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Encyclopedia > United States Air Force

This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2008)
"USAF" redirects here. For other uses, see USAF (disambiguation).
"The U.S. Air Force" redirects here. For the song, see The U.S. Air Force (song).
United States Air Force

United States Air Force portal
Active 18 September 1947 - Present
Country United States of America
Branch Air Force
Role "To provide sovereign options for the defense of the United States and its global interests. To fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace"[1]
Size 328,600 active personnel
5,778 aircraft, of which 2,402 are fighters
450 ICBMs
Part of Department of Defense
United States Department of the Air Force
Headquarters The Pentagon
Motto "Above All" (as of 19 Feb 08)
Colors
Blue
Silver
March The U.S. Air Force
Engagements World War I
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Persian Gulf War
Kosovo
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Chief of Staff Gen T. Michael Moseley[2]
Vice Chief of Staff Gen Duncan McNabb
Chief Master Sergeant CMSAF Rodney J. McKinley
Insignia
United States Air Force Symbol
Roundel
Aircraft flown
Attack F-15E, A-10, Lockheed AC-130
Bomber B-52H, B-1B, B-2
Electronic
warfare		 E-3, E-8, EC-130, EC-135
Fighter F-22, F-15C, F-16
Helicopter UH-1N, MH-53, HH-60,
Reconnaissance U-2, RC-135, Q-4, Q-1
Trainer T-6, T-37, T-38, T-43, T-1, TG-10
Transport C-17, C-5, C-130, C-135, VC-25, C-32, C-9, CV-22, C-37, C-21, C-12, C-40, KC-10, KC-135 Stratotanker

