Six former Air Force chiefs of staff and other high-ranking retired generals have launched an unprecedented protest against the Pentagon's proposed military aircraft cuts.
According to Military Times, sixteen retired four-star generals sent a letter to Congressional leadership opposing plans to reduce F-35A procurement to 24 aircraft and terminate the E-7 Wedgetail program. The letter represents 125,773 Air and Space Forces Association members who warn these cuts would severely undermine military readiness during heightened global tensions.
The letter's signatories include former Air Force chiefs Merrill McPeak, Ron Fogleman, Michael Ryan, John Jumper, Michael Moseley and Mark Welsh, representing leadership from 1990 to 2016. David Deptula, retired three-star general and Mitchell Institute dean, called the unified response unprecedented in Air Force history.
Pentagon's Cost-Cutting Measures Face Resistance
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth justified the E-7 cancellation during a House Appropriations hearing, citing increased costs and survivability concerns in contested environments. The Pentagon plans to replace the aging E-3 Sentry fleet with space-based assets and E-2D Hawkeye aircraft instead of the Boeing-made E-7 Wedgetail.
The retired generals directly challenged claims that E-2 Hawkeyes could fulfill theater-wide airborne command and control requirements. Five allied nations - the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, Turkey, and NATO - have already invested in the Wedgetail platform, demonstrating its strategic value.
The Air Force's current E-3 Sentry AWACS fleet requires immediate replacement, with the generals warning that space-based alternatives face significant technical challenges. Deptula estimates these space systems won't be operational until after 2030, leaving a critical capability gap.
Combat Success Highlights F-35 Value
The F-35A proved essential during Operation Midnight Hammer against Iranian nuclear facilities and helped Israeli forces achieve air superiority. The generals emphasized that reducing procurement to 24 aircraft would make reaching the Air Force's goal of 1,763 Joint Strike Fighters impossible.
Recent Technology Refresh 3 upgrades have improved F-35 capabilities significantly, with certifications nearly complete. The generals urged Congress to increase procurement to 75 aircraft in 2026, warning that cuts would compromise combat readiness and increase per-unit costs.
AWACS aircraft played a crucial role in last month's Iranian nuclear site strikes, demonstrating the ongoing need for advanced airborne battle management. The generals cited this operation as evidence that space-based alternatives cannot yet replace dedicated aircraft platforms.
Military Leadership Demands Action
Former NATO supreme allied commanders, U.S. Strategic Command leaders, and Air Force Space Command chiefs united in signing the protest letter. Gen. Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, former Air Combat Command head, emphasized the urgent need to maintain air superiority capabilities.
The Pentagon's fiscal 2026 budget proposal would leave the Air Force without adequate airborne early warning capabilities by 2028. Current E-3 Sentry aircraft will reach the end of their service life by then, creating a dangerous capability gap in theater-wide surveillance and control.
The retired generals provided specific data showing the E-7's superior performance in allied service, including a 90% mission success rate with Australian forces. They warned that canceling the program would force reliance on E-2 Hawkeyes, which lack the range and capabilities for theater-wide operations.
Strategic Impact Assessment
The proposed cuts would reduce F-35A procurement by 50% from current levels and eliminate the E-7 program entirely. Allied nations operating the Wedgetail report 95% mission capability rates, while space-based alternatives remain theoretical.
The Defense Department's own analysis shows a minimum requirement of 48 F-35As annually to maintain air superiority. Current proposals would delay reaching minimum force requirements by at least five years and increase total program costs by billions.
Recent combat operations in Iran demonstrated the F-35's 92% mission success rate and the critical role of AWACS support. Without these capabilities, military leaders warn that U.S. forces would face significant disadvantages in future conflicts, particularly in the Pacific theater.
