Mobility air forces have been able to maintain a high readiness level despite “robust and dynamic” operational requirements, said Lt. Gen. Loren Reno, deputy chief of staff for logistics. The mission capability rate for MAF assets currently lies at 82.7 percent despite much greater utilization demands in Southwest Asia, he told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s readiness panel Wednesday. Meanwhile, the readiness of combat air forces aircraft is “adequate” despite flying older aircraft longer and accumulating flight hours more quickly than first envisioned. The mission capability rate for CAF assets is now 75 percent, having declined three percent over the past five years. CAF aircraft availability rates have declined almost five percent during that same span, settling today at 65.5 percent, Reno told the committee. However, the MC rate for combat platforms in Southwest Asia remains high at 84 percent. “This is to be expected due to the focus on warfighter support,” he said. (Reno’s written testimony)
Amid a high-profile recruiting crisis, Air Force leaders and experts have increasingly noted the challenging long-term trends the service will face in enticing young Americans to sign up—decreasing eligibility to serve, less propensity to do so, and less familiarity with the military. But while those same leaders say there’s no “silver…