Event Brief
Report says many USAF pilots lack combat sortie experience
By The BriefBrief · Sources (2)
Filed: Sep 13, 2026 at 6:09 PM ET
Summary: A Military Times report says many US Air Force pilots are not accumulating enough sorties to stay combat-ready. It cites Mitchell Institute expert John Venable, saying the average USAF pilot flies about one sortie per month versus 5.5 in 2023, while combat-ready requires at least nine sorties monthly.
WHO: John Venable, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies (MIAS); Military Times
WHAT: Report says USAF pilots lack sufficient sortie experience to remain combat-ready
WHEN: Sep 13, 2026
WHERE: USA
WHY: Combat-readiness standards require at least nine sorties per month, but the report says the average USAF pilot is flying far fewer.
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