This GAO report sheds light on the intricate dynamics of tactical aircraft operations within the Department of Defense (DOD) from fiscal years 2018 to 2023. This study underscores the importance of these aircraft, which are pivotal for both combat operations and homeland defense. Tactical aircraft include models like the F-35, F-22, and F-16, operated by the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, playing a vital role in air-to-air, air-to-ground, and electronic warfare missions. However, maintaining high levels of readiness and availability across these aircraft has proven challenging, with many systems falling short of meeting established mission capable goals. 

The report emphasizes the use of Operation and Maintenance (O&M) funding, which covers critical components such as maintenance, spare parts, and other operational needs. While the Air Force and Navy generally aligned their executed O&M spending with budget requests, the Marine Corps often fell short, executing about 8.4% less than requested. Interestingly, despite the Navy's increase in mission capable rates, the Air Force’s rates declined, illustrating that increased funding does not always correlate with improved readiness. The analysis revealed that no aircraft variant consistently met annual mission capable goals across the six years examined, with only the F-15C and F-16C meeting these goals in half of the reviewed years. 

A critical theme throughout the report is the challenge of maintaining an aging fleet. Many aircraft first entered service in the 1970s and 1980s, requiring substantial investments to extend their operational lives. Delays in acquiring new fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35 have exacerbated the situation, forcing the DOD to invest billions into sustaining older, fourth-generation aircraft. Additionally, readiness has been affected by complex factors, including structural fatigue, maintenance delays, and shortages of spare parts and skilled personnel. 

The sustainment strategy for these aircraft involves a combination of government-managed facilities and private contractors. For example, the F-35 program relies heavily on Lockheed Martin for sustainment, a model that raises questions about the appropriate balance between government control and contractor involvement. The report notes ongoing efforts within the DOD to reassess this balance, particularly for the F-35, in response to rising sustainment costs, which grew from $1.1 trillion in 2018 to $1.58 trillion in 2023. Congress has mandated that by 2027, the management of the F-35 sustainment will transfer to the Air Force and Navy to increase government oversight. 

Although the report reflects some progress, especially in Navy aircraft readiness, it stresses the need for improved mitigation strategies for recurring sustainment issues. Previous GAO recommendations have urged the Air Force and Navy to develop comprehensive plans with specific milestones to address challenges identified in earlier reviews. The report also recommends that Congress consider legislation requiring the submission of mitigation plans when aircraft fall short of readiness goals over consecutive years. 

Overall, the findings highlight the persistent struggle to balance funding, maintenance, and operational readiness within the DOD’s tactical aircraft programs. The complexity of maintaining an aging fleet while incorporating newer aircraft models like the F-35 complicates the DOD’s ability to achieve readiness goals. The report concludes that without significant improvements in sustainment practices, it will remain difficult for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps to meet their tactical air mission requirements consistently. 

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