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.[2] It was the last branch of the U.S. military to be formed.
The USAF is the largest and 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);[3] approximately 156 Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles, 2,130 Air-Launched Cruise Missiles,[4] and 450 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. The USAF has 328,439 personnel on active duty, 74,000 in the Selected and Individual Ready Reserves, and 106,000 in the Air National Guard. In addition, the Air Force employs 168,900 civilian personnel including indirect hire of foreign nationals.[5]
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 also 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 both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.
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.
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[edit] 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 "fly, fight, and win in air, space, and cyberspace".[6]
[edit] 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 responsible for aeronautical SAR in the continental U.S. with the exception of Alaska.[7] Both agencies maintain Joint Rescue Coordination Centers to coordinate this effort.[3]
[edit] History
The United States Air Force became a separate military service on September 18, 1947, with the implementation of the National Security Act of 1947.[8] The Act created the United States Department of Defense, which was composed of three branches, the Army, Navy and a newly-created Air Force.[9] 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.
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 predecessor organizations of today's U.S. Air Force are:
- Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps (August 1, 1907 to July 18, 1914)
- Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps (July 18, 1914 to May 20, 1918)
- Division of Military Aeronautics (May 20, 1918 to May 24, 1918)
- U.S. Army Air Service (May 24, 1918 to July 2, 1926)
- U.S. Army Air Corps (July 2, 1926 to June 20, 1941) and
- U.S. Army Air Forces (June 20, 1941 to September 17, 1947)
[edit] Recent history
In 2007, the USAF implemented a large Reduction-in-Force (RIF). Because of budget constraints, the USAF planned to reduce the service's size from 360,000 active duty personnel, to 316,000.[10] The size of the active-duty force in 2007 is roughly 64% of that of the USAF at the end of the Gulf War in 1991.[11] However, the reduction was ended at approximately 330,000 personnel in 2008 to meet mission requirements.[10]
On June 5, 2008, 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. Gates in effect fired both men for "systemic issues associated with declining Air Force nuclear mission focus and performance". This followed an investigation into two embarrassing incidents involving nuclear weapons, and were also the culmination of disputes between the Air Force leadership and Gates.[12] To put more emphasis on nuclear assets, the USAF established the nuclear-focused Global Strike Command on October 24, 2008.[13]
[edit] Wars
The United States Air Force has been involved in many wars, conflicts, and operations since, and before, its conception; these include:
- World War I[14] Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps
- World War II[14] United States Army Air Forces
- The Cold War
- The Korean War
- The Vietnam War
- Operation Eagle Claw
- Operation Urgent Fury
- Operation Eldorado Canyon
- Operation Just Cause
- Operation Desert Shield & Operation Desert Storm
- Operation Northern Watch
- Operation Southern Watch
- Operation Allied Force
- Operation Enduring Freedom
- Operation Iraqi Freedom
[edit] Humanitarian operations
The U.S. Air Force has taken part in numerous humanitarian operations. Some of the more major ones include the following:[15]
- Berlin Airlift (Operation Vittles), 1948-1949
- Operation Safe Haven, 1956-1957
- Operations Babylift, New Life, Frequent Wind, and New Arrivals, 1975
- Operation Provide Comfort, 1991
- Operation Sea Angel, 1991
- Operation Provide Hope, 1992-1993
- Operation Unified Assistance, December 2004 - April 2005
[edit] Administrative organization
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 September 30, 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.
[edit] Force structure
Headquarters, United States Air Force, The Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia
Air Combat Command (ACC), headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia
First Air Force, headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida
Eighth Air Force, headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana
Ninth Air Force, headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina
Twelfth Air Force, headquartered at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona
Air Education and Training Command (AETC), headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
Second Air Force, headquartered at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi
Nineteenth Air Force, headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
Air Force Cyber Command (Provisional) (AFCYBER), interim location at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana
- Air Force Global Strike Command (GSC), location to be determined, activation in September, 2009
- Eighth Air Force, headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana (Eventually will become part of it)
Twentieth Air Force, headquartered at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming (Eventually will become part of it)
Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), headquartered at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia
Fourth Air Force, headquartered at March Air Reserve Base, California
Tenth Air Force, headquartered at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas
Twenty-Second Air Force, headquartered at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia
Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
Fourteenth Air Force, headquartered at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California- Twentieth Air Force, headquartered at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Florida
Twenty-Third Air Force, headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Florida
Air Mobility Command (AMC), headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
Eighteenth Air Force, headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany
Third Air Force, headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany
Seventeenth Air Force, headquartered at Sembach Annex, Germany
Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
Fifth Air Force, headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan
Seventh Air Force, headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea
Eleventh Air Force, headquartered at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska
Thirteenth Air Force, headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
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The permanent establishment of the USAF, as of September 30, 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
- 87 flying wings
The United States Air Force and its Air Reserve Components field a total of 302 flying squadrons.[17]
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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).
