Airman Dies In Iraq: An airman was killed today (April 9) supporting combat operations near Forward Operating Base Poliwoda in Iraq, the Air Force announced. The name of the airman, who was deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad AB, Iraq, is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification. This is the second airman to die in Iraq this month. On April 3, SSgt. Travis L. Griffin, 28, of Dover, Del., died in Baghdad when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device during a patrol. He was assigned to the Multinational Force Division-Baghdad from the 377th Security Forces Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
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…