The August recruiting and retention numbers just released by the Pentagon point toward a positive year for the Air Force. The active duty Air Force continues to hit 100 percent of its recruiting and retention goals, while the Air National Guard greatly exceeded its goal for August, recruiting 128 percent of its planned accessions. Air Force Reserve Command made 99 percent of its August recruiting goal. The August upsurge for the Air Guard put its year-to-date recruiting effort at 96 percent of its goal, increasing three percentage points over last month. ANG retention is still strong, currently at 110 percent of its annual goal.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.