OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The 49th Intelligence Squadron, Air Force Reserve Command, and the 238th Reconnaissance Squadron, Nebraska Air National Guard, launched a joint RC-135V/W Rivet Joint sortie from Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, April 6, 2024.
This marked the first time a Rivet Joint sortie was fully crewed by guard and reserve Airmen. These are also the only flying squadrons in the Air Reserve Component to execute the Rivet Joint mission.
For the 49th IS, this milestone expands their operational capability by enabling a second weekend mission without pulling traditional reservists away from their civilian careers during the week. The Nebraska ANG manned the front end, giving their pilots, navigators, airborne systems engineers, and electronic warfare officers valuable training time alongside a seasoned reserve cryptologic mission crew.
Prior to the total force partnership, these types of deployments were all volunteer. Air Force Reserve Command has since implemented involuntary deployments. This helps to reduce stress levels by using all available resources.
The 49th IS remains fully engaged in the Air Force Generation model, currently mobilizing 10 to 11 members annually to locations outside the continental U.S. The first six Airmen recently departed with five more preparing to follow. Partnering with the Nebraska ANG for weekend sorties helps the unit meet flying requirements while preserving a healthy work-life balance for reservists.
“Now that we’re part of AFFORGEN, the 49th IS will constantly cycle through phases of pre-deployment preparation, active deployment, and reintegration,” said Maj. Curtis Nielsen, 49th IS assistant director of operations. “That’s why it’s critical we support our traditional reservists at every stage.”
The flight also served as a memorable moment for Lt. Col. Maresa Zorrilla, 49th IS commander. She completed her final sortie, also referred to as a ‘Fini-flight,’ aboard the Rivet Joint alongside her Airmen and received a celebratory water salute upon landing.
“I flew next to my director of operations, Lt. Col. Justin Snider,” Zorrilla said. “It was an honor to fly with him and the rest of our incredibly skilled Airmen on my final sortie.”
Snider serves part-time as an information integration officer and works full-time as an executive for General Atomics in San Diego.
“This experience and combat capability that the Guard and Reserve bring to the fight, is second to none,” Snider said.
The goal is to fly training sorties like this every Nebraska Air National Guard drill period, which is every other month.
As the 49th IS continues to strengthen partnerships and advance mission readiness under AFFORGEN, moments like this highlight not just operational progress but a new standard for mission success.