United States Air Force

Not to be confused with United States Department of the Air Force or The U.S. Air Force (song).

"USAF" redirects here. For other uses, see USAF (disambiguation).

Air service branch of the U.S. military

United States Air Force

*   * Emblem of the United States Air Force[1]

* * *

*   * United States Air Force Symbol

Founded|

* 18 September 1947
* (77 years, 9 months)[2]

Country|  United States
Type| Air force
Role| Aerial warfare
Size|

* 321,848 active duty personnel[a][3]
105,104 Air National Guard personnel[b][3]
68,927 Air Force Reserve personnel[c][3]
495,879 total uniformed personnel
147,879 civilians[d][4]
approx 65,000 Civil Air Patrol auxiliaries[5]
* approx. 5,500 combat aircraft[6]
* approx. 400 ICBMs[7]

Part of| United States Armed Forces[8]
Department of the Air Force
Headquarters| The Pentagon
Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.
Motto(s)| "Aim High ... Fly-Fight-Win"[9]
"Integrity first, Service before self, Excellence in all we do"[10]
Colors| Ultramarine blue, Golden yellow[11]

March| "The U.S. Air Force" Playⓘ
Anniversaries| 18 September[12]
Equipment| List of equipment of the United States Air Force
Engagements|

See list

*     *     * Mexican Expedition (As Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps)
*     * World War I (As Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps and Army Air Service)
*     *     *     * World War II (As USAAF)
*     * Korean War
*     * Lebanon Crisis
*     * Second Taiwan Strait Crisis
*     * Quemoy and Matsu Islands
*     * Vietnam Assistance
*     * Congo Crisis
*     * Berlin Crisis
*     * Vietnam War
*     * Laotian Civil War
*     * Cuban Missile Crisis
*     * Congo – Operation Dragon Rouge
*     * Dominican Civil War – Operation Power Pack
*     * Korean DMZ Conflict
*     * Cambodian Campaign
*     * Communist insurgency in Thailand
* Cambodia – Operation Eagle Pull
*     * Vietnam – Operation Frequent Wind
*     * Mayaguez Operation
*     * Grenada – Operation Urgent Fury
*     * Lebanese Civil War
*     * Persian Gulf – Operation Earnest Will
*     * Libya – Operation El Dorado Canyon
*     * Panama – Operation Just Cause
*     * Southwest Asia Conflict
*     * Somali Civil War
*     * Haiti – Operation Uphold Democracy
* Kosovo Campaign
*     * Afghanistan Campaign
*     * Global War on Terrorism
*     * Iraq Campaign
* Operation Inherent Resolve[13]
* Iran-Israel War

Website|

* af.mil
* airforce.com

Commanders
Commander-in-Chief|  President Donald Trump
Secretary of Defense|  Pete Hegseth
Secretary of the Air Force|  Troy Meink
Chief of Staff|  Gen David W. Allvin
Vice Chief of Staff|  Scott L. Pleus (Acting)
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force|  CMSAF David A. Flosi
Insignia
Flag|
Roundel|
Hap Arnold Wings[14]|
Aircraft flown
Attack| A-10, A-29, AC-130J, MQ-9A, OA-1K
Bomber| B-1B, B-2A, B-52H
Electronic
warfare| E-3B/C/G, E-4B, E-9A, E-11A, EA-37B, EC-130H, EC-130J
Fighter| F-15C/D, F-15E, F-15EX, F-16C/D/CG/DG/CJ/DJ, F-22A, F-35A
Helicopter| CV-22B, HH-60G/U/W, MH-139, UH-1N
Reconnaissance| MC-12W, RC-135S/U/V/W, RQ-4B, RQ-11, RQ-170, RQ-180, RQ-20, U-2S, U-28, WC-130J, WC-135C/W
Trainer| T-1A, T-6A, T-38A/B/C, T-41D, T-51A, T-53A, TC-135W, TG-15A, TG-15B, TG-16, TH-1H, TU-2S
Transport| C-5M, C-12C/D/F/J, C-17A, CN-235, C-21A, C-32A/B, C-37A, C-37B, C-40B/C, C-130H, C-130J, HC-130J/N/P, LC-130H, MC-130H/J, C-146A, VC-25A
Tanker| KC-46A, KC-135R/T, HC-130, MC-130
QF-16 (target drone)

Military unit

United States
Armed Forces

Executive departments

* Department of Defense
* Department of Homeland Security

Staff

* Office of the Secretary of Defense
* Joint Chiefs of Staff

Military departments

* Department of the Army
* Department of the Navy
* Department of the Air Force

Military services

* United States Army
* United States Marine Corps
* United States Navy
* United States Air Force
* United States Space Force
* United States Coast Guard

Command structure

Unified combatant commands

* Africa Command
* Central Command
* European Command
* Indo-Pacific Command
* Northern Command
* Southern Command
* Cyber Command
* Space Command
* Special Operations Command
* Strategic Command
* Transportation Command

Combat support agencies

* Defense Contract Management Agency
* Defense Health Agency
* Defense Information Systems Agency
* Defense Intelligence Agency
* Defense Logistics Agency
* Defense Threat Reduction Agency
* National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
* National Security Agency
* Central Security Service

* v
* t
* e

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Department of Defense.[15] It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its origins to 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal Corps, the USAF was established by transfer of personnel from the Army Air Forces with the enactment of the National Security Act of 1947. It is the second youngest branch of the United States Armed Forces[e] and the fourth in order of precedence. The United States Air Force articulates its core missions as air supremacy, global integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, rapid global mobility, global strike, and command and control.

The Department of the Air Force, which serves as the USAF's headquarters and executive department is one of the three military departments of the Department of Defense. The Department of the Air Force is headed by the civilian secretary of the Air Force, who reports to the secretary of defense and is appointed by the president with Senate confirmation. The highest-ranking military officer in the Air Force is the chief of staff of the Air Force, who exercises supervision over Air Force units and serves as one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As directed by the secretary of defense and secretary of the Air Force, certain Air Force components are assigned to unified combatant commands. Combatant commanders are delegated operational authority of the forces assigned to them, while the secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff of the Air Force retain administrative authority over their members.

Along with conducting independent air operations, the United States Air Force provides air support for land and naval forces and aids in the recovery of troops in the field. As of 2020[update], the service operates approximately 5,500 military aircraft[6] and approximately 400 ICBMs.[16] The world's largest air force, it has a $179.7 billion budget[17][18][19] and is the second largest service branch of the U.S. Department of Defense, with 321,848 active duty airmen,[f][3] 147,879 civilian personnel,[g] 68,927 reserve airmen,[h][3] 105,104 Air National Guard airmen,[i][3] and approximately 65,000 Civil Air Patrol auxiliaries.[5]

## Mission, vision, and functions

[edit]

### Missions

[edit]

According to the National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 502), which created the USAF:

>     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.

Section 9062 of Title 10 US Code defines the purpose of the USAF as:[20]

* 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.

### Core missions

[edit]

The five core missions of the Air Force have not changed dramatically since the Air Force became independent in 1947, but they have now evolved and are articulated as air superiority, global integrated ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), rapid global mobility, global strike, and command and control. The purpose of all of these core missions is to provide what the Air Force states as global vigilance, global reach, and global power.[21]

#### Air superiority

[edit]

Main article: Aerial warfare

Air superiority is "that degree of dominance in the air battle of one force over another which permits the conduct of operations by the former and its related land, sea, air, and special operations forces at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by the opposing force" (JP 1-02).[22][23][24][25]

The first F-35 Lightning II of the 33rd Fighter Wing arriving at Eglin AFB

Offensive Counter-Air (OCA) is defined as "offensive operations to destroy, disrupt, or neutralize enemy aircraft, missiles, launch platforms, and their supporting structures and systems both before and after launch, but as close to their source as possible" (JP 1-02). OCA is the preferred method of countering air and missile threats since it attempts to defeat the enemy closer to its source and typically enjoys the initiative. OCA comprises attack operations, sweep, escort, and suppression/destruction of enemy air defense.[22]

Defensive Counter-Air (DCA) is defined as "all the defensive measures designed to detect, identify, intercept, and destroy or negate enemy forces attempting to penetrate or attack through friendly airspace" (JP 1-02). In concert with OCA operations, a major goal of DCA operations is to provide an area from which forces can operate, secure from air and missile threats. The DCA mission comprises both active and passive defense measures. Active defense is "the employment of limited offensive action and counterattacks to deny a contested area or position to the enemy" (JP 1-02). It includes both ballistic missile defense and airborne threat defense and encompasses point defense, area defense, and high-value airborne asset defense. Passive defense is "measures taken to reduce the probability of and to minimize the effects of damage caused by hostile action without the intention of taking the initiative" (JP 1-02). It includes detection and warning; chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense; camouflage, concealment, and deception; hardening; reconstitution; dispersion; redundancy; and mobility, counter-measures, and stealth.[22]

Airspace control is "a process used to increase operational effectiveness by promoting the safe, efficient, and flexible use of airspace" (JP 1-02). It promotes the safe, efficient, and flexible use of airspace, mitigates the risk of fratricide, enhances both offensive and defensive operations, and permits greater agility of air operations as a whole. It both deconflicts and facilitates the integration of joint air operations.[22]

#### Global integrated ISR

[edit]

Main article: Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance

Global integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) is the synchronization and integration of the planning and operation of sensors, assets, and processing, exploitation, dissemination systems across the globe to conduct current and future operations.[22]

An Air Force RQ-4 strategic reconnaissance aircraft

Planning and directing is "the determination of intelligence requirements, development of appropriate intelligence architecture, preparation of a collection plan, and issuance of orders and requests to information collection agencies" (JP 2-01, Joint and National Intelligence Support to Military Operations). These activities enable the synchronization and integration of collection, processing, exploitation, analysis, and dissemination activities/resources to meet information requirements of national and military decision-makers.[22]

Collection is "the acquisition of information and the provision of this information to processing elements" (JP 2-01). It provides the ability to obtain required information to satisfy intelligence needs (via use of sources and methods in all domains). Collection activities span the Range of Military Operations (ROMO).[22]

Processing and exploitation is "the conversion of collected information into forms suitable to the production of intelligence" (JP 2-01). It provides the ability to transform, extract, and make available collected information suitable for further analysis or action across the ROMO.[22]

Analysis and production is "the conversion of processed information into intelligence through the integration, evaluation, analysis, and interpretation of all source data and the preparation of intelligence products in support of known or anticipated user requirements" (JP 2-01). It provides the ability to integrate, evaluate, and interpret information from available sources to create a finished intelligence product for presentation or dissemination to enable increased situational awareness.[22]

Dissemination and integration is "the delivery of intelligence to users in a suitable form and the application of the intelligence to appropriate missions, tasks, and functions" (JP 2-01). It provides the ability to present information and intelligence products across the ROMO enabling understanding of the operational environment to military and national decision-makers.[22]

#### Rapid global mobility

[edit]

Main articles: Airlift and Aerial refueling

An Air Force KC-46 Pegasus refuels a C-17A Globemaster III

Rapid global mobility is the timely deployment, employment, sustainment, augmentation, and redeployment of military forces and capabilities across the ROMO. It provides joint military forces the capability to move from place to place while retaining the ability to fulfill their primary mission. Rapid Global Mobility is essential to virtually every military operation, allowing forces to reach foreign or domestic destinations quickly, thus seizing the initiative through speed and surprise.[22]

