‘Actively shrinking’: Guard generals push Congress for 100 new fighters a year

All 22 Air Guard Generals Send Congress a Warning

Every adjutant general commanding an Air National Guard unit in the United States has signed a letter to Congress warning that the Air Force is in the worst shape of its 78-year existence, and demanding an immediate surge in fighter jet procurement. “The United States Air Force is the oldest, the smallest, and the least ready in its 78-year history,” the letter reads, according to Air and Space Forces Magazine, which obtained a copy this week. T…

Air National Guard Leaders Urge Congress To Fund Dozens Of New Fighter Jets Annually To Reverse 'Oldest, Smallest, Least Ready' Air Force - Armed Forces Press

Public Domain WASHINGTON — Leaders of the Air National Guard are pressing Congress to dramatically accelerate fighter jet procurement, warning that the U.S. Air Force is operating at historic lows in age, size, and readiness. In a letter sent earlier this month to key congressional appropriators, adjutants general from 22 states with Air National Guard fighter units called for funding at least 72 new fighter jets in the fiscal 2027 budget, with …

Air Force is 'smallest,' 'least ready' in history, National Guard leaders warn Congress in fighter jet plea

Air National Guard leaders argue the U.S. Air Force is the oldest, smallest, and least ready in its 78-year history, requesting up to 100 new fighter jets in a letter to Congress.

‘Actively shrinking’: Guard generals push Congress for 100 new fighters a year

The nation’s Air National Guard adjutants general are making their most unified push yet to recapitalize the U.S. Air Force’s fighter fleet, with 22 generals signing a letter to Congress this month calling for multiyear funding to buy between 72 and 100 new fighters annually. The letter, sent April 1 to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations committees and their defense subcommittees, calls on Congress to legislate…