Madison, Wis. -- Over four years ago active-duty service members began working hand in hand with Wisconsin Air National Guard troops as part of the U.S. Air Force’s Total Force Integration.
As a continued effort to inject active-duty personnel into every Air National Guard and Reserve fighter unit, the active-duty components 378th Fighter Squadron was activated at Truax Field November 8, 2015, to augment members of the 115th Fighter Wing.
Now the 378th FS is composed of approximately 50 active-duty Airmen that are spread out across 14 different career fields in Madison.
On June 2, Lt. Col. Scott Johnson took over command of the active-duty component’s 378th FS during a change of command ceremony in the 115th FW’s weapons hangar.
Johnson came to Truax from the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark to take the position of Lt. Col. Matthew Brockhaus, the 378th FS outgoing commander, who is transitioning to the Wisconsin Air National Guard to continue his service with the 115th FW.
“As active-duty service members, we benefit tremendously from the depth of experience and leadership the Wisconsin Air National Guard offers,” said Johnson. “Young maintainers, support personnel, and pilots are learning more from Guardsmen who have decades of experience and impressive expertise under their belts.”
While the active-duty Airmen and the Wisconsin National Guardsmen fall under different commands there is no distinction between how the two operate at Truax.
“I think the 378th FS is so completely integrated with the 115th FW,” said Brockhaus. “I never felt like I wasn’t a part of the 115th FW team.”
Even though Brockhaus is saying his last goodbyes as the 378th FS commander, he will not be saying goodbye to the Madison area.
After moving, on average, every 1.8 years for the previous 18 years the Brockhaus family is ready for the stability the Air National Guard has to offer.
“My family and I are excited to get the stability we have longed for as we join the Wisconsin ANG,” said Brockhaus. “We are grateful to get to experience that stability in a place we are excited to call home.”
With both Wisconsin Guardsmen and active-duty Airmen calling Madison home, the support from the community continues to grow.
“Aside from accomplishing the mission, taking care of our Airmen and their families is our most important responsibility, and the 115th Fighter Wing, with the support of the citizens of the area, help us do just that,” said Johnson. “This is a great place to live and I’m thankful our active-duty Airmen get to call Truax Field and the greater Madison area home.”