duty maintenance squadrons

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Donna T. Jeffries
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- --  Annual personnel cuts along with increased deployments have mandated that the Air Force rely on its Reserve component and Team McGuire's active duty and Reserve maintenance groups are prime examples of this trend. To date five 514th Air Mobility Wing maintenance officers have assumed either command or operation office duties while their active duty counterparts deployed for 120-plus days. 

The latest Reserve members to accept this challenge is Maj. Jeffrey Matthew of the 514th Maintenance Operation Flight. The maintenance operations officer is filling in for Maj. James Turnbull, as commander of the 305th Maintenance Operations Squadron. Major Matthew's new duties include leading a squadron or more than 90 members from six sections. 

On the job since Jan. 22, Maj. Matthew found the transition to commander easy to make and attributed the smooth conversion to the proximity of the two maintenance groups. Reserve and active duty maintenance members from commanders to the lowest-ranking Airmen work side-by-side both on the flight line and within the same maintenance facilities. 

Additionally, two fellow Reserve officers, Lt. Col. Kathryn Johnson and Lt. Col. Anthony Esposito preceded Major Matthew as fill-in commanders so a precedence has been set. Colonel Johnson served as commander of the 305th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from May to September 2006 and Colonel Esposito is serving as deputy commander, 305th Maintenance Group beginning October 2006 until April 2007. 

Capt. Joseph Trynosky of the 514th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 2nd Lt. Rebecca Daugherty of the 714th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron are also Reservists filling-in for active duty maintenance officers. 

With Reserve candidates in the running, the selection process is a joint endeavor and Col. Randall Harvey, commander, 305th Maintenance Group supports the choice of each Reserve stand-in. 

"I have great respect for our Air Force Reserve Command enlisted and officer partners and I have a long relationship with the 514th (maintenance group)," said Colonel Harvey who has performed thee separate assignments at McGuire since 1980. 

"I think the current officer crop is the best I've seen and that is a tribute to the 514th leadership for hiring such great people," he said. "In each case where we have asked for a Reserve officer to fill in when we have active duty officers deployed, it's been a team decision by myself and Col. Reginald Stroud (commander, 514th Maintenance Group.) The folks we select to lead are more than capable." 

Taking over the active duty squadron of more than 200 members was a seamless process since much is already integrated in the maintenance field, according to Colonel Johnson and others agree. 

"The Reserve and active duty are tied so closely together," said Major Matthew. "It's truly impressive how things work out on the flight line through this team effort."
"The experience and talent shown is a testament to both the 514th and 305th Maintenance Groups he added. 

Major Matthew plans to carry his experience back to his Reserve unit. 

"Getting command knowledge and working directly for the Air Mobility Command puts it all together for me," said Matthew. "I get to see where Air Mobility Command is coming from and the relationships between the major commands." 

Working on active duty is an "eye-opening and amazing" experience said Colonel Esposito, who is now four months into his position. 

"Everybody should spend some time on the other side of the fence getting a different perspective," he said. "It will lead to more integration, making an already great atmosphere even greater."