Air Force Officials Confirm Possibility of Spring Draft

High Air Force officials last night confirmed reports that the Air Force might have to resort to the draft, but added that any calls in the next few months would be very small.

They explained that the Air Force's real personnel problem will not begin until July. All these who enlisted for the normal four year period after the Korean war started, hoping to avoid the Army draft, will be eligible for discharge at that time.

In order to avoid such a concentrated drop in strength, the Air Force began releasing some airmen late last summer. Officials now hope to build up a reserve of new enlistees before the mass discharges scheduled for later this year.

Complicating this problem is a Congressional act early this year increasing the also of the Air Force from 123 to 137 wings. This increased quota has accentuated the problem raised by the large numbers of enlistees choosing to get out at the end of their four year terms.

Miss Enlistment Quotas

Another reason that may force the Air Force to turn to the draft is the fact that Air Force enlistments and reenlistments have missed their quotas for the last three months.

The official in Washington commented that prospects for reenlistment have a direct relation to economic conditions. "As unemployment grows, more enlist, and many stay in. When it is easier on the outside, fewer come in and larger numbers leave." The official expressed hope that the Air Force would not have to resort to the draft.

He said that the overall enlistment for the Air Force was fairly satisfactory.

"We are not far behind our quotas in most fields, but in some skilled categories we are faced with shortages. We may be able to keep most of these skilled men through our reenlistment drive," he commented.

The quota for induction in the month of July is now listed at 24,00. Mefore the summer is over, total of 28,000 per month is expected.