Airlift is "operations to transport and deliver forces and materiel through the air in support of strategic, operational, or tactical objectives" (Annex 3–17, Air Mobility Operations). The rapid and flexible options afforded by airlift allow military forces and national leaders the ability to respond and operate in a variety of situations and time frames. The global reach capability of airlift provides the ability to apply US power worldwide by delivering forces to crisis locations. It serves as a US presence that demonstrates resolve and compassion in humanitarian crisis.[22]

Air refueling is "the refueling of an aircraft in flight by another aircraft" (JP 1-02). Air refueling extends presence, increases range, and serves as a force multiplier. It allows air assets to more rapidly reach any trouble spot around the world with less dependence on forward staging bases or overflight/landing clearances. Air refueling significantly expands the options available to a commander by increasing the range, payload, persistence, and flexibility of receiver aircraft.[22]

Aeromedical evacuation is "the movement of patients under medical supervision to and between medical treatment facilities by air transportation" (JP 1-02). JP 4-02, Health Service Support, further defines it as "the fixed wing movement of regulated casualties to and between medical treatment facilities, using organic and/or contracted mobility airframes, with aircrew trained explicitly for this mission." Aeromedical evacuation forces can operate as far forward as fixed-wing aircraft are able to conduct airland operations.[22]

#### Global strike

[edit]

Main articles: Strategic bombing and Nuclear warfare

Global precision attack is the ability to hold at risk or strike rapidly and persistently, with a wide range of munitions, any target and to create swift, decisive, and precise effects across multiple domains.[22]

An Air Force A-10 demonstrating close air support at Nellis AFB

Strategic attack is defined as "offensive action specifically selected to achieve national strategic objectives. These attacks seek to weaken the adversary's ability or will to engage in conflict, and may achieve strategic objectives without necessarily having to achieve operational objectives as a precondition" (Annex 3–70, Strategic Attack).[22]

Air Interdiction is defined as "air operations conducted to divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy the enemy's military potential before it can be brought to bear effectively against friendly forces, or to otherwise achieve JFC objectives. Air Interdiction is conducted at such distance from friendly forces that detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of friendly forces is not required" (Annex 3-03, Counterland Operations).[22]

Close Air Support is defined as "air action by fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft against hostile targets that are in close proximity to friendly forces and which require detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of those forces" (JP 1-02). This can be as a pre-planned event or on demand from an alert posture (ground or airborne). It can be conducted across the ROMO.[22]

The purpose of nuclear deterrence operations (NDO) is to operate, maintain, and secure nuclear forces to achieve an assured capability to deter an adversary from taking action against vital US interests. In the event deterrence fails, the US should be able to appropriately respond with nuclear options. The sub-elements of this function are:[22]

Test launch of a LGM-30 Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile from Vandenberg AFB

Assure/Dissuade/Deter is a mission set derived from the Air Force's readiness to carry out the nuclear strike operations mission as well as from specific actions taken to assure allies as a part of extended deterrence. Dissuading others from acquiring or proliferating WMD and delivering them contributes to promoting security and is also an integral part of this mission. Moreover, different deterrence strategies are required to deter various adversaries, whether they are a nation state, or non-state/transnational actor. The Air Force maintains and presents credible deterrent capabilities through successful visible demonstrations and exercises that assure allies, dissuade proliferation, deter potential adversaries from actions that threaten US national security or the populations, and deploy military forces of the US, its allies, and friends.[22]

Nuclear strike is the ability of nuclear forces to rapidly and accurately strike targets which the enemy holds dear in a devastating manner. If a crisis occurs, rapid generation and, if necessary, deployment of nuclear strike capabilities will demonstrate US resolve and may prompt an adversary to alter the course of action deemed threatening to our national interest. Should deterrence fail, the President may authorize a precise, tailored response to terminate the conflict at the lowest possible level and lead to a rapid cessation of hostilities. Post-conflict, regeneration of a credible nuclear deterrent capability will deter further aggression. The Air Force may present a credible force posture in either the Continental United States, within a theater of operations, or both to effectively deter the range of potential adversaries envisioned in the 21st century. This requires the ability to engage targets globally using a variety of methods; therefore, the Air Force should possess the ability to induct, train, assign, educate and exercise individuals and units to rapidly and effectively execute missions that support US NDO objectives. Finally, the Air Force regularly exercises and evaluates all aspects of nuclear operations to ensure high levels of performance.[22]

Nuclear surety ensures the safety, security and effectiveness of nuclear operations. Because of their political and military importance, destructive power, and the potential consequences of an accident or unauthorized act, nuclear weapons and nuclear weapon systems require special consideration and protection against risks and threats inherent in their peacetime and wartime environments. In conjunction with other entities within the Departments of Defense or Energy, the Air Force achieves a high standard of protection through a stringent nuclear surety program. This program applies to materiel, personnel, and procedures that contribute to the safety, security, and control of nuclear weapons, thus assuring no nuclear accidents, incidents, loss, or unauthorized or accidental use (a Broken Arrow incident). The Air Force continues to pursue safe, secure and effective nuclear weapons consistent with operational requirements. Adversaries, allies, and the American people must be highly confident of the Air Force's ability to secure nuclear weapons from accidents, theft, loss, and accidental or unauthorized use. This day-to-day commitment to precise and reliable nuclear operations is the cornerstone of the credibility of the NDO mission. Positive nuclear command, control, communications; effective nuclear weapons security; and robust combat support are essential to the overall NDO function.[22]

#### Command and control

[edit]

Main articles: Command and control, Air Operations Center, and Joint Force Air Component Commander

Command and control is "the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission. Command and control functions are performed through an arrangement of personnel, equipment, communications, facilities, and procedures employed by a commander in planning, directing, coordinating, and controlling forces and operations in the accomplishment of the mission" (JP 1-02). This core function includes all of the C2-related capabilities and activities associated with air, cyberspace, nuclear, and agile combat support operations to achieve strategic, operational, and tactical objectives.[22]

Combined Air Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base

At the strategic level command and control, the US determines national or multinational security objectives and guidance, and develops and uses national resources to accomplish these objectives. These national objectives in turn provide the direction for developing overall military objectives, which are used to develop the objectives and strategy for each theater.[22]

At the operational level command and control, campaigns and major operations are planned, conducted, sustained, and assessed to accomplish strategic goals within theaters or areas of operations. These activities imply a broader dimension of time or space than do tactics; they provide the means by which tactical successes are exploited to achieve strategic and operational objectives.[22]

Tactical Level Command and Control is where individual battles and engagements are fought. The tactical level of war deals with how forces are employed, and the specifics of how engagements are conducted and targets attacked. The goal of tactical level C2 is to achieve commander's intent and desired effects by gaining and keeping offensive initiative.[22]

## History

[edit]

Main article: History of the United States Air Force

The origins of the United States Air Force can be traced back to the Union Army Balloon Corps of the American Civil War. The Union Balloon Corps, established by aeronaut Thaddeus S. C. Lowe, provided aerial reconnaissance for the Union Army. This early use of balloons for military purposes marked the beginning of modern aerial warfare and set the stage for the development of the United States Air Force.[26]

The U.S. War Department created the first antecedent of the U.S. Air Force, as a part of the U.S. Army, on 1 August 1907, which through a succession of changes of organization, titles, and missions advanced toward eventual independence 40 years later. In World War II, almost 68,000 U.S. airmen died helping to win the war, with only the infantry suffering more casualties.[27] In practice, the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) was virtually independent of the Army during World War II, and in virtually every way functioned as an independent service branch, but airmen still pressed for formal independence.[28] The National Security Act of 1947 was signed on 26 July 1947, which established the Department of the Air Force, but it was not until 18 September 1947, when the first secretary of the Air Force, W. Stuart Symington, was sworn into office that the Air Force was officially formed as an independent service branch.[29][30]

The act created the National Military Establishment (renamed Department of Defense in 1949), which was composed of three subordinate Military Departments, namely the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the newly created Department of the Air Force.[31] Prior to 1947, the responsibility for military aviation was shared between the Army Air Forces and its predecessor organizations (for land-based operations), the Navy (for sea-based operations from aircraft carriers and amphibious aircraft), and the Marine Corps (for close air support of Marine Corps operations). The 1940s proved to be important for military aviation in other ways as well. In 1947, Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in his X-1 rocket-powered aircraft, beginning a new era of aeronautics in America.[32]

Roundels that have appeared on U.S. military aircraft
1.) 5/1917–2/1918
2.) 2/1918–8/1919
3.) 8/1919–5/1942
4.) 5/1942–6/1943
5.) 6/1943–9/1943
6.) 9/1943–1/1947
7.) 1/1947–

### Antecedents

[edit]

The predecessor organizations in the Army of today's Air Force are:

* Aeronautical Division, Signal Corps (1 August 1907 – 18 July 1914)
* Aviation Section, Signal Corps (18 July 1914 – 20 May 1918)
* Division of Military Aeronautics (20 May 1918 to 24 May 1918)
* U.S. Army Air Service (24 May 1918 to 2 July 1926)
* U.S. Army Air Corps (2 July 1926 to 20 June 1941)[33] and
* U.S. Army Air Forces (20 June 1941 to 18 September 1947)

### 21st century

[edit]

During the early 2000s, two USAF aircraft procurement projects took longer than expected, the KC-X and F-35 programs. As a result, the USAF was setting new records for average aircraft age.[34]

Since 2005, the USAF has placed a strong focus on the improvement of Basic Military Training (BMT) for enlisted personnel. While the intense training has become longer, it also has shifted to include a deployment phase. This deployment phase, now called the BEAST, places the trainees in a simulated combat environment that they may experience once they deploy. While the trainees do tackle the massive obstacle courses along with the BEAST, the other portions include defending and protecting their base of operations, forming a structure of leadership, directing search and recovery, and basic self aid buddy care. During this event, the Military Training Instructors (MTI) act as mentors and opposing forces in a deployment exercise.[35] In November 2022, the USAF announced that it will discontinue BEAST and replace it with another deployment training program called PACER FORGE.[36][37]

In 2007, the USAF undertook a Reduction-in-Force (RIF). Because of budget constraints, the USAF planned to reduce the service's size from 360,000 active duty personnel to 316,000.[38] The size of the active duty force in 2007 was roughly 64% of that of what the USAF was at the end of the first Gulf War in 1991.[39] However, the reduction was ended at approximately 330,000 personnel in 2008 in order to meet the demand signal of combatant commanders and associated mission requirements.[38] These same constraints have seen a sharp reduction in flight hours for crew training since 2005[40] and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel directing Airmen's Time Assessments.[41]

On 5 June 2008, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates accepted the resignations of both the secretary of the Air Force, Michael Wynne, and the chief of staff of the Air Force, General T. Michael Moseley. In his decision to fire both men Gates cited "systemic issues associated with... declining Air Force nuclear mission focus and performance".[42] Left unmentioned by Gates was that he had repeatedly clashed with Wynne and Moseley over other important non-nuclear related issues to the service.[42] This followed an investigation into two incidents involving mishandling of nuclear weapons: specifically a nuclear weapons incident aboard a B-52 flight between Minot AFB and Barksdale AFB, and an accidental shipment of nuclear weapons components to Taiwan.[43] To put more emphasis on nuclear assets, the USAF established the nuclear-focused Air Force Global Strike Command on 24 October 2008, which later assumed control of all USAF bomber aircraft.[44]

On 26 June 2009, the USAF released a force structure plan that cut fighter aircraft and shifted resources to better support nuclear, irregular and information warfare.[45] On 23 July 2009, The USAF released their Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Flight Plan, detailing Air Force UAS plans through 2047.[46] One third of the planes that the USAF planned to buy in the future were to be unmanned.[47] According to Air Force chief scientist Greg Zacharias the USAF anticipates having hypersonic weapons by the 2020s, hypersonic unmanned aerial vehicles (also known as remotely-piloted vehicles, or RPAs) by the 2030s and recoverable hypersonic RPAs aircraft by the 2040s.[48] The USAF intends to deploy a Sixth-generation jet fighter by the mid-2030s.[48]

On 22 October 2023, the USAF conducted its first-ever trilateral exercise with the South Korean and Japanese air forces near the Korean Peninsula.[49] On 29 November 2023, a USAF Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey crashed in the Japan island of Yakushima killing 1 airman.[50][51]

In 2024, citing the Supreme Court's ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, the Air Force refused to comply with an EPA order that they develop a cleanup plan for drinking water around Tucson, Arizona after the region's groundwater was contaminated by PFAS runoff from nearby Air Force bases.[52][53]

General David Allvin, the head of the U.S. Air Force (USAF), stated earlier in 2024 that the United States cannot rely on its air dominance for an extended period.[54]

### Conflicts

[edit]

The SR-71 Blackbird was a Cold War reconnaissance plane. The F-117 Nighthawk was a stealth attack aircraft (sectional retirement from combat service in April 2008).

