LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- The fate of the U.S. military's F-22 Raptor fighter jets has now been delayed until President Barack Obama releases his final budget plan in April.

Until then, Holloman Air Force Base, in Alamogordo, home to six of the high-tech jets, will have to wait to learn how it will be impacted.

The government is deciding whether the budget will allow them to build more of the most expensive fighter jets ever made; each F-22 costs about $143 million.

“I think the F-22 is an excellent airplane, however understanding the cost of that aircraft I think that money could be better spent for our personnel,” said retired Air Force officer Fred Espinosa.

Espinosa spent almost 20 years in the Air Force and said shifting resources to military members could go a long way. According to reports, the government has about 135 raptors with 50 more in production.

“Even if we took two airplanes being sacrificed, which will not impact the defense of our nation, think of how many thousands of families can be affected positively by that money that could be directed for our people,” Espinosa said.

There's been a lot of speculation about the Raptor's future, but the secretary of defense's office told KFOX, "What's in question is $140 million for long lead materials."

Obama has not made a decision about that. The Defense Secretary’s Office sent KFOX this quote from Secretary Robert Gates via e-mail:

"In the days to come, any information you may receive about budget or program decisions will undoubtedly be wrong because I intend to wait until the end of our review process before making any decisions."

Holloman Air Force base received two of the aircraft in June and four more in December. More are expected at the end of this month. Base commanders couldn’t comment about a decision that hasn't been made. But Espinosa said, again, the focus should be on people.

“Their pay is so low. I think more importantly is to take care of our greatest resource and that is our people," he said.

The Air Force told KFOX that participants in the budget process have been asked to not disclose details of the review to prevent more speculation.