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DATE: January 23, 2025
Bottom line, the U.S. Air Force does not have enough pilots to sustain a credible combat force in peacetime, much less during a prolonged high-intensity conflict. History demonstrates that without depth of experienced aircrew, air forces collapse in major conflicts because they cannot continue operations as losses mount. While this crisis extends across the entire pilot force, the shortfall in fighter pilots is especially dire. Solving these challenges will require the Air Force to grow the size of both its aircraft inventory and pilot force, while simultaneously increasing the experience levels of its combat pilots across its Total Force.
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Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem USAF (Ret.)Director of Research for the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
Heather PenneySenior Resident Fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Lt Gen Joseph T. Guastella USAF (Ret.)Former Deputy Chief of Staff, USAF
Lt Gen Marc H. Sasseville USAF (Ret.)Media Coverage
- New Report: Fixes to Pilot ‘Crisis’ Tied to Fleet Size, Flying Hours, Reserves
Air & Space Forces Magazine - What Will It Take To Fix The US Air Force Pilot Crisis?
Simple Flying - Pilot shortage: new report calls for more Air Force fighters and larger Reserve
Defense One - Are We Facing a Fighter Pilot Shortage Crisis?
Qhubo - Report: Air Force’s Pilot ‘Crisis’ Needs Larger Reserve, More Fighters
National Guard Association of the United States - Fighter Pilot Shortage Threatening Readiness
AVWeb - Could The USAF Fighter Fleet Be Recapitalized With Super Hornets?
Simple Flying - Forget the F-47: The U.S. Air Force’s Pilot Shortage Is a Big Problem
19FortyFive - Breaking boundaries: How Red 6 is transforming pilot training
Straight Arrow News - Air Force Wants Extra $71 Million for Officer Aircrew Bonus
Air & Space Forces Magazine - The World’s Largest Air Forces By Number Of Pilots
Simple Flying