The United States Air Force has been involved in many wars, conflicts and operations using military air operations. The USAF possesses the lineage and heritage of its predecessor organizations, which played a pivotal role in U.S. military operations since 1907:

* Mexican Expedition[55] as Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps
* World War I[56] as Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps and United States Army Air Service
* World War II[56] as United States Army Air Forces
* Cold War[57][58][59]
* Korean War[60][61]
* Vietnam War[62][63]
* Contemporary Historical Examination of Current Operations (CHECO)
* Operation Eagle Claw (1980 Iranian hostage rescue)[64][65]
* Operation Urgent Fury (1983 US invasion of Grenada)[66][67]
* Operation El Dorado Canyon (1986 US Bombing of Libya)[68]
* Operation Just Cause (1989–1990 US invasion of Panama)[69]
* Gulf War (1990–1991)[70]
* Operation Desert Shield (1990–1991)[71]
* Operation Desert Storm (1991)[72]
* Operation Southern Watch (1992–2003 Iraq no-fly zone)[73]
* Operation Deliberate Force (1995 NATO bombing in Bosnia and Herzegovina)[74]
* Operation Northern Watch (1997–2003 Iraq no-fly zone)[75]
* Operation Desert Fox (1998 bombing of Iraq)[76][77][78]
* Operation Allied Force (1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia)[79]
* Afghanistan War (2001–2021)[80][81][82]
* Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014)[83]
* Operation Freedom's Sentinel (2015–2021)[84]
* Iraq War (2003–2011)[85][86]
* Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003–2010)[87]
* Operation New Dawn (2010–2011)[88][89]
* Operation Odyssey Dawn (2011 Libyan no-fly zone)[90][91][92]
* Operation Inherent Resolve (2014–present: intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant)[93]

In addition since the USAF dwarfs all other U.S. and allied air components, it often provides support for allied forces in conflicts to which the United States is otherwise not involved, such as the 2013 French campaign in Mali.[94]

### Humanitarian operations

[edit]

A row of Douglas C-54 Skymasters during the Berlin Airlift in 1949

The USAF has also taken part in numerous humanitarian operations. Some of the more major ones include the following:[95]

* Berlin Airlift (Operation Vittles), 1948–1949[96]
* Operation Safe Haven, 1956–1957
* Operations Babylift, New Life, Frequent Wind, and New Arrivals, 1975[97][98][99][100]
* Operation Provide Comfort, 1991[101]
* Operation Sea Angel, 1991[102]
* Operation Provide Hope, 1992–1993[103]
* Operation Provide Promise, 1992–1996[104]
* Operation Unified Assistance, December 2004 – April 2005
* Operation Unified Response, 14 January 2010 – 22 March 2010[105]
* Operation Tomodachi, 12 March 2011 – 1 May 2011[106]

## Culture

[edit]

Various Air Force personnel pose during the Air Force's 74th birthday celebration at the Pentagon (17 September 2021).

The culture of the United States Air Force is primarily driven by pilots, at first those piloting bombers (driven originally by the Bomber Mafia), followed by fighters (Fighter Mafia).[107][108][109]

In response to a 2007 United States Air Force nuclear weapons incident, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates accepted in June 2009 the resignations of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne and Chief of Staff of the Air Force General T. Michael Moseley. Moseley's successor, General Norton A. Schwartz, a former airlift and special operations pilot, was the first officer appointed to that position who did not have a background as a fighter or bomber pilot.[110] The Washington Post reported in 2010 that General Schwartz began to dismantle the rigid class system of the USAF, particularly in the officer corps.[111][112]

In 2014, following morale and testing/cheating scandals in the Air Force's missile launch officer community, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James admitted that there remained a "systemic problem" in the USAF's management of the nuclear mission.[113][114][115]

Daniel L. Magruder Jr. defines USAF culture as a combination of the rigorous application of advanced technology, individualism and progressive airpower theory.[116] Major General Charles J. Dunlap Jr. adds that the U.S. Air Force's culture also includes an egalitarianism bred from officers perceiving themselves as their service's principal "warriors" working with small groups of enlisted airmen either as the service crew or the onboard crew of their aircraft. Air Force officers have never felt they needed the formal social "distance" from their enlisted force that is common in the other U.S. armed services. Although the paradigm is changing, for most of its history, the Air Force, completely unlike its sister services, has been an organization in which mostly its officers fought, not its enlisted force, the latter being primarily a rear echelon support force. When the enlisted force did go into harm's way, such as crew members of multi-crewed aircraft, the close comradeship of shared risk in tight quarters created traditions that shaped a somewhat different kind of officer/enlisted relationship than exists elsewhere in the military.[117]

Cultural and career issues in the U.S. Air Force have been cited as one of the reasons for the shortfall in needed UAV operators.[118] In spite of demand for UAVs or drones to provide round the clock coverage for American troops during the Iraq War,[119] the USAF did not establish a new career field for piloting them until the last year of that war and in 2014 changed its RPA training syllabus again, in the face of large aircraft losses in training,[120] and in response to a GAO report critical of handling of drone programs.[121] Paul Scharre has reported that the cultural divide between the USAF and US Army has kept both services from adopting each other's drone handling innovations.[122]

Many of the U.S. Air Force's formal and informal traditions are an amalgamation of those taken from the Royal Air Force (e.g., dining-ins/mess nights) or the experiences of its predecessor organizations such as the U.S. Army Air Service, U.S. Army Air Corps and the U.S. Army Air Forces. Some of these traditions range from "Friday Name Tags" in flying units to an annual "Mustache Month".[123][124] The use of "challenge coins" dates back to World War I when a member of one of the aero squadrons bought his entire unit medallions with their emblem,[125] while another cultural tradition unique to the Air Force is the "roof stomp", practiced by Airmen to welcome a new commander or to commemorate another event, such as a retirement.[126][127]

## Organization

[edit]

Main articles: Structure of the United States Air Force and Department of the Air Force structure

Organization of the United States Air Force within the Department of Defense

### Administrative organization

[edit]

The Department of the Air Force is one of three military departments within the Department of Defense, and is managed by the civilian secretary of the Air Force, under the authority, direction, and control of the secretary of defense. The senior officials in the Office of the Secretary are the under secretary of the Air Force, four assistant secretaries of the Air Force and the general counsel, all of whom are appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate. The senior uniformed leadership in the Air Staff is made up of the chief of staff of the Air Force and the vice chief of staff of the Air Force.[128]

The directly subordinate commands and units are named Field Operating Agency (FOA), Direct Reporting Unit (DRU), and the currently unused Separate Operating Agency.[129]

The Major Command (MAJCOM) is the superior hierarchical level of command. Including the Air Force Reserve Command, as of 30 September 2006, USAF has ten major commands. The Numbered Air Force (NAF) is a level of command directly under the MAJCOM, followed by Operational Command (now unused), Air Division (also now unused), Wing, Group, Squadron, and Flight.[128][130]

### Air Force structure and organization

[edit]

Headquarters, United States Air Force (HQ USAF):

Major Commands  | Current commander  | Location of headquarters

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Air Combat Command (ACC)[131] | Gen Kenneth S. Wilsbach | Langley Air Force Base, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, U.S.
Air Education and Training Command (AETC)[132] | Lt Gen Brian S. Robinson | Randolph Air Force Base, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC)[133] | Gen Thomas A. Bussiere | Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, U.S.
Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC)[134] | Gen Duke Z. Richardson | Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, U.S.
Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC)[135] | Lt Gen John P. Healy | Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, U.S.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)[136] | Lt Gen Michael E. Conley | Hurlburt Field, Florida, U.S.
Air Mobility Command (AMC)[137] | Gen John D. Lamontagne | Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, U.S.
Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)[138] | Gen Kevin Schneider | Hickam Air Force Base, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii, U.S.
United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA)[139] | Gen James B. Hecker | Ramstein Air Base, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Direct Reporting Units  | Current commander  | Location of headquarters
Air Force District of Washington (AFDW)[140] | Maj Gen Daniel A. DeVoe | Andrews Air Force Base, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S.
Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC)[141] | Brig Gen Michael T. Rawls | Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, U.S.
United States Air Force Academy (USAFA)[142] | Lt Gen Richard M. Clark | Air Force Academy, Colorado, U.S.

The major components of the U.S. Air Force, as of 28 August 2015, are the following:[143]

* Active duty forces
* 57 flying wings and 55 non-flying wings
* nine flying groups, eight non-flying groups
* 134 flying squadrons
* Air Force Reserve Command[144]
* 35 flying wings
* four flying groups
* 67 flying squadrons
* Air National Guard[145]
* 89 flying wings
* 101 flying squadrons

The USAF, including its Air Reserve Component (e.g., Air Force Reserve + Air National Guard), possesses a total of 302 flying squadrons.[146]

### Installations

[edit]

Main article: List of United States Air Force installations

### Operational organization

[edit]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

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Main article: List of active United States Air Force aircraft squadrons

The organizational structure as shown above is responsible for the peacetime organization, equipping, and training of air units for operational missions. When required to support operational missions, the secretary of defense (SECDEF) directs the secretary of the Air Force (SECAF) to execute a Change in Operational Control (CHOP) of these units from their administrative alignment to the operational command of a Regional Combatant commander (CCDR).[147] In the case of AFSPC, AFSOC, PACAF, and USAFE units, forces are normally employed in-place under their existing CCDR. Likewise, AMC forces operating in support roles retain their componency to USTRANSCOM unless chopped to a Regional CCDR.

#### Air Expeditionary Task Force

[edit]

"Chopped" units are referred to as forces. The top-level structure of these forces is the Air Expeditionary Task Force (AETF). The AETF is the Air Force presentation of forces to a CCDR for the employment of air power. Each CCDR is supported by a standing Component Numbered Air Force (C-NAF) to provide planning and execution of air forces in support of CCDR requirements. Each C-NAF 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 CCMD's Area of Responsibility (AOR), the C-NAF may deploy Air Component Coordinate Elements (ACCE) to liaise with the JFC. If the Air Force possesses the preponderance of air forces in a JFC's area of operations, the COMAFFOR will also serve as the Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC).

