WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Ninety Air Force reservists gathered at the Air Force Institute of Technology last week for the Spring 2026 Common Training Assembly. The multi-day event, one of the largest of its kind, served as a pivotal forum for Individual Mobilization Augmentees and senior leaders to synchronize on the year's strategic roadmap.
The assembly focused on three critical pillars for the evolving force: organizational restructuring, the integration of emerging technology, and professional development. By centralizing these topics, the CTA provided a rare opportunity for reservists from geographically dispersed commands to align with overarching Air Force goals.
Participants included senior leaders and IMAs from the Air Force Materiel Command, the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, and traditional reservists from the 445th Airlift Wing. The event also drew IMAs from across the country serving in Ohio-based roles, offering a unique networking environment to foster collaboration across diverse commands. The theme for the assembly was “Fostering Warrior Culture.”
During the assembly, attendees were briefed by subject matter experts on current topics such as artificial intelligence, readiness, and highlights of the Air Force Reserve's impacts, roles, missions, and messaging.
Maj. Jessica Ellis of the 911th Airlift Wing and Capt. Jeremiah Williams of AFMC organized the assembly to provide a forum for Reservists to address departmental concerns and operational questions.
“It brings the reservists in the area together to discuss all of the organizational policy changes, the implications and continued readiness,” Ellis said. “This is my first year planning it and we started planning it about six months ago.”
Among the speakers at the conference was Maj. Gen. Mark V. Slominski, the mobilization assistant to the commander of AFMC and Brig. Gen. Christopher J. Hobbs, the mobilization assistant to the commander of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.
“We review policy changes and items of interest,” Hobbs said. “It’s great to get everyone together and make sure everyone is on the same page and talk about opportunities moving forward.”
Slominkski talked about the uniqueness of the AFMC organization, the importance of its mission, and how critical reservists are to the Air Force.
“We’re essential to the fight,” Slominski said. “There’s been a growing evolution over the last number of decades in which the reservists and guardsmen [were] viewed as sort of ancillary, but relevant. But now it’s absolutely integral to the fight.”
Hobbs also talked to reservists about “Fostering Warrior Culture.”
“We’re all warriors,” Hobbs said. “Once you take the oath and don the uniform, and a warrior culture equals a winning culture.”
The event ended at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, where participants explored exhibits on the Korean and Southeast Asian conflicts. These eras defined the Air Force Reserve's evolution from a fledgling 1948 organization into the mission-ready partner it is today.
Having served across multiple commands, Slominski said he takes pride in being a reservist and contributing to the total force mission.
“For me, the neat thing about being a Citizen-Airman is that is allows you to effectively balance yourself, your family, your military service and your civilian service,” Slominski said. “I think it’s the blending of all those things.”
The strategic goals established during the assembly will serve as a framework for the upcoming year, ensuring individual mobilization augmentees remain synchronized with active-duty requirements. As participants return to their home commands across the country, the integration of these new technologies and organizational structures remains a top priority for the Air Force Reserve.