In July 2016, United States Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein and then-Secretary Deborah Lee James revealed their plan to fix what they referred to as a “quiet crisis.” The Air Force, they wrote for Defense One, faced a shortage of 500 fighter pilots that would grow to 700 by the end of the year. In all, the USAF was short 1,500 aviators, including 1,300 fighter pilots.
Air Force Pilot Shortage Reaches 2,000
Key Takeaways:
- The U.S. Air Force is grappling with a severe and escalating pilot shortage, reaching 2,000 aviators by late 2017, a situation leaders warn could jeopardize mission accomplishment.
- This crisis is attributed to a high operational tempo from prolonged combat, budget instability (sequestration), pilot burnout, and an exodus of pilots to more lucrative commercial airline positions.
- Proposed solutions include advocating for an end to budget sequestration, expanding the pilot training pipeline (which requires stable funding), and recalling retired pilots, though the latter initiative has seen very limited participation.
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