#### Commander, Air Force Forces

[edit]

The commander, Air Force Forces (COMAFFOR) is the senior USAF officer responsible for the employment of air power in 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

[edit]

The Air Operations Center (AOC) is the JFACC's Command and Control (C2) center. Several AOCs have been established throughout the Air Force worldwide. These centers are responsible for planning and executing air power missions in support of JFC objectives.[148]

#### Air Expeditionary Wings/Groups/Squadrons

[edit]

The AETF generates air power to support CCMD 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.[149][150]

## Personnel

[edit]

The classification of any USAF job for officers or enlisted airmen is the Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC).

AFSCs range from officer specialties such as pilot, combat systems officer, special tactics, nuclear and missile operations, intelligence, cyberspace operations, judge advocate general (JAG), medical doctor, nurse or other fields, to various enlisted specialties. The latter range from flight combat operations such as loadmaster, to working in a dining facility to ensure that Airmen are properly fed. There are additional occupational fields such as computer specialties, mechanic specialties, enlisted aircrew, communication systems, cyberspace operations, avionics technicians, medical specialties, civil engineering, public affairs, hospitality, law, drug counseling, mail operations, security forces, and search and rescue specialties.[151]

Beyond combat flight crew personnel, other combat USAF AFSCs are Special Tactics Officer,[152] Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD),[153] Combat Rescue Officer,[154] Pararescue,[155] Security Forces,[156] Combat Control,[157] Tactical Air Control Party,[158] Special Operations Weather Technician.[159]

Nearly all enlisted career fields are "entry level", meaning that the USAF provides all training. Some enlistees are able to choose a particular field, or at least a field before actually joining, while others are assigned an AFSC at Basic Military Training (BMT). After BMT, new enlisted airmen 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 enlisted technical training.[160][161]

Training programs vary in length; for example, 3F1X1 (Services) has 29 days of tech school training,[162] while 3E8X1 (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) is one year of training with a preliminary school and a main school consisting of over ten separate divisions, sometimes taking students close to two years to complete. Officer technical training conducted by Second Air Force can also vary by AFSC, while flight training for aeronautically rated officers conducted by AETC's Nineteenth Air Force can last well in excess of one year.[163]

USAF rank is divided between enlisted airmen, non-commissioned officers, and commissioned officers, and ranges from the enlisted Airman Basic (E-1) to the commissioned officer rank of General (O-10), however in times of war officers may be appointed to the higher grade of General of the Air Force. Enlisted promotions are granted based on a combination of test scores, years of experience, and selection board approval while officer promotions are based on time-in-grade and a promotion selection board. Promotions among enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers are generally designated by increasing numbers of insignia chevrons.[164] Commissioned officer rank is designated by bars, oak leaves, a silver eagle, and anywhere from one to five stars.[165] General of the Air Force Henry "Hap" Arnold is the only individual in the history of the US Air Force to attain the rank of five-star general.[166]

As of 30 June 2017, 70% of the Air Force is White, 15% Black and 4.8% Asian. The average age is 35 and 21% of its members are female.[167]

### Commissioned officers

[edit]

Main article: United States Air Force officer rank insignia

The commissioned officer ranks of the USAF are divided into three categories: company grade officers, field grade officers, and general officers. Company grade officers are those officers in pay grades O-1 to O-3, while field grade officers are those in pay grades O-4 to O-6, and general officers are those in pay grades of O-7 and above.[168]

Air Force officer promotions are governed by the Defense Officer Personnel Management Act of 1980 and its companion Reserve Officer Personnel Management Act (ROPMA) for officers in the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard.[169] DOPMA also establishes limits on the number of officers that can serve at any given time in the Air Force. Currently, promotion from second lieutenant to first lieutenant is virtually guaranteed after two years of satisfactory service. The promotion from first lieutenant to captain is competitive after successfully completing another two years of service, with a selection rate varying between 99% and 100%. Promotion to major through major general is through a formal selection board process, while promotions to lieutenant general and general are contingent upon nomination to specific general officer positions and subject to U.S. Senate approval.

During the 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. At the 10 to 11-year mark, captains will take part in a selection board to major. If not selected, they will meet a follow-on board to determine if they will be allowed to remain in the Air Force. Promotion from major to lieutenant colonel is similar and occurs approximately between the fourteen year and the fifteen year mark, where a certain percentage of majors will be in zone (i.e., "on time") or above zone (i.e., "late") for promotion to lieutenant colonel.[170] This process will repeat at the 18-year mark to the 21-year mark for promotion to full colonel.

The Air Force has the largest ratio of general officers to total strength of all of the U.S. Armed Forces and this ratio has continued to increase even as the force has shrunk from its Cold War highs.[171]

US DoD
pay grade | Special grade[j] | O-10  | O-9  | O-8  | O-7  | O-6  | O-5  | O-4  | O-3  | O-2  | O-1

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NATO code | OF-10  | OF-9  | OF-8  | OF-7  | OF-6  | OF-5  | OF-4  | OF-3  | OF-2  | OF-1
Insignia  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service dress uniform (Class A) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service uniform (Class B) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Mess dress uniform  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Title  | General of the Air Force | General | Lieutenant general | Major general | Brigadier general | Colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Major | Captain | First lieutenant | Second lieutenant
Abbreviation[k] | GAF  | Gen  | Lt Gen  | Maj Gen  | Brig Gen  | Col  | Lt Col  | Maj  | Capt  | 1st Lt  | 2d Lt

### Warrant officers

[edit]

Main article: Warrant officer (United States) § Air Force

Although provisions were made in Title 10 of the United States Code for the secretary of the Air Force to appoint warrant officers, the Air Force had not used warrant officer grades for many years, and, along with the Space Force, were the only U.S. Armed Services not to do so until 2024. The Air Force inherited warrant officer ranks from the Army at its inception in 1947. The Air Force stopped appointing warrant officers in 1959,[173][174] the same year the first promotions were made to the new top enlisted grade, chief master sergeant. The remaining warrant officers were slowly phased out.[175][176]

The last active duty Air Force warrant officer, CWO4 James H. Long, retired in 1980, and the last Air Force Reserve warrant officer, CWO4 Bob Barrow, retired in 1992.[177] Upon his retirement, he was honorarily promoted to CWO5, the only person in the Air Force ever to hold this grade.[173] Since Barrow's retirement, the Air Force warrant officer ranks, while still authorized by law, were not used.[177]

It was announced at the AFA Warfare Symposium on 12 February 2024, that warrant officer ranks in the cyber and information technology fields would be reintroduced, beginning in FY25. It was stated that this effort was to retain talent in these technical fields for airmen who did not wish to pursue a leadership path.[178] The Air Force initially wanted a class of 30 warrant officers that would begin training by the summer 2024.[179][178] By the end of July 2024, 78 airmen were selected to be among the first Air Force warrant officers in over 66 years, more than double than originally estimated.[180] The 78 airmen will be spread out across three training classes, with the first starting in October 2024.[180] On December 6, 2024, 30 airmen graduated from the Air Force's Warrant Officer Training School located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. These are the first warrant officers to serve in the U.S. Air Force since 1992. The warrant officer candidates graduated as either Warrant Officer 1 or Chief Warrant Officer 2.[181]

Air Force warrant officer rank insignia  Uniformed services pay grade | W-5  | W-4  | W-3  | W-2  | W-1

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United States Air Force

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |
Chief warrant officer 5 | Chief warrant officer 4 | Chief warrant officer 3 | Chief warrant officer 2 | Warrant officer 1

### Enlisted airmen

[edit]

Pararescuemen and a simulated "survivor" watch as an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter comes in for a landing

Main article: United States Air Force enlisted rank insignia

Enlisted airmen have pay grades from E-1 (entry level) to E-9 (senior enlisted).[182] While all USAF personnel, enlisted and officer, are referred to as airmen, in the same manner that all Army personnel, enlisted and officer, are referred to as soldiers, the term also refers 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 (i.e., pay grades E-5 through E-9) all ranks fall into the category of NCO and are further subdivided into "NCOs" (pay grades E-5 and E-6) and "senior NCOs" (pay grades E-7 through E-9); the term "junior NCO" is sometimes used to refer to staff sergeants and technical sergeants (pay grades E-5 and E-6).[183]

The USAF, along with the US Space Force, are the only branches of the U.S. military where NCO status is achieved when an enlisted person reaches the pay grade of E-5. In all other branches, NCO status is generally achieved at the pay grade of E-4 (e.g., a corporal in the Army[l] and Marine Corps, Petty Officer Third Class in the Navy and Coast Guard). The Air Force mirrored the Army from 1976 to 1991 with an E-4 being either a senior airman wearing three stripes without a star or a sergeant (referred to as "buck sergeant"), which was noted by the presence of the central star and considered an NCO. Despite not being an NCO, a senior airman who has completed Airman Leadership School can be a supervisor according to the AFI 36–2618.[185]

US DoD pay grade | Special  | E-9  | E-8  | E-7 | E-6 | E-5 | E-4 | E-3 | E-2 | E-1

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NATO code | OR-9  | OR-8  | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1
Insignia  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | No insignia
Title  | Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman | Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force | Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau | Command chief master sergeant | Chief master sergeant[m] | Senior master sergeant[m] | Master sergeant[m] | Technical sergeant | Staff sergeant | Senior airman | Airman first class | Airman | Airman basic
Abbreviation  | SEAC  | CMSAF  | SEANGB  | CCC/CCM  | CMSgt  | SMSgt  | MSgt  | TSgt  | SSgt  | SrA  | A1C  | Amn  | AB

### Uniforms

[edit]

Main article: Uniforms of the United States Air Force

The first USAF dress uniform, in 1947, was dubbed and patented "Uxbridge blue" after "Uxbridge 1683 blue", developed at the former Bachman-Uxbridge Worsted Company.[187] The current service dress uniform, which was adopted in 1994, consists of a three-button coat with decorative pockets, matching trousers, and either a service cap or flight cap, all in Shade 1620, "Air Force blue" (a darker purplish-blue).[188] This is worn with a light blue shirt (shade 1550) and shade 1620 herringbone patterned necktie. Silver "U.S." pins are worn on the collar of the coat, with a surrounding silver ring for enlisted airmen. Enlisted airmen wear sleeve rank on both the jacket and shirt, while officers wear metal rank insignia pinned onto the epaulet loops on the coat, and Air Force blue slide-on epaulet loops on the shirt. USAF personnel assigned to base honor guard duties wear, for certain occasions, a modified version of the standard service dress uniform that includes silver trim on the sleeves and trousers, with the addition of a ceremonial belt (if necessary), service cap with silver trim and Hap Arnold Device (instead of the seal of the United States worn on the regular cap), and a silver aiguillette placed on the left shoulder seam and all devices and accoutrements.

The Airman Combat Uniform (ACU) in the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) replaced the previous Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) on 1 October 2018.[189][190]

### Awards and badges

[edit]

Main articles: Awards and decorations of the United States Air Force and Badges of the United States Air Force

In addition to basic uniform clothing, various badges are used by the USAF to indicate a billet assignment or qualification-level for a given assignment. Badges can also be used as merit-based or service-based awards. Over time, various badges have been discontinued and are no longer distributed.[191]

### Training

[edit]

See also: Air Force Specialty Code

U.S. Air Force trainee demonstrating a butt stroke on a strike dummy as part of Basic Military Training.

All enlisted airmen attend Basic Military Training (BMT) at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas for 7+1⁄2 weeks.[192] Individuals who have prior service of over 24 months of active duty in the other service branches who seek to enlist in the Air Force must go through a 10-day Air Force familiarization course rather than enlisted BMT, however prior service opportunities are severely limited.[193][194]

Officers may be commissioned upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy, upon graduation from another college or university through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program, or through the Air Force Officer Training School (OTS). OTS, located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama since 1993, in turn encompasses two separate commissioning programs: Basic Officer Training (BOT), which is for officer candidates for the Regular Air Force and the Air Force Reserve; and the Academy of Military Science (AMS), which is for officer candidates of the Air National Guard.

