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	[[Category:United States|Air Force, United States]]		[[Category:United States|Air Force, United States]]
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Revision as of 00:35, 15 March 2009

United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the armed forces of the United States 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. It was the last branch of the U.S. military to be formed.

Its role is "To provide sovereign options for the defense of the United States and its global interests. To fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace"

Seal of the United States Department of the Air Force

Contents 1 Organisation 2 Flying Units and Equipment 2.1 Strategic Air Command 2.1.1 Strategic Bombers 2.1.2 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles 2.1.3 Strategic Reconnaissance Aircraft 2.1.4 Command and Control Aircraft 2.2 Tactical Air Command 2.2.1 Strike Aircraft 2.2.2 Tactical Fighters 2.2.3 Attack Aircraft 2.2.4 Missiles 2.2.5 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 2.2.6 Electronic Warfare/Surveillance Aircraft 2.2.7 Aggressors 2.2.8 United States Air Force Thunderbirds 2.3 Air Force Special Operations Command 2.4 Military Airlift Command 2.4.1 Tactical Transports 2.4.2 Strategic Transports 2.4.3 Tankers 2.4.4 Executive Transports 2.5 Air Education & Training Command 2.5.1 Flying Training 2.5.2 Operational Conversion Training 2.5.3 Flight Screening 2.6 Air Force Space Command 2.7 Air Force Reserve Command 2.8 Air National Guard 3 Aerial Weapon Systems 3.1 Guns 3.2 Air to Air Missiles 3.3 Air to Ground Missiles 3.4 Unguided Bombs 3.5 Guided Bombs 3.6 Cluster Bombs 3.7 Nuclear Bombs 3.8 Rockets 4 National Markings 4.1 Normal Marking 4.2 Low Visibility (Grey) 4.3 Low Visibility (Black) 5 Uniforms 5.1 Service Uniform 5.2 Airman Battle Uniform 5.3 Flying Uniform 6 Rank Insignia 6.1 Officers 6.2 Enlisted Men 7 Flag

Organisation

The USAF is part of the Department of the Air Force, which is in turn part of the Department of Defense. The civilian leader is the USAF is the Secretary of the Air Force, who reports to the Secretary of Defense. The military leader of the USAF is the Chief of Staff, United States Air Force, who is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and reports to the Secretary of the Air Force.

The USAF is organised into several Major Commands to carry out its various functions.

The USAF has the following major commands:

• Headquarters, United States Air Force
  • Tactical Air Command
  • Strategic Air COmmand
  • Military Airlift Command
  • Air Force Special Operations Command
  • Air Force Cyber Command
  • Air Force Space Command
  • Air Education & Training Command
  • Air Force Material Command
  • Air Force Reserve Command
  • Pacific Air Forces
  • United States Air Forces in Europe
  • Air National Guard
    • 38 States
    • 2 Territories
    • District of Columbia

The role of most of these operational commands is to sustain, and train forces, and to provide forces to the Unified Combatant Commands.

The usual formation is the Air Expeditionary Wing, which consists of several squadrons drawn from multiple commands and assigned to a single Joint Headquarters in a theatre of operations.

Logo of the US Air Force

Flying Units and Equipment

US Air Force roundels, 1917 - present day

1. 5/17-2/18 - Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps
2. 2/18-8/19 - Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, Division of Military Aeronautics, U.S. Army Air Service
3. 8/19-5/42 - U.S. Army Air Service, U.S. Army Air Corps, U.S. Army Air Forces
4. 5/42-6/43 - U.S. Army Air Forces
5. 6/43-9/43 - U.S. Army Air Forces
6. 9/43-1/47 - U.S. Army Air Forces
7. 1/47- - U.S. Army Air Forces, U.S. Air Force

Strategic Air Command

Strategic Air Command (SAC) is responsible for the USAF's strategic bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and strategic reconnaissance aircraft. It also operates strategic command aircraft such as the E-4 National Emergency Airborne Command Post. Although it provides aircraft and aircrews to all Unified Combatant Commands, it normally reports to United States Strategic Command.

