Accord
ing to the latest Pentagon data, retention for active and reserve components remained strong for the month of March. Recruiting for the active forces also was on track, with all the services making at least 100 percent of their goals. However, the Air National Guard fell to 90 percent and Army Reserve to 80 percent of their respective recruiting goals for March. This is the second month in a row that ANG recruiting has come up short, yet its strong retention level—111 percent in March—continues to sustain Air Guard end strength at 99 percent.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
