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United States Air Force

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"The U.S. Air Force" redirects here. For the song, see The U.S. Air Force (song).

Template:USAF

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. Previously part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947.[1]

The USAF is one of the largest and most technologically advanced air forces in the world, with about 6013 manned aircraft in service (4,282 USAF; 1,321 Air National Guard; and 410 Air Force Reserve); approximately 160 Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles, 2161 Air-Launched Cruise Missiles, and 500 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles;[2] and as of September 30, 2006, had 334,200 personnel on active duty, 120,369 in the Selected and Individual Ready Reserves, and 107,000 in the Air National Guard. An additional 10,675 personnel were in the Standby Reserve and the Air Force employed 168,558 civilian personnel.[2]

The USAF is currently planning a massive Reduction-in-Force (RIF). Because of budget constraints, the USAF will reduce the service's current size by 40,000 full time equivalent positions by 2011, with approximately half to be eliminated in FY 2007. Approximately 35,000 active duty positions, or one year's cycle of enlistments and retirements, will be eliminated over 5 years.[3] 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.[4]

Not all of the United States' military combat aircraft are operated by the USAF. The United States Army operates its own helicopters, mostly for support of ground combatants. The 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 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 U.S. military operate helicopters.

The Department of the Air Force which is headed by the Secretary of the Air Force who heads administrative affairs. The Department of the Air Force is a division of the United States Department of Defense which is headed by the United States Secretary of Defense. The highest ranking military officer in the department is the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

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.
United States Air Force
 
The official logo of the United States Air Force
Active1947 -
CountryUnited States
BranchAir Force
Role"To fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace"
Size351,800 active personnel
6,217 aircraft
1900 ICBMs
Part ofDepartment of Defense
HeadquartersThe Pentagon
Motto(s)Un Ab Alto (unofficial)
MarchThe Air Force Song
EngagementsKorean War
Vietnam War
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Deliberate Force
Operation Desert Fox
Operation Allied Force
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Civilian leadershipPresident George W. Bush
(Commander-in-Chief)
Michael Wynne
(Secretary of the Air Force)
Military leadershipGeneral T. Michael Moseley
(Chief of Staff of the Air Force)
Chief Master Sergeant Rodney J. McKinley
(Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force)
Insignia
Air Force flag 
Roundel 
Aircraft flown
AttackF-15E, F-117, A-10, AC-130
BomberB-52H, B-1B, B-2
Electronic
warfare		E-9, EC-130
FighterF-22, F-15C, F-16
ReconnaissanceU-2, RC-135, Q-4, Q-1
TrainerT-6, T-37, T-38, T-1, TG-10
TransportC-17, C-5, C-130, C-135, VC-25, C-32, C-9, CV-22, C-37, C-21, C-12, C-40
TankerKC-10, KC-135 Stratotanker

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".[5]

History

Main article: History of the United States Air Force

The United States Air Force became a separate military service on September 18 1947, with the implementation of the National Security Act of 1947.[6] The Act created the United States Department of Defense, which was composed of three branches, the Army, Navy and a newly-created Air Force.[7] 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:

The United States Air Force has been involved in many wars, conflicts, and operations since 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:[8]

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, lead 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. The Numbered Air Force (NAF) is a level of command directly under the MAJCOM, followed by Operational Command (now unused), Division (also now unused), Wing, Group, Squadron, and Flight.

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 (COCOM). In the case of AFSPC, AFSOC, PACAF, and USAFE units, forces are normally employed in-place under their existing COCOM. Likewise, AMC forces operating in support roles retain their componency to USTRANSCOM unless chopped to a Regional COCOM.

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 COCOM for the employment of Air Power. Each COCOM is supported by a standing Numbered Air Force - Component (NAF-C) to provide planning and execution of aerospace forces in support of COCOM requirements. Each NAF-C 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 NAF-C may deploy Air Component Coordinate Elements (ACCE) to liaise with the JFC. If the Air Force possesses the most strategicair 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 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

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

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 affairs, hospitality, law, drug counseling, mail operations, security forces, and search and rescue specialties.

Perhaps the most dangerous Air Force jobs are Pararescue, Combat Control, Combat Weather, Independent Duty Medical Technician, and Tactical Air Control Party, who deploy with infantry and special operations units who rescue downed/isolated personnel, 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. 1N3X4 (Cryptologic Linguist) and 1A8X1 (Airborne Linguist)requires a language course ranging from 23 to 63 weeks, and a 4 to 5 month course. Some AFSCs have even longer training.

Aircraft

Main article: List of military aircraft of the United States
 
Boeing B-52 strategic bomber taking off

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:

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.

Awards and badges

Badges of the United States Air Force

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.

Awards and decorations of the United States Air Force

Badges can also be used as merit-based or service-based awards.

Obsolete badges of the United States military

Over time, various badges have been discontinued and are no longer distributed.

