Pakistan Air Force
Chairman ofJoint Chiefs of Staff General Ehsan ul Haq
Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Ahmed
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Afzal Tahir

History

Origin (1947 - 1951)
The Royal Pakistan Air Force (RPAF) was formed in 1947 following the Partition of India. The RPAF began with 2,332 personnel, a fleet of 24 Tempest II fighter-bombers, 16 Hawker Typhoon fighters (also called Tempest I), two H.P.57 Halifax bombers, 2 Auster aircraft, twelve T-6G Harvard trainers and ten Tiger Moth biplanes. It also got eight C-47 Dakota cargo planes which it used to transport supplies to soldiers fighting in the 1947 War in Kashmir against India. It started with 7 operational airbases scattered all over the provinces. The prefix Royal was removed when Pakistan gained the status of Republic on 23 March 1956. It has since been called Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

Operating these inherited aircraft was far from ideal in Pakistan's diverse terrains, deserts and mountains; frequent attrition and injuries did not make the situation any better. However, by 1948 the air force acquired better aircraft such as the Hawker Fury fighter-bomber and the Bristol Freighter. These new aircraft gave a much-needed boost to the morale and combat capability of the Pakistan Air Force; 93 Hawker Fury and roughly 50-70 Bristol Freighter aircraft were inducted into the PAF by 1950. The jet age (1951 - 1961) Although the Pakistan Air Force had little funds to use and markets to choose from, it entered the jet age quite early. Initially it had planned to acquire US-built F-94Cs, F-86s, or F-84s and produce its order in Pakistan. However, lack of funds and strong British pressure persuaded the PAF to acquire the British Supermarine Attacker. The first squadron equipped with these aircraft was the Number-11 "Arrow". The Supermarine Attacker had a rather unsatisfactory service in the Pakistan Air Force with frequent attrition and maintenance problems.

In 1957 the Pakistan Air Force received 100 American-built F-86 Sabres under the U.S. aid program. Squadron after squadron in the PAF retired its Hawker Furys and Supermarine Attackers, and replaced them with F-86 jet fighters. In 1957 thirty-six year old Air Marshal Asghar Khan became the Pakistan Air Force's first commander-in-chief; his tenure saw a change of PAF discipline, professionalism and quality which even today leaves its positive mark on the PAF. During his eight-year command the PAF saw modernization and re-equipment programs, as well as stricter and better training.

The new generation (1983 - 1989)

In 1979 the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to crush opposition and rebellion in its allied neighbour. The violent Soviet invasion brought hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees to Pakistan. With the war being critical to Pakistan's national sovereignty and integrity, the PAF once again sought out modernization, including the procurement of new generation fighter aircraft. France offered its new Mirage 2000, while the PAF's senior officers were interested in procuring American F-16 or F-18L fighters. Initially the Americans refused to sell the F-16 or F-18L and instead offered F-20, F-5E/F or A-10 aircraft. Eventually the new Republican administration of Ronald Reagan approved the sale of F-16s to Pakistan, and in 1981 an agreement was made to supply 28 General Dynamics F-16A and 12 F-16B "Fighting Falcon" aircraft to the Pakistan Air Force.

The F-16s would be supplied under the "Peace Gate" Foreign Military Sales Program; the first six were delivered in 1983 under "Peace Gate-I" while the remaining 34 arrived by 1986, under the "Peace Gate-II" program. Between 1986 and 1988 Pakistani F-16s took part in frequent skirmishes with Soviet and Afghan aircraft.

Pakistani F-16s typically carry two all-aspect AIM-9Ls on the wingtip rails, along with a pair of AIM-9Ps on the outermost underwing racks. The F-16s also have an important strike role for which they are fitted with the French-built Thomson-CSF ATLIS laser designation pod and have the capability to deliver Paveway laser-guided bombs[citation needed]. The ATLIS was first fitted to Pakistani F-16s in January 1986, which became the first non-European aircraft to be qualified for the ATLIS pod.[citation needed]

During the late 1980s, the Pakistan Air Force's Air Defence system also underwent modernization, including the induction and integration of new land-based AN/TPS-47 radars and new Crotale Surface-to-air missiles. Attempts to acquire a new AWACS aircraft were also made - with the E-3 Sentry being desired, but the U.S would not sell it and instead offered the E-2 Hawkeye.

