A coalition of former senior US Air Force commanders has called on Congress to fully fund the purchase of 75 F-35A fighter jets and the reinstatement of the E-7 Wedgetail command-and-control program in the next fiscal year, warning that any setback would severely diminish America’s air capabilities, most notably in deterring Chinese action across Taiwan.
In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) was concerned about proposed reductions cutting the F-35A buy to only 24 aircraft and the possible cancellation of the E-7 program. The letter, signed by more than a dozen retired commanders, including several of USAF’s former Chiefs of Staff, explained that these cuts would “needlessly and disproportionately weaken our military personnel’s capacity to deter, and when needed, win future wars.”
Given Beijing is said to be working towards amphibious assault capability on Taiwan by 2027, the generals cautioned that “mastery of the Pacific skies” would be a determining factor in such an event. They highlighted that F-35As, which have already been tested in missions like Israel’s crushing of Iranian air defenses, are essential to keeping American air superiority. They also mentioned on-going upgrades under Tech Refresh 3 and increased demand for the aircraft globally as proofs of its strategic importance.
On the E-7 Wedgetail, generals rejected offers to replace with E-2 Hawkeye planes, describing them as insufficient for full-spectrum air command. They explain that allies such as the UK, South Korea, and NATO are using the E-7 due to its superiority.
The letter commended the House Appropriations Committee’s backing of 42 F-35As and $500 million in E-7 development funding but demanded full restoration. “China is stepping up its military plans,” the generals cautioned. “Congress needs to act now to provide American air superiority in the Indo-Pacific.”