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Blended Concept Still Viable The Air Force is the undisputed leader in Total Force integration. In 2001, the Secretary of the Air Force approved the first Future Total Force wing. That wing continues to receive accolades proving the wisdom and foresight of the innovative blended concept that integrates active duty and Air National Guard members. The 116th became the first Future Total Force wing in 2002 when the active duty 93rd ACW merged with the Air National Guard's 116th Bomb Wing to form the first fully integrated blended wing. The 116th Air Control Wing -- the nation's only blended wing -- recently received its third Outstanding Unit Award. The Outstanding Unit Award is given by the Secretary of the Air Force to units that have shown exceptionally meritorious service and outstanding achievement which clearly sets them above and apart from similar units across the country. Despite the fact that the 116th continues to demonstrate the merits of the blended concept, in 2005 the Air Force told Congress that it will pursue future integration efforts using the associate model instead of the blended model. The associate model of integration allows integrated units to retain their separate wing structure.