In 1988 the Pakistan Air Force sought to replace its F-6s and Mirages by 1997 with the procurement of new aircraft; initially a mix of Mirage 2000 and F-16A/B Block-15OCU were to be acquired alongside 90 or so F-7 (Chinese MiG-21). However in 1988 the death of Zia-ul-Haq and the new government's desire to reduce spending on defence resulted in 71 F-16A/B Block-15OCUs instead. These aircraft were to be delivered by 1997 and a follow-on order of F-16C/D Block-30s was thought likely.

The "lost" decade (1991 - 2001)

From 1990 Pakistan was hit by American military embargoes in response to Pakistan's nuclear weapons development; these embargoes prevented the Pakistan Air Force from acquiring the 71 new-built F-16s from the U.S. After the 1998 nuclear tests and 1999 military coup, Pakistan was hit by further sanctions not only from the U.S but other Western nations as well; it would not be until 2002 when the U.S finally ended most of the embargoes. During the 1990s the Pakistan Air Force strived for alternative sources for its new generation fighter requirement; the French Dassault Mirage 2000-5 was chosen but was too expensive to obtain.

This forced Pakistan to rely heavily on China for military aircraft. Pakistan and China worked together to develop the K-8 trainer, and continue to cooperate on the JF-17 project which aims to provide both nations with a new-generation fighter. This project is a major joint venture between Pakistan Air Force and China Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation along with Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC). The research and development cost of this project is between 450 to 500 million US dollars. It is financed up to 50%-59% by the government of Pakistan. Estimated cost per aircraft will be around 20 million US dollars. As of 2005, Pakistan had started manufacturing JF-17s in Kamra and the first delivery of two planes has taken place in March, 2007.


Present

The PAF today operates F-16s, F-7PGs, F-7MPs, Mirage-IIIs, and Mirage-Vs, around 500 to 530 fighters organized in 27 front-line squadrons, the total of aircrafts exceeds over 700. The PAF is upgrading fighter aircraft such as the Mirage ROSE-I that can utilize BVR, and Mirage ROSE-III that can carry out surgical strike missions using long-range glide bombs. Pakistan has also started manufacturing 150 JF-17 Thunder fighters at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at Kamra. The first batch of two aircrafts have been commissioned in PAF in March, 2007.

On April 12, 2006, the Government of Pakistan authorized the purchase of up to 77 F-16 fighter planes from the US. The Government of Pakistan had also authorized the purchase of 36 Chinese J-10 fighter aircraft. According to the Business Recorder, a leading financial newspaper in Pakistan, Pakistan will be initially buying:

36 J-10 fighters from China.
8 JF-17 pre-production fighters from China.
26 F-16 A/B Block-15OCU (ex-Peace Gate III/IV aircraft) from United States.
18 F-16 C/D Block-52 also from United States, with an option for another 18.
7 Saab-2000 Erieye AWACS
Pakistan will also be buying

300 SD-10 BVR air to air missiles.
500 AIM-120 AMRAAMs.
18 targeting pods.
500 joint direct attack munitions.
The number of F-16s has been increased to around 96 aircraft. Pakistan will be looking for additional F-16 MLU from third parties.


Pakistan Air Force Day

Pakistan Defense Day is celebrated every year on the 6th of September, marking the official beginning of the Indo-Pak war of 1965. While Air Force day is celebrated 7th of September. That day Air shows and other programs mark the PAF's role in defending the nation.


Major conflicts

The PAF recorded its first kill on 10 April 1959 when an Indian Air Force English Electric Canberra plane allegedly on photo reconnaissance mission over Rawalpindi was shot down.

Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

On 6 September 1965 war broke out between India and Pakistan. The first PAF F-104 kill of an Indian Air Force Mystère IV with one of its Sidewinders came on the afternoon of September 7, making it the first combat kill with a Mach 2-capable aircraft. Pakistan attacked India using F-104, F-86, B-57 and RT-33A. The war lasted for 23 days and although it ended indecisively, both in India and Pakistan it is considered a victory. On September 7, 1965 the PAF claimed a heavy toll on the IAF with Sqn Ldr Muhammad Mahmood Alam in his F-86 Sabre claiming as many as six IAF Hunters.

