SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (USTCNS) --- When the war on terrorism was declared after the devastating attack on Sept. 11, 2001, 78 reservists were called up to support U.S. Transportation Command here, and at points around the world. The reservists were to spend one year on active duty.

“Because the command’s operations tempo has not let up, it was necessary to extend some of the reservists for another active duty tour,” said Navy Capt. Pauline Bozdech-Veater, chief of Reserve Affairs for USTRANSCOM. “Of the 78 originally called up a year ago, only 24 will stay another tour. The rest will be demobilized by the end of November 2002.”

USTRANSCOM not only supports the war on terrorism (Operation Enduring Freedom), but also supports contingencies in Kosovo, Bosnia, Operation Northern Watch and Operation Southern Watch, and exercises throughout the year.

“Our main objective is to support the commander in chief of USTRANSCOM, then the other CINCs around the world,” she said. “All the other CINCs need USTRANSCOM to get anywhere, so it’s important to make sure positions in USTRANSCOM are always filled.

“Of the 78 original call-ups, we have had five people demobilized, and two more completing their paperwork to go home,” she said. “In the next three months we will demobilize at least 40 reservists.”

According to Bozdech-Veater, as some reservists were being demobilized, others were being called up. These newer call-ups could be back home by the end of September 2003.

“Critical career fields right now are operations, intelligence, medical, information technology, and force protection,” the captain pointed out. “We will be mobilizing 16 more reservists to help fill these jobs. These people will come from all of the services. We will have the same if not a few less called up to fill these jobs. It’s what the CINC needs right now.”

“The number of reservists on duty now, and the number we need later is carefully scrutinized by the command,” said Maj. Gen. Butch Pair, USTRANSCOM chief of staff. “We appreciate everyone that has served, is serving now, or will serve in the future. It is clear that our reserves continue to play a vital role in this command, now and in the future. The command is only staffed for peacetime, but we are in a wartime mode.”

“Anytime there is a crisis in the world, especially one like this that challenges the very heart beat of the United States itself, our reservists become the people of choice to help us surge and take care of the problem,” said Gen. John Handy, USTRANSCOM CINC. “In the war on terrorism the reserve components were called upon right from the very start and have continued to be very aggressive and active today. That contribution is priceless and one that we cannot live without.

“I also admire employers who willingly encourage their employees to come work for us to help defend the nation. That is a contribution that employers know is deeply appreciated, and one that the nation is also proud of,” he added.