Staff Sgt. Kevin Colon removes exhaust covers from a B-1B Lancer at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 21, 2013. U.S. Air Force
Air Force Times: Fewer planes are ready to fly: Air Force mission-capable rates decline amid pilot crisis
The readiness of the Air Force’s aircraft fleet is continuing its slow, steady deterioration — and this could spell trouble for the service’s effort to hold on to its pilots and its ability to respond to contingencies around the world.
According to data provided by the Air Force, about 71.3 percent of the Air Force’s aircraft were flyable, or mission-capable, at any given time in fiscal 2017. That represents a drop from the 72.1 percent mission-capable rate in fiscal 2016, and a continuation of the decline in recent years.
Former Air Force pilots and leaders say that this continued trend is a gigantic red flag, and warn it could lead to serious problems down the road.
Read more ....
Update: The Air Force is still grappling with a personnel shortage — and one part of the solution can't be rushed (Business Insider)
WNU Editor: The U.S. Air Force is the best in the world due to 4 reasons. The planes, the men and women who service these planes, the pilots who fly them, and the support that they receive from the U.S. government. It seems that all of these factors are having problems.
4 comments:
"The US air force is the best in the world." Very respectfully this is an article of faith that is not supported by empirical evidence. Perhaps it is but the only way to "know" would be to actually fight a war between the US and major world powers. As such, I hope we don't have to "know."
The Russians reported that during the Syrian war when they engaged the Americans they were able to achieve a superior position pretty much every time relative to the American aircraft. Given the tendency of the American government and media to consistently overstate and overestimate American capabilities while underestimating those of adversaries and potential adversaries and the reports that the Russian government awarded medals to some of the pilots, I am inclined to believe the Russian accounts of this but again we cannot "know" for certain until such a hot military conflict ensues.
Since I am inclined to believe the Russian account, this means the Russians having achieved a superior position in pretty much every confrontation would have destroyed the American aircraft in pretty much every confrontation. As such, the American air force is unlikely to be the best in world but, at the risk of overemphasizing the point, we cannot "know" unless such a hot military conflict actually takes place which we hope to avoid. Very respectfully, I think it incorrect to just assume the American air force is the "best in the world."
The article does illustrate what happens when you send your men and women on fruitless missions around the world that don't advance American interests, in many cases undermine them, place our warriors in grave peril for no good reason, and grind them to powder during the process naturally they are going to seek to leave the military.
This comes at a time when we face numerous threats from multiple directions and we despirately need these trained personnel. The US government does need to rethink its military posture and foreign policy and we need to do so quickly.
B.Poster, what are you trying to say here? That the russian air force is the best in the world? Based on russian reports??
Give us all a break.
There is no match in the world for the US air force. Maybe one, but they lack the numbers, and it is the Israelis. But they dont try to compete.
Hans,
I tried to reply to you but the post was longer than the editor allows. I will try and keep this more brief.
I agree with you that the Israeli air force is very good. I would say they are "pound for pound" the best in the world but they do lack the numbers.
"what are you trying to say here?" Very respectfully read the post and it should be clear. We cannot "know" the outcome of a military conflict in advance. Sometimes my posts can be hard to follow. I am often multi-tasking while composing the posts, my eyesight is poor, I lack a proof reader for this, and this is not the most important thing I do. As such, sometimes it may not make sense. I will try and explain.
"That the Russian air force is the best in the world? Based upon Russian reports??" I didn't say the Russians were/are the best in world. Here's the analysis. 1.)The US media and the government have a massive tendency to greatly overestimate our capabilities while underestimating those of adversaries or potential adversaries. 2.) Our media has often been less than truthful. 3.)US (un)intelligence is very error prone. Based upon 1 to 3 anything any of these sources tell us needs to be treated with extreme skepticism.
4.)The Russian pilots reported getting a better position on their American counterparts "pretty much every time." To say any American response to this was underwhelming is an understatement. From the tone of the articles and body language from close analysis of the videos, it appears as though these are people who are actually trying to cover a lie. Hence the tentative yet convincing conclusion the US air force had it handed to them over Syria by the Russian air force. We could stop here but there's more.
5.)The Russians appeared quite pleased with this in contrast to our side in such a manner that it would be extremely difficult to fake. 6.)The Russian leadership awarded many of the pilots with medals. Serious people and leaders do not give out "participation trophies." Putin for all his flaws and there are many is a serious man. Furthermore giving out such participation trophies would be an extreme morale killer. Morale appeared to be enhanced. This provides further evidence that the Russian account is accurate.
From personal experience as a sight challenged person I have developed extra senses. I usually know when I am being lied to or when key information is being withheld from me. While I may not know the truth or what is being withheld precisely I can tell. Our side was withholding key facts.
Is the Russian air force the best in the world? I don't know. From the evidence, they are likely significantly better than ours. Again, without the actual conflict we can't "know." Perhaps there is someone out there better than the Russians. At this time I am pretty sure it is not us.
"There is no match for the US air force." I checked your Google profile. I don't think you are American. From the anti-American tone and tenor of many who have posted here, I am forced to wonder if you even care what becomes of us Americans. I have read your posts. I don't think you are anti-American.
As someone who is not from America, you can blithely claim "there is no match for the US air force. If you are wrong, it costs you nothing. If American leaders blithely make such assumptions and turn out to be wrong, large numbers of our people can and will get killed.
The last two paragraphs of my previous post are spot on. A country whose government uses and abuses its armed forces is going to lose them.
Hans,
Sorry about the multiple posts. I've read your previous posts. I've read the editor comments and the articles the editor posts. I have the utmost respect for both of you. Please continue posting Hans and please continue your excellent work WNU Editor!!
With that said "the US air force is the best in the world" and "their is no match in the world for the US air force." These statements are statements of blind faith. Furthermore the empirical evidence for such a claim is at best inconclusive and at worst there is a substantial body of evidence refuting such a claim. Perhaps it is the two of you who need to "Give us all a break."
If I have offended anyone, I did not mean to. The dialogue is always much appreciated!!
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