The Air Force also provides Commissioned Officer Training (COT) for officers of all three components who are direct-commissioned into medicine, law, religion, biological sciences, or healthcare administration. COT is fully integrated into the OTS program and today encompasses extensive coursework as well as field exercises in leadership, confidence, fitness, and deployed-environment operations.[195]

#### Air Force Fitness Test

[edit]

USAF Airmen training at Lackland AFB

Main article: United States Air Force Fitness Assessment

The US Air Force Fitness Test (AFFT) is designed to test the abdominal circumference, muscular strength/endurance and cardiovascular respiratory fitness of airmen in the USAF. As part of the Fit to Fight program, the USAF adopted a more stringent physical fitness assessment; the new fitness program was put into effect on 1 June 2010. The annual ergo-cycle test which the USAF had used for several years had been replaced in 2004. In the AFFT, Airmen are given a score based on performance consisting of four components: waist circumference, the sit-up, the push-up, and a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) run. Airmen can potentially earn a score of 100, with the run counting as 60%, waist circumference as 20%, and both strength tests counting as 10% each. A passing score is 75 points. Effective 1 July 2010, the AFFT is administered by the base Fitness Assessment Cell (FAC), and is required twice a year. Personnel earning a score over 90% may test once a year. Additionally, only meeting the minimum standards on each one of these tests will not get you a passing score of 75%, and failing any one component will result in a failure for the entire test.[196]

## Aircraft inventory

[edit]

Main article: List of active United States Air Force aircraft

The U.S. Air Force has a total force of approximately 5,500 aircraft.[6] Of these, an estimated 4,131 are in active service.[197] 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 and Air Force method. For more complete information on the workings of this system, refer to United States military aircraft designation systems. The various aircraft of the Air Force include:

### A – Attack

[edit]

A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft

The attack aircraft[198] of the USAF are designed to attack targets on the ground and are often deployed as close air support for, and in proximity to, U.S. ground forces. The proximity to friendly forces require precision strikes from these aircraft that are not always possible with bomber aircraft. Their role is tactical rather than strategic, operating at the front of the battle rather than against targets deeper in the enemy's rear. Current USAF attack aircraft are operated by Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Forces, and Air Force Special Operations Command. On 1 August 2022, USSOCOM selected the Air Tractor-L3Harris AT-802U Sky Warden as a result of the Armed Overwatch program, awarding an indefinite quantity contract (IDIQ) to deliver as many as 75 aircraft.[199]

* A-10C Thunderbolt II[200]
* AC-130J Ghostrider[201]
* OA-1K Skyraider II[202]

### B – Bomber

[edit]

B-2 Spirit stealth bomber

US Air Force bombers are strategic weapons, primarily used for long range strike missions with either conventional or nuclear ordnance. Traditionally used for attacking strategic targets, today many bombers are also used in the tactical mission, such as providing close air support for ground forces and tactical interdiction missions.[203] All Air Force bombers are under Global Strike Command.[204]

The service's B-2A aircraft entered service in the 1990s, its B-1B aircraft in the 1980s and its current B-52H aircraft in the early 1960s. The B-52 Stratofortress airframe design is over 60 years old and the B-52H aircraft currently in the active inventory were all built between 1960 and 1962. The B-52H is scheduled to remain in service for another 30 years, which would keep the airframe in service for nearly 90 years, an unprecedented length of service for any aircraft. The B-21 is projected to replace the B-2 and parts of the B-1B force by the mid-2020s.[205]

* B-1B Lancer[206]
* B-2A Spirit[207]
* B-52H Stratofortress[208][209]

### C – Cargo/Transport

[edit]

A C-17 Globemaster III, the USAF's newest and most versatile cargo aircraft

Cargo aircraft are typically used to deliver troops, weapons and other military equipment by a variety of methods to any area of military operations around the world, usually outside of the commercial flight routes in uncontrolled airspace. The workhorses of the USAF airlift forces are the C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, and C-5 Galaxy. The CV-22 is used by the Air Force for special operations. It conducts long-range, special operations missions, and is equipped with extra fuel tanks and terrain-following radar. Some aircraft serve specialized cargo and transport roles such as executive or embassy support (C-12), Antarctic support (LC-130H), and AFSOC support (C-27J and C-146A). Although most of the US Air Force's cargo aircraft were specially designed with the Air Force in mind, some aircraft such as the C-12 Huron (Beechcraft Super King Air) and C-146 (Dornier 328) are militarized conversions of existing civilian aircraft. Transport aircraft are operated by Air Mobility Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, and United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa.

* C-5M Galaxy[210][211]
* C-12C, C-12D, C-12F and C-12J Huron[212]
* C-17A Globemaster III[213][214]
* C-130H, LC-130H, and WC-130H Hercules
* C-130J and C-130J-30 Super Hercules[215]
* C-146A Wolfhound[216][217]
* CV-22B Osprey[218][219]

### E – Special Electronic

[edit]

E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system

The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent an advantage in the EMS and ensure friendly, unimpeded access to the EM spectrum portion of the information environment. Electronic warfare aircraft are used to keep airspaces friendly, and send critical information to anyone who needs it. They are often called "the eye in the sky". The roles of the aircraft vary greatly among the different variants to include electronic warfare and jamming (EC-130H), psychological operations and communications (EC-130J), airborne early warning and control (E-3), airborne command post (E-4B), range control (E-9A), and communications relay (E-11A, EQ-4B).

* E-3B, E-3C and E-3G Sentry[220][221]
* E-4B "Nightwatch"[222][223]
* E-9A Widget[224]
* E-11A[225][226]
* EA-37B Compass Call[227][228]
* EC-130H Compass Call[229][230]
* EC-130J Commando Solo[231]

### F – Fighter

[edit]

F-22 Raptor stealth air superiority fighter

The fighter aircraft of the USAF are small, fast, and maneuverable military aircraft primarily used for air-to-air combat. Many of these fighters have secondary ground-attack capabilities, and some are dual-roled as fighter-bombers (e.g., the F-16 Fighting Falcon); the term "fighter" is also sometimes used colloquially for dedicated ground-attack aircraft, such as the F-117 Nighthawk. Other missions include interception of bombers and other fighters, reconnaissance, and patrol. The F-16 is currently used by the USAF Air Demonstration squadron, the Thunderbirds, while a small number of both man-rated and non-man-rated F-4 Phantom II are retained as QF-4 aircraft for use as full-scale aerial targets (FSATs) or as part of the USAF Heritage Flight program. These extant QF-4 aircraft are being replaced in the FSAT role by early model F-16 aircraft converted to QF-16 configuration. The USAF had 2,025 fighters in service as of September 2012.[232]

* F-15C and F-15D Eagle[233]
* F-15E Strike Eagle[234][235]
* F-15EX Eagle II[236]
* F-16C, F-16D Fighting Falcon[237]
* F-22A Raptor[238][239]
* F-35A Lightning II[240]

### H – Search and rescue

[edit]

These aircraft are used for search and rescue and combat search and rescue on land or sea. The HC-130N/P aircraft are being replaced by newer HC-130J models. HH-60W are replacement aircraft for "G" models that have been lost in combat operations or accidents. New HH-60W helicopters are under development to replace the "G" model Pave Hawks. The Air Force also has four HH-60U "Ghost Hawks", which are converted "M" variants. They are based out of Area 51.[241]

* HC-130N and HC-130P Combat King[242]
* HC-130J Combat King II[243]
* HH-60G, HH-60U and HH-60W Pave Hawk[244]

### K – Tanker

[edit]

KC-46 Pegasus refuels a F-35 Lightning II

The USAF's KC-135 and KC-46 aerial refueling aircraft are based on civilian jets. The USAF aircraft are equipped primarily for providing the fuel via a tail-mounted refueling boom, and can be equipped with "probe and drogue" refueling systems. Air-to-air refueling is extensively used in large-scale operations and also used in normal operations; fighters, bombers, and cargo aircraft rely heavily on the lesser-known "tanker" aircraft. This makes these aircraft an essential part of the Air Force's global mobility and the U.S. force projection. The KC-10A Extender was retired in 2024.[245] The KC-46A Pegasus began to be delivered to USAF units in 2019.

* KC-46A Pegasus[246]
* KC-135R and KC-135T Stratotanker[247]

### M – Multi-mission

[edit]

An MC-12W Liberty at Beale AFB

Specialized multi-mission aircraft provide support for global special operations missions. These aircraft conduct infiltration, exfiltration, resupply, and refueling for SOF teams from improvised or otherwise short runways. The MC-130J is currently being fielded to replace "H" and "P" models used by U.S. Special Operations Command. The MC-12W is used in the "intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance" (ISR) role.

Initial generations of RPAs were primarily surveillance aircraft, but some were fitted with weaponry (such as the MQ-1 Predator, which used AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles). An armed RPA is known as an "unmanned combat aerial vehicle" (UCAV).

* MC-12W Liberty[248]
* MC-130H Combat Talon II[249]
* MC-130J Commando II[250]

MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle

* MQ-9B Reaper[251]

### R – Reconnaissance

[edit]

Lockheed U-2 spy plane

The reconnaissance aircraft of the USAF are used for monitoring enemy activity, originally carrying no armament. Although the U-2 is designated as a "utility" aircraft, it is a reconnaissance platform. The roles of the aircraft vary greatly among the different variants to include general monitoring, ballistic missile monitoring (RC-135S), electronic intelligence gathering (RC-135U), signal intelligence gathering (RC-135V/W), and high altitude surveillance (U-2).

Several unmanned remotely controlled reconnaissance aircraft (RPAs), have been developed and deployed. Recently, the RPAs have been seen to offer the possibility of cheaper, more capable fighting machines that can be used without risk to aircrews.

* RF-4E Phantom II[citation needed]
* RC-135S Cobra Ball[252]
* RC-135U Combat Sent[253]
* RC-135V and RC-135W Rivet Joint[254]
* RQ-4B Global Hawk[255]
* RQ-11 Raven[256]

RQ-170 Sentinel stealth unmanned aerial vehicle reconnaissance aircraft

* RQ-170 Sentinel[257]
* U-2S "Dragon Lady"[258]

### T – Trainer

[edit]

The Air Force's trainer aircraft are used to train pilots, combat systems officers, and other aircrew in their duties.

* T-1A Jayhawk[259]
* T-6A Texan II[260]
* T-38A, (A)T-38B and T-38C Talon[261]
* T-41D Mescalero[262]
* T-51A[263][264]
* T-53A Kadet II[265]
* TC-135W[266][267]
* TH-1H Iroquois[268]
* TU-2S Dragon Lady[269]
* A-29 Super Tucano[270]

### TG – Trainer gliders

[edit]

Several gliders are used by the USAF, primarily used for cadet flying training at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

* TG-15A[271]
* TG-15B[272]
* TG-16[272]

### U – Utility

[edit]

Utility aircraft are used basically for what they are needed for at the time. For example, a Huey may be used to transport personnel around a large base or launch site, while it can also be used for evacuation. These aircraft are all around use aircraft. Mostly for troops and cargo.

* U-28A Draco[273][274]
* UH-1N Iroquois[275][276]
* UV-18B Twin Otter[277]

### V – VIP staff transport

[edit]

VC-25A (Air Force One) flying over Mount Rushmore in 2001.