Grade Structure

Current insignia

Pay grade special1 O-10 O-9 O-8 O-7 O-6 O-5 O-4 O-3 O-2 O-1
Insignia File:Usa-airforce-shoulder 12.gif File:Usa-airforce-shoulder 11.gif File:Usa-airforce-shoulder 10.gif File:Usa-airforce-shoulder 09.gif File:Usa-airforce-shoulder 08.gif File:Usa-airforce-shoulder 07.gif File:Usa-airforce-shoulder 06.gif File:Usa-airforce-shoulder 05.gif File:Usa-airforce-shoulder 04.gif File:Usa-airforce-shoulder 02.gif File:Usa-airforce-shoulder 01.gif
Title General of the Air Force General Lieutenant General Major General Brigadier General Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Major Captain First Lieutenant Second Lieutenant
Abbreviation Gen-USAF Gen Lt Gen Maj Gen Brig Gen Col Lt Col Maj Capt 1st Lt 2nd Lt
NATO Code OF-11 OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1
  • 1 Honorary/War time rank.

This chart displays the United States Air Force officer rank insignia. The ranks are divided into three sections: company grade, field grade, and general officers. Company grade officers are those officers of grades O-1 to O-3. Field grade officers are those of grades O-4 to O-6. General officers are those of O-7 and above.

Currently, promotion from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant is virtually guaranteed after two years of service. The promotion from First Lieutenant to Captain is likewise virtually guaranteed after successfully completing another two years of service.

Promotion to Major and above is through a board process. An officer's record is reviewed by a selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. This process occurs approximately between the nine- and eleven-year mark, where a certain percentage of Captains will be selected for Major. This process will repeat at the 13-16 year mark for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and then around the twenty-year mark for promotion to Colonel.

The chart below represents the U.S. Air Force current enlisted rank insignia.

Pay grade E-9 E-8 E-7 E-6 E-5 E-4 E-3 E-2 E-1
Insignia                           No Insignia
Title Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant Chief Master Sergeant1 Senior Master Sergeant1 Master Sergeant1 Technical Sergeant Staff Sergeant Senior Airman Airman First Class Airman Airman Basic
Abbreviation CMSAF CCM CMSgt SMSgt MSgt TSgt SSgt SrA A1C Amn AB
NATO Code OR-9 OR-9 OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
  • 1 The U.S. Air Force does not have a separate First Sergeant rank; it is instead a duty denoted by a diamond within the upper field.

While all Air Force military personnel are referred to as Airmen, it can specifically refer to the pay grades of E-1 through E-4 which are below the level of non-commissioned officers (NCOs). Above the pay grade of E-4 (E-5 through E-9) all ranks fall into the category of NCO and are further subdivided into NCOs (E-5 & E-6) and Senior NCOs (E-7 through E-9); the term Junior NCO is sometimes used to refer to staff sergeants and technical sergeants (E-5 & E-6).

The Air Force is also the only one of the five branches of the United States military where NCO status is achieved at the grade of E-5. In all other branches NCO status is achieved at the grade of E-4 (a Corporal in the Army and Marine Corps, Petty Officer Third Class in the Navy and Coast Guard). However, E-4s who have completed Airman Leadership School can be supervisors.

Evolution of the Chevrons

Although the Air Force became an independent service with the National Security Act of 1947, it retained the Army Air Force rank structure and corresponding insignia of years past. This rank structure provided for seven enlisted ranks: Private, Private First Class, Corporal/Technician Fifth Grade, Sergeant/Technician Fourth Grade, Staff Sergeant/Technician Third Grade, Technical Sergeant and Master Sergeant/First Sergeant. Additionally, Air Force personnel were still referred to as soldiers.

Changes to the rank structure were proposed almost immediately but did not start occurring until the next year. Sometime during late 1947 and early 1948, new chevron designs were tested at Bolling Air Force Base. The style preferred was the one used today, the inverted chevron. Air Force Chief of Staff General Hoyt Vandenberg approved the new chevron on 9 March 1948.

Although the new chevrons were approved, the titles did not change. This change did not come swiftly. Two years would pass before General Vandenberg ordered all enlisted personnel in the Air Force be referred to as Airman (singular) and Airmen (plural). A further two years would go by while the enlisted rank structure was studied and changes proposed. The end results finally became effective on 24 April 1952 with the release of a revised Air Force Regulation (AFR) 39-36. This revision changed the names of the enlisted ranks to Basic Airman, Airman Third Class, Airman Second Class, Airman First Class, Staff Sergeant, Technical Sergeant and Master Sergeant.

With the new titles came a proposal for new rank insignia for Airman Third Class through Airman First Class. The proposed insignia would have horizontal stripes for Airman Third Class through Airman First Class while NCOs keep their inverted chevrons. The purpose of the two different types of insignia was to more readily differentiate the airman and NCO tiers while increasing the prestige of the latter. These were not approved at the time of the release of the revised regulation. When they were finally approved by General Vandenberg in December, 1952, procurement of these stripes was deferred until approximately June 1955. This change would eventually be reversed, on 12 March 1956, by General Vandenberg's successor, General Twining.

During his tenure, General Twining also approved the diamond insignia for First Sergeants. This became available on 21 September 1955. With this approval, the foundations of the first seven ranks and insignia the Air Force uses today were in place.

