The document discusses the history and mission of the United States Air Force. It describes how the Air Force evolved from its origins in the Army Signal Corps in 1907, growing to over 2 million personnel and 63,000 aircraft by World War II. Today's Air Force focuses on developing technology, integrating operations, and applying capabilities like air and space superiority, rapid global mobility, and precision engagement to support joint forces around the world.

1. Global Vigilance, Reach, and Power
Defending our Country
The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win ...
in air, space and cyberspace. Our vision orbits around three core
competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting,
and Integrating Operations.
Search & Rescue Team Jump with Chileans over Iqique (USAF photoTSGT Roy Santana)
Cadets of the Air Force Academy in Colorado celebrate at graduation (U.S. Air Force photo by Danny Myers)
USAF Drill team performs at Bolling Air Force Base for NATO Air Chiefs Conference
4th Special Operations Squadron AC-130U Gunship jettisons flares as countermeasure against heat-seeking missiles. (USAF photo: Senior Airman Julianne Showalter) (USAF photo: Sr Airman Marleah Miller)
In 1907, the US Army Signal Corps established a small 7,500 would be combat aircraft. In 1941, General Marshall es- Today’s Air Force is a modern model of efficiency and advanced and variety of future contingencies demand both precise and reliable use of
Aeronautical Division to take “charge of all matters pertaining to tablished the Army Air Forces which grew to 2,253,000 men and aerospace technology, epitomized by its Stealth Fleet. The Air Force core military power with minimal risk and collateral damage. Information Superiority
military ballooning, air machines and all kindred subjects. When women and 63,715 aircraft. competencies make their distinctive capabilities possible. With Air and Space enables joint force commanders to keep pace with information and incorporate
the US entered WWI, 24 squadrons had been formed. By war’s Rapid demobilization after World War II left the nucleus of Superiority, joint forces can dominate enemy operations in all dimensions: it into crucial campaign plans. Since deployment and sustainability are keys
end, the Air Service possessed 185 aero squadrons which had the postwar United States Air Force. In 1946, the Strategic Air land, sea, air and space. The Air Force can attack anywhere, anytime and do to successful operations and cannot be separated, Agile Combat Support
conducted 150 separate bombing attacks and downed 756 en- Command, the Air Defense Command and the Tactical Air Com- so quickly and with greater precision than ever before. applies to all forces, from those permanently based to contingency buildups to
emy aircraft. By Nov. 22, 1919, almost all had been demobilized. mand and the older Air Transport Command provided the founda- The key to maintaining rapid global mobility is its ability to respond quickly expeditionary forces.
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In 1938, President Roosevelt asked the War Department to tion for building the postwar, independent Air Force. The National and decisively wherever needed. The essence of Precision Engagement lies
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prepare an Air Corps composed of 10,000 airplanes, of which Security Act of 1947 created the Department of the Air Force. in the ability to apply selective force against specific targets since the nature
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