The PAF had claimed 104 aircraft destroyed for a loss of 19 aircraft, while India stated a loss of 35 aircraft compared to 12 PAF aircraft destroyed. Independent observers too, do not agree on the actual number of aircraft shot down, with figures ranging from as high as 6:1 in Pakistan's favor to 2:1 in India's favor.

"By all accounts the courage displayed by the Pakistan Air Force pilots is reminiscent of the bravery of the few young and dedicated pilots who saved this country from Nazi invaders in the critical Battle of Britain during the last war." Patrick Seale, The Observer, London, September 12, 1965.

"For the PAF, the 1965 war was as climatic as the Israeli victory over the Arabs in 1967. A further similarity was that Indian air power had an approximately 5:1 numerical superiority at the start of the conflict. Unlike the Middle East conflict, the Pakistani air victory was achieved to a large degree by air-to-air combat rather than on the ground. But it was as absolute as that attained by Israel." USA - Aviation week & space technology - December 1968 issue.


The Six-Day War

In between the war of 1965 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, PAF sent its pilots to many Arab nations during the Six-Day War. Pakistani pilots flew in the Air Forces of Jordan, Egypt and Iraq, recording 3 confirmed kills against the Israeli Air Force (including Mirages, Mystères and Vautours) without losing any of their own planes. Flight Lieutenant Saif-ul-Azam was decorated by both Jordanian and Iraqi governments.

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

PAF officially initiated hostilities by launching a preemptive strike, Operation Chengiz Khan, against Indian airbases. The PAF's strikes were based on the same strategy of pre-emptive neutralisation of enemy air capabillity followed by the Israeli Air Force on Egyptian and Arab air forces in Operation Focus during the six day war. However, this strike, though taking the Indians by surprise, did not achieve its mission objectives of completely neutralizing the IAF. The IAF was able to regroup and launch retaliatory strikes that same night. The IAF's achieved near total air supremacy towards the end of the war in the East Pakistan as the airbase of Dhaka with all the flights was destroyed although atleast 23 Indian fighters were downed in the sector. The war in the west also did not fare well with PAF as the ground troops lost the decisive battles of Basantar and Longewala.

The 1971 war did not go Pakistan's way even with the valiant effort on the side of the Pakistani Airforce. Pakistan lost 30% of its land mass in the name of Bangladesh. The PAF found itself outgunned in East Pakistan. They only had one squadron of 16 vintage F-86 Sabre aircraft against fourteen squadrons of Indian airforce. As a result the airspace over East Pakistan could not be effectively patrolled by the PAF, this adversely effected the ability of the Pakistan army to defend its borders. PAF claims to have destroyed 130 Indian fighters in the whole course of war.


Yom Kippur War

During this war the PAF sent 16 pilots to the Middle East in order to support Egypt and Syria but by the time they arrived, Egypt had already been pushed into a ceasefire. Syria remained in a state of war against Israel. Eight (8) PAF pilots started flying out of Syrian Airbases; they formed the A-flight of 67 Squadron at Dumayr Airbase.

The Pakistani pilots flew Syrian Mig-21 aircraft conducting CAP missions for the Syrians. Flt/Lt. A. Sattar Alvi became the first Pakistani pilot, during the Yom Kippur War, to shoot down an Israeli Mirage in air combat. He was honored by the Syrian government. Other aerial encounters involved Israeli F4 Phantoms; Pakistan Air Force did not lose a single pilot or aircraft during this war.

The Pakistani pilots stayed on in Syria until 1976, training Syrian pilots in the art of air warfare.

Soviet-Afghan War

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 in support of the pro-Soviet government in Kabul, which was being hard-pressed by Mujahadeen rebel forces, marked the start of a decade-long occupation. Mujahadeen rebels continued to harass the occupying Soviet military force as well as the forces of the Afghan regime that it was supporting. The war soon spilled over into neighboring Pakistan, with a horde of refugees fleeing to camps across the border in an attempt to escape the conflict. In addition, many of the rebels used Pakistan as a sanctuary from which to carry out forays into Afghanistan, and a steady flow of US-supplied arms was carried into Afghanistan from staging areas in Pakistan near the border. This inevitably resulted in border violations by Soviet and Afghan aircraft attempting to interdict these operations. Between May 1986 and November 1988, PAF F-16s have shot down at least eight intruders from Afghanistan. Four of the kills were Afghan Su-22s bombers, three were Afghan transports (two An-26s and one An-24), and one was a Soviet Su-25 bomber. Most of these kills were achieved using the AIM-9 Sidewinder, but a Su-22 was destroyed by cannon fire and the one An-24 crash landed after being forced to land upon interception. At least one F-16 was lost in these battles, in the encounter between F-16s and Soviet MiG-23s on 29 April 1987. PAF claims that it was shot down by friendly fire. Other sources suggest that it might have been hit by a bomb dropped by a MiG or that one of the MiG pilots downed it by cannon fire (the MiGs were not armed with missiles) but did not claim it since there was no permission given to fire.

