As war rages between Iran and Iraq, posing a threat to the oil-rich nations of the Persian Gulf, the US Air Force activates a unit in Saudi Arabia-a provisional support squadron at Riyadh Air Base-its first in that country.
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…