These aircraft are used for the transportation of Very Important Persons (VIPs). Notable people include the president, vice president, cabinet secretaries, government officials (e.g., senators and representatives), the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other key personnel.

* VC-25A (two used as Air Force One)[278]
* C-21A Learjet[279][280]
* C-32A and C-32B (used as Air Force Two)[281][282]
* C-37A Gulfstream V and C-37B Gulfstream G550[283]
* C-40B and C-40C[284][285]

### W – Weather reconnaissance

[edit]

A WC-130J Hercules from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron

These aircraft are used to study meteorological events such as hurricanes and typhoons.

* WC-130J Hurricane Hunter[286]
* WC-135C and WC-135W Constant Phoenix[287][288]

### Undesignated foreign aircraft

[edit]

* CN-235-100[289] (427th Special Operations Squadron)
* Grob G 120TP[290]
* Mil Mi-17[290][291] (OPFOR training)

## See also

[edit]

* Air & Space Forces Association
* Air Force Combat Ammunition Center
* Airman's Creed
* Civil Air Patrol
* Company Grade Officers' Council
* Department of the Air Force Police
* Future military aircraft of the United States
* List of military aircraft of the United States
* List of military aircraft of the United States (1909–1919)
* List of undesignated military aircraft of the United States
* List of United States Air Force installations
* List of United States Air Force personnel
* List of U.S. Air Force acronyms and expressions
* List of wings of the United States Army Air Forces
* National Museum of the United States Air Force
* Structure of the United States Air Force
* United States Air Force Band
* United States Air Force Chaplain Corps
* United States Air Force Combat Control Team
* United States Air Force Medical Service
* United States Air Force Thunderbirds
* Women in the United States Air Force

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ FY23 Projected End Strength
2. ^ FY23 Projected End Strength
3. ^ FY23 Projected End Strength
4. ^ This reflects all Department of the Air Force civilian employees, the Dept of the Air Force manages the civilian employee programs for both the Air Force and Space Force. This is not inclusive of contract personnel.
5. ^ After the United States Space Force, founded in 2019
6. ^ FY23 Projected End Strength
7. ^ This reflects all Department of the Air Force civilian employees, the Dept of the Air Force manages the civilian employee programs for both the Air Force and Space Force. This is not inclusive of any contract personnel[4]
8. ^ FY23 Projected End Strength
9. ^ FY23 Projected End Strength
10. ^ Reserved for wartime use only.
11. ^ No periods are used in actual grade abbreviation, only in press releases to conform with AP standards.[172]
12. ^ However, the Army has dual ranks at the E-4 paygrade with Specialists not considered NCOs. From the 1980s, the Army corporal rank came to be awarded infrequently and was rarely found in units, but since 2021 E-4 graduates of the Basic Leader Course are promoted to corporal before further advancement.[184]
13. ^ a b c Air Force first sergeants are considered temporary and lateral ranks and are senior to their non-diamond counterparts. First sergeants revert to their permanent rank within their paygrade upon leaving assignment.[186]

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* "Air Force Basic Doctrine, Organization, and Command". 14 October 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 June 2016.

## External links

[edit]

United States Air Force at Wikipedia's sister projects

* Definitions from Wiktionary
* Media from Commons
* News from Wikinews
* Quotations from Wikiquote
* Texts from Wikisource
* Textbooks from Wikibooks
* Resources from Wikiversity

Library resources about
United States Air Force

* * *

* Resources in your library
* Resources in other libraries

### Official

[edit]

* USAF – official website
* Air Force Blue Tube page on YouTube

### Other

[edit]

* Searchable database of Air Force historical reports
* USAF emblems
* USAF Communications Troops
* Members of the US Air Force on RallyPoint
* Aircraft Investment Plan, Fiscal Years (FY) 2011–2040, Submitted with the FY 2011 Budget
* National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force: Report to the President and the Congress of the United States
* Works by or about United States Air Force at the Internet Archive

Preceded by

United States Army Air Forces

|  United States Air Force
1947–present  | Succeeded by

Current

|
|

* v
* t
* e

United States Air Force

Leadership|

* Department of the Air Force
* Secretary of the Air Force
* Under Secretary of the Air Force
* Air Staff
* Chief of Staff
* Vice Chief of Staff
* Director of Staff
* Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
* Four-star generals
* Three-star generals
* 1940–1959
* 2000–2009
* 2010–2019
* 2020–present
* House Armed Services Committee
* House Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
* House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
* Senate Committee on Armed Services
* Senate Subcommittee on Airland
* Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces

Structure|

| Commands|

* Reserve
* Air National Guard
* Field Operating Agencies
* Installations

|

Direct reporting units|

* District of Washington
* Operational Test and Evaluation Center
* USAF Academy

Major commands|

* ACC
* AETC
* AFGSC
* AFMC
* AFRC
* AFSOC
* AMC
* PACAF
* USAFE–AFAFRICA

Numbered Air Forces|

* First
* Second
* Third
* Fourth
* Fifth
* Seventh
* Eighth
* Ninth
* Tenth
* Eleventh
* Twelfth
* Thirteenth Expeditionary
* Fifteenth
* Sixteenth
* Eighteenth
* Nineteenth
* Twentieth
* Twenty-Second

* Wings
* ANG
* Groups
* ANG
* Squadrons
* ANG
* Security Forces
* Civilian auxiliary: Civil Air Patrol

Personnel and
training|

* Personnel
* Rank
* officers
* cadets
* enlisted
* Specialty Code
* Aeronautical ratings
* Judge Advocate General's Corps
* RED HORSE
* Security Forces
* Medical Service
* Chief of Chaplains
* Chief Scientist

* Training: Air Force Academy
* Officer Training School
* Reserve Officer Training Corps
* Basic Training
* Airman Leadership School
* SERE
* Fitness Assessment

Uniforms and
equipment|

* Awards and decorations
* Badges
* Equipment
* Aircraft
* Uniforms

History and
traditions|

* History
* Aeronautical Division / Aviation Section / Division of Military Aeronautics / Army Air Service / Army Air Corps / Army Air Forces
* "The U.S. Air Force"
* Air Force Band
* Airman's Creed
* Core Values
* Flag
* Symbol
* Memorial
* National Museum
* Women Airforce Service Pilots
* Air Force One / Air Force Two
* Honor Guard
* Thunderbirds
* Service numbers
* Air & Space Forces Association

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Air Combat Command (ACC)

Air Forces|

* First (Northern)
* Ninth (Central)
* Twelfth (Southern)
* Fifteenth
* Sixteenth (Cyber)

Centers|

* 601st Air Operations
* 609th Air Operations
* 612th Air Operations
* 616th Operations
* Air Force Technical Applications
* Cyberspace Capabilities
* United States Air Force Warfare

Bases|

* Beale
* Creech
* Davis–Monthan
* Grand Forks
* Langley–Eustis (Langley)
* Moody
* Mountain Home
* Nellis
* Offutt
* Seymour Johnson
* Shaw
* Tonopah
* Tyndall

Wings|

| Composite|

* 23rd
* 53rd
* 55th
* 57th
* 355th
* 432nd

|

Fighter|

* 1st
* 4th
* 20th
* 325th
* 366th
* 388th

Cyberspace|

* 67th
* 688th

Other|

* 9th Reconnaissance
* 70th ISR
* 93rd Air Ground Operations
* 99th Air Base
* 319th Reconnaissance
* 363rd ISR
* 461st Air Control
* 480th ISR
* 505th Command and Control
* 552nd Air Control
* 557th Weather
* 633rd Air Base

* v
* t
* e

Air Education and Training Command (AETC)

Air Forces|

* Second
* Nineteenth
* Air University

Bases|

* Altus
* Columbus
* Goodfellow
* Gunter Annex
* Holloman
* Keesler
* Lackland
* Laughlin
* Luke
* Maxwell
* Randolph
* Sheppard
* Tyndall
* Vance

Wings|

* 12th Flying Training
* 14th Flying Training
* 17th Training
* 33d Fighter
* 37th Training
* 42d Air Base
* 47th Flying Training
* 49th Wing
* 56th Fighter
* 58th Special Operations
* 59th Medical
* 71st Flying Training
* 80th Flying Training
* 81st Training
* 82d Training
* 97th Air Mobility
* 314th Airlift
* 502d Air Base

Groups|

* 336th Training Group
* 381st Training Group

* v
* t
* e

Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC)

Bases|

* Barksdale
* Dyess
* Ellsworth
* F. E. Warren
* Kirtland
* Malmstrom
* Minot
* Whiteman

Units|

| Air Forces|

* Eighth (Strategic)
* Twentieth (Strategic)

|

Wings|

| Air Base|

* 377th

|

Bomb|

* 2d
* 5th
* 7th
* 28th
* 509th

Missile|

* 90th
* 91st
* 341st

Nuclear Systems|

* 498th

Groups|

| Helicopter|

* 582d

|

Operations|

* 2d
* 5th
* 7th
* 28th
* 90th
* 91st
* 341st
* 509th

Squadrons|

| Bomb|

* 9th
* 11th
* 13th
* 20th
* 23rd
* 28th
* 34th
* 37th
* 69th
* 93rd
* 96th
* 343d
* 393rd

|

Combat Training|

394th

Flight test|

* 576th

Missile|

* 10th
* 12th
* 319th
* 320th
* 321st
* 490th
* 740th
* 741st
* 742d

Helicopter|

* 37th
* 40th
* 54th

Strategic Operations|

* 625th

Training|

* 436th

Weapon
systems|

| Bombers|

* B-1B Lancer
* B-2 Spirit
* B-52H Stratofortress

|

Command|

* E-6B Mercury

Helicopters|

* UH-1N Iroquois
* MH-139

Missiles|

* LGM-30G Minuteman III

Leadership|

* Kowalski
* Klotz
* Wilson
* Rand
* Ray
* Cotton
* Bussiere

* v
* t
* e

Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC)

Air bases|

* Arnold
* Edwards
* Eglin
* Hanscom
* Hill
* Robins
* Tinker
* Wright-Patterson (Headquarters)

Centers|

| Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center|

* Air Force Civil Engineer Center
* Air Force Security Forces Center

|

Air Force Life Cycle Management Center|

* 66th Air Base Group
* 88th Air Base Wing

Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center|

Air Force Research Laboratory|

* 711th Human Performance Wing

Air Force Sustainment Center|

* 72nd Air Base Wing
* 75th Air Base Wing
* 78th Air Base Wing
* 448th Supply Chain Management Wing
* 635th Supply Chain Operations Wing
* Ogden Air Logistics Complex
* Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex
* Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex

Air Force Test Center|

* 96th Test Wing
* 412th Test Wing
* Arnold Engineering Development Complex

Other|

* National Museum of the United States Air Force

* v
* t
* e

Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC)

Air Forces|

* Fourth
* Tenth
* Twenty-Second

Bases|

* Dobbins
* Duke Field
* General Mitchell
* Grissom
* Homestead
* March
* Minneapolis-Saint Paul
* Niagara Falls
* Pittsburgh
* Westover
* Youngstown

Command|

* Air Reserve Personnel Center

Wings/Groups|

| Air Refueling|

* 434th
* 459th
* 507th
* 916th
* 939th
* 940th

|

Airlift|

* 94th
* 302nd
* 315th
* 433rd
* 439th
* 440th
* 445th
* 446th
* 512th
* 908th
* 910th
* 911th
* 914th
* 927th
* 932nd
* 934th

Fighter|

* 301st
* 414th
* 419th
* 442nd
* 476th
* 477th
* 482nd
* 944th

other|

* 307th Bomb
* 310th Space
* 349th Air Mobility
* 403rd
* 452nd Air Mobility
* 514th Air Mobility
* 655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
* 919th Special Operations
* 920th Rescue

