Originally Posted by
rickair7777
If they keep more fighters in the guard/RC they might actually be able to find guys to fly them, for a change of pace from airline monotony and the beer-money pension.
Exactly, there’s 0 shortage of fighter pilots who would fly for ANG or Reserves. 0, barring an outlandish base location (even then…).
It’s definitely an iron problem. F-15EX to Portland is great, but it’s a 1 for 1 swap with old fighter jets. Probably worse than 1 for 1 due to C’s being retired faster than EX purchased and delivered. Indiana is getting Vipers, but tapping out A-10s. Fighter units were converted to MQ units during GWOT, and the A-10 and F-15C are going away.
A-10 retiring a while ago probably would have helped save a lot of cash for more F-35s and EX, but that would have meant emotional damage to people who like BRRRRRT sound. Amazing aircraft, huge expense to future readiness.
can’t go back in time to solve this. A lot of people said this would happen.