A stark warning has reached Congress, delivered directly from the leadership of the Air National Guard: the United States Air Force is facing a crisis of readiness unlike any seen in its nearly eight decades of existence.
The message, signed by all 22 adjutant generals overseeing Air National Guards across the nation, paints a grim picture. They assert the Air Force is currently the oldest, smallest, and least prepared it has ever been, a situation demanding immediate and substantial action.
To address this critical shortfall, Guard leaders are requesting a significant influx of new fighter jets – between 72 and 100 – to bolster the active duty, reserve, and National Guard forces. The core of this request centers around advanced aircraft: at least 48 F-35s and 24 F-15EXs.
However, the ambition doesn’t stop there. The adjutant generals envision a sustained procurement rate of 72 new F-35s and 36 new F-15EXs annually, a level far exceeding current plans. This unified front, as described by Idaho’s assistant adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Shannon Smith, is “a pretty big deal.”
The urgency stems from the relentless demands placed on existing aircraft and personnel. Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing military campaign in Iran, serves as a prime example, pushing both pilots and planes to their absolute limits.
“We are burning these jets and the Airmen over time,” Smith explained, highlighting the strain of continuous operations in a complex and volatile conflict zone. The current pace of procurement simply isn’t sustainable.
This request represents a dramatic increase compared to recent Air Force proposals. In 2024, the Air Force sought 48 F-35s and 24 F-15EXs, with slightly reduced numbers planned for 2025. The Guard’s leaders believe these figures are insufficient to reverse the declining trend.
According to Smith, anything less than 72 new aircraft per year won’t solve the problem – it will only delay the inevitable. Failure to invest in modernization will leave squadrons reliant on aging, 1970s-era fighters, consuming resources simply to keep them airborne.
The situation is further complicated by a substantial budget request from the President, proposing a $1.5 trillion allocation for the Pentagon – a nearly $700 billion increase over the previous year. This massive ask underscores the perceived gravity of the national security challenges.
The Pentagon and the Air Force have yet to publicly respond to the Guard leaders’ concerns, but the unified message from these key commanders signals a growing alarm within the ranks about the future of air power.
