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United States Air Force

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United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the armed forces of the United States and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. Initially born as the United States Army Air Corps, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947. It was the last branch of the U.S. military to be formed.

Its role is "To provide sovereign options for the defense of the United States and its global interests. To fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace"

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/Seal_of_the_US_Air_Force.svg/150px-Seal_of_the_US_Air_Force.svg.png
Seal of the United States Department of the Air Force

Organisation[]

The USAF is part of the Department of the Air Force, which is in turn part of the Department of Defense. The civilian leader is the USAF is the Secretary of the Air Force, who reports to the Secretary of Defense. The military leader of the USAF is the Chief of Staff, United States Air Force, who is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and reports to the Secretary of the Air Force.

The USAF is organised into several Major Commands to carry out its various functions.

The USAF has the following major commands:

The role of most of these operational commands is to sustain, and train forces, and to provide forces to the Unified Combatant Commands. Under each Major Command, there are Numbered Air Forces.

The Numbered Air Forces in the functional commands hold units for deployment for the regional commands. The Numbered Air Forces in the Regional Commands hold some, or all of the USAF units in that Command. These units are not permanently assigned, for example, the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing is under the command of the Third Air Force in USAFE, but it is under the permanent jurisdiction of Tactical Air Command's Fifth Air Force. Some Regional Major Commands have multiple numbered air forces. PACAF has four numbered air forces.

Only Commands with flying units have Numbered Air Forces. Air Force Space Command, for example has no air forces. Likewise, for Commands with flying and non-flying units, only flying units are included in Numbered Air Forces. Numbered Air Forces vary greatly in size.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Us_army_air_corps_shield.svg/200px-Us_army_air_corps_shield.svg.png
Logo of the US Air Force

Flying Units and Equipment[]

Strategic Air Command[]

Strategic Air Command (SAC) is responsible for the USAF's strategic bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and strategic reconnaissance aircraft. It also operates strategic command aircraft such as the E-4 National Emergency Airborne Command Post. Although it provides aircraft and aircrews to all Unified Combatant Commands, it normally reports to United States Strategic Command.

Strategic Bombers[]

  • 2 Squadrons of Northrop Grumman B-73 Spirit
  • 10 Squadrons of Rockwell B-72B Lancer
  • 6 Squadrons of Boeing B-52G Stratofortress
  • 10 Squadrons of Boeing B-52H Stratofortress
800px-B-2 Spirit - 060530-F-5040D-320

B-73 Spirit stealth bomber
800px-7thog-b1-flying

Rockwell B-72B Lancer, a supersonic heavy bomber
791px-B-52 Stratofortress landing

A B-52G Stratofortress, probably the noisiest aircraft in current USAF service.
800px-B-52H prepares to refuel over Afghanistan

A B-52 refueling over Afghanistan
800px-Usaf

The B-52 Stratofortress

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles[]

  • 20 Squadrons of Boeing LGM-30G Minuteman III
  • 9 Squadrons of Martin MGM-134 Midgetman

*40 missiles per squadron.

Lgm-30g

LGM-30 Minuteman ICBM shortly after a test launch
Lgm-30g-1

LGM-30 Minuteman ICBM
Midgetman (XMGM-134A)

MGM-134 Midgetman test flight
800px-Small ICBM Hard Mobile Launcher USAF

Launch vehicle for the mobile MGM-134 Midgetman

Strategic Reconnaissance Aircraft[]

  • 2 Squadrons of Lockheed U-2R
  • 2 Squadrons of Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
  • 3 Squadrons of Boeing RC-135
  • 2 Squadrons of Northrop Grumman RQ-17 Global Hawk
  • 2 Boeing WC-135W Constant Phoenix
Usaf.u2

U-2R spy plane, with over 50 years service
405px-Front view of an SR-71A

SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest aircraft in the world
800px-RC-135 Rivet Joint

