The military academies reportedly have received significantly more applications than the year before. The US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., leads the pack, with a 40 percent jump, while the US Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo., had a 10 percent increase and the US Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., nine percent. According to an Associated Press report, John Van Winkle, a USAFA spokesman, said applications for Class 2013 at the Colorado school topped the past five years. As with the continued strong recruiting experienced by the services, the academies believe that the still struggling economy may have been a factor. (Also read this New York Times report)
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…