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. Initially born as the United States Army Air Corps, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947.[3] It was the last branch of the U.S. military to be formed. Image File history File links Question_book-new. ... USAF may refer to: United States Air Force, the air force of the United States United Student Aid Funds, an American nonprofit corporation that provides student support Upper Saint Anthony Falls, part of the Saint Anthony Falls Categories: ... The U.S. Air Force is the official song of the United States Air Force. ... Image File history File links Seal_of_the_US_Air_Force. ... is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... For a particular Air Force, see List of air forces. ... The United States Department of Defense (DOD or DoD) is the federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the military. ... Seal The United States Department of the Air Force was formed in 1949 and is a component agency of the United States Department of Defense. ... This article is about the United States military building. ... This article is about the colour. ... For other uses, see Silver (disambiguation). ... The U.S. Air Force is the official song of the United States Air Force. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Belligerents United Nations: Republic of Korea Australia Belgium Canada Colombia Ethiopia France Greece Luxembourg Netherlands New Zealand Philippines South Africa Thailand Turkey United Kingdom United States Naval Support and Military Servicing/Repairs: Japan Medical staff: Denmark Italy Norway India Sweden DPR Korea PR China Soviet Union Commanders Syngman Rhee Chung... Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000... For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ... Belligerents NATO (USAF, RAF, and other air, maritime and land forces) Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Serbian and Montenegrin paramilitary and allied foreign volunteer forces[1] Commanders Wesley Clark (SACEUR) Javier Solana (Secretary General of NATO) Slobodan MiloÅ¡ević (Supreme Commander of the Yugoslav Army), Dragoljub Ojdanić (Chief of Staff), Svetozar... Combatants United States, Poland, France, Canada, Pakistan, India, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines (in the Philippines theatre only), Northern Alliance, Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ethiopia, Somalia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, Macedonia, Romania, Portugal, Bulgaria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Georgia Taliban, al-Qaeda, Abu Sayyaf, Jemaah... For other uses of the term, see Iraq war (disambiguation) The 2003 invasion of Iraq (also called the 2nd or 3rd Persian Gulf War) began on March 20, 2003, when forces belonging primarily to the United States and the United Kingdom invaded Iraq arguably without the explicit backing of the... The Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force (CSAF) serves as the senior uniformed United States Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training, and equipage of more than 700,000 active-duty, National Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. ... Teed Michael Moseley, KBE[1], is the current Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. ... Air Staff Organizational Chart The Air Staff is headed by the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force (currently General T. Michael Moseley). ... General Duncan J. McNabb is Commander, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. ... Rodney J. McKinley, the current CMSAF The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Air Force. ... Rodney J. McKinley is the current Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. ... U.S. Air Force Symbol Blue and white version The United States Air Force Symbol is the symbol of the United States Air Force. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 714 × 599 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,344 × 1,128 pixels, file size: 720 KB, MIME type: image/png) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... The modern proportion RAF roundel A roundel in heraldry is any circular shape; in military use it is an emblem of nationality employed on military aircraft and air force flags, generally round and consisting of concentric rings of different colors. ... Image File history File links Roundel_of_the_USAF.svg‎ Roundel of the USAF Source: own code Author of code: -xfi- Licence: PD-USGov-Military-Air Force File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... A ground attack aircraft is an aircraft that is designed to operate very close to the ground, supporting infantry and tanks directly in battle. ... The F-15E Strike Eagle is a modern United States all-weather strike fighter, designed for long-range interdiction of enemy ground targets deep behind enemy lines. ... The A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic for the United States Air Force to provide close air support (CAS) of ground forces by attacking tanks, armored vehicles, and other ground targets, also providing a limited air interdiction role. ... The AC-130 gunship is a heavily-armed ground attack airplane. ... For other uses, see Bomber (disambiguation). ... B-52 redirects here. ... The B-1 Lancer is an American strategic bomber with variable geometry wings. ... The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is a multi-role stealth heavy bomber, capable of deploying both conventional and nuclear weapons. ... // Electronic warfare (EW) is the use of the electromagnetic spectrum to effectively deny the use of this phenomena by an adversary, while optimizing its use by friendly forces. ... The Boeing E-3 Sentry is an American military airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, to the United States, United Kingdom, France, Saudi Arabia, and NATO air defense forces. ... The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) is a United States Air Force airborne battle management and command and control (C2) platform that conducts ground surveillance to develop an understanding of the enemy situation and to support attack operations and targeting that contributes to the delay... Categories: Possible copyright violations ... The Boeing EC-135 is a version of the C-135 Stratolifter, modified to operate on several different U.S. Air Force programs. ... An A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-86 Sabre, P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang fly in formation during an air show at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. ... F-22 redirects here. ... F-15 redirects here. ... The Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics (GD) for the United States Air Force. ... For other uses, see Helicopter (disambiguation). ... UH-1N on the ground at Camp Fallujah, Iraq in July of 2004 The Bell UH-1N Twin Huey is a medium military helicopter that first flew in 1968. ... The Sikorsky HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant is a USAF version of the CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter for long-range combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopters. ... United States Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter The primary function of the Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter is to conduct day or night operations into hostile environments to recover downed aircrew or other isolated personnel during war. ... English Electric Canberra PR.9 photo reconnaissance aircraft CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft of the Canadian Air Force. ... The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed Dragon Lady, is a single-engine, high-altitude aircraft flown by the United States Air Force and previously flown by the Central Intelligence Agency. ... The Boeing RC-135 is a United States Air Force reconnaissance aircraft used to support theater and national level consumers with near real-time on-scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities. ... The Northrop Grumman (formerly Ryan Aeronautical) RQ-4 Global Hawk (known as Tier II+ during development) is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used by the US Air Force as a surveillance aircraft. ... Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle flies on a simulated Navy aerial reconnaissance flight off southern California in December 1995. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A T-6 Texan II For the similarly-named World War II aircraft, see T-6 Texan. ... One of the most prominent of the trainer-attack type aircraft is the Cessna T-37/A-37, known in various forms as the Tweety Bird, Tweet, Dragonfly, or Super Tweet. ... The Northrop T-38 Talon is a widely used US-built supersonic jet trainer. ... The Boeing T-43A is a modified Boeing 737-200 used by the US Air Force. ... The T-1A Jayhawk is a twin-engined jet aircraft used by the United States Air Force for advanced pilot training. ... This article, image, template or category should belong in one or more categories. ... For other aircraft with this designation, see C-17. ... The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a military transport aircraft designed to provide strategic heavy airlift over intercontinental distances. ... The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop cargo aircraft and the main tactical airlifter for many military forces worldwide. ... The C-135 Stratolifter is a transport aircraft derived from Boeing’s prototype 707 jet airliner in the early 1950s. ... This article is about the aircraft. ... The Boeing C-32 is the designation of a USAF passenger transportation aircraft, a version of the Boeing 757. ... A C-9 Skytrain II offloading on the ramp at Naval Air Station Brunswick. ... The V-22 Osprey is an American joint service, multi-mission, military tiltrotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability. ... Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Gulfstream G550. ... Swiss Air Force Learjet 35A The Lear Jet Model 35A is a multi-role business jet and military transport (designated as C-21). ... The C-12F Huron provides logistics support between Navy air stations. ... A C-40B VIP transport taking off. ... The KC-10 Extender is an air-to-air tanker aircraft in service with the United States Air Force derived from the civilian DC-10-30 airliner. ... The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is an aerial refueling tanker aircraft. ... Aerial warfare is the use of military aircraft and other flying machines in warfare, including military airlift of cargo to further the national interests as was demonstrated in the Berlin Airlift. ... The United States Armed Forces are the overall unified military forces of the United States. ... The United States has seven uniformed services as defined by Title 10 of the United States Code. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ... is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...