RC-135 Rivet Joint electronic reconnaissance aircraft
800px-Global Hawk 1

RQ-17 Global hawk long range, long endurance surveillance aircraft

Command and Control Aircraft[]

  • 25 Boeing EC-135
    • 11 EC-135C for SAC (Looking Glass)
    • 4 EC-135H for U.S. European Command (Silk Purse)
    • 5 EC-135J/P for U.S. Atlantic Forces (Scope Light)
    • 5 EC-135J/P for U.S. Pacific Command (Blue Eagle)
  • 4 Boeing E-144B NEACP
800px-Boeing EC-135C 62-3585 Offutt

EC-135 'Looking Glass'. The 'Looking Glass' ensures that SAC can still command US muclear forces, even if its ground HQ is destroyed
800px-E-4B Nightwatch

A Boeing E-144B NEACP command aircraft, the larger brother of the EC-135 intended for the President and Cabinet

Tankers[]

  • 4 Squadrons of McDonnell Douglas KC-148 Extender
  • 24 Squadrons of Boeing KC-135E/Q/R/T Stratotanker


800px-305thopgroup-kc10

KC-148 Extender tri-jet tanker
800px-100225-F-3252P-617

Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, another half-centenarian refuelling an F-15C
800px-KC135 tanks FA18

A USAF KC-135 refuels a USN F5H Wraith, an example of inter-service cooperation
763px-Usaf.kc135

One of the USAF's oldest aircraft, a KC-135, refuels one of the newest, an F-119

Tactical Air Command[]

Tactical Air Command is repsonsible for battlefield-level (tactical) air combat to include air superiority (offensive and defensive counterair), light bombardment, tactical nuclear strike, tactical reconnaissance, close air support of ground troops, and battlefield air interdiction of enemy forces. It is also responsible for tactical ballistic missiles and tactical cruise missiles, although the latter role in the 1980s and 1990s was often delegated to United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). TAC also assists AFRC and the ANG in the air defence of the continental United States.

  • 6 Squadrons of Northrop FB-120 Black Widow II [1],[2]
  • 7 Squadrons of General Dynamics F-111

*18 aircraft per squadron.

FB-23

The FB-23, the latest stealth attack aircraft of the USAF
800px-F-111F dropping high-drag bombs

The venerable F-111 long range strike aircraft

Tactical Fighters/Attack Aircraft[]

  • 10 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-119A/B Raptor
  • 27 Squadrons of McDonnell Douglas F-114C/D Eagle
  • 16 Squadrons of McDonnell Douglas F-114E Stike Eagle
  • 17 Squadrons of General Dynamics F-115C/D Fighting Falcon (Block 50)
  • 18 Squadrons of General Dynamics F-115C/D Fighting Falcon (Block 40)
  • 20 Squadrons of Fairchild-Republic A-49C Thunderbolt II


800px-Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor JSOH

F-119 Raptor, the best fighter aircraft in the world
800px-F-15, 71st Fighter Squadron, in flight

F-114 Eagle, an unbeaten air superiority fighter
Phoca thumb l e22 20081107 003

F-114E Strike Eagle, filling the niche between the F-16 tactical fighter and the F-111 long-range interdiction aircraft

Sdd f35testa 025

F-121A Lightning II, the USAF's newest stealth fighter
800px-F16c

F-115 Fighting Falcon, one of over 4000 in the world
800px-354oga10-alaska

The A-49 Thunderbolt II firing its main armament, the formidable GAU-8 30mm cannon

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles[]

  • 10 Squadrons of General Atomics MQ-16 Predator
  • 2 Squadrons of General Atomics MQ-18 Reaper

*12 aircraft per squadron.