* v
* t
* e

Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Bases|

* Cannon
* Hurlburt Field

Wings|

* 1st SOW
* 24th SOW
* 27th SOW
* 137th SOW
* 150th SOW
* 193rd SOW
* 352nd SOW
* 353rd SOW
* 492nd SOW
* 919th SOW

Groups|

* 720th STG
* 724th STG

Squadrons|

| Operations|

* 1st
* 2nd
* 3rd
* 4th
* 5th
* 6th
* 7th
* 8th
* 9th
* 15th
* 16th
* 17th
* 19th
* 20th
* 21st
* 22nd
* 33rd
* 34th
* 43rd
* 49th
* 65th
* 67th
* 71st
* 73rd
* 193rd
* 318th
* 319th
* 427th
* 512th
* 522nd
* 524th
* 550th
* 551st
* 711th
* 919th

|

Special Tactics|

* 17th
* 21st
* 22nd
* 23rd
* 24th
* 26th
* 123rd
* 125th
* 320th
* 321st

other|

* 18th Flight Test
* 23rd Special Operations Weather

* v
* t
* e

Air Mobility Command (AMC)

Numbered Air Forces|

* Eighteenth (Transportation)

Command
Organizations|

* 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center)
* USAF Expeditionary Center
* Special Air Mission

Bases|

* Andrews
* Charleston
* Dover
* Dyess
* Fairchild
* Hickam
* Little Rock
* MacDill
* McChord
* McConnell
* McGuire
* Pope
* Ramstein
* Scott
* Travis

Group|

* 43d Air Mobility Operations
* 317th Airlift Group

Wings|

| Air Base|

* 87th
* 628th

|

Air Mobility|

* 60th
* 305th
* 375th

Air Refueling (Tanker)|

* 6th
* 22d
* 92d

Airlift|

* 19th
* 62d
* 89th
* 436th
* 437th

Air Mobility Operations|

* 515th
* 521st

Contingency Response|

* 621st

* v
* t
* e

Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)

Air Forces|

* Fifth
* Seventh (Air Forces Korea)
* Eleventh
* Thirteenth Expeditionary

Bases|

* Andersen
* Eielson
* Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (Elmendorf Air Force Base)
* Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam (Hickam Air Force Base)
* Kadena
* Kunsan
* Misawa
* Osan
* Yokota

Wings|

* 3rd
* 8th Fighter
* 15th
* 18th
* 35th Fighter
* 36th
* 51st Fighter
* 354th Fighter
* 374th Airlift

* v
* t
* e

United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA)

Air Forces|

* Third (Europe)

Bases|

* Aviano Air Base
* Incirlik Air Base
* RAF Lakenheath
* RAF Mildenhall
* Ramstein Air Base
* Spangdahlem Air Base

Support facilities|

* Ämari Air Base
* Büchel Air Base
* Camp Lemonnier
* Câmpia Turzii Air Base
* Chabelley Airport
* Chièvres Air Base
* Ghedi Air Base
* Izmir Air Station
* Kleine Brogel Air Base
* Lajes Field
* Łask Air Base
* Morón Air Base
* RAF Akrotiri
* RAF Alconbury
* RAF Fairford
* RAF Menwith Hill
* RAF Molesworth
* RAF Welford
* Stuttgart Airport
* Volkel Air Base

Major units|

* 31st Fighter Wing
* 39th Air Base Wing
* 48th Fighter Wing
* 52nd Fighter Wing
* 86th Airlift Wing
* 100th Air Refueling Wing
* 406th Air Expeditionary Wing
* 435th Air Ground Operations Wing
* 501st Combat Support Wing

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

Equipment of the United States Air Force

Ground
systems|

| C2|

* AN/USQ-163 Falconer
* AN/GSQ-272 Sentinel

|

Ground vehicle|

* HMMWV
* LSSV
* R-5 Refueler
* R-9 Refueler
* R-11 Refueler
* C300

Munitions|

| Bomb|

* Mk-82
* Mk-84
* GBU-8
* GBU-10 Paveway II
* GBU-12 Paveway II
* GBU-15
* GBU-24 Paveway III
* GBU-27 Paveway III
* GBU-28
* GBU-31, GB-32, GB-38 JDAM
* GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb
* GBU-43/B MOAB
* GBU-44/B Viper Strike
* GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II
* GBU-54, GB-55, GB-56 Laser JDAM
* GBU-57 MOP
* GBU-72
* CBU-87 Combined Effects Munition
* CBU-89 Gator
* CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon
* BLU-109 bomb
* BLU-116 Bunker Buster
* B61 nuclear bomb
* B83 nuclear bomb

|

Gun|

* GAU-8 Avenger
* M61 Vulcan
* GAU-12
* GAU-13
* GAU-19
* M240
* L/60 Bofors
* M102 howitzer
* GAU-23/A
* M2 Browning
* M134 Minigun

Missile|

* AIM-7 Sparrow
* AIM-9 Sidewinder
* LGM-30G Minuteman III
* AGM-65 Maverick
* AGM-84 Harpoon
* AGM-84E Standoff Land Attack Missile
* AGM-84H/K Standoff Land Attack Missile – Expanded Response
* AGM-86 ALCM
* AGM-88 HARM
* AGM-114 Hellfire
* AIM-120 AMRAAM
* AGM-130 Powered Standoff Weapon
* AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon
* AGM-158 JASSM
* AGM-176 Griffin
* Zuni rocket

Target|

* BQM-34 Firebee
* BQM-167 Subscale Aerial Target
* MQM-107 Streaker
* QF-16 Aerial Target

Small arms|

| Sidearm/PDW|

* M11 Pistol
* M9 Pistol
* M17 Pistol
* MP5 submachine gun
* USAF Pilot's Survival Knife

|

Rifle/carbine|

* GUU-5/P Carbine
* M4 carbine
* M14 Stand-off Munitions Disruptor (SMUD)
* M16A2 Rifle
* M24 sniper weapon system
* M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle
* Mk 14 Mod 0 Enhanced Battle Rifle

Support/CQB|

* M60 machine gun
* M2HB Browning machine gun
* M240B Medium Machine Gun
* M249 light machine gun
* M1014 shotgun
* Remington 870 MCS shotgun

Ordnance|

* M136 AT4 Light Anti-tank Weapon
* M18A1 Claymore Mine
* M67 Fragmentation Grenade
* M72 Light Anti-tank Weapon (LAW)
* M79 grenade launcher
* MK-19 automatic grenade launcher

Uniforms and
other equipment|

* Airman Battle Uniform
* Army Combat Uniform
* Flight Suit
* Physical Training Uniform
* Service Dress Uniform
* Mess dress
* CMU – 33A/P22P-18

* v
* t
* e

United States Armed Forces

Legend
A = Army
MC = Marine Corps
N = Navy
AF = Air Force
SF = Space Force
CG = Coast Guard

Leadership|

* President of the United States
* Secretary of Defense
* Deputy Secretary of Defense
* Secretary of Homeland Security
* Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security
* Joint Chiefs of Staff
* Chairman
* Vice Chairman
* Committees on Armed Services
* Senate
* House
* Active duty four-star officers
* Active duty three-star officers
* United States military seniority
* National Security Act of 1947
* Goldwater–Nichols Act

Components|

| Military departments|

* Department of Defense
* Secretary
* Department of the Army
* Secretary
* Department of the Navy
* Secretary
* Department of the Air Force
* Secretary
* Department of Homeland Security
* Secretary

|

Service branches
and heads|

* Chief of Staff of the United States Army
* Commandant of the Marine Corps
* Chief of Naval Operations
* Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
* Chief of Space Operations
* Commandant of the Coast Guard

Reserve components|

* Reserves:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* CG
* National Guard:
* A
* AF

Civilian auxiliaries|

* Military Auxiliary Radio System
* Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary
* Merchant Marine
* Civil Air Patrol
* Coast Guard Auxiliary

Unified combatant
command|

* Africa
* Central
* European
* Indo-Pacific
* Northern
* Southern
* Space
* Cyber
* Special Operations
* Strategic
* Transportation

Structure|

* United States Code
* Title 10
* Title 14
* Title 32
* Title 50
* The Pentagon
* Installations
* Units:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG
* Logistics
* Media
* Unit mottoes

Operations
and history|

* Budget
* Current deployments
* Conflicts
* Wars
* Civil affairs

History|

* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG

Timeline|

* Colonial
* World War II

Demographics|

* African Americans
* Asian Americans
* Buddhist Americans
* Jewish Americans
* Muslim Americans
* Sikh Americans
* Hispanic Americans
* Civil War
* Air Force
* Coast Guard
* Marine Corps
* Navy
* Academy

History centers|

* Army Center of Military History
* Marine Corps History Division
* Naval History and Heritage Command
* Air Force Historical Research Agency

War artists|

* Army Art Program
* Air Force Art Program

Personnel|

| Training|

* Service academies:
* A (prep)
* MC/N (prep)
* AF/SF (prep)
* CG
* Merchant Marine
* ROTC
* A
* MC/N
* AF/SF
* Officer candidate/training school:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF/SF
* Warrant officer:
* A
* MEPS
* ASVAB
* The Basic School (MC)
* Enlisted recruit training:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF/SF
* CG
* Other education

|

Uniforms|

* Uniforms:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG
* Awards & decorations:
* Inter-service
* A
* MC/N
* AF/SF
* CG
* Foreign
* International
* Devices
* Badges:
* Identification
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG

Ranks|

* Officer:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG
* Warrant officers
* Enlisted:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG

Other|

* Oath:
* Enlistment
* Officer
* Creeds & Codes:
* Code of Conduct
* NCO
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* CG
* Service numbers:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* CG
* Military Occupational Specialty/Rating/Air Force Specialty Code
* Pay
* Uniform Code of Military Justice
* Judge Advocate General's Corps
* Military Health System/Tricare
* Separation
* Veterans Affairs
* Conscription
* Chiefs of Chaplains:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* CG

Equipment|

* A (Designations)
* MC:
* vehicles
* weapons
* other
* N
* AF
* CG

| Land|

* Individual weapons
* Crew-served weapons
* Vehicles (active)

|

Sea|

* All watercraft
* Ships:
* A
* N
* active
* future
* AF
* CG
* MSC
* Weapons:
* N
* Reactors

Air|

* Aircraft
* World War I
* active
* future
* Aircraft designation
* Helicopter arms

Other|

* WWII equipment
* Nuclear football
* Electronics (designations)
* Flags:
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG
* Ensign
* Jack
* Guidons
* Food
* WMDs:
* Nuclear
* Biological
* Chemical

* Category
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG
* Navboxes
* A
* MC
* N
* AF
* SF
* CG

* v
* t
* e

United States Department of Defense

* Headquarters: The Pentagon

* Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense
* Steve Feinberg, Deputy Secretary of Defense

Office of the Secretary of Defense
(including defense agencies and DoD field activities)

| Deputy Secretary of Defense|

* Deputy's Advisory Working Group
* Office of Net Assessment
* Special Access Program Oversight Committee

|

Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)|

* Defense Contract Audit Agency
* Defense Finance and Accounting Service

Under Secretary of Defense
for Acquisition and Sustainment|

* Defense Contract Management Agency
* Defense Logistics Agency
* Defense Threat Reduction Agency
* Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation
* Defense Acquisition University
* Defense Acquisition Board
* Defense Microelectronics Activity