The USAF is the largest, most technologically advanced air force in the world, with about 5,778 manned aircraft in service (4,093 USAF; 1,289 Air National Guard; and 396 Air Force Reserve);[4] approximately 156 Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles, 2130 Air-Launched Cruise Missiles,[5] and 450 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles; and as of 30 September 2007, had 328,600 personnel on active duty, 117,497 in the Selected and Individual Ready Reserves, and 106,700 in the Air National Guard. In addition, the Air Force employs 168,900 civilian personnel including indirect hire of foreign nationals.[6] For a particular Air Force, see List of air forces. ... The Air National Guard (ANG) is part of the United States National Guard and a reserve component of the United States Air Force (USAF). ... The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) is a major command (MAJCOM) of the U.S. Air Force with its headquarters at Robins AFB, Georgia United States. ... J-UCAS Boeing X-45A UCAV technology demonstrator The Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) or combat drones is the name of a new class of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). ... A Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missile of the German Luftwaffe A cruise missile is a guided missile which carries an explosive payload and uses a lifting wing and a propulsion system, usually a jet engine, to allow sustained flight; it is essentially a flying bomb. ... ICBM redirects here. ... is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... In the United States military active duty refers to military members who are currently serving full time in their military capacity. ... This article or section should include material from U.S. Air Force Reserve Shield of the Air Force Reserve Command. ... The Air National Guard (ANG) is part of the United States National Guard and a reserve component of the United States Air Force (USAF). ...


In 2007, the USAF implemented a large Reduction-in-Force (RIF). Because of budget constraints, the USAF will reduce the service's current size from 333,000 active duty personnel, to 316,000, which will be the smallest since the attack on Pearl Harbor, according to former Air Force Chief of Staff General Michael Moseley.[7] The current size of the active-duty force is roughly 70% of that of the USAF at the end of the first Gulf War in 1991.[8] This article is about the actual attack. ... The Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force (CSAF) serves as the senior uniformed United States Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training, and equipage of more than 700,000 active-duty, National Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. ... Teed Michael Moseley, KBE[1], is the current Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. ... For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ...


