26. February 2026
Air Force Eyes Historic Comeback As Year Of Readiness Begins
The Air Force’s “Year of Readiness” marks a significant turning point for the service’s efforts to restore its foundational readiness accounts. Undersecretary Matthew Lohmeier first coined the phrase during his keynote address at AFA’s Warfare Symposium in February 2026, with the upcoming budget set to invest billions of dollars in spare parts, flying hours, facility maintenance, and more.
This commitment to readiness is a direct response to growing concerns about the Air Force’s aging aircraft fleet and its inability to meet modern warfare demands. The service has faced a force structure crisis, with many aircraft nearing end-of-service life and in dire need of replacement or refurbishment. The E-7 Wedgetail, an airborne early warning and control aircraft originally designed to replace the AWACS, has been plagued by cost overruns and technical issues.
Air Force leadership remains committed to restoring readiness, with Secretary Troy Meink pledging significant increases in readiness in the coming year. Initiatives aimed at improving readiness include pursuing multiyear procurement deals for spare parts and investing in parts production using commercial aviation and industrial best practices.
One key strategy being pursued is the use of commercial aviation principles to improve maintenance efficiency. The Air Force Global Strike Command has already seen significant returns from this approach, with a 43% increase in mission-capable B-52s through the “fleet maintenance action group” model. This model is now being applied across other Global Strike airframes, and it’s likely that similar improvements will be seen elsewhere.
The impact of these initiatives will be felt throughout the Air Force, from fighter jets on the ground to bombers soaring through the skies. Secretary Meink noted during a media roundtable at the symposium, “Having a steady demand signal for industry is important, so they can build up infrastructure and get the parts supply chain spun up to produce those things.” By investing in readiness, the Air Force is taking a crucial step towards ensuring it meets modern warfare demands.
The journey ahead will not be easy. The Air Force faces significant challenges, from aging aircraft fleets to increased funding needs. However, with billions of dollars in extra funding at its disposal, the service has the opportunity to make significant strides in improving readiness.
One area where we can expect to see significant investment is in the E-7 Wedgetail program. Despite being canceled by the Pentagon in 2026, Congress has blocked cancellation, and lawmakers have directed the Air Force to present a plan for “ongoing actions to streamline requirements and control costs on future production of the E-7 aircraft.”
The Air Force’s struggles with readiness have far-reaching consequences for national security, from responding to emerging threats to protecting American interests abroad. Investing in readiness is crucial to ensuring the service meets modern warfare demands.
The impact of these initiatives will be felt throughout the Air Force, from fighter jets on the ground to bombers soaring through the skies. By investing in readiness, the Air Force is taking a critical step towards ensuring it has the capabilities needed to meet modern warfare demands.
The journey ahead will not be easy, but with billions of dollars in extra funding at its disposal, the Air Force has the opportunity to make significant strides in improving readiness. Secretary Meink’s approach reflects the Air Force’s commitment to transparency and collaboration, setting the stage for a productive and successful year ahead.
As we move forward into 2027, it’s clear that the Air Force is embarking on a critical journey towards restoring its foundational readiness accounts. With billions of dollars in extra funding at its disposal, the service has the opportunity to make significant strides in improving its readiness. However, it will require hard work and dedication from leadership and personnel alike.
The Air Force faces significant obstacles, including aging aircraft fleets and increased funding needs. Despite these challenges, the service has the potential to make significant strides in improving readiness with billions of dollars in extra funding at its disposal.
One area where we can expect to see significant investment is in the E-7 Wedgetail program. Despite being canceled by the Pentagon in 2026, Congress has blocked cancellation, and lawmakers have directed the Air Force to present a plan for “ongoing actions to streamline requirements and control costs on future production of the E-7 aircraft.” This sets up a potential point of conflict between the Air Force and Congress over the Wedgetail’s future.
The Air Force’s struggles with readiness have far-reaching consequences for national security, from responding to emerging threats to protecting American interests abroad. Investing in readiness is crucial to ensuring the service meets modern warfare demands.
By investing in readiness, the Air Force is taking a critical step towards ensuring it has the capabilities needed to meet modern warfare demands. This will require significant investments in aircraft modernization, training, and maintenance, as well as increased funding for research and development.
The journey ahead will not be easy, but with billions of dollars in extra funding at its disposal, the Air Force has the opportunity to make significant strides in improving readiness. Secretary Meink’s approach reflects the Air Force’s commitment to transparency and collaboration, setting the stage for a productive and successful year ahead.