Airlift units at Peterson AFB, Colo., cut sod on a 12,500-foot C-130 operations center that will soon unite the active duty 52nd Airlift Squadron and Air Force Reserve Command’s 731st Airlift Squadron under one roof. Forming the nexus of the active association’s shared campus, the $5.6 million building aims to enhance cooperation and operations efficiency, allowing greater integration. Constrained by the size of the host Reserve 302nd Airlift Wing’s current facilities, active duty personnel have been forced to operate from temporary facilities, sharing office and maintenance space as available. “We’ve seen a successful integration with our flying operations, aircraft maintenance, and in our aerial port. The only missing piece begins tomorrow with the start of construction,” stated Col. Jay Pittman, 302nd AW commander. The facility’s construction is slated to conclude in early 2012. The groundbreaking took place Feb. 14. (Peterson report by Ann Skarban)
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…