Women role in Air force

Women have been enroled in the Pakistan Air Force since the early times, but their induction had been limited to the ground branches only. But women are now allowed to enroll in the aerospace engineering and fighter pilot programs of the nation's air force academy. Two batches of female fighter pilots graduated in year 2006 bringing out the first female pilots of the Pakistan Air Force.

On March 31st 2006, Saba Khan, Nadia Gul, Mariam Khalil and Saira Batool were among 36 aviation cadets who received their wings after three and a half years of regular training.

But it is really unfortunate for Pakistan Air Force, that out of first four female piolts, not even a single female pilot could make her way to any figher aircraft squadron of the Air Force. They are therefore now part of the light communication squadron of PAF.

Current fleet

PAF currently operates an estimated 500 to 530 fighter planes. Some 70 of the Mirages have been given ROSE upgrades - allowing them to engage in BVR combat; and also allowing them to either perform high-altitude air-superiority missions or specialized surface strike missions. The F-7PGs and F-16s are the PAF's main multirole fighter aircraft - while the F-7P is a limited interceptor/ground-strike aircraft. It is likely however that the PAF will procure another 26 F-16A/Bs to start retiring its F-7Ps.

Pakistan Air Force Aircraft Fleet AircraftCurrent
Inducted Attrition Current Role
JF-17 Thunder 2 0 2* Multi-Role
Chengdu J-10 0 0 0 Multi-Role
Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 0 0 0 Multi-Role
Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 52 0 0 0 Training & Multi-Role
General Dynamics F-16A Block-15 30* 6 24* Multi-Role
General Dynamics F-16B Block-15 12 2 10 Training & Multi-Role
Chengdu F-7PG 48 2 48 Interceptor
Chengdu FT-7PG 9 0 9 Training
Chengdu F-7MP Skybolt 155 30? 155 Interceptor & Ground-Support
Chengdu FT-7P Skybolt 15 ?? ~15 Training
Dassault Mirage ROSE-I 32 4 28 Interceptor
(Mirage-IIIEA) (Refurbished: Ex-Australian)
Dassault Mirage ROSE-I 5 1 4 Training & Interceptor
(Mirage-IIIDP)
Dassault Mirage ROSE-II (Mirage-VEF) (Refurbished: Ex-French) 19 3 16 Strike & Ground-Support
Dassault Mirage ROSE-II (Mirage-VDF) (Refurbished: Ex-French) 6 0 6 Training & Strike & Ground-Support
Dassault Mirage ROSE-III (Mirage-VEF) (Refurbished: Ex-French) 14 0 14 Precision Strike
Dassault Mirage-IIIEP 18 6 16 Interceptor & Ground-Support
Dassault Mirage-IIIEL (Refurbished: Ex-Lebanese) 10+1DP 0 11 Interceptor & Ground-Support
Dassault Mirage-IIIDA (Refurbished: Ex-Australian) 7 0 7 Training
Dassault Mirage-IIIRP 13 3 12 Reconnaissance
Dassault Mirage-VPA3 12 3 9 Naval Support
Dassault Mirage-VPA2 18 3 30 Ground Support
Dassault Mirage-VPA 28 7? 28 Ground Support
Dassault Mirage-VDPA2 2 0 30 Training
Dassault Mirage-V (Refurbished: Ex-Libyan?!) ? ? 10+?? Interceptor & Ground-Support
Nanchang Q-5/A-5C 52 12+ 48 Ground-Support & Tactical Strike (Currently being phased out).
Chengdu FT-6 ~15 ?? 15 Fighter Conversion (Advanced Jet Training)
Chengdu FT-5 ~20 ?? 25 Fighter Conversion (Advanced Jet Training)
Karakoram K-8 30 0 30 Basic & Intermediate Jet Training
Cessna T-37 20 ?? 20+ Basic Jet Training
Super Mushak MFI-395 20+ ?? 20+ Primary Training
Mushak MFI-17 80+ ?? 80+ Primary Training
Falcon DA-20 2 0 2 ELINT/ECM
Lockheed Martin C-130B/E 16 6? 30 Medium-Lift Transport
Antonov An-26 'Curl' 1 0 0 Medium-Lift Transport
CN-235 4 0 4 V.I.P & Light-Lift Transport
HAMC Y-12(II) 1 0 1 Light-Lift Transport
Boeing 707 3 0 3 VIP Transport
Fokker F-27 200 2 0 2 Light Transport
Falcon-20 1 0 1 VIP Transport
Super King Air 1 0 1 Light Transport
Lockheed L-100 1 0 1 Tactical Transport
Airbus A310 1 0 1 VIP Transport
Saab 2000 6 0 6 Airborne Early Warning
Baaz ?? ?? ?? Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
Ababeel ?? ?? ?? Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

