United States Air Force Unit 3 Notes

Mission The job of the USAF is to protect the United States from any threat by air and to defeat aggressors.

Brief History of the USAF The USAF was formed on July 26, 1947, by President Harry Truman signing the “National Security Act of 1947” Airforce used to be named “Army Air Corps” The USAF became a completely separate branch of the US Military 1946- SAC was created (Strategic Air Command) *used to launch nuclear armed bombers from bases in the US and elsewhere *played a leading role in US nuclear deterrent forces *located in Omaha, Nebraska *abolished in 1992… why?

Responsibilities of the Airforce The USAF is responsible for everything in the sky: air warfare air defense military space research air service for other military branches USAF headquarters is in the Pentagon The United States Airforce Academy is in Colorado Springs, CO *a four year program designed to train cadets as career officers and pilots

Responsibilities of the Airforce con’t USAF membership USAF includes over 500,000 servicemen and women on active duty Airforce Reserve and Air National Guard include another 250,000. (Are not on active duty but stay in training if they are needed in an emergency. Ie: Gulf War)

Air Force Commands: (8) Each of the 8 different commands is in charge of a specific part or duty of the USAF. 1. Air Combat Command: (Langley AFB, VA) *in charge of fighters and bombers 2. Air Mobility Command (Scott AFB, IL) *controls most of the tanker force and airlift planes

3. Airforce Intelligence Command (Kelly AFB, San Antonio, TX) *in charge of gathering intelligence- information on enemy whereabouts, etc. 4. Airforce Material Command (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH) *makes sure that airforce units everywhere have the supplies they need. ie. airplane parts

5. Airforce Space Command (Peterson AFB, CO) *in charge of airforce space programs *helps NASA operate the space shuttle *responsible for early warning of enemy air attack *keeps track of weather and communications satellites *in charge of ICBM’s 6. Airforce Special Operations Command (Hurlburt AFB, FL) *organizes, trains, equips, and educates special operations units of the airforce. Ie. Dealing with terrorism

7. Air Training Command (Randolph AFB, TX) *recruits and trains airmen and officers for the USAF *has trained over 10 million people since its creation in 1943 8. Pacific Airforce/USAF Europe (Hawaii/Germany) *provides these areas with everything it needs for air combat

Air Power: The basic fighting unit of the Air Force is the “Wing.” A wing is stationed at one base and has one commander. Levels of Command (In descending order) Air Force Wing Group Squadron Flight

Modern Planes of the Air Force: 1. Bombers *the “Big Guns” of the airforce *largest and most visible * main function- drop explosives on enemy targets. Ex: B-2 Stealth, B-52 2. Fighter Planes *shoots down enemy aircraft and attacks ground targets *the USAF has about 2,500 of these, more than any other. Ex: F-15 Eagle and F-16 Falcon

3. Attack and Observation Planes *aid ground troops with air support * keeps an eye on enemy troop movements Ex: A-10 Thunderbolt (can take off and land on short runways) 4. Reconnaissance and Special Duty Aircraft *observe and photograph enemy bases and positions, survey weather conditions Ex: E-3 Sentry (AWACS) Airborne Warning and Control System S-R 71/ U-2

5. Transporters and Tankers *move personnel and supplies (1500 of these) *midair refueling of bombers and fighters 6. Helicopters *transport troops into combat areas or behind enemy lines *rescue downed pilots at sea Ex: H-1 Huey (Vietnam) Apache