Not all of the United States' military combat aircraft are operated by the USAF. The Army operates its own helicopters, mostly for support of ground combatants; it as well maintains a small fleet of fixed wing aircraft (mostly Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). The Navy is responsible for a multitude of aircraft, including integrated air wing combat aircraft operating aboard its 11 aircraft carriers and also many maritime patrol and transport aircraft stationed at multiple Naval air stations around the world. The Marine Corps operates its own combat and transport aircraft in support of its ground mission and often in conjunction with Naval Aviation. The Coast Guard also maintains transport and search-and-rescue aircraft (SARA), which may be used in a combat and law enforcement role. All branches of the U.S. military operate helicopters. “Fights” redirects here. ... The United States Army is the largest, and by some standards oldest, established branch of the armed forces of the United States and is one of seven uniformed services. ... For other uses, see Helicopter (disambiguation). ... Unmanned Aerial Vehicle over Iraq. ... USN redirects here. ... Four aircraft carriers, (bottom-to-top) Principe de Asturias, amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, USS Forrestal and light V/STOL carrier HMS Invincible, showing size differences of late 20th century carriers An aircraft carrier is a warship designed to deploy and recover aircraft, acting as a sea-going airbase. ... A Naval Air Station is an airbase of the United States Navy. ... The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for providing force projection from the sea,[1] using the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces and is one of seven uniformed services. ... USCG HH-65 Dolphin USCG HH-60J JayHawk USCG HC-130H departs Mojave USCG HC-130H on International Ice Patrol duties The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is at all times a branch of the U.S. military, a maritime law enforcement agency, and a federal regulatory body. ...


The Department of the Air Force is headed by the civilian Secretary of the Air Force who heads administrative affairs. The Department of the Air Force is a division of the Department of Defense, headed by the Secretary of Defense. The highest ranking military officer in the Department of the Air Force is the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The Secretary of the Air Force is the civilian head of the United States Department of the Air Force, a component organization of the Department of Defense. ... The United States Department of Defense (DOD or DoD) is the federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the military. ... The United States Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) is the head of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), concerned with the armed services and military matters. ... The Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force (CSAF) serves as the senior uniformed United States Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training, and equipage of more than 700,000 active-duty, National Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. ...


On 5 June 2008, in a move called "unprecedented" by one Air Force-related journal, Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, accepted the resignations of both the Secretary of the Air Force, Michael W. Wynne, and the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, in effect firing both men for "systemic issues associated with declining Air Force nuclear mission focus and performance". The forced resignations followed an investigation ordered by Gates into two embarrassing incidents involving nuclear weapons, and were also the culmination of a long-running series of disputes between the Air Force leadership and Gates.[9] is the 156th day of the year (157th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Era (or Anno Domini), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... The United States Secretary of Defense is the head of the United States Department of Defense, concerned with the armed services and The Secretary is a member of the Presidents Cabinet. ... Dr. Robert Michael Gates (born September 25, 1943) served as Director of Central Intelligence from November 6, 1991 until January 20, 1993 and was Deputy National Security Adviser under Brent Scowcroft during the first Gulf War. ... The Secretary of the Air Force is the civilian head of the United States Department of the Air Force, a component organization of the Department of Defense. ... Michael W. Wynne Michael W. Wynne is the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C., USA. // Born in Clearwater, Florida and raised in Melborne. ... The Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force (CSAF) serves as the senior uniformed United States Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training, and equipage of more than 700,000 active-duty, National Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. ... Teed Michael Moseley, KBE[1], is the current Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. ... The mushroom cloud of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, 1945, rose some 18 km (11 mi) above the epicenter. ...

Contents

Mission

1. According to the National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 502) which created the Air Force: President Truman signs the National Security Act Amendment of 1949 with guests in the Oval Office. ...

In general the United States Air Force shall include aviation forces both combat and service not otherwise assigned. It shall be organized, trained, and equipped primarily for prompt and sustained offensive and defensive air operations. The Air Force shall be responsible for the preparation of the air forces necessary for the effective prosecution of war except as otherwise assigned and, in accordance with integrated joint mobilization plans, for the expansion of the peacetime components of the Air Force to meet the needs of war. Aviation encompasses all the activities relating to airborne devices created by human ingenuity, generally known as aircraft. ... “Fights” redirects here. ...

2. §8062 of Title 10 US Code (10 USC 8062) defines the purpose of the Air Force as:

  • to preserve the peace and security, and provide for the defense, of the United States, the Territories, Commonwealths, and possessions, and any areas occupied by the United States;
  • to support national policy;
  • to implement national objectives;
  • to overcome any nations responsible for aggressive acts that imperil the peace and security of the United States.