Strategic Bombers

• 4 Squadrons of Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit
• 5 Squadrons of Rockwell B-2B Lancer
• 5 Squadrons of Boeing B-52H Stratofortress
• 7 Squadrons of Boeing B-52G Stratofortress

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles

• 6 Squadrons of LGM-118 Peacekeeper
• 9 Squadrons of LGM-134 Midgetman
• 25 Squadrons of LGM-30G Minuteman III

Strategic Reconnaissance Aircraft

• 2 Squadrons of Lockheed U-2R
• 1 Squadron of Boeing RC-135
• 2 Squadrons of Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk
• 2 Boeing WC-135W Constant Phoenix

Command and Control Aircraft

• 1 Squadron of Boeing EC-135
• 4 Boeing E-4B NEACP

Tactical Air Command

Tactical Air Command is repsonsible for battlefield-level (tactical) air combat to include air superiority (offensive and defensive counterair), light bombardment, tactical nuclear strike, tactical reconnaissance, close air support of ground troops, and battlefield air interdiction of enemy forces. It is also responsible for tactical ballistic missiles and tactical cruise missiles, although the latter role in the 1980s and 1990s was often delegated to United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). TAC also assists AFRC and the ANG in the air defence of the continental United States.

Strike Aircraft

• 2 Squadrons of Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk
• 3 Squadrons of Northrop Grumman FB-23 Black Widow II [1],[2]
• 13 Squadrons of General Dynamics F-111

Tactical Fighters

• 5 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor
• 20 Squadrons of Boeing F-15C/D Eagle
• 25 Squadrons of Boeing F-15E Stike Eagle
• 12 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon (Block 50)
• 20 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon (Block 40)

Attack Aircraft

• 9 Squadrons of Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

Missiles

• 6 Squadrons of BGM-109H Gryphon Ground Launched Cruise Missiles
• 8 Squadrons of MGM-31C Pershing II Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

• 5 Squadrons of General Atomics MQ-1 Predator
• 1 Squadron of General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper

Electronic Warfare/Surveillance Aircraft

• 2 Squadrons of Grumman/General Dynamics EF-111A Raven
• 3 Squadrons of Boeing EF-15E Strike Eagle
• 6 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin F-16CJ/DJ Fighting Falcon (Block 50)
• 1 Squadron of Northrop Grumman E-8C Joint STARS
• 2 Squadrons of Boeing E-3C Sentry

Aggressors

• 1 Squadron of Boeing F-15A/B Eagle
• 3 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcon
• 2 Squadrons of Northrop F-5E Tiger II

United States Air Force Thunderbirds

• 6 Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcons
• 2 Lockheed Martin F-16D Fighting Falcons

Air Force Special Operations Command

Air Force Special Operations Command is composed of highly trained, rapidly deployable Airmen who are equipped with specialized aircraft. These forces conduct global special operations missions ranging from precision application of firepower, to infiltration, aviation foreign internal defense, exfiltration, resupply and refueling of SOF operational elements.The command's special tactics squadrons combine combat controllers, special operations weathermen, pararescuemen, and combat rescue officers to form versatile SOF teams. AFSOC's unique capabilities include airborne radio and television broadcast for psychological operations, as well as combat aviation advisors to provide other governments military expertise for their internal development.

• 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin AC-130H Spectre
• 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin AC-130U Spectre
• 2 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin MC-130H Combat Talon II
• 2 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin MC-130P Combat Shadow
• 2 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin MC-130W Combat Spear
• 4 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin HC-130 Hercules
• 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin EC-130E Commando Solo II
• 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin EC-130H Compass Call
• 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin EC-130E Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center (ABCCC)
• 2 Squadrons of Sikorsky MH-53J/M Pave Low
• 4 Squadrons of Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk

Military Airlift Command

Military Airlift Command (MAC) is a United States Air Force major command.

In addition to the primary transport aircraft units, MAC also served as the headquarters for several independent "services." Air Weather Service (AWS), Air Rescue Service (ARS which later became Aerospace Rescue Recovery Service, ARRS), Special Airlift Mission (SAM), Air Photographic and Charting Service (APCS), and the Aeromedical Transport Wing (AMTW).

