The F-15E fighter jets, despite their proven relevance and the thousands of flight hours they have accumulated, are facing early retirement unless the US Congress intervenes. The Air Force has requested permission to retire 115 F-15Es over the next five years, reducing the total number in service to just 99. This move is estimated to save $600 million annually for five years, which could potentially fund around 40 new Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters.
However, this proposal to retire the F-15Es was met with surprise last year as it seemed counterintuitive given the Air Force’s obligation to maintain a fleet of at least 1,900 fighters. Despite this challenge, the Air Force has been working tirelessly to address several other issues that have been affecting its fighter fleet.
The remaining Fairchild Republic A-10 attack jets from the 1970s are being phased out, along with the aging fleet of F-16s from the 1980s and 1990s. Additionally, the Air Force has requested approval to retire the 32 oldest and least-capable F-22s. While delays in testing new versions of these jets have resulted in new planes being stored in warehouses rather than being deployed to squadrons, there is still hope that these aircraft will be able to serve their country effectively for many more years.
To address these challenges head-on, the Air Force is procuring an enhanced version of the F-15 known as the F-15EX. However, due to budget constraints and other factors, this planned fleet size has been reduced from 144 planes to just 98 planes – enough only for six squadrons – despite having more than 50 fighter squadrons within their ranks.
The retirement of these aging fighter jets poses a significant challenge for the Air Force in maintaining a modern and effective fighter fleet. With fewer planes available each year, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to keep up with evolving threats and ensure that our military remains capable of defending our nation’s interests both at home and abroad. It is crucial that Congress steps in now and provides adequate funding for these critical programs so that our air force can continue its mission without compromising on its ability to defend us all.