3. The stated mission of the USAF today is to "deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests — to fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace".[10]


Search and rescue

The National Search and Rescue Plan designates the United States Coast Guard as the federal agency responsible for maritime search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, and the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol responsible for inland SAR.[11] Both agencies maintain rescue coordination centers to coordinate this effort.[3] USCG HH-65 Dolphin USCG HH-60J JayHawk USCG HC-130H departs Mojave USCG HC-130H on International Ice Patrol duties The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is at all times a branch of the U.S. military, a maritime law enforcement agency, and a federal regulatory body. ... Civil Air Patrol Corporate seal The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). ... As the United States inland search and rescue (SAR) coordinator, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) serves as the single agency responsible for coordinating on-land federal SAR activities in the 48 contiguous United States, Mexico and Canada. ...


History

Main article: History of the United States Air Force
Roundels which have appeared on US aircraft1. 5/17-2/18 2. 2/18-8/19 3. 8/19-5/42 4. 5/42-6/43 5. 6/43-9/43 6. 9/43-1/47 7. 1/47-
Roundels which have appeared on US aircraft
1. 5/17-2/18 2. 2/18-8/19 3. 8/19-5/42
4. 5/42-6/43 5. 6/43-9/43 6. 9/43-1/47
7. 1/47-

The United States Air Force became a separate military service on September 18, 1947, with the implementation of the National Security Act of 1947.[12] The Act created the United States Department of Defense, which was composed of three branches, the Army, Navy and a newly-created Air Force.[13] Prior to 1947, the responsibility for military aviation was divided between the Army (for land-based operations) and the Navy, for sea-based operations from aircraft carrier and amphibious aircraft. The Army created the first antecedent of the Air Force in 1907, which through a succession of changes of organization, titles, and missions advanced toward eventual separation 40 years later. The predecessor organizations of today's U.S. Air Force are: [1] The United States Air Force became a separate military service on September 18, 1947, with the implementation of the National Security Act of 1947. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... President Truman signs the National Security Act Amendment of 1949 with guests in the Oval Office. ... The United States Department of Defense (DOD or DoD) is the federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the military. ... Four aircraft carriers, (bottom-to-top) Principe de Asturias, amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, USS Forrestal and light V/STOL carrier HMS Invincible, showing size differences of late 20th century carriers An aircraft carrier is a warship designed to deploy and recover aircraft, acting as a sea-going airbase. ... It has been suggested that Landing operation be merged into this article or section. ...

The Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps (1907-1914) was the first progenitor of the United States Air Force, and as such is the first military air organization. ... is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 199th day of the year (200th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, was the name of the military aviation service of the United States Army from 1914 to 1918, and a direct ancestor of the United States Air Force. ... is the 199th day of the year (200th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 140th day of the year (141st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The Division of Military Aeronautics, also termed the Division of Military Aeronautics and Bureau of Aircraft Production (as both were created as coordinate components of the air arm by the same executive order), was the name of the Armys aviation organization for a brief period during World War I... is the 140th day of the year (141st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 144th day of the year (145th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The United States Army Air Service was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. ... is the 144th day of the year (145th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1. ... is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... The United States Army Air Forces, or USAAF, was a part of the U.S. military during World War II. The direct precursor to the U.S. Air Force, the USAAF formally existed between 1941 and 1947. ... is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Wars

The SR-71 Blackbird was a Cold war spyplane.
The SR-71 Blackbird was a Cold war spyplane.
F-117 Nighthawk
F-117 Nighthawk

The United States Air Force has been involved in many wars, conflicts, and operations since, and before, its conception; these include: Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3000x2350, 4173 KB) SR-71B Blackbird, taken December 1994 from an in-flight refueling tanker SR-71B was the trainer version of the SR-71. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3000x2350, 4173 KB) SR-71B Blackbird, taken December 1994 from an in-flight refueling tanker SR-71B was the trainer version of the SR-71. ... SR-71 redirects here. ... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 498 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,495 × 930 pixels, file size: 580 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The original description page is/was here. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 498 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,495 × 930 pixels, file size: 580 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The original description page is/was here. ... This article is about the stealth fighter. ...

