United States Air Force
The
United States Air Force (or
USAF) is the
aerospace branch of the
United States armed forces and one of the seven
uniformed services. Formerly part of the
United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on
September 18,
1947.
[Air Force Link, (2006). Factsheets: The U.S. Air Force. Retrieved April 7, 2006.] The USAF is the largest and most technologically advanced modern air force in the world, with over 9,000 aircraft in service and about 352,000 men and women on
active duty.
[Department of Defense (2005). ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL STRENGTHS BY REGIONAL AREA AND BY COUNTRY (309A). Retrieved April 7, 2006.] Since
World War I, the USAF and its predecessors have taken part in military conflicts throughout the world. The USAF is currently planning a massive Reduction-in-Force (RIF). Due to budget constraints the USAF will reduce the service's current size by 40,000 full time equivalent positions by 2011. This amounts to roughly 35,000 active duty positions and will be added to the reserves.
[Air Force Print News, (2006). Force shaping necessary for AF budgetary management. Retrieved June 8, 2006.]According to the
National Security Act of 1947 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."
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".
[Air Force Link, (2005). Air Force releases new mission statement. Retrieved December 8, 2005.]Not all of the United States' military combat aircraft are operated by the USAF. The
US Army operates its own helicopters, mostly for support of ground combattants. The
US Navy is responsible for the aircraft operating on its
aircraft carriers and
Naval air stations, and the
Marine Corps operates its own combat and transport aircraft. The
United States Coast Guard also maintains transport and search-and-rescue aircraft, which may be used in a combat and law enforcement role. All branches of the US military operate helicopters.
The United States Air Force became a separate military service on
September 18,
1947, with the implementation of the
National Security Act of 1947.
[U.S. Intelligence Community (October 2004). National Security Act of 1947. Retrieved April 14, 2006.] The Act created the
United States Department of Defense, which was composed of three branches, the Army, Navy and a newly created Air Force.
[U.S. Department of State(2006). National Security Act of 1947. Retrieved April 14, 2006.] 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 had created the first antecedent of the Air Force in 1907 and through a succession of changes of organization, titles, and missions advanced toward eventual separation. The Air Force was preceded by the:
*
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 18,
1947)
World War I and between wars
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U.S. aircraft marking late World War I |
In 1918, upon the United States' entry into
World War I, the first major U.S. aviation combat force was created when an Air Service was formed as part of the
American Expeditionary Force (AEF). Major General
Mason Patrick commanded the
Air Service of the AEF; his deputy was Brig. Gen.
Billy Mitchell. These aviation units, some of which were trained in France, provided tactical support for the U.S. Army, especially during the
Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the
Meuse-Argonne offensives. Among the
aces of the AEF Air Service were Captain
Eddie Rickenbacker and
Frank Luke.
Concurrent with the creation of this combat force, the U.S. Army's aviation establishment in the United States was removed from control of the Signal Corps and placed directly under the Secretary of War. An assistant secretary was created to direct the
Army Air Service, which had dual responsibilities for development and procurement of aircraft, and raising and training of air units. With the end of the First World War, the AEF's Air Service was dissolved and the Army Air Service in the United States largely demobilized.
In 1920 the Air Service became a branch of the Army and in 1926 was reorganized into the
U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). During this period, the USAAC began experimenting with new techniques, including
air-to-air refueling and the development of the
B-9 and the
Martin B-10, the first all-metal monoplane bomber, and new fighters. In 1937, the
B-17 Flying Fortress made its first appearance. In a spectacular feat of navigation, three B-17s intercepted the
Italian passenger liner Rex at sea. Though intended to demonstrate the abiity of the Air Corps to defend the nation's coasts, the mission also indicated the emerging doctrine within the Air Corps of the supremacy of
strategic bombing.
In 1935, as a result of recommendations from two civilian review boards, the next advancement toward independence for the Air Force occurred when all flying units, which heretofore had been distributed to various ground commands, were grouped together as an aerial task force under one air commander as the
General Headquarters, Air Force. The Air Corps, headed by the Chief of the Air Corps, continued as before, but now held responsibility only for supply, airfields, and training, in effect splitting the Air Force into two parts. Both components were commanded by major generals (
Frank Andrews, and
Oscar Westover followed by
Henry H. Arnold).
