United States Air Force

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal Corps, the USAF was established as a separate branch of the United States Armed Forces in 1947 with the enactment of the National Security Act of 1947. It is the second youngest branch of the United States Armed Forces and the fourth in order of precedence. The United States Air Force articulates its core missions as air supremacy, global integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, rapid global mobility, global strike, and command and control.

United States Air Force
Founded
  • 18 September 1947
  • (76 years, 4 months)
Country United States
TypeAir force
Size
Part ofUnited States Armed Forces
Department of the Air Force
HeadquartersThe Pentagon
Arlington County, Virginia, United States
Motto(s)"Aim High ... Fly-Fight-Win"
"Integrity first, Service before self, Excellence in all we do"
ColorsUltramarine blue, Golden yellow
   
March"The U.S. Air Force" Play
Anniversaries18 September
EquipmentList of equipment of the United States Air Force
Engagements
Website
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief President Joe Biden
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall III
Chief of Staff Gen David W. Allvin
Vice Chief of Staff Gen James C. Slife
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force CMSAF JoAnne S. Bass
Insignia
Flag
Roundel
"Hap" Arnold Symbol
Aircraft flown
AttackA-10, AC-130, MQ-9
BomberB-1B, B-2, B-52H
Electronic
warfare
E-3, E-4, E-8, E-9A, E-11A, EC-130H, EC-130J, EQ-4B
FighterF-15C/D, F-15E, F-15EX, F-16C/D, F-22, F-35A
HelicopterCV-22, HH-60, MH-139, UH-1N
ReconnaissanceMC-12, RC-135S/U/V/W, RQ-4, RQ-11, RQ-170, RQ-180, RQ-20 Puma, U-2, U-28, WC-130, WC-135
TrainerA-29, T-1, T-6, T-38, T-41, T-51, T-53, TG-16, TH-1
TransportC-5M, C-12, C-17,CN-235, C-20, C-21, C-32, C-37, C-40, C-130, HC-130, LC-130, MC-130, C-146A, VC-25
TankerKC-10, KC-135, KC-46, HC-130, MC-130

The United States Air Force is a military service branch organized within the Department of the Air Force, one of the three military departments of the Department of Defense. The Air Force through the Department of the Air Force is headed by the civilian Secretary of the Air Force, who reports to the Secretary of Defense and is appointed by the President with Senate confirmation. The highest-ranking military officer in the Air Force is the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, who exercises supervision over Air Force units and serves as one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As directed by the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Air Force, certain Air Force components are assigned to unified combatant commands. Combatant commanders are delegated operational authority of the forces assigned to them, while the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force retain administrative authority over their members.

Along with conducting independent air operations, the United States Air Force provides air support for land and naval forces and aids in the recovery of troops in the field. As of 2017, the service operates more than 5,369 military aircraft and 406 ICBMs. The world's largest air force, it has a $179.7 billion budget and is the second largest service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, with 321,848 active duty airmen, 147,879 civilian personnel, 68,927 reserve airmen, 105,104 Air National Guard airmen, and approximately 60,000 Civil Air Patrol auxiliarists.

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