USAF

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial and space warfare service branch of the U.S. armed forces. Created in 1947 as an independent service separate from the Army Air Forces, it is part of the Department of the Air Force within the Department of Defense and is headquartered at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

USAF roles include securing air and space superiority, providing rapid global mobility, conducting precision strike, delivering intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and enabling cyberspace operations. It operates a diverse mix of aircraft, missiles, satellites, and cyber capabilities to deter adversaries and support national security objectives.

The USAF consists of active-duty forces, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve Command, organized through major commands that oversee air superiority, mobility, global strike, and education and training, along with support and specialized units. The United States Space Force is a separate service responsible for space operations; the two services cooperate on space, cyber, and related missions.

History of the USAF traces its lineage to the U.S. Army Air Forces and its establishment as a separate service in 1947. It has since played prominent roles in conflicts and operations during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Persian Gulf War, and post–Cold War engagements, as well as ongoing operations in the 21st century.

Capabilities and equipment include advanced fighters such as F-22 and F-35, strategic bombers like B-2 and B-52, and air-refueling aircraft such as KC-135 and KC-46. The force also operates reconnaissance platforms, unmanned systems, and space-based assets, reflecting a modernization focus across air and space domains.