During World War I, aviation technology developed rapidly. But the army's reluctance to use the new technology began to make airmen think that as long as the army controlled aviation, development would be stunted and a potentially valuable force neglected. Air corps senior officer Billy Mitchell began to campaign for air corps independence. But his campaign offended many and resulted in a court martial in 1925 that effectively ended his career. His followers, including future aviation leaders Henry "Hap" Arnold and
Carl Spaatz, saw the lack of public, congressional, and military support that Mitchell received and decided that America was not ready for an independent air force. Under the leadership of its chief of staff Mason Patrick and, later Arnold, the air corps waited until the time to fight for independence arose again.
World War II
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U.S. aircraft marking from interwar years to early World War II |
World War II led to further changes. In 1941, the Army Air Corps became a part of the new
U.S. Army Air Forces and the GHQ Air Force was redesignated the subordinate Air Forces Combat Command. In the major reorganization of the Army by War Department Circular 59 effective
March 9,
1942, the newly designated United States Army Air Forces gained equal voice with the Army and Navy on the
Joint Chiefs of Staff and complete autonomy from the Army Ground Forces and the Services of Supply.
In Europe, the USAAF began daylight bombing operations, over objections of the Royal Air Force planners on the
Combined Chiefs of Staff. The U.S. strategy involved pre-war Air Corps doctrine of flying bombers together, relying on the defensive firepower of a close formation. The doctrine proved flawed when deep penetration missions beyond the range of escort fighters were attempted. U.S. fliers took tremendous casualties during raids on the oil refineries of
Ploieşti,
Romania and the ball-bearing factories at
Schweinfurt and Regensburg, Germany. When the
P-51 Mustang, with its increased range, was introduced to combat, American combat losses dropped, and operations during
Big Week in late winter of 1944 caused the
Luftwaffe to lose experienced pilots.
In the
Pacific Theater of Operations, the USAAF used the
B-29 Superfortress to launch attacks on the Japanese mainland from China. One of the major
logistical efforts of the war, "flying
the Hump" (over the Himalayas), took place. To carry both a bomb load and fuel and to bomb at high altitude through the
jet stream affected the B-29's range. After airbases in the
Mariana Islands were captured in 1944, General Henry H. Arnold consolidated all B-29 operations there and made General
Curtis LeMay his bomber commander. LeMay changed U.S. strategy from high-level precision bombings to low-level
incendiary bombings, aimed at destroying the distributed network of Japanese industrial manufacturing. Many Japanese cities suffered extensive damage.
Tokyo suffered a
firestorm in which over 100,000 persons died.
The B-29 was also used to drop one primitive
nuclear weapon on each of the Japanese cities of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in August
1945.
Cold War and war in Korea
Following the end of World War II, the
United States Department of the Air Force was created when President
Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947. It became effective
September 18,
1947, when Chief Justice
Fred M. Vinson administered the oath of office to the first secretary of the Air Force,
Stuart Symington.
Conflict over post-war military administration, especially with regard to separate duties of the Air Force and the U.S. Navy, lead to an incident called the "
Revolt of the Admirals" in the late 1940s.
Relations between the United States and the
Soviet Union began to deteriorate, and the period in history known as the
Cold War began. This period saw the United States enter an arms race with the Soviet Union, and competition to increase influence throughout the world. In response the United States expanded its military presence throughout the world. The USAF opened air bases throughout
Europe, and later in
Japan and
South Korea. The United States also built air bases on the
British overseas territories of
British Indian Ocean Territory and
Ascension Island in the
South Atlantic.
The first test for the USAF during the Cold War came in 1948 when Communist authorities in Eastern Germany cut off road and air transportation to
West Berlin. The USAF, along with the
Royal Air Force, supplied the city during the
Berlin airlift, using
C-121 Constellation and the
C-54 Skymaster. The efforts of the USAF and British
Royal Air Force saved the city from starvation and forced the Soviets to back down in their blockade.
The
Korean War saw the
Far Eastern Air Force losing its main airbase in
Kimpo,
South Korea, and forced to provide
close air support to the defenders of the
Pusan pocket from bases in Japan. However, General
Douglas B. MacArthur's
landing at Incheon in September
1950 enabled the FEAF to return to Kimpo and other bases, from which they supported MacArthur's drive to the
Korean-
Chinese border. When the Chinese
People's Liberation Army attacked in December, 1950, the USAF provided tactical air support. The introduction of the Soviet-made
MiG-15 caused problems for the B-29s used to bomb North Korea, but the USAF countered the MiGs with the
F-86 Sabre. Although both
air superiority and
close air support missions were successful, a lengthy attempt to
interdict communist supply lines by air attack failed.
