The Air Force is short 4,000 aircraft maintainers, with the problem growing worse every month, and that fact is the No. 1 reason the service is facing a significant fleet readiness shortfall, an Air Force official told House lawmakers earlier this week. Maj. Gen. Scott West said a combination of smaller budgets and manpower reductions has left the Air Force with a maintenance manning level that is at its lowest point in 20 years. West, the director of current operations...
