The Heritage Foundation

Source: “Aircraft Modifications: Assessing the Current State of Air Force Aircraft Modifications and the Implications for Future Military Capability,” by Owen J. Hill; Energy Information Administration; Billboard magazine

NATIONAL SECURITY

Our aging Air ForceToday’s Air Force is almost half the size it was in the early 1990s — down to 20 tactical air wings from 37. Meanwhile, the average age of the fleet keeps rising — from 9 years old in 1973 to 24 today. Many planes are older than their pilots. Not surprisingly, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff, has asked Congress to invest more in modernizing fighters, bombers and other aircraft.

When They First Flew

C-130 (1956)

• President: Eisenhower• No. 1 song: “Heartbreak Hotel,”by Elvis Presley• No. 1 TV show:“I Love Lucy”

B-52 (1957)

• President: Eisenhower• No. 1 song: “All Shook Up,” by Elvis Presley• No. 1 TV show: “Gunsmoke”

F-15 (1973)

• President: Nixon• No. 1 song: “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” by Roberta Flack• No. 1 TV show:“All in the Family”

F-117 (1982)

• President: Reagan• No. 1 song: “Ebony and Ivory,” by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder• No. 1 TV show: “Dallas”

A-10 (1975)

• President: Ford• No. 1 song: “Love Will Keep Us Together,” by Captain & Tennille• No. 1 TV show:“All in the Family”

B-2 (1993)

• President: Clinton• No. 1 song: “I Will Always Love You,” by Whitney Houston• No. 1 TV show: “HomeImprovement”

For research on how to regain air superiority, go to www.heritage.org/about/lfa/protectamerica.cfm