Vietnam War
The USAF was heavily deployed during the
Vietnam War. The first bombing raids against
North Vietnam occurred in 1964 following the
Gulf of Tonkin Incident. In 1965 a sustained bombing campaign began, code-named
Rolling Thunder. This campaign's purpose was to destroy the will of the North Vietnamese to fight, destroy industrial bases and air defences, and to stop the flow of men and supplies down the
Ho Chi Minh Trail, while forcing North Vietnam into peace negotiations. The USAF dropped more bombs during Rolling Thunder than it did during World War II. The bombing campaign lasted until the
U.S. presidential election of 1968 and was not successful.
The USAF also played a critical role in defeating the
Easter Offensive of 1972. The rapid redeployment of fighters, bombers and attack aircraft help the South Vietnamese Army repel the invasion.
Operation Linebacker demonstrated to both the North and South Vietnamese that even without significant U.S. Army ground forces, the United States could still influence the war. The air war for the United States ended with
Operation Linebacker II also known as the "Christmas Bombings." These helped to finalize the Paris peace negotiations.
Bosnia and Kosovo
The USAF led
NATO action in
Bosnia in 1994 with air strikes against the Bosnian Serbs. This was the first time that USAF aircraft took part in military action as part of a NATO mission. The USAF led the strike forces as the only NATO air force with the capability to launch significant air strikes over a long period of time.
Later the USAF led NATO air strikes against
Serbia during the
Kosovo War. The forces were later criticised for attacking civilian targets in
Belgrade, including a strike on a civilian television station, and a later attack which
destroyed the Chinese embassy.
Iraq and Afghanistan
The USAF provided the bulk of the Allied air power during the first
Gulf War in 1991. The Stealth fighter's capabilities were shown on the first night of the air war when they were able to bomb central
Baghdad and avoid the Iraqi's sophisticated anti-aircraft defenses. The USAF, along with the U.S. Navy and the RAF, later patrolled the skies of Northern and Southern Iraq after the war to protect minorities persecuted by the Iraqi regime under
Saddam Hussein.
In 2001, the USAF was deployed against the
Taliban forces in
Afghanistan. Operating from
Diego Garcia,
B-52 Stratofortress and
B-1 Lancer bombers attacked Taliban positions. The USAF deployed
daisy cutter bombs, dropped from C-130 cargo planes, for the first time since the Vietnam War. During this conflict the USAF opened up bases in Central Asia for the first time.
The USAF was deployed in the
2003 invasion of Iraq. Following the defeat of Saddam Hussein's regime, the USAF took over
Baghdad International Airport as a base. USAF aircraft are used to provide support to Coalition and Iraqi forces in major operations to eliminate insurgent centers of activity and supply in north and west Iraq.
The Department of the Air Force consists of the Office of the
Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF), the
Air Staff, and field units.
SECAF
The HQ (Head Quarters) of the SECAF includes the Secretary, Under Secretary, Assistant Secretaries, General Counsel, The Inspector General, Air Reserve Forces Policy Committee, and other offices and positions established by law or the SECAF. The Office of the SECAF has responsibility for acquisition and auditing, comptroller issues (including financial management), inspector general matters, legislative affairs, and public affairs.
In
2004 the Secretary of the Air Force was Dr.
James G. Roche, who stepped down as SECAF on January 20th, 2005.
In
2005 the Secretary of the Air Force is
Michael Wynne.
Air Staff
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Flag of the U.S. Air Force |
The Air Staff primarily consists of military advisors to the CSAF and the SECAF. This includes the
Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, and Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, the
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF), fourdeputy chiefs of staff (DCS), the U.S. Air Force
Surgeon General, The
Judge Advocate General, the Chief of the Air Force Reserve, and additional military and civilian personnel as the SECAF deems necessary.
In
2005 the Chief of Staff of the Air Force was General (Gen)
T. Michael Moseley.
The
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is the senior enlisted person in the Air Force. Currently, the position is held by
Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt)
Rodney J. McKinley.
Subordinate Commands and echelons
The Department of the Air Force subordinate commands and echelons are the Major Commands (MAJCOMs), field operating agencies (FOA), and direct reporting units (DRU).
