Generals to Congress: Buy More F-35s, Fund the E-7

Dear Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Thune, Democratic Leader Schumer and Democratic Leader Jeffries:  

On behalf of the Air & Space Forces Association’s (“AFA”) 125,773 members, we write to express our alarm at recent proposals to reduce the next fiscal year’s (“FY”) procurement of F-35As to only 24 aircraft and terminate the E-7 Wedgetail program. During a period of heightened tension throughout the world, we believe such reductions will severely and unnecessarily undermine our service members’ ability to deter, and if necessary, prevail in future conflicts. Therefore, as the congressional defense authorization and appropriations committees continue their important work in preparing legislation for Fiscal Year 2026, we respectfully request the Congress provide authorization and funding to procure 75 F-35As and restore E-7 funding in full.  

AFA members are heartened by the House Appropriations Committee and its Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, for providing in its FY’26 Defense Appropriations bill, $4.5 billion for 42 F-35As and an additional $500 million for the further development of the E-7.  

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of rapidly acquiring F-35As to achieve the Air Force’s requirement for 1,763 aircraft. F-35As were integral to the success of Operation Midnight Hammer, but also crucial to the Israeli Air Force’s ability to crush Iran’s air defenses and swiftly achieve air superiority over Iran.  

While the F-35 has experienced its share of developmental challenges, operationally it has demonstrated spectacularly its decisive warfighting capabilities in combat over Iran. The contractor has stated the certification for its latest upgrade, called Tech Refresh 3, is all but complete. That means the hardware and software upgrades are now available enabling even greater improvements in the F-35 that, if required, will dramatically increase its ability to decisively engage in any future conflict.  

Finally, our allies confirm the importance of the F-35’s vital capabilities with their recent increase in purchases. Specifically, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Romania, Greece, Czech Republic and Finland, have recently committed to adopting the F-35A or meaningfully increasing their planned procurement.  

Regarding the E-7 Wedgetail, this program is proposed for termination and as a stopgap measure additional E-2 Hawkeye’s will be procured. However, the E-2 is unable to meet the combatant command requirements for theater-wide airborne command and control. That is not the mission for which it is designed. Additionally, the E-7 can perform missions different from traditional AWACS roles that will be critical to the China contingency.  

There is a reason our allies, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, Turkey and NATO have all decided to procure the E-7 for this crucial combat requirement. Noting the vital capabilities of the E-7, the recent British Strategic Defence Review, overturned a planned reduction in the number of E-7s the Royal Air Force will procure.  

We have high confidence the U.S. Space Force will develop and deploy a space-based air battle management system. However, the scientific and engineering hurdles to accomplish this goal are daunting and the timeline to success is unclear. Since having a robust tracking and battle management system is fundamental to projecting air power and winning conflicts, prudence demands we acquire sufficient numbers of E-7s to prevail whenever the next conflict unfolds. We, therefore, applaud the foresight of the House Appropriations Committee and House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee in their allocation of funding for the E-7 and respectfully request additional resources be committed so the aircraft can be deployed at the earliest opportunity.  

Time is of the essence. China has committed itself to being able to achieve, in two short years, the successful amphibious assault of Taiwan – an island with a peaceful, self-governing people. If conflict does come, there will be no more decisive question than who controls the skies over the Pacific. The actions Congress takes this year – specifically through the acquisition of 75 F-35As and ensuring the operational deployment of the E-7 – could be critical in deterring and, if necessary, prevailing in near-term conflicts.  

As always, thank you for your consideration in these matters.  

Yours truly, 

General Joseph W. Ralston, USAF (Ret.), 4th Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and 13th Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (NATO)  

General Merrill A. McPeak, USAF (Ret.), 14th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force 

General Ronald R. Fogleman, USAF (Ret.), 15th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force

General Michael E. Ryan, USAF (Ret.), 16th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force  

General John P. Jumper, USAF (Ret.), 17th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force 

General T. Michael Moseley, USAF (Ret.), 18th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force

General Mark A. Welsh III, USAF (Ret.), 20th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force

General John D.W. Corley, USAF (Ret.), 32nd Vice Chief of staff of the United States Air Force and 8th Commander of Air Combat Command

General Philip M. Breedlove, USAF (Ret.), 17th Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (NATO) and 36th Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force

General Ralph E. Eberhart, USAF (Ret.), 1st Commander, U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and NORAD

General Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.), 7th Commander, U.S. Strategic Command and 14th Commander, Air Force Space Command

General Lori J. Robinson, USAF (Ret.), 7th Commander, U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and NORAD

General John M. Loh, USAF (Ret.), 24th Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force and 1st Commander, Air Combat Command

General Herbert J. “Hawk” Carlisle, USAF (Ret.), 11th Commander, Air Combat Command

General Robin Rand, USAF (Ret.), 4th Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command 

General Lance W. Lord, USAF (Ret.), 12th Commander, Air Force Space Command

Brigadier General Bernie Skoch, USAF (Ret.), AFA’s Board Chair  

Lieutenant General Burt Field, USAF (Ret.), AFA’s President and CEO  

Lieutenant General David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, Mitchell Institute