MILWAUKEE  - The Air Force will continue to depend heavily on the nation’s  reserve components, said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, at the  133rd general conference of the National Guard Association of the United States  here last month.
Originally  scheduled to speak in person, Schwartz was unable to make an appearance due to  Hurricane Irene; he made his comments by video.
“We’re  all very thankful for the tremendous work that you perform … daily for your  respective governors – work that ultimately is done on behalf of the American  people – often up close and very personal,” he said.
In  recognizing the National Guard’s exclusive missions, Schwartz said he has a  deep and sincere gratitude for the service and sacrifice of Citizen-Soldiers  and -Airmen, who are undertaking vital efforts across the operational spectrum.  These efforts, he said, range from domestic support to civil authorities to  providing warfighting capabilities in hostile environments overseas.
“The  National Guard makes daily and vital contributions to homeland security and  national defense,” Schwartz said.
“We  will seek to maximize relationships domestically and internationally, that have  the potential to create efficiencies, to pool resource and enhance collective  capabilities, capacities and effectiveness.”
Acknowledging  the Guard’s State Partnership Program, Agribusiness Development Teams and its Chemical,  Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosives, or CBRNE, experts,  he said these programs bring tremendous state-level expertise and resources to  bear.
“It  is only appropriate that in our federal system the plentiful talent, skills and  dedication of our [Guard units] are also brought to bear … each offering proud  Guardsmen who help to enhance the U.S. capabilities in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya  and elsewhere,” he said.
These  same Guard members demonstrate American ingenuity, experience, generosity and  compassion across a wide range of civil support, humanitarian relief and  emergency response efforts around the globe, he said.
“While  many talk the talk of whole-of-nation efforts, our National Guardsmen help the  United States military be among the very few who walk the walk.”
There  are also challenges that accompany the Guard and Reserve operating more like  the active component, he said. 
Schwartz  said he was moved by an article that highlighted a firsthand account by an Army  National Guard member who expressed the challenges of juggling military duties  with civilian careers.
“I  am not without a deep appreciation for this sort of hardship,” Schwartz said.  “The Air Force leadership profoundly respects and honors the sacrifices that  you and your families make.”
As  we move forward in uncertain times, Schwartz said the Guard and Reserve issues  are collectively the Air Force’s shared issues. 
In  meeting increasing demand and dwindling resources in a fiscally austere  environment, “We must stick together,” he said. “I’m confident in our ability  to collaborate.”
The  Guard’s involvement will be invaluable in our ability to deliver  well-considered, repeatable and defendable solutions in the austere environment  that is unfolding before us, Schwartz said.
“Let’s  pick up the pace together, let’s work together and let’s achieve together,” he  said.
“We  would be a far less capable and far less worthy military force without our  Citizen- Soldiers and -Airmen.”