United States Air Force

Table of Contents

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images & Videos

U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command training mission

The Union Balloon Corps and the balloon Intrepid

Boeing B-9 and P-26

P-6E planes in formation

USAF B-17 bombers

Normandy Invasion: Allied bombardment of Pointe du Hoc

USAF refueling operations during the Vietnam War

USAF F-22 Raptor

USAF E-3 Sentry

Two F-16 Fighting Falcons of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic squadron performing a "calypso" maneuver over Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City, S.D., May 30, 2009.

For Students

United States Air Force summary

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B-52G with cruise missiles, USAF, short range attack missiles SRAMs; guided missile

11 of the World’s Most Famous Warplanes

Manila folders marked confidential.

6 Oddly Named U.S. Government Operations

Discover

Flags of the countries of the world (flagpoles).

How Many Countries Are There in the World?

Mona Lisa, oil on wood panel by Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1503-06; in the Louvre, Paris, France. 77 x 53 cm.

Why Is the Mona Lisa So Famous?

Queen Elizabeth II addresses at opening of Parliament. (Date unknown on photo, but may be 1958, the first time the opening of Parliament was filmed.)

All 119 References in “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Explained

Illustration for Demystified "How Dangerous is Quicksand"

How Deadly Is Quicksand?

Chinese pictograph, calligraphy tablet of Huang Tingjian, a famous calligrapher in Ancient Song Dynasty. The background of Chinese cultural elements.

The World’s 5 Most Commonly Used Writing Systems

Submerged sperm whale off east Sri Lanka coast, mammal

How Did the Sperm Whale Get Its Name?

Ahura Mazda - relief of the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda at the ancient ruins of Persepolis in Iran. Also known as Ormazd Zoroastrianism,

Which Religion Is the Oldest?

United States Air Force: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

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Facts

Also Known As	USAF • Air Force, United States
Areas Of Involvement	air warfare
Related People	Charles Q. Brown, Jr. • Edward O’Hare • William Mitchell • Lori Robinson • Henry Harley Arnold • John Hay Whitney • Claire L. Chennault • James H. Doolittle • Chuck Yeager • Carl Spaatz • Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. • Nathan F. Twining • Curtis E. LeMay • Frank M. Andrews • Edward Vernon Rickenbacker

Photos and Videos

U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command training mission

The Union Balloon Corps and the balloon Intrepid

Boeing B-9 and P-26

P-6E planes in formation

USAF B-17 bombers

Normandy Invasion: Allied bombardment of Pointe du Hoc

USAF refueling operations during the Vietnam War

USAF F-22 Raptor

USAF E-3 Sentry

Two F-16 Fighting Falcons of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic squadron performing a "calypso" maneuver over Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City, S.D., May 30, 2009.

Watch the takeoff of SR-71 Blackbird from Edwards Air Force Base, California

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

Royal Air Force Flying Tigers Condor Legion

List

B-52G with cruise missiles, USAF, short range attack missiles SRAMs; guided missile

11 of the World’s Most Famous Warplanes

Manila folders marked confidential.

6 Oddly Named U.S. Government Operations