I’ll shout out whoever sends proof of the highest rank, DM me on instagram. Modern air forces spend billions on stealth fighters, hypersonic missiles, and AI… only to discover the entire operation can grind to a halt because Steve forgot the ladder. This is the surprisingly serious story of why a glorified aluminum stick can determine whether a fighter squadron launches, how the Air Force is trying to solve the problem with Agile Combat Employment, and why everyone from NATO to China suddenly cares a lot more about climbing into airplanes than you’d think. As it turns out, “Big Ladder” might actually have a point.

Source: This Is The Biggest Threat to American Planes In 2026