The United States Air Force (USAF), founded in 1947, is the air force of the United States of America. She is the second-strongest of the four divisions and one of the seven Uniformed Services of the United States. The main task of the USAF is the "defense of the United States through the control and exploitation of air and space". The Headquarters United States Air Force is located in the Pentagon in Virginia.
At the end of 2006, the inventory included around 4,300 aircraft, plus 1,700 Reserve and National Guard aircraft. The USAF maintains 85 major Air Force bases worldwide, including 72 in the US and eight in Europe, plus 82 smaller bases and nearly as many reserve bases. It also has several hundred nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles, forming part of the US nuclear force.
Crews
- Airman Basic (no badge)
- Airman
- Airman First Class
- Senior Airman
Crews of the US Air Force
Airman (1), Airman First Class (2), Senior Airman (3)
Non-commissioned officers
- Staff Sergeant
- Technical Sergeant
- Master Sergeant
- Senior Master Sergeant
- Chief Master Sergeant
- Command Chief Master Sergeant
- Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
Non-commissioned officers of the US Air Force
Staff Sergeant (4), Technical Sergeant (5), Master Sergeant (6), Senior Master Sergeant (7), Chief Master Sergeant (8), Command Chief Master Sergeant (9), Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (10)
The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is singular, is personally appointed by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and advises him on issues that concern the NCOs.
The rank of Command Chief Master Sergeant (CCMS) was created in November 1998. Command Chief Master Sergeants or Command Chiefs serve as senior advisers to the commanders of their unit. They can be found on high command levels. If, in a mixed military association, an Air Force member is the highest non-commissioned officer, he is also known as the Command Chief.
The rank of First Sergeant, who appears several times, is not a grade in the Air Force, but a special denomination for the senior sergeant in a unit directly subordinate to the unit commander. Similar to the company sergeant in Germany. This post can be performed by soldiers in the ranks: Master Sergeant, Senior Master Sergeant and Chief Master Sergeant.
First Sergeant of the US Air Force
Master Sergeant (11), Senior Master Sergeant (12), Chief Master Sergeant (13)
Die Dienstgrade jeweils in der Funkion als First Sergeant.
Officers
- Second Lieutenant
- First Lieutenant
- Captain
- Major
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Colonel
Officers of the US Air Force
Second Lieutenant (14), First Lieutenant (15), Captain (16), Major (17), Lieutenant Colonel (18), Colonel (19)
The officer grades of the US Air Foce are the same as in the US Army.
However, no Warrant Officers serve in the US Air Force. The Air Force took over the Warrant Officer ranks from the US Army in 1947, but their place in the structure of the Air Force was never really clear and thus they were abolished in 1980.
General
- Brigadier General
- Major General
- Lieutenant General
- General
- General of the Air Force
General of the US Air Force
Brigadier General (20), Major General (21), Lieutenant General (22), General (23), General of the Air Force (24)
As well as the officers' grades, those of the General Staff correspond to those of the US Army.
The rank of General of the Air Force (GOAF) is the highest rank of the US Air Force. This rank is synonymous with that in the US Army and the US Navy and is awarded only in case of war.
You can find the right literature here:
The US Air Force (Essential Library of the US Military)
The US Air Force (Essential Library of the US Military) Library Binding – August 1, 2014
Introduces the US Air Force, describing the role of Airmen, play in military operations, the weapons they use, and their missions.
Joining the United States Air Force: A Handbook
Joining the United States Air Force: A Handbook (Joining the Military)
This book is for the teenager or young adult who is interested in enlisting in the United States Air Force. It will walk him or her through the enlistment and recruit training process: making the decision to join the military, talking to recruiters, getting qualified, preparing for and learning what to expect at basic recruit training.
The goal of the McFarland Joining the Military book series is to help young people who might be curious about serving in the military decide whether military service is right for them, which branch is the best fit, and whether they are qualified for and prepared for military service. Features include lists of books, web links, and videos; a glossary; and an index.
Into the Blue: Uniforms of the United States Air Force 1947 - to the Present Vol.1
Into the Blue: Uniforms of the United States Air Force 1947 - to the Present Vol.1 Hardcover – March 29, 2011
Into the Blue covers USAF uniform heritage beginning with the early days of the USAS in World War I, through its progression to the modern day USAF uniforms. The primary focus of this first volume is the dress and service uniforms of both men and women, including summer and winter uniforms of the early decades, along with the transformation to the two-tone uniforms and economic design changes which occurred within the past few decades. This well-researched book contains over 1100 photos, as well as contributions from established experts and official USAF historical entities. Also chronicled is the development of Air Force collar brass, accoutrements, footwear, and headgear. These books will become the standard for USAF uniform collectors and an invaluable tool for historians, museum employees, collectors and veterans.
United States Air Force (U.S. Armed Forces)
United States Air Force (U.S. Armed Forces) Library Binding – September 1, 2014
Little readers will learn the essentials of the United States Air Force (how the Air Force keeps us safe, various jobs, weapons and machinery, and more) through easy-to-read, simple text. Readers will love the exciting full-bleed photographs, bolded glossary terms, and More Facts section. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Abdo Kids is a division of ABDO.
U.S. Air Force Survival Handbook: The Portable and Essential Guide to Staying Alive (US Army Survival)
U.S. Air Force Survival Handbook: The Portable and Essential Guide to Staying Alive (US Army Survival) Second Edition
This Air Force handbook was written to help pilots who find themselves in hostile environments. While it is designed for use in formal Air Force training, it is also useful for the general reader seeking a comprehensive and complete manual of outdoor survival techniques. Any US Army survival kit would also benefit from this handbook.
Among other pieces of professional and expert advice, the US Air Force Survival Handbook tells readers about:
- Finding your way without a map
- First aid for illness and injury
- Finding food and water
- Building a fire
- Concealment techniques
- Using ropes and tying knots
- Survival at sea
- Signaling for help
- Animal tracking
- Predicting the weather
- Building shelters
Released on the 70th anniversary of the US Air Force, this book outlines specific survival threats found in many different types of terrain and how to survive them. It is invaluable to all who enjoy the outdoors and anyone who seeks insight into the training tactics of the US Air Force.
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