800px-MQ-1 Predator

MQ-16 Predator armed with Hellfire missiles
800px-MQ-9 Reaper in flight (2007)

MQ-18 Reaper with a heavy weapons load of bombs and missiles

Electronic Warfare/Surveillance Aircraft[]

  • 2 Squadrons of Grumman/General Dynamics EF-111A Raven
  • 6 Squadrons of General Dynamics F-115CJ/DJ Fighting Falcon (Block 50)
  • 7 Squadrons of Boeing EC-137D Sentry
  • 2 Squadron of Northrop-Grumman EC-137F Joint STARS
800px-EF-111A Raven

EF-111A Raven, an extremely capable support jammer
800px-F-16 CJ Fighting Falcon

F-115CJ Fighting Falcon, a Wild Weasel aircraft
800px-Usaf.e3sentry

EC-137D Sentry, the AWACS
800px-Usaf.e8

EC-137F Joint STARS ground surveillance and control radar aircraft

Tactical Cruise Missiles[]

  • 7 Squadrons of MGM-109G Gryphon Ground Launched Cruise Missiles

Aggressors[]

  • 1 Squadron of McDonnell Douglas F-114A/B Eagle
  • 3 Squadrons of General Dynamics F-115A/B Fighting Falcon
  • 2 Squadrons of Northrop F-112E Tiger II/T-38 Talon


800px-65th Sqrdn F-15 Eagle at Red Flag Alaska

F-114 Aggressor, simulating high capability threat aircraft such as the Mirage 4000 and Tornado
800px-F16C Aggressor

The F-115A Aggressor, which serves as a proxy for aircraft like the Mirage 2000
800px-Three F-5E Tiger II from 527th Tactical Fighter Training Aggressor Squadron

The F-112E Tiger II is common to the Air Force, Navy, and Marines. It simulates aircraft like the Mirage F1 and Mirage III

United States Air Force Thunderbirds[]

  • 6 General Dynamics F-115C Fighting Falcons
  • 2 General Dynamics F-115D Fighting Falcons
800px-T-birds 6 plane formation 3654w

The USAF Thunderbirds in flight
800px-T-birds 3631w

Another view of the USAF Thunderbirds

Operational Conversion Training[]

  • 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin F-119 Raptor
  • 3 Squadrons of McDonnell Douglas F-114C/D Eagle
  • 2 Squadrons of McDonnell Douglas F-114E Strike Eagle
  • 3 Squadrons of General Dynamics F-115C/D Fighting Falcon
  • 2 Squadrons of Fairchild-Republic A-49C Thunderbolt II


Air Force Special Operations Command[]

Air Force Special Operations Command is composed of highly trained, rapidly deployable Airmen who are equipped with specialized aircraft. These forces conduct global special operations missions ranging from precision application of firepower, to infiltration, aviation foreign internal defense, exfiltration, resupply and refueling of SOF operational elements. The command's special tactics squadrons combine combat controllers, special operations weathermen, pararescuemen, and combat rescue officers to form versatile SOF teams. The command also possesses forces intended specifically for irregular warfare, or foreign internal defense. This force provides a more or less comprehensive counter-insurgency aviation capability as opposed to the large, dedicated light attack/COIN force in Tactical Air Command. In addition, the attack aircraft provide cover for Combat Search and Rescue missions, in the manner of the Douglas A-1 Skyraider in Vietnam. AFSOC's unique capabilities include airborne radio and television broadcast for psychological operations, as well as combat aviation advisors to provide other governments military expertise for their internal development.

  • 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin AC-130H Spectre
  • 2 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin AC-130U Spectre
  • 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin MC-130H Combat Talon II
  • 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin MC-130P Combat Shadow
  • 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin MC-130W Combat Spear
  • 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin HC-130P Hercules
  • 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin EC-130E Commando Solo/EC-130J Commando Solo II
  • 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin EC-130H Compass Call
  • 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin EC-130E Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center (ABCCC)
  • 2 Squadrons of Sikorsky MH-53J/M Pave Low
  • 4 Squadrons of Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk
  • 2 Squadrons of de Havilland Canada CV-2C Turbo Caribou
  • 1 Squadron of de Havilland Canada CV-8 Buffalo
  • 2 Squadrons of Cessna U-27A Caravan
  • 5 Squadrons of Beechcraft AT-54 Texan II
800px-AC-130H Spectre (2152981898)

AC-130H Spectre gunship
800px-DF-ST-89-00410

AC-130U on a firing run
800px-363dspecialoperationsgroup-mc130h

MC-130H Combat Talon II special operations rescue and transport aircraft
800px-17 SOS MC-130P Operating from the Phillipines

MC-130P Combat Shadow, used for combat SAR command and refueling
800px-MC-130W over Hurlburt Field

MC-130W Combat Spear, intended to supplement the MC-130H

800px-Helicopter aerial refueling

HC-130P CSAR aircraft refueling an HH-60 Pave Hawk
Ec-130j 071126-f-6470s-003

EC-130J psychological warfare aircraft, capable of transmitting TV and radio signals across all commonly used bands
800px-EC-130H Compass Call 060617

EC-130H Compass Call communication jammer
Ec-130e-allied2

EC-130E ABCCC command post
800px-MH-53 Pave Low US Military

MH-53J Pave Low special operations helicopter

800px-18thopgroup-hh-60-pavehawk

HH-60 Pave Hawk. The H-60 series is the standard medium helicopter of the US Armed Forces
750px-C-7A Caribou USAF Jan 1967

CV-2C Caribou, a rare example of a foreign aircraft in USAF service
C-8-buff p1

CV-8 Buffalo, another Canadian aircraft
7094L

U-27 demonstrator
AIR AT-6B Concept Desert lg

AT-54 Texan II, used to escort CSAR aircraft

Military Airlift Command[]

Military Airlift Command (MAC) is a United States Air Force major command.

In addition to the primary transport aircraft units, MAC also served as the headquarters for several independent "services." Air Weather Service (AWS), Air Rescue Service (ARS which later became Aerospace Rescue Recovery Service, ARRS), Special Airlift Mission (SAM), Air Photographic and Charting Service (APCS), and the Aeromedical Transport Wing (AMTW).

Tactical Transports[]

  • 28 Squadrons of Lockheed C-130E/H/J Hercules

*15 aircraft per C-130 squadron

750px-Lockheed C-130E Hercules

C-130E Hercules of the Vietnam-era
800px-94thogroup-c130H-2

C-130H Hercules of the late 1970s
800px-USAF C-130J Super Hercules at RIAT 2010 arp

The new C-130J Super Hercules

Strategic Transports[]

  • 5 Squadrons of Boeing KC-165 Jumbotanker
  • 15 Squadrons of McDonnell Douglas C-153 Globemaster III
  • 8 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin C-143M Galaxy
  • 10 Squadrons of Lockheed C-141C Starlifter
Kb-747-1A

A Boeing 747-200 tanker, an early progenitor of the 747-400-based KC-165
800px-Globemaster1

C-153 Globemaster III, the latest in a long line of giant Globemasters
800px-C-5 landing

C-143 Galaxy, the largest aircraft in the USAF and for a time, the largest in the world
051213-O-9999T-001

Hanoi Taxi, a C-141 Starlifter. In 1972, it flew released US POWs out of North Vietnam

Executive Transports[]

  • 2 Boeing VC-158 (Air Force One)
  • 3 Boeing C-167 (Boeing 757)
  • 8 Boeing C-169B Clipper
  • 10 Gulfstream C-167 Gulfstream V
  • 2 Gulfstream C-154 Gulfstream III
  • 2 Squadrons of LearJet C-155
  • 3 Squadrons of Beech C-150 Huron


746px-Air Force One over Mt

Air Force One: The Boeing VC-158 over Mount Rushmore
800px-Air Force Two B-757

The C-167, often used as Air Force Two, the Vice Presidential transport
800px-C-40B USAF VIP Transport

C-169B Clipper VIP transport
And-c-37a-89aw

C-167 Gulfstream V
800px-C-12 Huron in flight

C-150 Huron, often used for Embassy Support

Air Education & Training Command[]

AETC's mission is to "develop America's Airmen today... for tomorrow." The command recruits, trains, and educates Airmen for the United States Air Force.

