Air Force at Historic Low in Size and Readiness, National Guard Leaders Tell Congress While Seeking Fighter Jets

In a stark warning about military preparedness, Air National Guard leaders have declared the U.S. Air Force to be at its lowest readiness level in its 78-year history, according to a recently released letter to Congress.

“The United States Air Force is the oldest, the smallest, and the least ready in its 78-year history,” stated the letter obtained by Air and Space Forces Magazine. The candid assessment comes as military leaders seek substantial increases in fighter jet procurement to address what they describe as critical capability gaps.

The letter, signed by all 22 adjutant generals who lead Air National Guards in states that have them, calls for acquiring between 72 and 100 new fighter jets annually across the Air Force’s active duty, reserve and guard components. Specifically, they’re requesting a minimum of 48 new F-35 Lightning II aircraft and 24 new F-15EX jets.

Brigadier General Shannon Smith, Idaho’s assistant adjutant general, emphasized the significance of the unified request. “What we’re trying to do with this is send a strong message from the two-star generals that command the National Guards in these states,” he told Air and Space Forces Magazine. “It’s a pretty big deal” to have all adjutant generals sign the same letter, he noted.

The procurement targets represent a substantial increase from recent Air Force budget requests. For comparison, the Air Force asked Congress to fund 48 F-35s in 2024 and 42 in 2025, while requesting 24 F-15EXs in 2024 and 18 in 2025.

Smith pointed to ongoing military operations, particularly Operation Epic Fury against Iran, as evidence of the urgent need for additional aircraft and resources. “We are burning these jets and the Airmen over time to support the joint force to accomplish the president’s goals with Epic Fury in this conflict with Iran,” he explained.

Military analysts note that the Air Force’s fighter fleet has been aging rapidly, with many aircraft dating back to the 1970s. Without significant investment, these planes will struggle to remain operational against increasingly sophisticated adversaries like China and Russia, who continue to modernize their own air forces.

The letter’s ambitious procurement goals align with the military’s ideal acquisition rate of 72 F-35s and 36 F-15EXs annually. Smith warned of the consequences of maintaining current procurement levels: “If we keep dabbling under 72, that isn’t winning, that is raising the water line. If we don’t procure at a higher rate, all of these fighter squadrons will remain with ’70s-era fighters. Most of the money will go to keep them flying. In a few years, they’ll be struggling to be flyable, let alone be relevant.”

The timing of this request coincides with President Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, which includes a dramatic $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon—representing a nearly $700 billion increase from 2026 levels. This proposed defense spending surge comes amid growing concerns about global security threats and the need for military modernization.

Defense industry observers point out that meeting the Air National Guard’s procurement targets would benefit major aerospace manufacturers like Lockheed Martin (which produces the F-35) and Boeing (manufacturer of the F-15EX). It would also support thousands of jobs across the defense industrial base and associated supply chains.

The F-35, considered the most advanced fighter aircraft in the U.S. inventory, provides stealth capabilities and sophisticated sensor fusion technology, while the F-15EX offers a more affordable but still highly capable platform with greater weapons payload capacity.

Pentagon officials have yet to comment publicly on the Air National Guard’s request. However, military planners have long warned about a “capabilities gap” emerging as older aircraft retire without sufficient replacements entering service.

As Congress prepares to debate defense appropriations in the coming months, this unified message from Air National Guard leadership adds significant pressure to increase fighter jet procurement rates beyond current levels. Whether lawmakers will approve such ambitious procurement targets remains uncertain, especially given competing budget priorities and ongoing fiscal constraints.