The 317th Airlift Group at Dyess AFB, Tex., has received its fourth new-build C-130J transport. The unit is building toward having a fleet of 28 C-130Js by 2013. The new airlifters are replacing the group’s aging C-130Hs. Dyess received its first C-130Js in April. The newest one arrived Dec. 8, according to base officials. (Dyess photo caption by SrA. Jenifer H. Calhoun)
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…