* Includes two upgraded F-16A Block-15 inducted from the US in Dec'2005. *JF-17 Thunder were delivered to the PAF on 12th March 2007.[1]

ROSE: Retrofit Of Strike Element: Is actually the major (Avionics + Radar) upgrade that the PAF Mirage fleet under went during the 90s.
ROSE-I: This included upgraded cockpit instrumentation, Grifo-M Radar and weapons system reconfiguration. (BVR-able).
ROSE-II: This included the Sagem implemented MAESTRO Nav/Attack System. (Strike).
ROSE-III: This included the Sagem MAESTRO Nav/Attack and FLIR. (Precision Strike).

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Reference and Source:
Wikipedia.org

Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force (भारतीय वायु सेना : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting air-based warfare and securing Indian airspace. It was established on October 8, 1932 as the Indian Air Force. It was granted the prefix "Royal" in 1945 in recognition of its services during the Second World War. The prefix Royal was dropped after India became a Republic in 1950. It is the fourth largest air force in the world and plans to have a truly global combat reach

World War II (1939-1945)

During World War II, the IAF played an instrumental role in blocking the advance of the Japanese army in Burma, where its first air strike was on the Japanese military base in Arakan. It also carried out strike missions against the Japanese airbases at Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. During the war, the IAF went through a phase of steady expansion. New aircraft, including the U.S. built Vultee Vengeance and the British Hawker Hurricane and Westland Lysander, were added to its fleet.
In recognition of the services rendered by the IAF, King George VI conferred the prefix "Royal" in 1945. Thereafter the IAF was referred to as Royal Indian Air Force. In 1950, When India became a republic, the prefix was dropped and it reverted back to Indian Air Force.

First Kashmir War 1947

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 the IAF conducted an air trooping operation from Safdarjang, then known as Willingdon Airfield, to Srinagar airfield at 09:30 hours IST on October 27. This was the most instrumental action of the war as the troops saved the city from the invaders. Apart from the airlifting operations and supplying essential commodities to the ground troops, the Indian Air Force had no other major role to play in the conflict. On December 31, 1948, both nations agreed to a UN mediated cease-fire proposal marking the end of hostilities. A Line of Control has since separated Indian-held Kashmir from Pakistani-held Kashmir.
Congo Operation 1961
In 1962, in the spate a number of increasingly violent border clashes, China launched a sudden assault on Indian military ground positions in the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The IAF was called to counter-attack the Chinese raid and to supply troops fighting near the Sino-Indian border. However, the military and civilian leadership failed to organise and co-ordinate the air assaults efficiently – one of the primary reasons for the Indian defeat in the conflict. Without essential air support, the Indian Army faced overwhelming odds in their fight against well trained Chinese troops. The Indian leadership grounded the IAF for the majority of the war fearing that if the IAF attacked Chinese forces, the PLAAF would retaliate on Indian cities.
Soon after, the Indian government, learning from its mistakes, began a vigorous campaign to expand the IAF. An emergency flying scheme was started in Delhi, Madras, Kanpur, Nagpur, Patiala and Adampur and more than 1,000 cadets received primary flying training by 1964. The IAF's strength was increased from 28,000 officers and men in 1961 to 100,000 officers and men by 1964. By 1965, the IAF had also added newly bought Antonov An-12B and C-119G transport aircraft to its fleet.

