The U.S. Air Force faces significant challenges in aircraft readiness, according to Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink, who emphasized the need to prioritize maintenance resources during a keynote address at the Air & Space Forces Association’s conference in National Harbor, Maryland. Meink stated that the Air Force must focus on aircraft capable of operating in contested environments to address declining readiness rates.
In his remarks, Meink acknowledged the service’s struggle with aircraft readiness, revealing that the fiscal 2024 fleet-wide mission-capable rate dropped to 62%, indicating that nearly four in ten aircraft are unable to perform their missions on average. This decline, which has been ongoing for several years, reached a low point last year. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin previously highlighted similar concerns at the Air Warfare Symposium in March, noting that aircraft availability fell from 73% in 1994 to 54% in 2024.
Meink pointed to the aging fleet as a primary factor contributing to the readiness crisis. The average age of the Air Force’s aircraft has nearly doubled over the past three decades, from 17 years to almost 32 years. He praised advanced platforms like the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, and B-2 Spirit Bomber, but stressed that operational challenges persist.
During a visit to Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, where F-22s are stationed, Meink observed several nonoperational aircraft sitting idle due to a lack of necessary parts. He described the situation as problematic, stating, “When I go out to Langley and there’s a number of aircraft… that aren’t even being worked on because we simply don’t have the parts to do that — that’s a problem, right? We have to fix that.”
In discussions with reporters, Meink noted that maintenance and sustainment have been significant cost drivers for the Air Force in recent years. To alleviate these issues, lawmakers and Pentagon leadership are collaborating to increase the Air Force’s maintenance budget. Nonetheless, with resources stretched thin, Meink indicated that the service must be strategic in allocating maintainers to aircraft that will be essential in future conflicts.
“If a system is not capable of operating in a contested environment, then we need to be second-guessing and/or thinking about how much money we’re dumping into readiness on those platforms,” he said. As the Air Force phases out older aircraft, it plans to redirect skilled maintainers and resources toward more relevant platforms.
Meink cited the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as a case study of modern air warfare dynamics. He noted how Ukrainian forces have successfully utilized modified quadcopters to destroy high-value Russian drones, underscoring the evolving nature of aerial combat.
Additionally, Meink emphasized the importance of holding contractors accountable for the reliability of their systems. He expressed frustration with parts that fail to meet expected performance standards, saying, “When we’re getting a part that’s supposed to last 400 hours, and it lasts 100 hours, that’s unacceptable.” He called for a collaborative approach between the government and contractors to improve the serviceability and reliability of weapon systems.
William Bailey, who is currently performing the duties of the assistant Air Force secretary for acquisition, technology, and logistics, outlined plans for enhancing aircraft maintenance. He spoke about the increasing modularity of new aircraft designs and the need for a thorough examination of supply chains to identify “pinch points” that hinder the delivery of essential spare parts.
Meink concluded by asserting the potential of advanced data analytics to enhance understanding of weapon systems’ states. By leveraging technology, the Air Force aims to improve oversight and maintenance processes, ultimately leading to enhanced operational readiness.