Major Commands (MAJCOMs)
The USAF is organized on a functional basis in the United States and a geographical basis overseas. A major command (MAJCOM) represents a major Air Force subdivision having a specific portion of the Air Force mission. Each MAJCOM is directly subordinate to HQ USAF. MAJCOMs are interrelated and complementary, providing offensive, defensive, and support elements. An operational command consists (in whole or in part) of strategic, tactical, space, or defense forces; or of flying forces that directly support such forces. A support command may provide supplies, weapon systems, support systems, operational support equipment, combat material, maintenance, surface transportation, education and training, or special services and other supported organizations. The USAF experienced its last major reorganization of commands in 1992. On
July 5,
2006, the USAF stood up the Air Force Network Operations (AFNETOPS) at
Barksdale Air Force Base and is currently organized into ten MAJCOMS (8 Functional and 2 Geographic), wih the Air National Guard component reporting to
Headquarters, United States Air Force (HQ USAF).
[Eighth Air Force Public Affairs, (2006). Air Force officials consolidate network ops. Retrieved July 10, 2006.]| Major Command and Commanders | Location of Headquarters |
|---|
| Air Combat Command (ACC) - Gen. Ronald E. Keys | Langley Air Force Base, Virginia |
| Air Education and Training Command (AETC) - Gen. William R. Looney III | Randolph Air Force Base, Texas |
| Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) - Gen. Bruce Carlson | Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio |
| Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) - Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley | Robins Air Force Base, Georgia |
| Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) - Gen. Chilton | Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado |
| Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) - Lt. Gen. Michael W. Wooley | Hurlburt Field, Florida |
| Air Mobility Command (AMC) - Gen. Duncan J. McNabb | Scott Air Force Base, Illinois |
| Air Force Network Operations Command (AFNETOPS) - Lt. Gen. Robert J. Elder Jr. | Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana |
| United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) - Gen. William T. Hobbins | Ramstein Air Base, Germany |
| Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) - Gen. Paul V. Hester | Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii |
| Air National Guard (ANG) - Lt. Gen. Daniel James III | The Pentagon, D.C. |
Field Operating Agencies (FOA)
Field operating agencies (FOA) are a subdivision of the Air Force and report directly to a HQ USAF functional manager. FOAs perform field activities beyond the scope of any of the major commands. Their activities are specialized or associated with an Air Force wide mission.
Numbered Air Forces (NAF)
The NAF is a level of command directly under a MAJCOM (Major Command). NAFs are tactical echelons that provide operational leadership and supervision. They are not management headquarters and do not have complete functional staffs. Many NAFs are responsible for MAJCOM operations in a specific geographic region ortheater of operations. A NAF is assigned subordinate units, such as wings, groups, and squadrons.
Wings
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The wing is a level of command below the NAF. A wing has approximately 1,000 to 5,000 personnel. It is responsible for maintaining the installation and may have several squadrons in more than one dependent group. A wing may be an operational wing, an air base wing, or a specialized mission wing.
=Operational Wing
=An operational wing is one that has an operations group and related operational mission activity assigned to it. When an operational wing performs the primary mission of the base, it usually maintains and operates the base. In addition, an operational wing is capable of self-support in functional areas like maintenance, supply, and munitions, as needed. When an operational wing is a tenant organization, the host command provides it with base and logistics support.
=Air Base Wing
=Some bases which do not have operational wings or are too large or diverse for one wing will have an
Air Base Wing (ABW). The ABW performs a support function rather than an operational mission. It maintains and operates a base. An air base wing often provides functional support to a MAJCOM headquarters.
Wings are composed of several groups with different functional responsibilities. Groups are composed of several squadrons, each of which has one major responsibility or flying one type of aircraft. Squadrons are composed of two or more flights.
Independent Groups
The last level of independent operation is the group level. When an organization is not part of the primary mission of the base it will be made an independent group. They may report to a wing (the 23d Fighter Group (Pope AFB) belongs to the 4th Fighter Wing (Seymour Johnson AFB)) or they may be completely independent (the 317th Airlift Group at Dyess AFB). They may also be organized as an expeditionary unit, independent but too small to warrant a wing designation. The organization of the independent group is usually similar to the operations group, but with a few squadrons or flight from the support side added to make the organization more self-sufficient, but not large enough to become a wing.
Operational Organization
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Symbol of the USAF |
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
Combatant Commander (COCOM).
