ARLINGTON, Va. - Charles Darwin once observed that "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, or the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." The father of the Theory of Evolution knew something about survival, and it was this concept that brought together some of the best and brightest former and current military minds to discuss the future of the Air National Guard.
Many former National Guard Bureau, Air Guard and active duty senior leaders met with Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, the Air Guard's director, to offer unblinking advice during the second of a series of meetings regarding key strategic issues affecting the Air Guard. Dubbed "Minuteman Heritage to Horizons," or MH2H, the summit was held at Conaway Hall on Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Feb. 23.
Retired Lt. Gen. John Conaway, chief of the National Guard Bureau from 1990-93 and the building's namesake, was among many military luminaries to offer their insights. He was joined by retired Gen. Ronald Fogelman, former Air Force chief of staff; retired Gen. Chuck Wald, the U.S. European Command's former deputy commander; and Gen. Duncan McNabb, who runs the Air Mobility Command.
"The graybeards have seen the changes the Air National Guard and Air Force have gone through," observed Conaway. "With this Heritage to Horizons concept, we are discussing 'where do we go from here' with legacy missions.
"I see evolutionary versus revolutionary changes as the Air Force reinvents itself," he continued. "Perhaps the Air National Guard should transition from manned fighter aircraft-type missions into other missions such as reconnaissance. With new technology, we can do much more."
With the Air Guard facing a $13.8 billion deficit in funding, those in attendance said it was imperative the ANG secure its future by redefining its roles and missions. Conaway emphasized that the ANG needs to be relevant in its federal overseas mission as well as "essential" with its domestic roles.
Throughout the MH2H summit, the discussion focused on possible ways to ensure the ANG remains a viable service by continuing its dual state and federal missions as a reserve force for the Air Force and be essential to the governors of the 54 states and territories.
LTG H Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, recognized that the ANG leadership will have to make some hard decisions. He stated that it's a far different time now than before, and different capabilities are needed in the ANG.
"The National Guard is being asked to deliver capabilities and be on call 24/7, 365 in ways we have never before," Blum stated. "I don't see the world getting safer. This is the least stable time in the planet in the last 70 years, and it's more dangerous now with weapons of mass destruction."
McKinley understands the Air Guard has a lot at stake and has set his top three priorities. They are: develop adaptable airmen; secure the home front while defending the nation; and transform to a capabilities-based force. The MH2H summit was one avenue to garner advocates to assist in carrying the message.
Retired Lt. Gen. Daniel James III, McKinley's predecessor, is no stranger to such dialogue. He broke bread with the greybeards when he launched the VanGuard program.Â
"During those meetings we began to look at how many flying assets and new missions the ANG needs to migrate to in order to replace legacy aircraft," James explained. "It was a beginning.
"As for Heritage to Horizons, this is a great idea and the right way to go," he added. "I wish I had expanded my meetings to include personnel of this stature, such as Generals Fogelman, Wald and McNabb. They are truly supportive of a collaboration to integrate us into a total force."
James noted that changing to "alternative missions is not easy," but he insisted the transition is necessary.
Retired Maj. Gen. Michael Haugen, the former adjutant general for North Dakota who served for 39 years, cautioned the group about holding on to the past. "We have to ensure that our memories don't become greater than our dreams," he remarked.
Wald, who was responsible for the U.S. forces operating across 91 countries in Europe, Africa, Russia, parts of Asia and the Middle East, and most of the Atlantic Ocean, echoed similar sentiments. "History is something to be proud of and not repeat," he warned. "It has nothing to do with the future."
As the summit drew to a close, McKinley thanked those who are currently serving and those who paved the way. As blue-suiters past and present exited Conaway Hall, one thing was certain: The Air Guard's horizon had become much clearer.