根據United States Air Force近期公布的2025 至2026 財年預算規劃與機型汰換進度，美軍正加速推動「少而精」的轉型戰略。這一策略導致多款曾經功勳卓著的經典飛機在短時間內批量退出第一線現役，或者被移交至被俗稱為「飛機墳場」的戴維斯-蒙森空軍基地。

此次退役的機型，背後各有其戰略考量與運作背景。最具代表性的是 A-10C 雷霆二式（疣豬），美軍已正式決定逐步全面退役這款近距支援主力。隨著現代高強度防空環境的挑戰增加，A-10C 的生存率已顯不足，首批編隊正陸續撤離亞利桑那州等基地，結束其數十年的傳奇服役歷程。F-15E 打擊鷹雖然仍具強大作戰能力，但美軍計畫削減早期批次，以節省資金投入更先進的 F-15EX 或支援Next Generation Air Dominance 的研發。冷戰時期的老兵KC-135 空中加油機，因機齡過高、維護成本不斷增加，正逐步被新一代 KC-46A 取代並進入封存狀態。HH-60G 鋪路鷹直升機的特種作戰與搜救任務，也正在由更新型 HH-60W 替換。至於F-16 戰隼，部分早期 Block 25/30批次因機體壽命已達上限，正批量剔除出戰鬥編制，有的轉作教練機或無人靶機使用。

之所以在短時間內出現大量退役，是因行政命令上的正式除役生效日所致。美軍通常會在特定財政節點一次性將多架飛機劃離現役，以優化預算與資源配置。目前美軍戰略重心已從中東低空威脅的反恐作戰，轉向太平洋區域的大國競爭，涉及高難度電子戰與隱身對抗。老舊機種如A-10C 或KC-135消耗大量地勤資源與零件預算，裁撤老舊飛機是為了騰出空間給新機，提升整體作戰效率。

這批退役飛機並不全然走向報廢。部分狀況良好的 F-16 或 F-15E，往往會成為軍事援助的重要來源，例如援助烏克蘭或其他盟友；或者作為零件來源，用以維持現役機隊的運作。

總的來說，雖然表面上看似慘重的戰機損耗，實際上是美國空軍一次大規模「換血」行動。這種「壯士斷腕」式的編制縮減，反映出美軍希望在未來潛在衝突前完成新舊機型的代差跨越，確保戰力能夠快速適應現代戰場需求。

According to the recently released 2025–2026 fiscal year budget plan and aircraft replacement schedule from the United States Air Force, the U.S. military is accelerating a “fewer but more capable” transformation strategy. This approach has led to multiple historically significant aircraft being retired from frontline service in large batches or transferred to the so-called “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Among the most notable retirements is the A-10C Thunderbolt II (Warthog), a long-serving close air support workhorse. The Air Force has decided to gradually retire the A-10 due to its low survivability in modern high-intensity air defense environments. The first squadrons are already being withdrawn from bases in Arizona, ending decades of legendary service. The F-15E Strike Eagle, while still highly capable, is seeing reductions in early production batches to free up funding for advanced F-15EX aircraft and to support the Next Generation Air Dominance initiative. Cold War-era KC-135 Stratotankers are being replaced by the new KC-46A due to excessive age and maintenance costs, and are gradually moving into storage. HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, the mainstay of special operations and search-and-rescue missions, are being replaced with upgraded HH-60W models. For F-16 Fighting Falcons, early Block 25/30 models are being retired in bulk as their airframes reach the end of service life, with some converted into trainer aircraft or unmanned target drones.

The appearance of so many retirements at once is tied to the official effective dates set by administrative orders. The Air Force often removes dozens of aircraft from active service at key fiscal milestones to optimize budget allocation and resources. Strategically, the U.S. military’s focus has shifted from low-altitude counterterrorism operations in the Middle East to high-end great power competition in the Pacific, involving advanced electronic warfare and stealth confrontations. Aging platforms like the A-10C and KC-135 consume significant maintenance resources and parts budgets; retiring older aircraft frees up capacity for newer models and improves overall operational efficiency.

Not all retired aircraft are headed for the scrapyard. Many F-16s and F-15Es in good condition are repurposed for military aid, such as supporting Ukraine or allied nations, or used for spare parts to sustain remaining operational fleets.

In summary, although the headlines may suggest a heavy loss of aircraft, this is in fact a large-scale “reset” by the U.S. Air Force. This decisive, “cutting off the limb” reduction reflects the Air Force’s goal of bridging the capability gap between older and newer aircraft, ensuring that its combat power is fully aligned with the demands of modern battlefields.