Aerospace Expeditionary Task Force (ASETF)
CHOPPED units are referred to as "forces". The top-level structure of these forces is the Aerospace Expeditionary Task Force (ASETF). The ASETF is the Air Force presentation of forces to a COCOM for the employment of Air Power. Each COCOM is supported by a standing Warfighting Headquarters (WFHQ) to provide planning and execution of aerospace forces in support of COCOM requirements. Each WFHQ consists of a Commander, Air Force Forces (CCMAFFOR), and AFFOR 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 WFHQ may deploy Air Component Coordinate Elements (ACCE) to liaise with the JFC.
Commander, Air Force Forces (COMAFFOR)
The COMAFFOR is the senior Air Force officer responsible for the employment of Air Power is 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 (AOC)
The AOC is the COMAFFOR'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 ASETF 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.
Integrity First.Service Before Self.Excellence In All We Do.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 mechanic type jobs. There are members in computer specialties, medical specialties, public relations, hospitality, law, drug counseling, mail operations,
security forces, and search and rescue specialties.
Perhaps the most dangerous Air Force jobs are pararescue, combat control, and tactical air control party, who deploy with special forces units to call in air strikes and set up landing zones in forward locations. Most of these are enlisted positions.
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 1C2X1 (Combat Control) is 35 weeks long with 10 separate courses. Some AFSCs have even longer training.
The United States Air Force has over 7,500 aircraft commissioned as of 2004.
[Brittanica Concise Encyclopedia, (2006). United States Air Force. Retrieved April 7, 2006.] 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:
Gallery of images
Image:Usaf.b52.750pix.jpg|B-52 Stratofortress ("BUFF")Image:B1s.jpg|B-1 Lancer ("Bone")Image:Usaf.b2.spirit.750pix.jpg|B-2 Spirit ("Stealth Bomber")Image:A10Thunderbolt2 990422-F-7910D-517.jpg|A-10 Thunderbolt II ("Warthog")Image:F-16 CJ Fighting Falcon.jpg|F-16 Fighting Falcon ("Viper")Image:F-117 Nighthawk flight.jpg|F-117 Nighthawk ("Stealth Fighter", "Cockroach")Image:F-15 takeoff.jpg|F-15 EagleImage:f-15c.eagle.86-0175.taxi.arp.jpg|F-15C Eagle taxis for takeoff Image:Usaf.c130.750pix.jpg|C-130 HerculesImage:FA-22_Raptor.jpg|F-22 RaptorImage:Usaf.e3sentry.750pix.jpg|E-3 SentryImage:RC-135_takeoff.jpg|RC-135 Rivet JointImage:Globalhawk.750pix.jpg|RQ-4 Global HawkMess Dress
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Examples of officer and enlisted Mess Dress. |
The
Mess Dress Uniform is used for formal occasions such as the annual Air Force Ball, weddings, etc. The uniform consists of dark blue waist-length tuxedo coat and matching trousers with silver buttons, miniature medals, blue bow-tie and cummerbund, and shoulder boards and silver wrist braids for officers. No cover (hat) or name-tag is worn with the Air Force Mess Dress Uniform. When wearing the blue tie and cummerbund, the uniform is considered equivalent to black-tie formal wear. For white-tie occasions, a white bow-tie and waistcoat are worn.
Service Dress
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Current Service Dress uniform examples. Officer is on the left, enlisted on the right. Taken from AFI 36-2903 |
Prior to 1993, all Air Force personnel wore Air Force Blue uniforms very similar in appearance to that of the U.S. Army.
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." 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
honor guard duties wear, for dress occasions, a modified version of the standard service dress uniform, but with silver or white trim on the sleeves and trousers, with the addition of medals, sword belt, wheel cap with silver trim and AF Symbol, and a silver shoulder cord.
[Department of the Air Force (2002). DRESS AND APPEARANCE OF AIR FORCE PERSONNEL. Retrieved April 14, 2006.]The uniform pictured to the right is a modification of the original version envisioned by
Merrill McPeak, which featured no epaulets for any rank, and silver braid loops on the lower arms denoting officer rank. This style of rank insignia for officers is used by
British Royal Air Force officers and air force officers of other commonwealth nations. Despite its common use to denote an officer's rank in air forces around the world, the insignia was immensely unpopular and many senior Air Force Generals commented that the uniforms of the Air Force now looked identical to those of
airline pilots. The insignia was abolished in 1999 and remains the shortest issued military insignia series in the history of the
United States armed forces. Epaulets were put back on the coat for metal officer rank. Several additional changes were made to make the jacket seem more
military in appearance. Efforts to this effect continue today. On
May 18,
2006, the Department of the Air Force unveiled two prototypes of new service dress uniforms, one resembling the stand-collar uniform worn by U.S. Army Air Corps officers prior to 1935, called the "
Billy Mitchell jacket," and another, resembling the first style Air Force Uniform worn back in the days of Gen. of the Air Force
Hap Arnold. If the stand-collar coat is selected, it will be the first stand-collar "everyday" uniform to be issued since the 1930's (the Navy's male dress white and the U.S. Marine Corps' dress blue uniform stand-collar coats are worn for formal occasions only).