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Vocations
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.[18]
Perhaps the most dangerous Air Force jobs are Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Combat rescue officer, Pararescue, Security Forces, 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, including engineers, 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 Military Training (BMT). After BMT, 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 AFSCs have even shorter or longer training.
[edit] Planes
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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 designation.
Current aircraft of the USAF:[19]
[edit] Attack (air to ground)
[edit] Bomber
[edit] Transport, Special Operations
- An-26 Curl
- C-5A/B/C/M Galaxy
- C-12C/D/F Huron
- C-17A Globemaster III
- C-20A/B/C Gulfstream III
- C-20G/H Gulfstream IV
- C-21A Learjet
- C-22B
- VC-25A (Air Force One)
- C-26B Metroliner
- C-29A
- C-32A
- C-37A/B
- C-38 Courier
- C-40B Clipper
- C-41A Aviocar
- C-130E/H/J Hercules
- HC-130H/N
- LC-130H
- MC-130E/H/W Combat Talon/Combat Spear
- WC-130J
- C-135C/E/K Stratolifter
- NC-135B/E/W
- CN-235-100[20]
- E-9A
- CV-22B Osprey
- TC-18E
- TC-135S/W
- WC-135C/W
- U-28A
[edit] AWACS, Electronic Warfare
[edit] Fighter
[edit] Helicopter
[edit] Tanker
[edit] Reconnaissance
[edit] Trainer
- NT-39A/B Sabreliner
- T-1A Jayhawk
- T-6 Texan II
- (A)T-38A/B/C Talon
- Boeing T-43
- TG-3A
- TG-4A
- TG-7A
- TG-9A
- TG-10B/C/D
- TG-11A
- TG-15A/TG-15B
- UC-26C
- UV-18A/B Twin Otter
- UV-20A Chiricua
- F-5 Freedom Fighter
[edit] Training
All enlisted Airmen must undergo basic military training (BMT), which takes place at Lackland AFB, Texas. All officers are commissioned through the United States Air Force Academy, Officer Training School or the AFROTC program.
[edit] Air Force Fitness Test
The US Air Force Fitness Test (AFFT) is designed to test the body composition, muscular strength/endurance and cardiovascular respiratory fitness of airmen in the United States Air Force. As part of the Fit to Fight program, the Air Force adopted a more stringent physical fitness assessment; the new fitness program was established on January 1, 2004, and replaces the annual ergo-cycle test that the Air Force had used for several years. In the AFFT, Airmen are given a score based on performance consisting of four components: waist circumference, the crunch, the push-up, and a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) run. Airmen can potentially earn a score of 100; a passing score is anything over 75 points.
[edit] Culture
[edit] Uniforms
United States Air Force personnel wear uniforms which are distinct from those of the other branches of the United States Armed Forces. The current U.S. Air Force Service Dress Uniform, which was adopted in 1993 and standardized in 1995, consists of a three-button, pocketless coat, similar to that of a men's "sport jacket" (with silver "U.S." pins on the lapels), matching trousers, and either a service cap or flight cap, all in Shade 1620, "Air Force Blue" (a darker purplish-blue). This is worn with a light blue shirt (Shade 1550) and Shade 1620 herringbone patterned necktie. Enlisted members wear sleeve insignia on both the jacket and shirt, while officers wear metal rank insignia pinned onto the coat, and Air Force Blue slide-on epaulet loops on the shirt. Air Force personnel assigned to Base Honor Guard duties wear, for certain occasions, a modified version of the standard service dress uniform, but with silver trim on the sleeves and trousers, with the addition of a ceremonial belt (if necessary), wheel cap with silver trim and Hap Arnold Device, and a silver aiguillete placed on the left should seam and all devices and accouterment.
The current utility uniform is a new uniform called the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU). The previous utility uniform called the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) is still authorized for wear but is becoming less common. The new uniform, the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU), is scheduled to completely replace the BDU by 1 October 2011 (Fiscal Year 2012).
[edit] 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. Authorized badges include the Shields of USAF Fire Protection, and Security Forces
[edit] Grade Structure and Insignias
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.
[edit] Slogans & Creeds
The United States Air Force has had numerous recruiting slogans including "No one Comes Close" and Uno Ab Alto. For many years, the U.S. Air Force used "Aim High" as its recruiting slogan; more recently, they have used "Cross Into the Blue", "We've been waiting for you" and "Do Something Amazing",[21] and the newest one, "Above All".[22] Each wing, group, or squadron usually has its own slogan(s). Information and logos can usually be found on the wing, group, or squadron websites.[23]
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",[24] 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.
[edit] See also