Under Secretary of Defense
for Intelligence and Security|

* Defense Intelligence Agency
* Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
* Defense Information Systems Agency
* White House Communications Agency
* National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
* National Reconnaissance Office
* National Security Agency/Central Security Service
* Director/Chief

Under Secretary of Defense
for Personnel and Readiness|

* Defense Commissary Agency
* Department of Defense Education Activity
* Defense Human Resources Activity
* Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support
* Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute
* Defense Travel Management Office
* Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service
* Defense Health Agency
* Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy|

* Defense Security Cooperation Agency
* Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
* Defense Policy Board Advisory Committee

Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs|

* Defense Media Activity
* American Forces Network
* Defense Information School
* Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
* Stars and Stripes

Under Secretary of Defense
for Research and Engineering|

* Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
* Defense Innovation Unit
* Defense Technical Information Center
* Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center
* Missile Defense Agency

General Counsel of the Department of Defense|

* Defense Legal Services Agency (Office of Military Commissions)

Chief Management Officer of the Department of Defense|

* Pentagon Force Protection Agency
* Washington Headquarters Services (White House Military Office)

Reports directly|

* Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs

Military Departments

| Department of the Army|

* Secretary of the Army
The Secretariat: Under Secretary of the Army
* Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology
* Assistant Secretary for Civil Works
* Assistant Secretary (Financial Management and Comptroller)
* Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment
* Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
* General Counsel of the Army
* The Administrative Assistant
The Army Staff: Chief of Staff of the Army
* Vice Chief of Staff of the Army
* Sergeant Major of the Army
* Deputy Chief of Staff G-8 Programs
* Chief of Chaplains
* Judge Advocate General
* Provost Marshal General
* Surgeon General
U.S. Army field organizations: see Structure of the United States Army

|

Department of the Navy|

* Secretary of the Navy
The Secretariat: Under Secretary of the Navy
* Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations and Environment)
* Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller)
* Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
* Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition)
* General Counsel of the Navy
* Judge Advocate General
* Naval Criminal Investigative Service
* Naval Inspector General
Headquarters Marine Corps: Commandant of the Marine Corps
* Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
* Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
* Chaplain
U.S. Marine Corps field organizations: see Organization of the United States Marine Corps
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations: Chief of Naval Operations
* Vice Chief of Naval Operations
* Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
* Director of Naval Reactors
* Chief of Chaplains
* Chief of Naval Personnel
* Surgeon General
United States Navy field organizations: see Structure of the United States Navy

Department of the Air Force|

* Secretary of the Air Force
The Secretariat: Under Secretary of the Air Force
* Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics)
* Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Financial Management & Comptroller)
* Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Installations, Environment & Energy)
* Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower & Reserve Affairs)
* General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force
* Air Force Office of Special Investigations
The Air Staff: Chief of Staff of the Air Force
* Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force
* Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
* Chief of Chaplains
* Chief of Safety
* Chief Scientist
* Judge Advocate General
* Surgeon General
U.S. Air Force field organizations: Major Commands
* Direct Reporting Units
* Field Operating Agencies
Space Staff: Chief of Space Operations
* United States Space Force field organizations

Joint Chiefs of Staff

* Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
* Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman
* Joint Requirements Oversight Council
* Director of the Joint Staff
* Joint Staff
* National Military Command Center
* Alternate National Military Command Center
* National Defense University
* Joint Personnel Recovery Agency

Combatant Commands

* Africa Command
* Central Command
* European Command
* Northern Command
* Indo-Pacific Command
* Southern Command
* Space Command
* Cyber Command
* Special Operations Command
* Strategic Command
* Transportation Command

National Guard Bureau

* Chief of the National Guard Bureau
* Air National Guard
* Army National Guard

Office of the Inspector General

* Defense Criminal Investigative Service

* v
* t
* e

Uniformed services of the United States

Armed Forces|

* United States Army
* United States Marine Corps
* United States Navy
* United States Air Force
* United States Space Force
* United States Coast Guard

Non-combatant uniformed services|

* National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps
* United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps

* v
* t
* e

Allied Air Command

Structure|

Combined Air Operations Centre

NATO
air and
space
forces|

* Albanian Air Force
* Belgian Air Component
* Bulgarian Air Force
* Royal Canadian Air Force
* Croatian Air Force
* Czech Air Force
* Royal Danish Air Force
* Estonian Air Force
* Finnish Air Force
* French Air and Space Force
* German Air Force
* Hellenic Air Force
* Hungarian Air Force
* Italian Air Force
* Latvian Air Force
* Lithuanian Air Force
* Montenegrin Air Force
* Royal Netherlands Air Force
* North Macedonia Air Brigade
* Royal Norwegian Air Force
* Polish Air Force
* Portuguese Air Force
* Romanian Air Force
* Slovak Air Force
* Slovenian Air Force and Air Defence
* Spanish Air and Space Force
* Swedish Air Force
* Turkish Air Force
* Royal Air Force
*     * United States Air Force
* United States Space Force

* v
* t
* e

List of air forces

* Abkhazia
* Afghanistan
* Albania
* Algeria
* Angola
* Antigua and Barbuda
* Argentina
* Armenia
* Australia
* Austria
* Azerbaijan
* Bahamas
* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Belize
* Benin
* Bolivia
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Botswana
* Brazil
* Brunei
* Bulgaria
* Cambodia
* Cameroon
* Canada
* Central African Republic
* Chad
* Chile
* China
* Colombia
* Congo
* Congo DR
* Croatia
* Cuba
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Djibouti
* Dominican Republic
* Ecuador
* Egypt
* El Salvador
* Eritrea
* Estonia
* Ethiopia
* Finland
* France
* Gabon
* Georgia
* Germany
* Ghana
* Greece
* Guatemala
* Guinea-Bissau
* Haiti
* Honduras
* Hungary
* Iceland
* India
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Ireland
* Israel
* Italy
* Ivory Coast
* Japan
* Jordan
* Kazakhstan
* Kenya
* Kuwait
* Kyrgyzstan
* Laos
* Latvia
* Lebanon
* Liberia
* Libya
* Lithuania
* Madagascar
* Malaysia
* Mali
* Malta
* Mauritania
* Mexico
* Moldova
* Mongolia
* Montenegro
* Morocco
* Mozambique
* Myanmar
* Namibia
* Netherlands
* New Zealand
* Nicaragua
* Nigeria
* North Korea
* North Macedonia
* Norway
* Oman
* Pakistan
* Paraguay
* Peru
* Philippines
* Poland
* Portugal
* Qatar
* Romania
* Russia
* Rwanda
* Saudi Arabia
* Senegal
* Serbia
* Singapore
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Somalia
* South Africa
* South Korea
* South Sudan
* Spain
* Sri Lanka
* Sudan
* Suriname
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Syria
* Taiwan
* Tajikistan
* Tanzania
* Thailand
* Togo
* Tonga
* Tunisia
* Turkey
* Turkmenistan
* Uganda
* Ukraine
* United Arab Emirates
* United Kingdom
* United States
* Uruguay
* Uzbekistan
* Venezuela
* Vietnam
* Yemen
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

* v
* t
* e

Harry S. Truman

* 33rd President of the United States (1945–1953)
* 34th Vice President of the United States (1945)
* U.S. Senator from Missouri (1935–1945)

Presidency|

* Timeline
* Inaugurations
* first
* second
* Assassination attempt
* 1952 Puerto Rican constitutional referendum
* State of the Union Address
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* Judicial appointments
* Supreme Court
* Sherman Minton Supreme Court nomination
* Cabinet
* Truman Balcony
* "The buck stops here"
* Executive Orders
* Presidential Proclamations
* Eisenhower transition

| Foreign policy|

* Truman Doctrine
* Potsdam Conference
* 1945; Agreement on Europe
* Declaration to Japan
* Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945)
* War Brides Act (1945)
* Alien Fiancées and Fiancés Act (1946)
* Luce–Celler Act (1946)
* Executive Order 9835 (1947)
* General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (1947)
* Hoover Commission (1947)
* National Security Act of 1947
* U.S. Department of Defense
* Joint Chiefs of Staff
* National Security Council
* National Security Resources Board
* Air Force/Department
* Central Intelligence Agency
* Displaced Persons Act (1948)
* Key West Agreement (1948)
* Marshall Plan (1948)
* Joint Long Range Proving Grounds (1949)
* North Atlantic Treaty
* 1949; NATO
* Revolt of the Admirals (1949)
* Korean War
* 1950–1953; U.N. Security Council Resolutions 82, 83
* Defense Production Act of 1950
* Relief of Douglas MacArthur
* Office of Defense Mobilization
* 1950; Science Advisory Committee, 1951
* Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952
* National Security Agency (1952)

|

Fair Deal|

* Medal of Freedom (1945)
* Revenue Act of 1945
* National Mental Health Act
* 1946; National Institute of Mental Health
* Atomic Energy Act of 1946
* U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
* Employment Act of 1946
* Council of Economic Advisers
* Flood Control Acts
* 1946
* 1948
* 1950
* Fulbright Program (1946)
* Hill–Burton Act (1946)
* Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946
* Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946
* Federal Tort Claims Act
* Legislative Reference Service
* National School Lunch Act (1946)
* President's Committee on Civil Rights (1946)
* Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (1947)
* Housing and Home Finance Agency (1947)
* Presidential Succession Act of 1947
* Taft–Hartley Act (1947)
* Agricultural Act of 1948
* Executive Order 9981 (1948)
* Revenue Act of 1948
* Agricultural Act of 1949
* Housing Act of 1949
* Dingell–Johnson Act (1950)
* Revenue Act of 1950
* Excess profits tax
* Unrelated Business Income Tax
* Revenue Act of 1951
* Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1952
* 1952 steel strike

Life|

* Early life and career
* Presidential Library, Museum, and gravesite
* Missouri Office and Courtroom
* Truman Committee
* 1944 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection
* The Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace

Homes|

* Birthplace
* Harry S. Truman Farm Home
* Harry S. Truman home and National Historic Site
* Historic District
* Blair House
* Truman Little White House

Elections|

* United States Senate election in Missouri, 1934
* 1940
* Democratic National Convention 1944
* 1948
* 1944 United States presidential election
* 1948
* campaign
* "Dewey Defeats Truman"
* campaign song
* Ferdinand Magellan railcar
* 1952 Democratic Party presidential primaries

Legacy|

* Bibliography
* Truman Day
* Harry S Truman Building
* Truman Dam and Reservoir
* Harry S. Truman Scholarship
* Truman Sports Complex
* U.S. Postage stamps
* Statue of Harry S. Truman

Public image|

* Give 'em Hell, Harry! (1975 play and film)
* Harry Truman (1975 song by Chicago)
* Collision Course: Truman vs. MacArthur (1976 film)
* MacArthur (1977 film)
* Backstairs at the White House (1979 miniseries)
* Truman (1995 film)
* Truman (1997 documentary film)
* The First Lady (2022 TV series)
* Oppenheimer (2023 film)

Family|

* Bess Wallace Truman (wife)
* Margaret Truman (daughter)
* Martha Ellen Young Truman (mother)
* Clifton Truman Daniel (grandson)

* ← Franklin D. Roosevelt
* Dwight D. Eisenhower →

* ← Henry A. Wallace
* Alben W. Barkley →

* Category

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* 2
* VIAF
* FAST

National|

* Germany
* United States
* France
* BnF data
* Australia
* Czech Republic
* Spain
* Portugal
* Norway
* Latvia
* Croatia
* Korea
* Sweden
* Poland
* Israel

Academics|

* CiNii

Artists|

* MusicBrainz
* Museum of Modern Art

People|

* Trove

Other|

* IdRef
* SNAC

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