"America’s Air Force Is in Bad Shape " Topic

"Nearly 25 years ago, Senator John McCain observed that "a force begins to go hollow the moment it loses its overall mix of combat capabilities in any one critical area." Last week, Air Force Chief of Staff David Goldfein quoted those words when questioned about the posture of today's USAF.

No, General Goldfein didn't say that the Air Force is now hollow. He did, however, flesh out McCain's definition of what makes a hollow force: "When we talk about a hollow force holistically, we have to talk about all of those things that go into producing a ready force. And it's training and it's personnel and it's equipment, and they all have to come together."

The Heritage Foundation published an independent assessment of Air Force readiness earlier this year that touched on several of those markers. That analysis was based on the testimony of senior Air Force leaders, historical readiness levels, current threats, funding levels, and operational insights gleaned from surveys and interviews with 46 active-duty Air Force fighter pilots…"
Main page
link

Amicalement
Armand

Well having politicians from both parties cut military spending and forcing other military programs down the DoD throat has caused the problems.

I think even a "hollow" US Air Force could still kick everyone else's butt…….. Put together!!!

These things run in cycles. When I was a lieutenant the Air Force had too many pilots and many of us did 'ground' duty for a couple of years, then a few years later as a senior captain the Air Force was offering me a financial bonus if I would stay on for another year due to the pilot shortage. The Air Force is a hugh bureaucracy, in some parts there are shortages and in other parts there is excess fat that should be cut.

When I was in aircraft parts were at a premium, aircraft were cannibalized to keep others going. Budgets come and go depending on the administration with the recent change who knows how it will go.

Yep, maintenance is not sexy.

USAFPilot, I'm sure you're right. I have no experience in the military, but I have found that all large organisations Ive seen are bureaucratic and inefficient.

I have worked my whole life enjoying the fabled 'efficiency' of the private sector, and I promise you it is vastly overrated. Big means bureaucratic and the USAF must be a bigger multi-nat than most, if not all actual multi-nats.

Skipper John has it right, even a shrunken Air force could easily beat any opposition.