Second Kashmir War 1965

The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 tested the strength of the Indian Air Force to its full limit. While the Indian air force was successful in bombarding Pakistani air-fields and ammunition depots and providing crucial air cover to the Indian army, its operations against the Pakistani Air Force were met with stiff resistance.
During the War the IAF logged more than 4073 combat sorties with its fleet of 276 aircraft actually employed for the war, compared to the PAF's 2279 total sorties.
India successfully managed to down over 55 Pakistani fighters losing only 35.India's air force claimed its first kill when a PAF Sabre was gunned down by a 23 squardon Gnat.

Bangladesh Liberation War 1971

After the 1965 War, the Indian Air Force went through an intense phase of modernisation and consolidation. With newly acquired HF-24, MiG-21 and Sukhoi Su-7BM aircraft, the IAF was able to measure up to the most powerful air forces in the world.
The professional standards, capability and flexibility were soon put to test in December 1971 when India and Pakistan went to war over (then) East Pakistan. At the time, the IAF was under the command of Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal. On November 22, 10 days before the start of a full-scale war, four PAF F-86 Sabre jets attacked Indian and Mukti Bahini positions near the Indo-Bangla border in the Battle of Garibpur. In what became the first ever Dogfight over East Pakistan skies (present day Bangladesh), three of the 4 PAF Sabres were shot down by IAF Gnats, and hostilities commenced. December 3 saw the formal declaration of war following massive, but failed preemptive strikes by the Pakistan Air Force against Indian Air Force installations in the west. The PAF targets were against Indian bases in Srinagar, Ambala, Sirsa, Halwara and Jodhpur on the lines of Operation Focus. But the plan failed miserably as Indians had anticipated such a move and no major losses were suffered. The Indian response over Pakistan skies however produced severe blows to the PAF.
Within the first two weeks, the IAF had carried out more than 4,000 sorties in East Pakistan and provided successful air cover for the advancing Indian army in East Pakistan. IAF also assisted the Indian Navy in sinking several Pakistani naval vessels in the Bay of Bengal. In the west, the airforce demolished scores of tanks and armoured vehicles in a single battle - the Battle of Longewala. The IAF pursued strategic bombing by destroying oil installations in Karachi, the Mangla Dam and gas plant in Sindh. As the IAF achieved complete air superiority over the eastern wing of Pakistan within a few days,the ordnance factories, runways, and other vital areas in East Pakistan were severely crippled. In the end, the IAF played a pivotal role in the victory for the Allied Forces leading to the liberation of Bangladesh. In addition to the overall strategic victory, the IAF had also claimed 94 Pakistani aircraft destroyed, with some 45 of own aircraft admitted lost. The IAF had however, flown over 7000 combat sorties on both East and West fronts and its overall sortie rate numbered over 15000. Comparatively the PAF was flowing fewer sorties by the day fearing loss of planes. Towards the end of the war, IAF's transport planes dropped leaflets over Dhaka urging the Pak forces to surrender; East Pakistani sources note that as the leaflets floated down, the morale of the Pakistani troops sunk

Operation Meghdoot 1984

Operation Meghdoot was the name given to the preemptive strike launched by the Indian Military to capture most of the Siachen Glacier, in the disputed Kashmir region. Launched on April 13, 1984, this military operation was unique as it was the first assault launched in the world's highest battlefield. The military action was quite successful as Indian troops managed to gain two-thirds of the glacier with the rest remaining under Pakistani control.

Operation Cactus 1988

Operation Cactus: In November 1988, the People's Liberation Front of Tamileelam (PLOTE) comprising about 200 Tamil secessionists invaded Maldives. At the request of the President of Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Indian Armed Forces with assistance of R&AW launched a military campaign to restore government rule in Maldives. On the night of November 3, 1988, the Indian Air Force airlifted a parachute battalion group from Agra and flew them non-stop over 2,000 kilometres (1,240 mi) to Maldives. The Indian paratroopers landed at Hulule and secured the airfield and restored the Government rule at Malé within hours. The brief, bloodless operation, labelled Operation Cactus, also involved the Indian Navy.
Kargil 1999
During the Kargil War with Pakistan, the Indian Air Force is said to have proved the decisive force in accelerating the end of the conflict. It successfully provided considerable air-cover for Indian troops fighting against Pakistani soldiers and also carried out air assaults against enemy forces in Kashmir. Most notable were the IAF's Mirage 2000 aircraft, which carried out surgical operations to assist ground troops in securing the strategically crucial Tiger Hill from its Pakistani captors. The IAF also carried out several operations to provide essential supplies to the ground troops. During the conflict, one IAF MiG-27 and an IAF MiG-21 were claimed shot down by Pakistani air defence missiles However the Indian Air Force had stated that the MiG-27 had an engine flameout in the initial stages of attacking the mountain top targets with its cannon. This is confirmed by an Unofficial Pakistan Air Force Website - PAF Combat.com, maintained by a serving Air Commodore of the PAF. The MiG-21M was on a search operation to find the MiG-27s crash site, when it was shot down. Later, an Mi-17 helicopter was shot down by a shoulder-held missile with the loss of all its crew.

