908th still being considered as future active-associate unit

Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, commander of the Air Force Reserve, was in town last week to speak at the Senior NCO Academy graduation.

He made a little time to chat with me about that, the Senior Enlisted Leader Summit that's happening now at Gunter and some other Reserve affairs.

Here's what didn't make it in the paper.

In October, the Reserve set its baseline manning at 67,400. That means any plus-ups will go toward new missions like Predators and other intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyberspace and space, as well as increasing bomber activities, Stenner said.

The 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell is the state's only Air Force Reserve unit and it's still on the table to become an active-associate unit, meaning active duty airmen would integrate with the 1,200 airmen in the unit.

The Montgomery area is getting an active-associate unit at the 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly. The action was announced in September 2007 and the Guard unit is getting about 100 duty active airmen.

But, the 908th doesn't have enough planes right now, 908th spokesman Lt. Col. Jerry Lobb said. The unit has eight C-130 cargo aircraft, but would likely need 12 to be an active-associate unit.