U.S. Air Force Faces Maintenance Challenges Amid Readiness Decline

The U.S. Air Force is prioritizing its limited maintenance resources on aircraft capable of operating in contested environments, according to Air Force Secretary Troy Meink. Speaking at the Air & Space Forces Association’s conference in National Harbor, Maryland, on March 25, 2024, Meink underscored the urgent need to address the service’s declining aircraft readiness rates, which have been a growing concern.

Meink described the readiness situation as a significant challenge, stating, “I knew there was a readiness challenge. I didn’t appreciate how significant that readiness challenge was.” The Air Force’s mission-capable rate for fiscal year 2024 stands at only 62%, meaning that nearly four in ten aircraft are unable to perform their assigned missions on any given day. This decline has persisted for several years, culminating in a recent low.

Challenges in aircraft readiness are compounded by the aging fleet. Data presented by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin at the Air Warfare Symposium in March revealed a stark decline in aircraft availability, dropping from 73% in 1994 to 54% in 2024. The average age of the Air Force’s aircraft has nearly doubled over the past three decades, escalating from 17 years to nearly 32 years.

Meink cited the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, and B-2 Spirit bomber as examples of the advanced capabilities within the Air Force. However, he pointed out troubling scenarios at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, where non-operational F-22s are parked on the ramp due to a lack of necessary parts. “That’s a problem, right? We have to fix that,” he emphasized.

In an afternoon session with reporters, Meink acknowledged that maintenance and sustainment have been significant cost drivers for the Air Force over the past 15 years. He noted that lawmakers and Pentagon leadership are working to increase the Air Force’s maintenance budget, yet highlighted the importance of focusing resources on systems that can operate effectively in future combat scenarios.

“If a system is not capable of operating in a contested environment, then we need to be second-guessing how much money we’re dumping into readiness on those platforms,” Meink stated. As the Air Force phases out older aircraft, he anticipates reallocating skilled maintainers and resources to newer platforms that will be crucial in future conflicts.

Meink also referenced the evolving nature of air warfare, pointing to Ukraine’s use of modified quadcopters to target expensive Russian drones, illustrating the need for adaptability in modern military operations. He stressed the importance of holding contractors accountable for the reliability of their systems, citing unacceptable discrepancies in part longevity.

“When we’re getting a part that’s supposed to last 400 hours, and it lasts 100 hours, that’s unacceptable,” Meink said. He called for collaborative efforts with contractors and the government to ensure that investments enhance the serviceability and reliability of weapon systems.

William Bailey, acting assistant Air Force secretary for acquisition, technology, and logistics, discussed plans for increased modularity in new aircraft designs, which will facilitate easier maintenance and replacement. He also announced an in-depth review of the service’s supply chains to identify bottlenecks that delay the delivery of essential spare parts.

The Air Force aims to leverage advanced data analytics to gain deeper insights into the status of its weapon systems. Meink emphasized that improving maintenance efficiency and prioritizing resources is critical for the Air Force to meet future operational demands.