“The Great War ” redirects here. ... The Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, was the name of the military aviation service of the United States Army from 1914 to 1918, and a direct ancestor of the United States Air Force. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) was the aviation component of the United States Army primarily during World War II. The title of Army Air Forces succeeded the prior name of Army Air Corps in June 1941 during preparation for expected combat in what came to be known as... The Cold War (1947-1991) was the open yet restricted rivalry that developed after World War II between groups of nations practicing different ideologies and political systems. ... Belligerents United Nations: Republic of Korea Australia Belgium Canada Colombia Ethiopia France Greece Luxembourg Netherlands New Zealand Philippines South Africa Thailand Turkey United Kingdom United States Naval Support and Military Servicing/Repairs: Japan Medical staff: Denmark Italy Norway India Sweden DPR Korea PR China Soviet Union Commanders Syngman Rhee Chung... The Vietnam War was a war fought between 1957 and 1975 on the ground in South Vietnam and bordering areas of Cambodia and Laos (See Secret War) and in bombing runs (Rolling Thunder) over North Vietnam. ... Belligerents United States Iran Commanders Col. ... The Invasion of Grenada, known to US forces as Operation Urgent Fury, was an invasion of the island nation of Grenada by the military forces of the United States of America and several Caribbean nations. ... Operation El Dorado Canyon was the name of the joint United States Air Force and Navy air-strikes against Libya on April 15, 1986. ... Belligerents Panama United States Commanders Manuel Noriega Maxwell R. Thurman Strength 16,000+ 27,684+ Casualties and losses 100-1,000 killed 24 killed, 325 wounded 300-4,000 civilians killed The United States invasion of Panama, codenamed Operation Just Cause, was the invasion of Panama by the United States... Combatants UN Coalition Republic of Iraq Commanders Norman Schwarzkopf Saddam Hussein Strength 660,000 360,000 Casualties 345 dead, 1,000 wounded 25,000 dead, 75,000 wounded The Gulf War (1990–1991) (also called the Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, or Second Gulf War) was a conflict between... Operation Northern Watch, the successor to Operation Provide Comfort, was a US European Command Combined Task Force (CTF) charged with enforcing the United Nations mandated no-fly zone above the 36th parallel in Iraq. ... Two F-16 Falcon aircraft prepare to depart on a patrol as part of Operation Southern Watch in 2000 Operation Southern Watch was a operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia (JTF-SWA) with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 33rd Parallel in Iraq, following... The term Kosovo War or Kosovo Conflict is often used to describe two sequential and at times parallel armed conflicts (a civil war followed by an international war) in the southern Serbian province called Kosovo (officially Kosovo and Metohia), part of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. ... Combatants United States, Poland, France, Canada, Pakistan, India, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines (in the Philippines theatre only), Northern Alliance, Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ethiopia, Somalia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, Macedonia, Romania, Portugal, Bulgaria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Georgia Taliban, al-Qaeda, Abu Sayyaf, Jemaah... For other uses of the term, see Iraq war (disambiguation) The 2003 invasion of Iraq (also called the 2nd or 3rd Persian Gulf War) began on March 20, 2003, when forces belonging primarily to the United States and the United Kingdom invaded Iraq arguably without the explicit backing of the...

Humanitarian operations

The U.S. Air Force has taken part in numerous humanitarian operations. Some of the more major ones include the following:[16]

