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United States Air Force

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United States Air Force
United States Air Force portalActive 18 September1947- Present Country United States of AmericaBranch Air ForceRole "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 ForceHeadquarters The PentagonMotto "Above All" (as of 19 Feb 08) Colors Blue & Gold March The U.S. Air ForceEngagements World War I
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Persian Gulf War
Kosovo
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi FreedomCommanders Chief of Staffvacant [2]Vice Chief of StaffGen Duncan McNabbChief Master SergeantCMSAF Rodney J. McKinleyInsignia United States Air Force SymbolRoundelAircraft flown AttackF-15E, A-10, Lockheed AC-130BomberB-52H, B-1B, B-2Electronic
warfareE-3, E-8, EC-130, EC-135FighterF-22, F-15C, F-16HelicopterUH-1N, MH-53, HH-60, ReconnaissanceU-2, RC-135, Q-4, Q-1TrainerT-6, T-37, T-38, T-43, T-1, TG-10TransportC-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
"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).

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. 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.

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]

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 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]

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.

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.

Contents

Mission

1. According to the National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 502) which created the Air Force:

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.

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".[9]

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.[10] Both agencies maintain rescue coordination centers to coordinate this effort.[3]

History

Main article: History of the United States Air Force
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.[11] The Act created the United States Department of Defense, which was composed of three branches, the Army, Navy and a newly-created Air Force.[12] 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:

Wars

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

The United States Air Force has been involved in many wars, conflicts, and operations since, and before, its conception; these include:

Humanitarian operations

The U.S. Air Force has taken part in numerous humanitarian operations. Some of the more major ones include the following:[15]

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.

USAF direct subordinate commands and units are the Field Operating Agency (FOA), Direct Reporting Unit (DRU), and the currently unused Separate Operating Agency.

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.

Force structure

Headquarters, United States Air Force, The Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia

The permanent establishment of the USAF, as of 30 September 2006,[16] consisted of:

  • Active duty forces:
    • 57 flying wings, 8 space wings, and 55 non-flying wings
    • 9 flying groups, 8 non-flying groups
      • 134 flying squadrons, 43 space squadrons
  • Air Force Reserve
    • 35 flying wings, 1 space wing
    • 4 flying groups
      • 67 flying squadrons, 6 space squadrons
  • Air National Guard
    • 87 flying wings
      • 101 flying squadrons, 4 space squadrons

The United States Air Force and its Air Reserve Components field a total of 302 flying squadrons.[17]

Operational organization

The above organizational structure is responsible for the peacetime Organization, Equipping, and Training of aerospace units for operational missions. When required to support operational missions, the National Command Authority directs a Change in Operational Control (CHOP) of these units from their peacetime alignment to a Regional Combatant Commander (CCDR). In the case of AFSPC, AFSOC, PACAF, and USAFE units, forces are normally employed in-place under their existing CCDR. Likewise, AMC forces operating in support roles retain their componency to USTRANSCOM unless chopped to a Regional CCDR.

Aerospace Expeditionary Task Force

CHOPPED units are referred to as "forces". The top-level structure of these forces is the Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force (AETF). The AETF is the Air Force presentation of forces to a CCDR for the employment of Air Power. Each CCDR is supported by a standing Component Numbered Air Force (C-NAF) to provide planning and execution of aerospace forces in support of CCDR requirements. Each C-NAF consists of a Commander, Air Force Forces (COMAFFOR) and AFFOR/A-staff, and an Air Operations Center (AOC). As needed to support multiple Joint Force Commanders (JFC) in the COCOM's Area of Responsibility (AOR), the C-NAF may deploy Air Component Coordinate Elements (ACCE) to liaise with the JFC. If the Air Force possesses the most strategic air assets in a JFC's area of operations, the COMAFFOR will also serve as the Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC).

Commander, Air Force Forces

The Commander, Air Force Forces (COMAFFOR) is the senior Air Force officer responsible for the employment of Air Power in support of JFC objectives. The COMAFFOR has a special staff and an A-Staff to ensure assigned or attached forces are properly organized, equipped, and trained to support the operational mission.

Air Operations Center

The Air Operations Center (AOC) is the JFACC's Command and Control (C²) center. This center is responsible for planning and executing air power missions in support of JFC objectives.

