Reserve component leaders kick off 2004 A/TA convention Published Oct. 29, 2004 DALLAS -- Signifying the tremendous role that Reserve forces play in the air mobility mission, the leaders of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve kicked off the 2004 Airlift/Tanker Association Convention here Oct. 29.Lt. Gen. Daniel James III, ANG director, and his Reserve component colleague Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, commander of Air Force Reserve Command and chief of the Air Force Reserve, opened the 36th annual symposium by talking about issues specific to their areas. They also answered questions from among more than 3,700 Airmen, retirees and contractor representatives in the audience.During the event, both generals keyed in on aircraft modernization within the Reserve component, as well as operations tempo of their Airmen.The generals said they are working some of the same modernization programs the active force is implementing, including C-130 avionics upgrades and cockpit night vision goggles. But they agreed the No. 1 modernization priority for both organizations is defensive countermeasures for their mobility aircraft.We must protect against the low cost, easily obtainable shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles (that) pose the greatest threat to our large aircraft, said General James.Fifteen years ago, nobody thought much about that, added General Bradley, but its become more apparent as weve gone through the years, through Desert Storm, through Bosnia and Kosovo, those operations and currently today that there are a lot of people out there trying to shoot at us.General Bradley pointed out that defensive countermeasures such as the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure Program are intended to protect more than just the aircrews flying the mobility missions.Were carrying a lot of troops inside, he said, as well as a lot of supplies and equipment ... equipment that is important to get to the fight. And its important to get people home.Its going to be expensive, and its going to take time, General Bradley added, but we need to do it.The issue of operations tempo isnt unique to the Reserve component, but its impact on reservists and guardsmen -- many of whom have been involuntarily mobilized, and who serve with the support and cooperation of their families and civilian employers -- is perhaps more severe for these Airmen. In spite of the high ops tempo, both leaders report that they are currently on track with their recruiting and retention goals.General James attributes this to patriotic citizen Airmen, their family members and employers. The three-star coin that he designed, with the stars stacked in a pyramid, symbolizes this relationship, because, he said, "the members of my organization cannot serve unless they have the support of the two stars beneath them; that is the family, and the employer.General Bradley closed his remarks by thanking all the Airmen in attendance -- active, Guard and Reserve -- for their contributions to the continuing Global War on Terrorism.Weve got a lot of hard-working Airmen out there, working around the world in very tough conditions, away from home, away from family, and were proud to be part of that team; very glad to be part of the Air Mobility Command team, said General Bradley.This years A/TA convention features almost 40 professional development seminars on air mobility topics, as well as keynote speeches by Air Force senior leaders, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard Myers and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. John Jumper. The convention ends Oct. 30.The A/TA is a private organization with open membership, interested in defense matters that relate to the air mobility mission. Air Mobility Command News Service is a service of the Internal Division Office of Public Affairs 503 Ward Drive, Room 214 Scott Air Force Base, Illinois 62225-5335 618-229-7821