According 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.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.