ATEC conducts virtually all USAF training, from basic recruit training to fast jet training.

Flying Training Aircraft[]

  • 23 Squadrons of Northrop T-38 Talon
  • 21 Squadrons of Beechcraft T-54 Texan II
  • 3 Squadrons of Cessna T-37 Tweet
  • 9 Squadrons of Raytheon T-52 Jayhawk
  • 1 Squadron of Boeing T-43
800px-T-38As Vance AFB 1997

T-38 Talons at Vance AFB
T-6A Texan II

T-54 Texan II, named for the legendary North American T-6 Texan and replacement for the T-37
800px-EN-Cessna-T-37-Tweet-good-by

Cessna T-37 Tweets take off
800px-J-1 Jayhawk

Raytheon T-52 Jayhawk multi-engine trainer
800px-Boeing.t43.ground.fairford

T-43 navigation trainer

Initial Flight Screening[]

The Initial Flight Screening (IFS) is a preliminary flight training course for newly commissioned U.S. Air Force officers who have been selected for Pilot or Combat Systems Officer training. Previously this course was known as Initial Flight Training (IFT) or Academy Flight Training for USAF Academy Cadets and was for candidates who did not already hold a Private Pilot Certificate (PPL). IFS students must be undergraduate flying training (UFT) candidates and be medically qualified (Federal Aviation Administration Class III medical certificate and a USAF Flying Class 1/1A, as appropriate.) The IFS curriculum is highly structured and very fast paced.

The IFS program is under command of U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command (AETC), and began operations on 1 October 2006. Doss Aviation, under contract with United States Air Force (USAF), conducts flight screening for 1,300 to 1,700 USAF 2nd Lieutenants annually. As the gateway to USAF aviation, IFS provides initial flying training allowing students to successfully transition to Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (Pilot and Combat System Officer) at one of several Air Force bases throughout the United States. The 45-acre (180,000 m2) IFS campus is located immediately adjacent to the Pueblo Memorial Airport, Pueblo, Colorado.

Air Force Space Command[]

Air Force Space Command is focussed on space surveillance, missile warning and defence, the US military space program including operating satellites, and launching military satellites.

  • Ground-Based Midcourse Defense
    • 6 Squadrons of Ground Based Interceptor missiles
  • Airborne Laser Platform
    • 25 Boeing FC-165B
041209B 016

Ground Based Interceptor being emplaced
Ekv-ift9

Exo-atmospheric Kill Vehicle, the GBI's warhead which destroys enemy nuclear warheads with kinetic energy
BVT-1-113

Ground Based Interceptor test launch
750px-YAL-1A Airborne Laser unstowed

AL-1A Airborne Laser
388px-ABL02

Artist's impression of the AL-1A in action

Air Force Material Command[]

Air Force Material Command (AFMC) is a major command of the United States Air Force. AFMC was created July 1, 1992 through the reorganization of Air Force Logistics Command and Air Force Systems Command. Air Force Material Command conducts research, development, test and evaluation, and provides the acquisition management services and logistics support necessary to keep Air Force weapon systems ready for war. The command develops, acquires and sustains the aerospace power needed to defend the United States and its interests for today and tomorrow. This is accomplished through management, research, acquisition, development, testing and maintenance of existing and future weapons systems and their components.

Its main testing unit is the Air Force Flight Test Center. It consists of the 412th Test Wing, based at Edwards Air Force Base, California and a Base Wing to provide support.