The next major change came with the Military Pay Act of 1958. This established the ranks of E-8 and E-9 but without titles. The titles of Senior Master Sergeant and Chief Master Sergeant were chosen between July and December of 1958 after comments were solicited from the major Air Force commands of the day. After much discussion, the insignia for these two ranks were designed by simply adding one and two chevrons to the top of the Master Sergeant insignia (for E-8 and E-9 respectively), each stripe pointing up.

Although the rank of Basic Airman was renamed Airman Basic on 5 February 1959, the insignia did not change.

The next series of changes to Air Force enlisted ranks did not occur for almost eight years. In January, 1967 the position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force was created. This position gained its own special insignia, the Chief Master Sergeant chevrons with a wreath encircling the center star. Also, the release of a revised AFR 39-36 on 19 October 1967 renamed Airman Third Class, Airman Second Class and Airman First Class to Airman, Airman First Class and Sergeant respectively. This returned Sergeant to the rank structure as the first step in the NCO tier. No changes to the respective insignias were made.

In a 30 December 1975 directive the grade of Sergeant was split into two separate ranks while retaining the grade of E-4. Senior Airman would be the last junior enlisted tier rank while Sergeant would remain the first rank in the NCO tier. The impetus behind this was to laterally promote senior E-4 airmen who were ready for NCO responsibilities but not prepared to take on the role of a Staff Sergeant. To differentiate the two ranks, the directive changed the silver star in the center of Airman, Airman First Class and Senior Airman changed to blue while the star on Sergeant chevrons remained silver. Having two ranks within one grade mirrored the Army's Specialist/Corporal division of E-4. This dual role would last until March 1991 when then Chief of Staff General McPeak terminated the rank of Sergeant. This termination was due in part to the manning reductions that occurred in the post-Cold War drawdowns of the early 1990s.

The year 1991 also saw the last major change to the enlisted rank insignia. In October 1991 General McPeak and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Pfingston announced that the senior NCO tier would have new chevron layouts and that all chevrons would have a white star in the center. The change in senior NCO chevrons was the first since chevrons came into being in 1948. Since that time, Master Sergeant had been composed of six inverted chevrons (six down) with none pointing up, Senior Master Sergeant six down with one up and Chief Master Sergeant six down with two up. The new layout changed the insignia to the current layout (see chart above). The second change, changing the star color to white, was actually two changes in one. It added a star to the Airman through Senior Airman rank insignias where there had been none since 1975 (the blue star carried by these chevrons was the same color as the blue in the stripes giving the impression that the star was not there) and changing the silver star on the NCO and senior NCO chevrons to white.

In November 1998, the duty position of Senior Enlisted Advisor was changed to Command Chief Master Sergeant. Along with the change, the addition of a star in the empty blue area between the chevrons was added to denote those holding this position.

In November 2004, the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force insignia was updated to include the Great Seal of the United States with a white star on either side. These additions were placed in the empty blue area between the chevrons.

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 ranks are 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.

The USAF and UFOs

Main article: Project Sign
Main article: Project Grudge
Main article: Project Blue Book

In 1947, the U.S.A.F. began Project Sign, a study of unidentified flying objects what would be twice revived (first as Project Grudge and finally as Project Blue Book) and which would last until 1969.[9] The USAF's institutional attitute towards UFOs would vary drastically over the years, but the Air Force remains strongly associated with at least the early years of the "flying saucer" era: the term "unidentified flying object" was coined by U.S. Air Force officer Edward J. Ruppelt.

Motto

The United States Air Force does not have an official motto, but there are numerous unofficial slogans such as "Nothing Comes Close" and "Un Ab Alto" (Latin for "One Over All"). 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".

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.[10]

Notes and References

  1. ^ 80 P.L. 235, 61 Stat. 495 (1947); Air Force Link, (2006)Factsheets: The U.S. Air Force. Retrieved April 7, 2006.
  2. ^ a b "2007 USAF Almanac: USAF Personnel Strength" (PDF). AIR FORCE Magazine. Retrieved 4 May. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Air Force Print News, (2006). Force shaping necessary for AF budgetary management. Retrieved June 8, 2006.
  4. ^ "2006 USAF Almanac: USAF Personnel Strength" (PDF). AIR FORCE Magazine. Retrieved 20 Jan. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help) 1991 510,000; 2006 352,000
  5. ^ Air Force Link, (2005). Air Force releases new mission statement. Retrieved December 8, 2005.
  6. ^ U.S. Intelligence Community (October 2004). National Security Act of 1947. Retrieved April 14 2006.
  7. ^ U.S. Department of State(2006). National Security Act of 1947. Retrieved April 14 2006.
  8. ^ The primary source for the humanitarian operations of the USAF is the United States Air Force Supervisory Examination Study Guide (2005)
  9. ^ Unidentified Flying Objects and Air Force Project Blue Book (USAF Fact Sheet 95-03, updated October, 2005); URL retrieved 25June 2007
  10. ^ Military-quotes.com (2006). US Air Force Mottos. Retrieved 4 June 2006.

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

See also

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to United States Air Force.

Further reading

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