Air Force aircraft readiness plunges to new low, alarming chief

Bipartisan lawmakers introduce bill to maintain fighter force structure

Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Jason Crow (D-CO) on Thursday introduced legislation that would maintain each of the Air Force's fighter squadrons as the service seeks to divest older jets and procure more modern ones. The "Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act" would establish requirements for future fighter purchases to restore and modernize each of the “39 service-retained, combat-coded fighter squadrons available to the secretary of…

The Air Force is adding 21 more hours to its final field event at boot camp

The extra time will allow Air Force trainees to operate in small teams, solve tactical problems, and practice leadership skills.

Only 62 Percent of U.S. Air Force Planes are ‘Mission Capable’

A Meer 62 Percent of Air Force Planes are What Is Known as ‘Mission Capable’ I’m a former Army soldier, and we were used to having weapons like M-240B machine guns out of service or a wayward Humvee on the fritz. As a light infantry officer, I never dealt with significant end items unavailable for […] The post Only 62 Percent of U.S. Air Force Planes are ‘Mission Capable’ appeared first on 19FortyFive.

Air Force aircraft readiness plunges to new low, alarming chief

As budget cuts loom, U.S. Air Force leaders lament a fleet in which all aircraft types don't pass muster.

U.S. Air Force Halts Deliveries of KC-46 Tankers Following Discovery of Cracks

Boeing discovered cracks in the aileron hinges of two KC-46s which were being readied for delivery, prompting the U.S. Air Force to launch a fleet-wide inspection while the root cause is being investigated. The U.S. Air Force has recently paused deliveries of Boeing’s KC-46 Pegasus tanker aircraft and launched a fleet-wide inspection on the 89 […] The post U.S. Air Force Halts Deliveries of KC-46 Tankers Following Discovery of Cracks appeared fi…

Air Force Leaders Discuss Future Force Design

Lt. Gen. Dave Harris, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force Futures, Maj. Gen Joseph Kunkel, the Director of Force Design, Integration, and Wargaming, and Brig. Gen. Ryan Keeney, the Director, Concepts and Strategy, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Force Futures speak at the Air and Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colo., March 4, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adam R. Shanks) MARCH 6, 2025 – U.S. Air Force leaders di…