User:DefenseSupportParty/USAF
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the U.S. armed forces and one of the seven American uniformed services. It was first called the United States Army Air Corps, because it was part of the United States Army. The USAF was made a branch of the military on September 18, 1947.[1] It was the last branch of the U.S. military to be made.
The USAF is the largest air force in the world, with 5,778 aircraft, (4,093 USAF; 1,289 Air National Guard; and 396 Air Force Reserve);[2] 156 unmanned combat air vehicles, 2,130 cruise missiles,[3] and 450 intercontinental ballistic missiles. The USAF has 328,439 airmen on active duty, 74,000 in the Selected and Individual Ready Reserves, and 106,000 in the Air National Guard. They also have 168,900 civilians working for them, including some foreign nationals.[4]
The Department of the Air Force is headed by the civilian Secretary of the Air Force who heads administrative affairs. The Department of the Air Force is a part of the Department of Defense. The highest ranking military officer in the Department of the Air Force is the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.