The Air National Guard posted another slow recruiting month in July, achieving only 87 percent of its goal of 907 recruits. That puts the Air Guard down for six months in a row. However, its strong showing earlier in the fiscal year means it has averaged about 95 percent of its total Fiscal 2007 goal. And, the Pentagon says retention is still “within acceptable limits.” The active Air Force and Air Force Reserve Command each made 100 percent of their July goals.
U.S. Air Force F-35s and F-22s regularly deploy deep into the Pacific region from Alaska, Utah, and Hawaii. In the future, though, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command would like to see the Air Force permanently station fifth-generation aircraft west of the international date line—closer to China.