April 17, 2026

Air Force leaders are sounding the alarm: the service is “the oldest, the smallest, and the least ready” in its 78-year history, according to a letter to Congress obtained by Air and Space Forces Magazine — and they want 72 to 100 new fighter jets to close the gap. The push, backed by Air National Guard chiefs, calls for at least 48 F-35s and 24 F-15EXs as recruiting woes, shrinking ranks and mounting readiness concerns collide in a stark warning: America’s air power is under strain, and the bill is coming due.

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