The job fair held last week by the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, delivered significantly more candidates than the center has positions for at this time. ASC was on the hunt for prospective mid-level acquisition, logistics, program, and engineering professionals to fill 300 to 500 positions—several dozen soon and others over several years—but 5,000 applicants turned out, reports Associated Press (via Fox 8 news). Meanwhile, the Air Force is launching a new marketing campaign next month to help recruit some 20,000 new civilians over the next five years. The goal, according to Shirlene LeBleu, with the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph AFB, Tex., is to “help fill civilian vacancies more quickly by targeting qualified, local candidates.” It should also, she said, “increase employment opportunities for military dependents.” (Wright-Patt release announcing the job fair; AFPC report by Maj. Beth Kelley Horine)
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.