Air Expeditionary Wings/Groups/Squadrons

The AETF generates air power to support COCOM objectives from Air Expeditionary Wings (AEW) or Air Expeditionary Groups (AEG). These units are responsible for receiving combat forces from Air Force MAJCOMs, preparing these forces for operational missions, launching and recovering these forces, and eventually returning forces to the MAJCOMs. Theater Air Control Systems control employment of forces during these missions.

Vocations

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The vast majority of Air Force members remain on the ground. There are hundreds of support positions which are necessary to the success of a mission.

The classification of an Air Force job is the Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC). They range from flight combat operations such as a gunner, to working in a dining facility to ensure that members are properly fed. There are many different jobs in fields such as computer specialties, mechanic specialties, enlisted aircrew, medical specialties, civil engineering, public affairs, hospitality, law, drug counseling, mail operations, security forces, and search and rescue specialties.

Perhaps the most dangerous Air Force jobs are Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Pararescue, Combat Control, Combat Weather and Tactical Air Control Party, who deploy with infantry and special operations units who disarm bombs, rescue downed or isolated personnel, call in air strikes and set up landing zones in forward locations. Most of these are enlisted positions. Other jobs have seen increasing combat, and have been billed "Battlefield Airmen". These include EOD, Vehicle operators, and OSI.

Nearly all enlisted jobs are "entry level," meaning that the Air Force provides all training. Some enlistees are able to choose a particular job, or at least a field before actually joining, while others are assigned an AFSC at Basic Training. After Basic Military Training, new Air Force members attend a technical training school where they learn their particular AFSC. Second Air Force, a part of Air Education and Training Command is responsible for nearly all technical training.

Training programs vary in length; for example, 3M0X1 (Services) has 31 days of tech school training, while 3E8X1 (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) is 1 year of training with a preliminary school and a main school consisting of over 10 separate divisions; sometimes taking students close to 2 years to complete. Some AFSC's have even shorter or longer training.

Aircraft

Main article: List of active United States military aircraft
B-2 Spirit F-22 Raptors CV-22 Ospreys C-17 Globemaster III

The United States Air Force has over 7,500 aircraft commissioned as of 2004. Until 1962, the Army and Air Force maintained one system of aircraft naming, while the U.S. Navy maintained a separate system. In 1962, these were unified into a single system heavily reflecting the Army/Air Force method. For more complete information on the workings of this system, refer to United States Department of Defense Aerospace Vehicle Designations.

Current aircraft of the USAF[18]:

Attack (Close Air Support)

Bomber

Transport, Special Operations

AWACS, Electronic Warfare

Fighter

Helicopter

Tanker

Reconnaissance

Trainer

Culture

Uniforms

Main article: United States Air Force uniform

United States Air Force personnel wear uniforms which are distinct from those of the other branches of the United States Armed Forces. The current uniform is an olive drab/black/brown and tan combination called the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU). Members deployed to an AOR wear a variation of the BDU, tan and brown in color, called the Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU). A new uniform called the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) is currently being distributed to some bases, and in a memo from HQ AFPC at Randolph AFB dated September 2007, will be distributed to basic trainees in their clothing issue starting October 2007. The ABU is already authorized for wear, and is scheduled to completely replace the BDU and DCU by November 2011.

Awards and badges

In addition to basic uniform clothing, various badges are used by the USAF to indicate a job assignment or qualification-level for a given assignment. Badges can also be used as merit-based or service-based awards. Over time, various badges have been discontinued and are no longer distributed.

Grade Structure and Insignias

See also: United States Air Force officer rank insignia
See also: United States Air Force enlisted rank insignia

The standard USAF uniform is also decorated with an insignia to designate rank. USAF rank is divided between enlisted airmen, non-commissioned officers, and commissioned officers, and ranges from "airman basic" to the commissioned rank of general. Promotions are granted based on a combination of test scores, years of experience, and selection board approval. Promotions among enlisted men and non-commissioned officers rankings are generally designated by increasing numbers of insignia chevrons. Commissioned officer rank is designated by bars, oak leaves, a silver eagle, and anywhere from one to five (only in war-time) stars.

For cadet rank at the U.S. Air Force Academy, see United States Air Force Academy Cadet Insignia.

