"Oldest and Least Ready": National Guard Leaders Warn of US Air Force Readiness Crisis

 Air National Guard leaders across 22 states have issued an unprecedented warning to Congress, stating that the US Air Force is currently the "oldest and least ready" in its 78-year history. According to a letter obtained by Air and Space Forces Magazine, officials are urging an immediate increase in procurement, targeting 72 to 100 new fighters annually, including F-35s and F-15EXs, to replace aging platforms from the 1970s.

Brigadier General Shannon Smith noted that recent operations, specifically Operation Epic Fury related to the conflict with Iran, have highlighted the severe strain on both aircraft and crews. These urgent demands coincide with President Trump’s proposed 2027 defense budget of $1.5 trillion, aiming to modernize the fleet and maintain combat superiority in an increasingly volatile global environment.