Tactical Transports

• 16 Squadrons of Lockheed C-130E/H/J Hercules

Strategic Transports

• 9 Squadrons of Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
• 6 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin C-5M Galaxy
• 9 Squadrons of Lockheed C-141C Starlifter

Tankers

• 3 Squadrons of McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender
• 10 Squadrons of Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

Executive Transports

• 2 Gulfstream C-20 Gulfstream III
• 2 Squadrons of LearJet C-21
• 10 Gulfstream C-37 Gulfstream V
• 8 Boeing C-40 Clipper
• 3 Boeing C-32
• 2 Boeing VC-25 (Air Force One)

Air Education & Training Command

AETC's mission is to "develop America's Airmen today... for tomorrow." The command recruits, trains, and educates Airmen for the United States Air Force.

ATEC conducts virtually all USAF training, from basic recruit training to fast jet training.

Flying Training

• 23 Squadrons of Northrop T-38 Talon
• 21 Squadrons of Beechcraft T-6 Texan II
• 21 Squadrons of Cessna T-37 Tweet
• 9 Squadrons of Raytheon T-1 Jayhawk
• 1 Squadron of Boeing T-43

Operational Conversion Training

• 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
• 3 Squadrons of Boeing F-15C/D Eagle
• 2 Squadrons of Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle
• 5 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (Block 15/25)
• 1 Composite Special Operations Squadron
• 1 Composite Airlift Squadron

Flight Screening

• Initial Flight Screening
  • Contract to Doss Aviation

Air Force Space Command

Air Force Space Command is focussed on space surveillance, missile warning and defence, the US military space program including operating satellites, and launching military satellites.

• Ground-Based Midcourse Defense
  • 6 Squadrons of Ground Based Interceptor missiles

Air Force Reserve Command

The Air Force Reserve Command is a federal reserve of the US Air Force.

• 3 Squadrons of Boeing F-15A/B Eagle
• 4 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon (Block 30)
• 5 Squadrons of Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II
• 5 Squadrons of Lockheed C-130E/H Hercules
• 2 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy
• 8 Squadrons of Bell UH-1N Iroquois
• 3 Squadrons of Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
• 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin WC-130 Hercules

Air National Guard

The Air National Guard comprises 38 state Air National Guards, the District of Columbia Air National Guard, the Guam Air National Guard, the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, and the Virgin Islands Air National Guard. Many of these units do not make up full USAF 20 aircraft squadrons, therefore the numbers shown below indicate equivalent groups (batches of 20 aircraft)

• 7 Squadrons of Boeing F-15A/B Eagle
• 16 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon (Block 30)
• 6 Squadrons of Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II
• 10 Squadrons of Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
• 10 Squadrons of Lockheed C-130E/H Hercules
• 2 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy
• 2 Squadrons of LearJet C-21

Aerial Weapon Systems

Guns

• M102 105mm Cannon
• 40 mm L60 Bofors Cannon
• GAU-8 Avenger 30mm Cannon
• GAU-12 Equaliser 25mm Cannon
• M61 Vulcan 20mm Cannon
• Pontiac M39 20 mm Cannon
• GAU-15/A .50 Cal Machine Gun
• GAU-16/A .50 Cal Machine Gun
• GAU-2B/A 7.62mm Minigun

Air to Air Missiles

• AIM-7 Sparrow (AFRC and ANG only)
• AIM-9 Sidewinder
• AIM-120 AMRAAM
• ASM-135 ASAT (Anti Satellite Missile)

Air to Ground Missiles

• AGM-65 Maverick
• AGM-69 SRAM
• AGM-84 Harpoon
  • AGM-84E SLAM
  • AGM-84H SLAM-ER
• AGM-86B ALCM
• AGM-86C CALCM
• AGM-88 HARM
• BGM-109 Tomahawk
• AGM-124 Wasp
• AGM-129 Advanced Cruise Missile
• AGM-130
• AGM-131 SRAM II
• AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow
• AGM-142 HAVE NAP
• AGM-154 JSOW
• AGM-158 JASSM
• LOCAAS (Low-Cost Autonomous Attack System)

