USAFA is not going to "officially" make a statement that says anything about how many LOA's they are going to award, what their appointment criteria is for the class of 2016, etc. (My opinion only here, but if they did it would be a first in my 17 years as an ALO)
Counselors may tell candidates one thing, ALO's may say something different, and other folks in "RRS" (the admissions directorate) might say something entirely different on any given day/minute. And it's not that they're trying to confuse, obfuscate, or deceive...we are all on different "teams" with the admissions directorate and different "plans" may be in place at different times.
It really is NOTHING for folks here to worry about or concern themselves with trying to "second guess" or otherwise. I realize that's NOT a "satisfying" answer but it is realistic.
"OFFICIALLY" what I've been told and can state here (after having confirmed it with folks at USAFA/RRS, I do work for them as an ALO) is that this class will be the smallest in decades and because of that, the admissions directorate will take "as much time as necessary to give all candidates their best opportunity to qualify for appointment."
I translate to be: "don't plan on many LOA's at all and the VAST majority of appointments will be late in the "normal" cycle: March/April 2012."
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83