Defense News reports that “the US Air Force’s top uniformed official expects to see the lines between the active, guard and reserve components continue to come down as the service looks for ways to operate effectively under limited budgets.”  

“’If we can become more efficient as an Air Force without losing operational capability, by putting more things in the air guard and reserve component, then why wouldn’t we?’ Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh said Saturday at the 136th General Conference of the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS).”  

“The conference, held this year in Chicago, brought together around 4,000 members of the Guard, including large numbers of Adjutants General (TAGs), the head of the guard for each state.”