Slogans & Creeds

The United States Air Force has had numerous recruiting slogans to include "Nothing Comes Close" and Uno Ab Alto. For many years, the U.S. Air Force used "Aim High" as its recruiting motto; more recently, they have used "Cross Into the Blue", "We've been waiting for you" and "Do Something Amazing",[20] and the newest one, "Above All".[21] Each wing, group, or squadron usually has its own motto(s). Information and logos can usually be found on the wing, group, or squadron websites.[22]

The Airman's Creed is a statement introduced in the spring of 2007 to summarize the culture of the Air Force.

Air Force Core Values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do

To help further knowledge of their mission and functions, the Air Force has also produced videos, such as "Setting the Conditions for Victory" and "How We Fight",[23] to outline the Air Force role in the war on terrorism and how the service succeeds in its domains of air, space and cyberspace. The Above All campaign continues to support the message of "air, space and cyberspace" dominance.

See also

Wikisource has original works written by or about: United States Air Force Military of the United States Portal
United States Air Force Portal

References

  1. ^ Department of the Air Force - Transformation Priorities
  2. ^ Press Release No. 020608, June 5, 2008 Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Public Affairs
  3. ^ 80 P.L. 235, 61 Stat. 495 (1947); Air Force Link, (2006)Factsheets: The U.S. Air Force. Retrieved April 7, 2006.
  4. ^ "2008 Air Force Almanac", AIR FORCE Magazine, May 2008, p.61.
  5. ^ "Gallery of USAF Weapons, 2008 Air Force Almanac", AIR FORCE Magazine, May 2008, p.155. USAF plans to retire all 460 AGM-129 in 2008, and all but 528 ALCM by 2012.
  6. ^ "2008 Air Force Almanac", AIR FORCE Magazine, May 2008, p.48. The foreign hire figure is 6,617 persons.
  7. ^ Interview, Air Internationals ? vol.74 ?.
  8. ^ 2006 USAF Almanac: USAF Personnel Strength. AIR FORCE Magazine. Retrieved on 20 Jan 2007. 1991 510,000; 2006 352,000
  9. ^ Air Force Link, (2005). Air Force releases new mission statement. Retrieved December 8, 2005.
  10. ^ National Search and Rescue Plan (USA) 2007
  11. ^ U.S. Intelligence Community (October 2004). National Security Act of 1947. Retrieved April 14, 2006.
  12. ^ U.S. Department of State(2006). National Security Act of 1947. Retrieved April 14, 2006.
  13. ^ Air Force Pamphlet 36-2241 (1 July 2007). [1].
  14. ^ Air Force Pamphlet 36-2241 (1 July 2007). [2].
  15. ^ The primary source for the humanitarian operations of the USAF is the United States Air Force Supervisory Examination Study Guide (2005)
  16. ^ 2007 USAF Almanac: Major Commands. AIR FORCE Magazine. Retrieved on 9 Feb 2008.
  17. ^ 2007 USAF Almanac: USAF Squadrons By Mission Type. AIR FORCE Magazine. Retrieved on 9 Feb 2008.
  18. ^ US Air Force aviation OrBat - including numbers of aircraft in active service
  19. ^ http://www.airliners.net/open.file/775218/L/
  20. ^ "Do Something Amazing" web site
  21. ^ "Air Force rolls out new advertising campaign", Airforcetimes.com, March 2, 2008.
  22. ^ US Air Force Mottos. Military-quotes.com, Retrieved 4 June 2006.
  23. ^ "'Setting the Conditions for Victory' video premieres online", USAF, 3 October 2007

References to U.S. Army predecessors of today's U.S. Air Force are cited under their respective articles.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: United States Air Force v • d • eUnited States Air Force Portal:United States Air ForceLeadershipSecretary of the Air Force · Chief of Staff · Vice Chief of Staff · Chief Master Sergeant of the Air ForceOrganizationCommands:

Reserve · National Guard · Air National Guard · Field Operating Agencies · Installations

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USAF Academy · District of Washington · Operational Test and Evaluation Center

Major commands:

Air Combat · Air Education and Training · Materiel · Space · Special Operations · Air Mobility · Cyber · Pacific · Europe

Numbered air forces:

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