[Air Force News. New service dress prototypes pique interest. Retrieved May 18, 2006.]Utility Uniform
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Airman in Battle Dress Uniform |
For combat and work duty, ground crews wear the
Battle Dress Uniform (BDU), which will be phased out in favor of the
Airman Battle Uniform;
[Air Force Link, (2006). Airman Battle Uniform finalized, ready for production. Retrieved March 17, 2006.] a design based on the
MARPAT uniform worn by U.S. Marines. Pilots and air crews wear olive green or desert tan one-piece flight suits made of
Nomex for fire protection.
Women's Uniforms
Women's service dress uniforms are similar in color and style to the men's service dress uniforms, but can also include additional articles including a skirt, stockings, and women's style garrison cap.
Currently, women wear the same utility uniforms as men; either the BDU or the flight suit, both of which come in
unisex sizes.
Desert Uniforms
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Deployed Airmen in Desert Camouflage Uniforms stopped enroute at Shannon Ireland Airport |
When serving in a desert climate (e.g. the Persian Gulf region), Air Force personnel wear tan colored uniforms rather than the customary green. These uniforms consist of the
Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU), and the tan nomex flight suit for aircrew members.
PT Uniform
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Air Force members wearing the new PT Uniform |
The Air Force has recently designed a new PT uniform that will become mandatory for wear in October of 2006. The uniform consists of shorts, t-shirt, jacket and pants. The shorts are AF blue with silver reflective stripes on the leg, a key pocket attached to the inner liner and an ID pocket on the outside of the lower right leg. The t-shirt is a moisture wicking fabric with reflective Air Force logos on the upper left portion of the chest and across the back. The jacket is blue with silver reflective piping and a reflective chevron on the back. The pants are blue with silver piping and reflective stripes.
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Pilot Badge*
Navigator Badge*
Aircrew Badge*
Flight Surgeon Badge*
Occupational Badge*
Medical Badge*
Religious Pin*
Air Force Fire Protection Badge*
Security Police badge*
Explosive Ordnance DisposalFrom 1947 to 1969, the Air Force had initiated
Project Blue Book, an investigation into
UFOs.
[Department of the Air Force (1977). UFO Fact Sheet. Retrieved April 25, 2006.][Department of the Air Force (June 1995). Unidentified Flying Objects and Air Force Project Blue Book. Retrieved April 25, 2006.]The United States Air Force does not have an official motto but there are numerous unofficial mottos such as "No One Comes Close" and "Un Ab Alto" [One Over All]. A more recent motto is "Cross Into the Blue", featured in television and magazine ads. Each Wing and Squadron usually has their own motto. Information and logos can usually be found on the Wing or Squadron Website.
[ http://www.military-quotes.com/mottos/US-Air-Force.htm "[1]". Retrieved 4 June 2006. ]
References for U.S. Army ancestors of the Air Force are cited under their respective articles.
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Air National Guard*
Aviation Nation*
Ranks and Insignia of NATO*
Comparative military ranks*
Civil Air Patrol (US Air Force Auxiliary)
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Air Force Medical Service*
List of air forces*
List of U.S. Air Force bases*
List of Famous Airmen*
Air Force Specialty Code*
U.S. Air Force Band*
National Museum of the United States Air Force*
"The U.S. Air Force", the official song of the USAF
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United States Air Force Academy*
UFO - USAF role: Project Bluebook and related projects.
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Official USAF website*
Official USAF Recruiting site*
USAF History Support Office*
Air Force Historical Research Agency*
National Museum of the United States Air Force*
U.S. military air bases by GlobalSecurity.org
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USAF organization and units by GlobalSecurity.org
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USAF Order of Battle at Scramble
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United States Air Force: History and Guide to Resources*
Air Force Enlisted Forums*
The Air Force Association (AFA)*
Air Force News in The Federal Register*
Text of the Act that created the USAF
