Navy’s Depleted Aircraft Will Take Years to Rebuild After Obama-Era Defense Cuts

The Washington Free Beacon ^ | 02/07/17 | Natalie Johnson

[Enlightened1]

he Navy's aircraft arsenal is so depleted it would take several years to rebuild the fleet even if the Trump administration allotted the funding needed to repair inoperable aircraft, according to a policy expert and former Air Force pilot.

John Venable, a senior research fellow for defense policy at the Heritage Foundation, cited a report released Monday that found two-thirds of the Navy's strike fighter jets are unable to fly due to maintenance problems exacerbated by several years of military budget cuts.

Thirty-five percent of grounded fighter planes are waiting for parts, while 27 percent are undergoing major depot work, according to the report published by Defense News. A full 62 percent of F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet strike fighters are out of service, a concerning figure because of the essential role the planes fill in the fleet's combat power.

In all, more than half of the Navy's planes are grounded, including some 1,700 combat transport aircraft, patrol aircraft, planes, and helicopters.

"The throughput right now is so far behind and has such a backlog that it'll take them several years to refit, refurbish, and repair the F-18s that are in unserviceable condition," Venable told the Washington Free Beacon. "They can't catch up even if the Trump administration gave them all the money they need."

Naval and Air Force pilots have been unable to train adequately due to a shortage of operable aircraft in both services, impacting readiness levels and depriving the military of pilots who are unable to log needed flight hours.

With five months left in fiscal year 2017 and a readiness deficit across all four military branches, Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) has advocated an emergency $26 billion supplemental spending bill that would direct some of the funds to readiness training for pilots.

[Enlightened1]

Just think McCain, Graham, Obama and Hillary want to go to war against Russia with our Navy like this.

[gaijin]

They cancelled the UCLASS.

[caver]

Geez, just where the hell are the trillions that Obama spent over the last eight years?

[Yo-Yo]

You can also thank Lockheed Martin for being a decade behind in developing the F-35. The F-35A was supposed to replace older F-16s that now need life extensions. The F-35B was supposed to replace AV-8Bs that are flying past their intended retirement dates. And the F-35C was supposed to replace the F/A-18C/D Hornets (but not the Super Hornets.)

Because of delays in getting the F-35 fielded, all three services are running out of airframe life.

[Paladin2]

McCain, Graham, Obama and Hillary were giving the money to ISIS and Iran.

[Enlightened1]

I am sure it made it’s way into the Clinton Foundation Fund.

[Gaffer]

In SNAP, SSI, EITC, Section 8, Obamaphones and all the other hundreds of billions of dollars he spent on entitlements. For his votes.

[Gaffer]

I’m sure he and the Mooch have their own little (massive) bitch fund to slush around, too.

[wrench]

More than just money. They gave them arms, ammunition, and equipment. Hundreds of new Toyota pickups and thousands of missiles included in the transfers to ISIS.

Hillery was running a cash and carry arms bazaar on Benghazi.

[silverleaf]

Clinton era redux
Left Bush with a military barely limping along
Let’s hope another 911 doesn’t happen before these weaknesses are addressed

[marktwain]

Geez, just where the hell are the trillions that Obama spent over the last eight years?

---

To Democrats and Democrat supporters and donors. To a Democrat, if you have to waste $1,000 to put a $1 in your pocket, it is a good deal!

[ontap]

Lockheed Martin might have some responsibility but it has been my belief Senators and Representatives doing politics is the biggest factor!!

[buckalfa]

I would be pleased if Trump and Mattis just restored basic readiness and improved moral in the military. This needs done before considering new systems.

[blackdog]

Stop spending $125.00 per gallon for bio fuels in the fleet and the money is available.

[null and void]

Geez, just where the hell are the trillions that Obama spent over the last eight years?

Rioting in the streets.

[Lazamataz]

Geez, just where the hell are the trillions that Obama spent over the last eight years?

Up his nose?

[Cincinnatus.45-70]

Senator McCain, of all people, has to know this. What sort of evil makes him want to push us into war with Russia?

[texassonofww11vet]

Or a Kenyan bank account...

[factoryrat]

Cronyism at its finest. Plenty of politicians, bureaucrats, and DOD contractors lined their pockets while stalling and failing to deliver.

All of it at the expense of the American taxpayer, paying out much blood and treasure.

[PIF]

150 Billion went to Iran, billions more for air dropped weapons to ISIS, billions to his cronies, more still to his personal slush funds in Kenya - for wind surfing and the like - also to set up a competition between him and Kerry ...