The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Established as an independent service on September 18, 1947, with the passage of the National Security Act of 1947, the USAF was previously part of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), which itself was a part of the United States Army.
The origins of the USAF can be traced back to the creation of the Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps in 1907, which was responsible for military ballooning and aviation. Over the years, this evolved through various stages:
During World War II, the USAAF played a pivotal role in both the European and Pacific theaters, significantly contributing to the strategic bombing campaigns and the eventual defeat of the Axis powers.
The mission of the USAF is to "fly, fight, and win in air, space, and cyberspace." Its primary responsibilities include:
The USAF is organized into several major commands:
The USAF operates a wide array of aircraft, from fighters like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II to bombers such as the B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress. It also maintains a fleet of transport aircraft, refueling tankers, reconnaissance planes, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The USAF has approximately 329,000 active-duty personnel, 142,000 in the Air National Guard, and 69,000 in the Air Force Reserve Command. The Air Force Academy, located in Colorado Springs, is one of the key institutions for training officers.
The USAF faces numerous challenges including: