United States Air Force, the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting military operations in air and space. The United States Air Force was formed from the Army Air Corps in 1947. The Air Force plays a critical role in the defense of the United States through control of air and space. The Air Force deploys aircraft to fight enemy aircraft, bomb enemy targets, provide reconnaissance, and transport soldiers for the other armed services. The Air Force also maintains most of the country’s nuclear forces, including a fleet of strategic bombers that carry nuclear weapons and land-based nuclear missiles. In addition, the Air Force launches and maintains a wide variety of military satellites.
In 2003 there were approximately 368,000 airmen (the term for both men and women soldiers) in the U.S. Air Force, including about 4,000 cadets at the United States Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs, Colorado. About one of every five members of the Air Force is an officer. In 2003 there were more than 150,000 civilians working for the Department of the Air Force, with another 181,000 Air Reserve and Air National Guard personnel.
In 2003 there were approximately 368,000 airmen (the term for both men and women soldiers) in the U.S. Air Force, including about 4,000 cadets at the United States Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs, Colorado. About one of every five members of the Air Force is an officer. In 2003 there were more than 150,000 civilians working for the Department of the Air Force, with another 181,000 Air Reserve and Air National Guard personnel.
