US Air Force faces fighter pilot readiness crisis

The United States Air Force is facing a growing crisis regarding fighter pilot readiness, according to reports from the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. John VanNable, a senior researcher at the institute, noted that American fighter pilots are not conducting enough sorties to maintain combat readiness.

Data indicates that the average number of monthly sorties has dropped from approximately 5.5 in 2023 to just one currently. This falls significantly short of the 9 to 10 monthly sorties required to reach combat readiness levels. Additionally, there are concerns regarding pilot shortages, with unofficial estimates suggesting the number of pilots may be around 2,400, compared to the official figure of 2,000.

The crisis has been exacerbated by the redirection of funds originally intended for approximately 6,000 aircraft maintenance positions during the 2025 fiscal year. Furthermore, the Mitchell Institute highlighted a decline in combat aircraft numbers, noting that the U.S. currently possesses about 325 combat-dedicated fighter aircraft across 25 squadrons, a notable decrease compared to the force available during the 1991 Gulf War.