It's all cynical smoke and mirors, chaps.
I don't know of any of the SAR flts that have 5 full crews! Therefore, by reducing them to 4, some Flts become fully manned instead of being 20% under established, and those with 3 crews are now only 25% under rather than 40%. Hey Presto, manning is on the up!!
Admittedly the Master Race is far better manned than the Oiks, so a few young thrusters may find their next OCU at Odiham or Benson, but don't expect to see any rearcrew with them.
Lies, damned lies and statistics!!