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Department of the Air Force

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Parent: Air Force Office of Scientific Research Hop 4
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Department of the Air Force
NameDepartment of the Air Force
Seal width200
Seal captionSeal of the Department of the Air Force
FormedSeptember 18, 1947
Preceding1Department of War (for United States Army Air Forces)
JurisdictionFederal government of the United States
HeadquartersThe Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia
Employees689,406 (total force, 2023)
Budget$215.1 billion (FY2024)
Minister1 nameFrank Kendall III
Minister1 titleSecretary of the Air Force
Chief1 nameDavid W. Allvin
Chief1 titleChief of Staff of the Air Force
Chief2 nameJames C. Slife
Chief2 titleVice Chief of Staff of the Air Force
Chief3 nameJoAnne S. Bass
Chief3 titleChief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
Parent agencyUnited States Department of Defense
Child1 agencyUnited States Air Force
Child2 agencyUnited States Space Force

Department of the Air Force. It is a military department within the United States Department of Defense and is responsible for administering and equipping the United States Air Force and the United States Space Force. Established by the National Security Act of 1947, it is headed by the Secretary of the Air Force, a civilian official who reports to the Secretary of Defense and the President of the United States. Its primary mission is to organize, train, and equip air and space forces for the defense of the United States and its global interests.

History

The department's origins trace to the United States Army Air Service, which was created during World War I and later evolved into the United States Army Air Corps and the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. The immense strategic role of airpower in conflicts like the Combined Bomber Offensive and the Pacific War demonstrated the need for an independent service. This led to its establishment as a co-equal branch under the National Security Act of 1947, with W. Stuart Symington becoming its first secretary. Key historical moments include its rapid expansion during the Cold War, involvement in conflicts such as the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War, and its pivotal role in developing advanced technologies from the B-52 Stratofortress to stealth aircraft like the F-117 Nighthawk. The department further expanded its domain with the establishment of the United States Space Force in 2019.

Organization

The department is structurally organized under the Office of the Secretary, which includes civilian officials like the Under Secretary of the Air Force and several Assistant Secretaries overseeing areas such as Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Financial Management, and Installations, Environment & Energy. The military leadership is provided by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Chief of Space Operations, who serve as the senior uniformed leaders. Major subordinate commands include Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and United States Space Command (as a supported command). It also maintains a global presence through United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, Pacific Air Forces, and other combatant command-aligned units.

Leadership

Civilian leadership is vested in the Secretary of the Air Force, a position held by individuals such as Frank Kendall III. The secretary is supported by the Under Secretary of the Air Force and multiple assistant secretaries. The senior uniformed military leaders are the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, currently General David W. Allvin, and the Chief of Space Operations, General B. Chance Saltzman. They are assisted by the Vice Chief of Staff and the Vice Chief of Space Operations. Enlisted leadership is represented by the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, JoAnne S. Bass, and the Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force.

Responsibilities

Its core responsibilities include organizing, training, and equipping forces for prompt and sustained offensive and defensive air and space operations. This encompasses maintaining combat-ready units for assignment to unified combatant commands like United States Indo-Pacific Command and United States European Command. The department is charged with developing doctrine, procedures, and equipment for unique aerial and space warfare functions, including strategic attack, air interdiction, Airlift, Aerial refueling, and Space domain awareness. It also oversees the recruitment, training, and welfare of its personnel and manages a vast global network of installations such as Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Components

The department consists of two uniformed service branches: the United States Air Force and the United States Space Force. The United States Air Force is organized into active-duty, Air Force Reserve Command, and Air National Guard components, operating a diverse fleet including aircraft like the F-35 Lightning II, KC-46 Pegasus, and B-21 Raider. The United States Space Force, the newest branch, is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping forces to protect U.S. and allied interests in space, operating assets such as Global Positioning System satellites and missile warning systems. Key field commands include Space Operations Command and Space Systems Command.

Budget and funding

The department's budget is part of the overall United States Department of Defense appropriation passed by the United States Congress. The Fiscal Year 2024 budget request was approximately $215.1 billion, funding personnel, operations and maintenance, procurement of new systems like the B-21 Raider and Next Generation Air Dominance platform, and research and development for advanced technologies in areas such as Artificial intelligence and Hypersonic flight. Funding also supports the modernization of the Nuclear triad's air leg, including the LGM-35 Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile and the B-52 Stratofortress upgrades, as well as the growing needs of the United States Space Force for satellite constellations and launch capabilities.

Category:United States Department of Defense Category:1947 establishments in the United States Category:Aviation in the United States