The August enlisted recruiting figures are posted and the Air Force picked up 104 percent of its monthly active duty goal—putting it at 101 percent for the fiscal year, so far. The Army had a good August, but it is still down at 90 percent of its annual goal. Also not painting a rosy picture is the annual number posted so far by the Air National Guard—85 percent of its goal. ANG retention, though, is still running strong, at 108 percent. Air Force Reserve Command has met 112 percent of its recruiting goal for the year.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.