With all the attention focused on Southwest Asia, it is easy to overlook US military operations in Bosnia. The majority of American troops are Army, but USAF still has three airmen living and working at Tuzla AB, Bosnia. Their job is to oversee some 160 contract employees who handle airfield operations, supporting the commercial Tuzla Airport, as well. Det. 1 of the 401st Air Expeditionary Wing comprises Lt. Col. David Lowe, Capt. Mark Arzate, and MSgt. Matthew Sheehan. All have a hand in quality assurance, making certain the contractors, many of whom are prior service, keep NATO air operations up to snuff.
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…