Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. –
The 192nd Wing recently hosted a two-day conference for Air National Guard classic association units June 25, 2024, bringing together leaders from across the country to discuss challenges, best practices and to explore the future of these vital partnerships. Col. Brock E. Lange, 192nd Wing commander, led the event.
In attendance were commanders and senior leadership from the 141st Air Refueling Wing of the Washington ANG, the 131st Bomb Wing of the Missouri ANG, the 170th Group of the Nebraska ANG, the 108th Wing of the New Jersey ANG, and the 192nd Wing of the Virginia ANG.
There are nearly twenty classic associations in the ANG, including four wings. The classic association is a unique organizational structure combining active duty and National Guard personnel. It has been a key component of ANG integration since its inception in the late 1990s.
This model was developed to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs while maintaining the distinct strengths of both active duty and Guard components.
Lange offered attendees a tour of the 192nd Wing’s classic association with the 1st Fighter Wing, providing firsthand insights into operational capabilities and ongoing initiatives at Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
"Fifty percent of our wing is classic association," noted Lange. "We started as an embedded association, but it's evolved far beyond just cost savings. It's about 'experience gaining' and leveraging the Guard's deep well of expertise."
In a classic association, an active duty Air Force unit retains principal responsibility for the squadron's assigned weapon systems and shares equipment with the ANG unit. Both components maintain separate chains of command but share resources and collaborate on missions, fostering a cohesive working environment.
Col. Andrew M. Weidner, 192nd Operations Group commander, briefed attendees on how unit Guard members embed daily with 1st FW operations missions. He provided examples of monthly integrations and underscored how these relationships are leveraged to support the Total Force.
"The experience and continuity of Guard members meshes seamlessly with our Regular Air Force partners' needs,” said Weidner. “It increases overall combat capability.”
"The magic of our classic association is maintenance," emphasized Lange, while introducing attendees to Col. Timothy M. Strouse, 192nd Maintenance Group commander.
"Airmen rotate every month with their 1st Fighter Wing counterparts and we do more tow-actions than any other F-22 base,” said Strouse. “And I would ensure that active duty always has Air National Guard support, due to the high level of experience that members of the Guard uniquely provide.”
The conference covered a wide range of topics, including funding, organizing and equipping classic association units. Attendees also engaged in in-depth discussions about the unique challenges faced by these units and explored innovative ways to share best practices.
Representatives from the National Guard Bureau and Air Combat Command were also present, underlining the importance of this conference and strategic significance of these associations at multiple levels.
Maj. Gen. Bryan E. Salmon, Special Assistant to the Director of the ANG, led an extensive roundtable discussion. He praised the benefits of these relationships while offering critical advice in the face of very specific challenges for the future.
As the conference concluded, attendees left with renewed enthusiasm for the classic association model and its potential for future Air Force operations. The gathering provided a forum for critical discussions and reinforced the importance of these integrated units in support of our national security objectives.
"Classic associations bring in more 'family' to have more successful partnerships," said Salmon. "They truly embody the intent of the Total Force concept."