Occupation zones after 1945. ... Operation Safe Haven (1957) was an refugee relocation operation executed by the United States Air Force to evacuate 15,570-21,000 of the 200,000 Hungarian refugees to the United States following the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. ... Operation Babylift was the name given to the mass evacuation of [[children] from South Vietnam to the United States and other countries (including, for example, Australia, Canada) at the end of the Vietnam War (see also the Fall of Saigon), during April 1975. ... Operation New Life (April 1975 – September 1975) was the U.S. military evacuation of about 110,000 Southeast Asian refugees displaced by the Vietnam War out of South Vietnam. ... USAF CH-53 helicopters on the deck of Midway during Operation Frequent Wind, April 1975 Operation Frequent Wind was the emergency evacuation of Americans by helicopter from Saigon, South Vietnam in April 1975 during the last days of the Vietnam War. ... Operation New Arrivals (April 29–September 16 1975) was the relocation of more than 120,000 Indochinese refugees from Pacific island staging areas to the United States. ... Operation Provide Comfort was a military operation by the United States, starting on 24 July 1991, to defend Kurds fleeing their homes in northern Iraq in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War. ... Operation Sea Angel (May 10-June 13, 1991) was a disaster relief operation by the United States military sent to aid the people of Bangladesh in the wake of the unnamed 1991 Bangladesh cyclone. ... Operation Provide Hope was a humanitarian operation conducted by the U.S. Navy to provide medical equipment to former Soviet republics during their transition to democratic and free-market states. ... Operation United Assistance is the name of the United States militarys response to the tsunami of 2004. ... The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea (subduction) earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. ...

Administrative organization

Main article: Organizational structure and hierarchy of the United States Air Force

The Air Force is one of three service departments, and is managed by the (civilian) Department of the Air Force. Guidance is provided by the Secretary of the Air Force(SECAF) and the Secretary's staff and advisors. The military leadership is the Air Staff, led by the Chief of Staff. Unit terminology and organizational hierarchy of the United States Air Force, going from the top (most senior) down. ... In the United States Department of Defense, executive civilian control over matters other than operations is exercised through the three service departments, the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy (which includes the Marine Corps), and the Department of the Air Force. ... Seal The United States Department of the Air Force was formed in 1949 and is a component agency of the United States Department of Defense. ... The Secretary of the Air Force is the civilian head of the United States Department of the Air Force, a component organization of the Department of Defense. ... Air Staff Organizational Chart The Air Staff is Headed by the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force (currently General T. Michael Moseley). ... The Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force (CSAF) serves as the senior uniformed United States Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training, and equipage of more than 700,000 active-duty, National Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. ...


USAF direct subordinate commands and units are the Field Operating Agency (FOA), Direct Reporting Unit (DRU), and the currently unused Separate Operating Agency. This is a list of Field Operating Agencies (FOA) in the United States Air Force that are active. ... A Direct Reporting Unit (DRU) is an agency of the United States Air Force that is outside the bounds of the standard organizational hierarchy by being exclusively and uniquely under the control of Air Force headquarters alone, rather than reporting through a Major Command. ...


The Major Command (MAJCOM) is the superior hierarchical level of command. Including the Air Force Reserve Command, as of 30 September 2006, USAF has nine major commands, and a tenth, Air Force Cyber Command, in process. The Numbered Air Force (NAF) is a level of command directly under the MAJCOM, followed by Operational Command (now unused), Air Division (also now unused), Wing, Group, Squadron, and Flight. This is a list of Major Commands (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force Historically, a MAJCOM is the highest level of command, only below HQ USAF, and directly above Numbered Air Forces (NAF). ... This article or section should include material from U.S. Air Force Reserve Shield of the Air Force Reserve Command. ... is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Air Force Cyberspace Command (AFCC) is a United States Air Force major command whose development was announced by the Secretary of the Air Force on November 2, 2006. ... This is a list of Numbered Air Forces (NAF) of the United States Air Force Historically, a NAF is a level of command below a MAJCOM (Major Command), and above one or more Wings or independent Groups. ... An Air Division (AD) was a United States Air Force echelon of command. ... Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Wing emblems of the United States Air Force This is a partial list of Wings in the United States Air Force, focusing on AFCON wings. ... This is a list of Groups in the United States Air Force that do not belong to the wing that has host duties for the base at which it is stationed. ... Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Squadron emblems of the United States Air Force This is a list of United States Air Force squadrons. ...


Force structure

Headquarters, United States Air Force, The Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia Image File history File links Seal_of_the_US_Air_Force. ... This article is about the United States military building. ... Arlington County is an urban county of about 203,000 residents in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the U.S., directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. [1] Originally part of the District of Columbia, the land now comprising the county was retroceded to Virginia in a July... This article is about the U.S. state. ...