AFMC operates examples of almost every aircraft used by the US Air Force. Aircraft operated permanently by AFMC are as follows:

  • Bell UH-1N Iroquois
  • Northrop T-38 Talon
  • General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
  • Boeing C-135 Stratolifter (mostly NKC-135)
  • Boeing C-137 Stratoliner
  • North American T-39 Sabreliner

Aircraft currently being tested include:

  • Boeing FC-165 Airborne Laser
  • Lockheed Martin F-119 Raptor
  • Northrop FB-120 Black Widow II
  • General Dynamics F-121 Lightning II

Air Force Reserve Command[]

The Air Force Reserve Command is a federal reserve of the US Air Force.

  • 3 Squadrons of McDonnell Douglas F-114A/B Eagle
  • 4 Squadrons of General Dynamics F-115 Fighting Falcon (Block 30)
  • 5 Squadrons of Fairchild-Republic A-49 Thunderbolt II
  • 5 Squadrons of Lockheed C-130E/H Hercules
  • 2 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy
  • 1 Squadron of Lockheed HC-130 Hercules
  • 1 Squadron of Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk
  • 8 Squadrons of Bell UH-1N Iroquois (used to support SAC missile units)
  • 3 Squadrons of Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
  • 1 Squadron of Lockheed Martin WC-130 Hercules

Air National Guard[]

The Air National Guard comprises 50 state Air National Guards, the District of Columbia Air National Guard, the Guam Air National Guard, the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, and the Virgin Islands Air National Guard. Many of these units do not make up full USAF 20 aircraft squadrons, therefore the numbers shown below indicate equivalent groups (batches of 20 aircraft). The Air National Guard provides most of the US air defence capability.

  • 7 Squadrons of McDonnell Douglas F-114A/B/C/D Eagle
  • 19 Squadrons of General Dynamics F-115C/D Fighting Falcon (Block 25)
  • 6 Squadrons of Fairchild-Republic A-49 Thunderbolt II
  • 12 Squadrons of Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
  • 10 Squadrons of Lockheed C-130E/H Hercules
  • 2 Squadrons of Lockheed Martin C-143 Galaxy
  • 4 Squadrons of Beech C-150 Huron
  • 2 Squadrons of LearJet C-155
  • 1 Squadron of Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk

Civil Reserve Air Fleet[]

The Civil Reserve Air Fleet is part of the United States's mobility resources. Selected aircraft from U.S. airlines, contractually committed to Civil Reserve Air Fleet, support United States Department of Defense airlift requirements in emergencies when the need for airlift exceeds the capability of military aircraft.

As of May 2007, 37 carriers and 1,364 aircraft were enrolled in the CRAF. This includes 1,273 aircraft in the international segment (990 in the long-range international section and 283 in the short-range international section), and 37 and 50 aircraft, respectively, in the national and aeromedical evacuation segments, and four aircraft in the Alaskan segment. These numbers are subject to change on a monthly basis.

Three stages of incremental activation allow for tailoring an airlift force suitable for the contingency at hand. Stage I is for minor regional crises, Stage II would be used for major theater war and Stage III for periods of national mobilization.

Aircraft used[]

  • Boeing 737
  • Boeing 747
  • Boeing 757
  • Boeing 767
  • Boeing 777
  • McDonnell Douglas DC-9
  • McDonnell Douglas DC-10
  • McDonnell Douglas MD-11
  • Lockheed L-1011

Long-Range International Section[]

  • ABX Air
  • Air Transport International
  • American Airlines
  • Arrow Air
  • Astar Air Cargo
  • ATA Airlines
  • Atlas Air
  • Continental Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Evergreen International
  • FEDEX Express Airlines
  • Gemini Air Cargo
  • Hawaiian Airlines
  • Kalitta Air
  • Murray Air
  • North American Airlines
  • Northwest Airlines
  • Omni International
  • Polar Air Cargo
  • Ryan International Airlines
  • Southern Air
  • United Airlines
  • United Parcel Service Airlines
  • US Airways
  • World Airways

Short-Range International Section[]

