AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Among the 4,000 active duty Airmen stationed here are 19 Air Force Reserve Individual Mobilization Augmentee Airmen who continually support the 31st Fighter Wing mission while also leading civilian lives.
IMA reservists differ from traditional reservists because their schedule is based around the needs of the mission versus “one weekend a month, two weeks a year”. The flexibility of these positions allows reserve Airmen to provide additional support to units when their mission tempo increases.
“There are no reserve bases or units overseas, but you do have IMA members attached to active-duty units,” said Master Sgt. Devon Montgomery, 31st Force Support Squadron in-service recruiter. “It helps the active-duty unit fill manning issues.”
These IMA Airmen can also provide continuity within their unit because they typically serve with the unit for much longer than active-duty Airmen.
John Crumbly spends most of his days working as the Navy Region Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia region safety director; but roughly 48 days a year Master Sgt. Crumbly returns to Aviano Air Base as a 31st Fighter Wing Safety director.
“I think the most important thing an active-duty unit can gain from a reservist is the insight, skillset and knowledge they can bring from the civilian side of the house,” said Crumbly. “They can bring something to the table that is not often thought of to affect the military mission.”
This exchange works both ways, with civilians also benefiting from the experience of military members.
“What I bring back from the Air Force is how to manage, lead and communicate, and how to work through challenges,” explained Crumbly.
When reservists return to their military job, not only to fill manning gaps but to support the mission.
“In basketball you have your sixth man. He knows his role is to support the starting five and gets put in the game in critical and key moments and then is put back on the bench. The reserve world is like that - you come in, provide support and go home,” said Crumbly.