Israel’s F-35I “Adir”: A Strategic Game-Changer in Middle East Air Power
The Israeli F-35I “Adir” represents a revolutionary advancement in regional air power, featuring unprecedented modifications that…
Read More »The Risks for European Cohesion in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis
The conflict in Ukraine, triggered by the Russian invasion of 2022, marked the return on a…
Read More »Lessons from the Russia-Ukraine Frontline
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now entering its third year, continues to expose persistent vulnerabilities in…
Read More »Rebuilding Our Arsenal with Allies: A Strategic Imperative for U.S. Security and Prosperity
As the United States navigates intensifying geopolitical competition with China, Russia, and Iran, the time has…
Read More »Reality Check: Russian Intentions in Europe
The Trump administration’s decision to initiate peace negotiations with Russia ended exactly as anticipated in Central…
Read More »The Warning Signs We Ignored: How 2021 Telegraphed Putin’s Invasion and What It Means for Future Threats
In December 2021, as President Biden hosted the first Summit for Democracy, declaring America’s commitment to…
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The United States Air Force is facing an unprecedented readiness crisis with its F-35A Lightning II fleet, achieving mission capable rates of just over 50% while its closest Middle Eastern ally maintains nearly 90% readiness with the same aircraft. This stark disparity reveals fundamental flaws in America's approach to sustaining its most expensive military program and offers critical lessons for future conflicts. The numbers tell a sobering story. The US Air Force's F-35A fleet achieved a mission capable rate of only 51.5% in fiscal 2024, representing a dramatic decline from nearly 69% in 2021. This means that on any given day, roughly half of America's most advanced fighters are unable to perform their assigned missions. The situation has become so dire that Air Force leadership has declared a...