  • ABX Air
  • Alaska Airlines
  • American
  • ATA Airlines
  • Astar Air Cargo
  • Champion Air
  • Delta Airlines
  • Jet Blue Airways
  • Lynden Air Cargo
  • Miami Air International
  • Northern Air Cargo
  • Northwest Airlines
  • Sun Country
  • United Airlines

Aeromedical Evacuation Segment[]

  • Delta Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • US Airways

Domestic Section[]

  • Air Trans Airways
  • America West Airlines
  • Frontier Airlines
  • Midwest Airlines
  • Southwest Airlines

Alaskan Section[]

  • Lynden Air Cargo
  • Northern Air Cargo

Aerial Weapon Systems[]

Guns[]

  • M102 105mm Cannon
  • 40 mm L60 Bofors Cannon
  • GAU-8 Avenger 30mm Cannon
  • GAU-22 Equaliser 25mm Cannon
  • M61 Vulcan 20mm Cannon
  • Pontiac M39 20 mm Cannon
  • GAU-15/A .50 Cal Machine Gun
  • GAU-16/A .50 Cal Machine Gun
  • GAU-18/A .50 Cal Machine Gun
  • GAU-21/A .50 Cal Machine Gun
  • GAU-2B/A 7.62mm Minigun

Air to Air Missiles[]

  • AIM-7 Sparrow (AFRC and ANG only)
  • AIM-9 Sidewinder
  • AIM-120 AMRAAM
  • AIM-135 ASAT (Anti Satellite Missile)

Air to Ground Missiles[]

  • AGM-65 Maverick
  • AGM-69 SRAM
  • AGM-84 Harpoon
    • AGM-84E SLAM
    • AGM-84H SLAM-ER
  • AGM-86B ALCM
  • AGM-86C CALCM
  • AGM-88 HARM
  • AGM-109 Tomahawk
  • AGM-129 Advanced Cruise Missile
  • AGM-130
  • AGM-131 SRAM II
  • AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow
  • AGM-142 HAVE NAP
  • AGM-154 JSOW
  • AGM-158 JASSM
  • LOCAAS (Low-Cost Autonomous Attack System)

Unguided Bombs[]

  • Mk 81 250-lb General Purpose Bomb
  • Mk 82 500-lb General Purpose Bomb
  • Mk 83 1000-lb General Purpose Bomb
  • Mk 84 2000-lb General Purpose Bomb
  • BLU-82 15,000-lb (CD-1)
  • BLU-107 Durandal
  • Mk 36 500lb Destructor Mine
  • Mk 40 1000lb Destructor Mine
  • Mk 41 2000lb Destructor Mine
  • Mk 60 CAPTOR
  • Mk 62 500lb Quickstrike Mine
  • Mk 64 1000lb Quickstrike Mine
  • Mk 65 2000lb Quickstrike Mine
  • M129E1/E2 Psychological Operations Leaflet Bomb
  • Mk 77 750-lb Fire Bomb

Guided Bombs[]

  • GBU-39 250lb Small Diameter Bomb
  • GBU-43/B 22000lb Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb
  • GBU-15 Glide Bomb
  • EGBU-15 Glide Bomb
  • Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)
    • GBU-29 250lb JDAM
    • GBU-32 1000lb JDAM
    • GBU-31 2000lb JDAM
    • GBU-38 500lb JDAM
  • Paveway II
    • GBU-12 Paveway II 500lb Laser Guided Bomb
    • GBU-16/B Paveway II 1000lb Laser Guided Bomb
    • GBU-10 Paveway II 2000lb Laser Guided Bomb
  • Paveway III
    • GBU-22 Paveway III 500lb Laser Guided Bomb
    • GBU-23/B Paveway III 1000lb Laser Guided Bomb
    • GBU-24 Paveway III 2000lb Laser Guided Bomb
    • GBU-27 Paveway III 2000lb Penetrating Laser Guided Bomb
    • GBU-28 Paveway III 4500lb Penetrating Laser Guided Bomb
  • Enhanced Paveway III
    • EGBU-22 Paveway III 500lb Laser/GPS/INS Guided Bomb
    • EGBU-23/B Paveway III 1000lb Laser/GPS/INS Guided Bomb
    • EGBU-24 Paveway III 2000lb Laser/GPS/INS Guided Bomb
    • EGBU-27 Paveway III 2000lb Penetrating Laser/GPS/INS Guided Bomb
    • EGBU-28 Paveway III 4500lb Penetrating Laser/GPS/INS Guided Bomb