Unguided Bombs

• Mk 81 250-lb General Purpose Bomb
• Mk 82 500-lb General Purpose Bomb
• Mk 83 1000-lb General Purpose Bomb
• Mk 84 2000-lb General Purpose Bomb
• BLU-82 15,000-lb (CD-1)
• BLU-107 Durandal
• Mk 36 500lb Destructor Mine
• Mk 40 1000lb Destructor Mine
• Mk 41 2000lb Destructor Mine
• Mk 60 CAPTOR
• Mk 62 500lb Quickstrike Mine
• Mk 64 1000lb Quickstrike Mine
• Mk 65 2000lb Quickstrike Mine
• M129E1/E2 Psychological Operations Leaflet Bomb
• Mk 77 750-lb Fire Bomb

Guided Bombs

• GBU-15 Glide Bomb
• GBU-28 "Bunker Buster"
• GBU-29 250lb JDAM
• GBU-30 500lb JDAM
• GBU-32 1000lb JDAM
• GBU-31 2000lb JDAM
• GBU-37 4700lb JDAM
• GBU-38 500lb JDAM
• GBU-39 250lb Small Diameter Bomb
• GBU-43/B 22000lb Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb
• GBU-12 Paveway II 500lb Laser Guided Bomb
• GBU-16/B Paveway II 1000lb Laser Guided Bomb
• GBU-10 Paveway II 2000lb Laser Guided Bomb
• GBU-22 Paveway III 500lb Laser Guided Bomb
• GBU-23/B Paveway III 1000lb Laser Guided Bomb
• GBU-24 Paveway III 2000lb Laser Guided Bomb
• GBU-27 Paveway III 2000lb Penetrating Laser Guided Bomb
• GBU-28 Paveway III 4500lb Penetrating Laser Guided Bomb

Cluster Bombs

• Mk 20 Rockeye
• CBU-24
• CBU-59 Rockeye-II APAM
• CBU-71
• CBU-78 Gator
• CBU-87 CEM (Combined Effects Munition)
• CBU-89 Gator
• CBU-94 "blackout"
• CBU-97 SFW (Sensor Fused Weapon)
• CBU-107 Passive Attack Weapon
• WCMD (Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser)
• CBU-72/BLU-73/B Fuel/Air Explosive

Nuclear Bombs

• B28
• B43
• B57
• B61
• B83
• B90

Rockets

• 2.75" Hydra-70

National Markings

These national markings are used by most US military aircraft, with the exception of United States Army aircraft which simply carry the words "UNITED STATES ARMY" in black lettering on the fuselage (fixed-wing aircraft) or the tail boom (helicopters).

Normal Marking

This is used by most non-tactical aircraft. Some USAF ground vehicles (notably non-tactical airfield firefighting vehicles, and special public relations vehicles) use this insignia.

Low Visibility (Grey)

Used by tactical aircraft with grey colour schemes.

Low Visibility (Black)

Used by tactical aircraft with grey, or green colour schemes. It is also used by USAF armoured cars, including the M113's used by some ground defence units, and the M48A5 and M60A3 Patton tanks in limited use with some EOD units and some ground defence units (referred to as "Protected Standoff Munitions Disruptors").

Two other monochrome roundels exist, white for SR-71, U-2, and F-117, and red for some SR-71 and U-2 aircraft.

Uniforms

Service Uniform

The USAF's service uniform has changed little since the foundation of the Air Force, being essentially a blue grey version of the Army uniform. This was chosed because the Air Force was formed out of the United States Army Air Force.

USAF Service Uniform

Airman Battle Uniform

The Airman Battle Uniform is the standard ground working dress of the USAF, and replaced BDU.

Flying Uniform

The standard working dress for aircrew is a nomex flying suit in either olive drab or tan.

Rank Insignia

Officers

Enlisted Men

Flag

Flag of the United States Air Force