Photo By Staff Sgt. Erica Webster | U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Melissa Coburn, Special Assistant to the Chief, Air Force...... read more read more
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WASHINGTON — Senior leaders from the military’s reserve components met with congressional staff members Wednesday to discuss readiness, force structure and legislative priorities as lawmakers begin work on the next National Defense Authorization Act.
The working lunch, held at the Rayburn House Office Building, included Maj. Gen. Melissa Coburn, special assistant to the chief of Air Force Reserve; Maj. Gen. Dianne Del Rosso, deputy chief of the Army Reserve; Maj. Gen. Bryan Salmon, special assistant to the director of the Air National Guard; and Maj. Gen. Charles Kemper, deputy director of the Army National Guard. The leaders briefed approximately 25 House personal staff members and defense fellows.
Discussions focused on the roles and operational complexities of the reserve components, including mobilization authorities, funding mechanisms and distinctions between the state-based National Guard and the federally managed Reserve forces.
When asked what differentiates the Air Force Reserve, Coburn highlighted what she described as the “Air Force Reserve Advantage,” emphasizing its operational impact, cost efficiency and integration across the Total Force. “The Air Force Reserve is a decisive force advantage for our nation, delivering nearly 20 percent of the Air Force’s total capability with just 3% of the budget, powered by our unparalleled Citizen Airmen who comprise 75% of our force,” Coburn said. “We are a force multiplier, providing broad operational capacity and exceptional talent that strengthens the Total Force every day.”
Coburn said maintaining readiness and providing strategic depth to combatant commanders requires the active-duty, Guard and Reserve components to be fielded concurrently and proportionally.
“The Air Force Reserve is not a backup force; we provide combat capability to combatant commands across the full spectrum of operations,” she said. “Our fleet is comprised of 77% legacy aircraft, with an average age of 39 years. As we move into the fiscal 2027 NDAA cycle, concurrent and proportional fielding is our top legislative priority.”
Leaders also addressed quality-of-life issues affecting part-time service members, including access to health care, pay and benefits parity with their active-duty counterparts, and the challenges of balancing military service with civilian employment.
The briefing provided congressional staff members with a baseline understanding of reserve component capabilities and priorities as they help shape policy and funding decisions for the upcoming defense authorization bill.
| Date Taken: | 02.27.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 02.27.2026 09:52 |
| Story ID: | 559071 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 25 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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