Cluster Bombs[]

  • CBU-72 Fuel/Air Explosive
  • CBU-87 CEM (Combined Effects Munition)
  • CBU-89 Gator
  • CBU-94 "Blackout Bomb"
  • CBU-97 SFW (Sensor Fused Weapon)
  • WCMD (Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser)
    • CBU-103 (base CBU: CBU-87)
    • CBU-104 (base CBU: CBU-89)
    • CBU-105 (base CBU: CBU-97)
    • CBU-107 Passive Attack Weapon

Nuclear Bombs[]

  • B28
  • B43
  • B57
  • B61
  • B83
  • B90

Rockets[]

  • 2.75" Hydra-70

National Markings[]

These national markings are used by most US military aircraft, with the exception of United States Army aircraft which simply carry the words "UNITED STATES ARMY" in black lettering on the fuselage (fixed-wing aircraft) or the tail boom (helicopters).

Normal Marking[]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/Roundel_of_the_USAF.svg/650px-Roundel_of_the_USAF.svg.png

This is used by most non-tactical aircraft. Some USAF ground vehicles (notably non-tactical airfield firefighting vehicles, and special public relations vehicles) use this insignia.

Low Visibility (Grey)[]

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk56/Sheriff__001/650px-Usaflvroundel_svg.png

Used by tactical aircraft with grey colour schemes.

Low Visibility (Black)[]

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk56/Sheriff__001/Copyof650px-Usaflvroundel_svg.png

Used by tactical aircraft with grey, or green colour schemes. It is also used by USAF armoured cars, including the M113's used by some ground defence units, and the M48A5 and M60A3 Patton tanks in limited use with some EOD units and some ground defence units (referred to as "Protected Standoff Munitions Disruptors").

Two other monochrome roundels exist, white for SR-71, U-2, and F-117, and red for some SR-71 and U-2 aircraft.

Historical Markings[]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Usaroundelevo.gif
US Air Force roundels, 1917 - present day


  1. 5/17-2/18 - Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps
  2. 2/18-8/19 - Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, Division of Military Aeronautics, U.S. Army Air Service
  3. 8/19-5/42 - U.S. Army Air Service, U.S. Army Air Corps, U.S. Army Air Forces
  4. 5/42-6/43 - U.S. Army Air Forces
  5. 6/43-9/43 - U.S. Army Air Forces
  6. 9/43-1/47 - U.S. Army Air Forces
  7. 1/47- - U.S. Army Air Forces, U.S. Air Force

Uniforms[]

Service Uniform[]

The USAF's service uniform has changed little since the foundation of the Air Force, being essentially a blue grey version of the Army uniform. This was chosen because the Air Force was formed out of the United States Army Air Force.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk56/Sheriff__001/USAFServiceJacket.png
USAF Service Uniform

Battle Dress Uniform[]

The Battle Dress Uniform is the standard ground working dress of the USAF.

1801-PC BIG 3clrbdu

Flying Uniform[]

The standard working dress for aircrew is a nomex flying suit in either olive drab or tan.

Rank Insignia[]

Officers[]

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk56/Sheriff__001/USAFOfficer.gif

Enlisted Men[]

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk56/Sheriff__001/USAFEnlisted.png

Flag[]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Flag_of_the_United_States_Air_Force.png
Flag of the United States Air Force
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