The word out of the latest rotation of bomber aircrews and maintainers to shuffle off to Andersen AFB, Guam, is that the climate on the island is “damp.” Airmen from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth AFB, S.D., have replaced their compatriots, who left their B-1B bombers, for the next Global Strike Task Force rotation to the Pacific region. TSgt. Robert Mulder told USAF photojournalist TSgt. Shane Cuomo, that the “rain and salt air affects all the equipment.” Another B-1 maintainer, TSgt. Glen Rausch called the new situation a “good challenge.” The unit launches seven to 10 sorties a week from the island.
Amid a high-profile recruiting crisis, Air Force leaders and experts have increasingly noted the challenging long-term trends the service will face in enticing young Americans to sign up—decreasing eligibility to serve, less propensity to do so, and less familiarity with the military. But while those same leaders say there’s no “silver…