To aid its efforts to “shape” the force, USAF has decreased by nine percent the number of new enlisted recruits it will accept in 2007 as compared to the previous year. The service plans to recruit 27,760 basic trainees, but it is directing them toward 20 specific career fields. The fields with the most openings are security forces, mechanics, administration, and electronics. The hottest fields right now, says CMSgt. Edward Vargas, superintendent of Air Force Recruiting Service operations division, are air and ground linguists and special tactics. USAF also has cut the number of college graduates it accepts in Officer Training School, making the wait about 12 to 18 months for the few officer slots. The service has the most officer openings for pilot, combat systems officer, air battle management, and electrical engineering. For 2007, the Air Force also has openings for doctors, dentists, and nurses.
The crash of a T-38 trainer jet this May—which caused a weekslong pause in flights across the fleet—was caused by an improperly installed pin for one of the jet’s horizontal stabilizers, according to a new accident report released Oct. 30. When the pin disengaged midflight, it created the slightest amount…