Grounded by Red Ink: The Hidden Chokepoint in U.S. Air Force Readiness

The U.S. Air Force is facing a significant readiness crisis, with historically low mission-capable rates and an aging fleet that undermines its posture in great-power competition. A primary cause is a culture of engineering risk aversion, where rigid adherence to technical specifications grounds aircraft for minor issues, prioritizing liability over operational needs. This problem is exacerbated by slow modernization, brittle supply chains, and the strain from two decades of sustained operations. The proposed solution is to shift final readiness decisions from engineers to operational commanders, empowering them to weigh calculated risks against mission requirements and ensure combat power is available when needed.