LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- In an era of strategic competition, the ability to generate rapid airpower is critical to maintaining air superiority. Integrated Combat Turns (ICT) are a vital capability that allow aircraft to be refueled and rearmed while their engines remain running, enabling them to return to the fight with minimal delay. Recently, Reserve Citizen Airmen deployed alongside their active-duty counterparts and demonstrated their expertise in executing ICTs, proving the value of Total Force integration.
Mission-ready from day one
944th Fighter Wing Reserve Citizen Airmen arrived in the deployed environment already certified to perform ICTs, a testament to their rigorous pre-deployment training. Their readiness not only strengthened the unit’s ability to generate combat airpower but also maintained operational standards across the Air Force, allowing Reserve Citizen Airmen to surge critical skills when needed.
"Their pre-deployment ICT training has ensured that our team arrived mission-ready, reducing operational delays and enhancing overall efficiency," said Col. Lucas Teel, U.S. Central Command. "This level of preparedness is crucial for maintaining the momentum and success of our mission."
Their training directly supports the Department of Defense's mission to achieve peace through strength, ensuring that force remains lethal and ready to respond to any threat.
Total Force integration in action
One of the key leaders in preparing Airmen for ICT operations was Senior Master Sgt. Isaac Lambuth, 414th Fighter Group aircraft section chief, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. With more than 21 years of service—11.5 on active duty and the past decade in the Air Force Reserve—he played a critical role in helping Airmen hone their combat agility before deployment.
Lambuth worked with maintenance, security forces, and other mission-essential career fields to ensure personnel were ready to execute ICTs in highly contested environments.
"We induced some realistic stress into our exercises that helped our multi-capable Airmen teams practice ICTs under pressure," Teel said. "Lambuth brought a depth of experience. He integrated into our team and helped build the skills and confidence they needed, demonstrating the value of a Total Force."
His expertise was particularly valuable during major training exercises such as Agile Flag, Razor Talon, and Southern Strike—key events designed to sharpen Airmen's ability to operate in austere conditions.
"During exercises, we took ICT teams along with security forces, ammo, communications, air traffic control, and petroleum, oils and lubricants to contingency locations, where we established our own security and communications and performed ICTs on incoming aircraft," Lambuth said. "These scenarios forced our Airmen to adapt and problem-solve in rapidly changing environments."
His years of experience within the maintenance community helped increase maintenance proficiency as he easily integrated with his active-duty counterparts.
"Lambuth seamlessly folded into our unit and filled in as a Contingency Leader enabling our 42 members to continue the preparation efforts necessary for our Lead Wing certification back in Jan 2024," said Master Sgt. Paul Heiss, 335th Fighter Generation Squadron aircraft section chief, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. "This role, condensed to a bare title, is to act as a Mission Commander leading a team of multiple AFSCs to austere locations and airfields. His years of experience within the maintenance community has helped us increase maintenance proficiency. He was a huge relief when it came to the preparation efforts needed to deploy."
Preparing for the future fight
Lambuth's leadership helped Airmen refine Agile Combat Employment (ACE) principles and develop multi-capable Airmen, enhancing their ability to conduct operations in dynamic threat environments.
"The exercises leading up to deployment were essential," Lambuth said. "When ICT capabilities are needed, our Airmen are ready to execute."
By integrating Reserve Citizen Airmen with active-duty personnel, the Air Force ensures a lethal, agile force capable of surging and responding to evolving threats. Whether in training or real-world operations, Citizen Airmen continue to uphold the highest standards of mission readiness—reflecting the Department of Defense's emphasis on hard power. There is no replacement for strategic readiness and operational effectiveness in a dynamic battlespace.