What does USAF mean in AIR FORCE

The USAF, or United States Air Force, is the air combat force branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is the largest and most technologically advanced air force in the world, with a mission to maintain air supremacy, project air power globally, and provide air support to other branches of the military.

The USAF was established as a separate branch of the U.S. military on September 18, 1947, under the National Security Act of 1947. It was created from the former Army Air Forces, which had been part of the U.S. Army since 1907.

The primary missions of the USAF are:

• Air supremacy: Maintaining control of the airspace and denying it to the enemy.
• Air interdiction: Preventing or disrupting enemy movements by air.
• Close air support: Providing direct air support to ground forces.
• Airlift: Transporting troops, equipment, and supplies by air.
• Special operations: Conducting covert or special missions that require specialized skills or equipment.

The USAF is organized into three major commands:

• Air Combat Command (ACC): Responsible for providing air superiority, air interdiction, and close air support.
• Air Mobility Command (AMC): Responsible for airlift, refueling, and aeromedical evacuation.
• Pacific Air Forces (PACAF): Responsible for conducting air operations in the Asia-Pacific region.

The USAF has a total active-duty strength of approximately 325,000 personnel and operates a fleet of over 5,000 aircraft. The aircraft fleet consists of a mix of fighter jets, bombers, transport aircraft, tankers, and special mission aircraft.