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Overview of
the United States Air Force (USAF)
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare, space warfare,
and cyberwarfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the
American uniformed military services. Initially part of the United
States Army, the United States Air Force was formed as a separate branch
of the military under the National Security Act of 1947. The U.S.
Air Force is the most recent branch of the U.S. military to be formed.
The USAF provides Global Vigilance, Global Reach, and Global Power, with
manned aircraft, unmanned combat air vehicles, air-launched cruise
missiles, and intercontinental ballistic missiles. The United States Air
Force has personnel on active duty, in the Selected and Individual Ready
Reserves, and in the Air National Guard. In addition, the USAF employs
civilian personnel, and has auxiliary members in the Civil Air Patrol.
The Department of the Air Force is headed by the civilian Secretary of
the Air Force who oversees all administrative and policy affairs. The
Department of the Air Force is a division of the
Department of Defense,
headed by the Secretary of Defense. The highest ranking military officer
in the Department of the Air Force is the Chief of Staff of the Air
Force.
United
States Air Force Websites
Following are
websites that provide more information about the USAF: |