Atlantique Incident

On August 10, 1999, a Pakistan Navy French-built naval Breguet Atlantic was flying over the Rann of Kutch area and was shot down by two IAF MiG-21 jets killing all 16 aboard.

IAF air staff

With its headquarters in New Delhi, the Indian Air Force has a strength of 1,70,000 personnel and 1130 combat aircraft (2006 figure).
The Officers of the IAF are commissioned in one of the following branches:
Flying
Engineering
Administration
Logistics
Accounts
Education
Meteorological
Medical & Dental Branch

Rank structure

The head of the Indian Air Force is known as the Chief of the Air Staff (currently Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major). The highest rank in the IAF is Marshal of the Air Force, which is conferred by the President of India only in exceptional circumstances. Arjan Singh is the only officer to have achieved this rank (See Field Marshal (India)).
Officer
The various ranks of personnel within the Indian Air Force are listed below in descending order:
Marshal of the Air Force
Air Chief Marshal (Chief of the Air Staff and equivalent to General and Admiral)
Air Marshal (equivalent to Lt. General in the Army)
Air Vice Marshal (equivalent to Major General in the Army)
Air Commodore (equivalent to Brigadier in the Army)
Group Captain (equivalent to Colonel in the Army)
Wing Commander (equivalent to Lt. Colonel in the Army)
Squadron Leader (equivalent to Major in the Army)
Flight Lieutenant (equivalent to Captain in the Army)
Flying Officer (equivalent to Lieutenant in the Army)
Pilot Officer (equivalent to Second-Lieutenant in the Army--abolished since 2005)
Airmen
During its formation, the rank structure of airmen was based on the British model. Over the years the rank structure has seen significant changes.
Master Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer
Junior Warrant Officer
Sergeant
Corporal
Leading Aircraftman
Aircraftsman
Structure of the IAF
The head of the Indian Air Force, Chief of the Air Staff, is assisted by six officers: the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, the Air Officer in Charge of Administration, the Air Officer in Charge of Personnel, the Air Officer in Charge of Maintenance, and the Inspector General of Flight Safety.
Commands
The Indian Air Force currently operates seven Commands. Each Command is headed by a Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the rank of Air Marshal.

Commands HQ Location Current AOC-in-C
Western Air Command Subroto Park, New Delhi Air Marshal Padamjit Singh Ahluwalia
Eastern Air Command Shillong, Meghalaya Air Marshal Fali Homi Major
Central Air Command Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh Air Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik
Southern Air Command Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Air Marshal Yeshwant Rao Rane
South Western Air Command Gandhinagar, Gujarat Air Marshal P K Mehra
Training Command Bangalore, Karnataka Air Marshal G S Chaudhary
Maintenance Command Nagpur, Maharashtra Air Marshal K S Chaturvedi

Aerospace Command
The IAF is setting up an Aerospace command. This command will have space technology like satellites available to them. This command is said to be utilised by all the three services of the Indian armed forces and also for civilian purposes by ISRO
Wings
Wing is a static formation below the level of the Commands and is an intermediate between Command and Squadron. A Wing generally consists of various IAF Squadrons and Helicopter Units and along with the Forward Base Support Units (FBSU), it is responsible for maintaining the installation. FBSUs do not have or host any Squadrons or Helicopter units but act as transit airbases for routine operations. In times of war, they can become full fledged air bases playing host to various Squadrons.

Squadrons

Squadrons are the field units and formations attached to static locations. In other words, a Flying Squadron is a sub-unit of an air force station which carries out the primary task of the IAF. All fighter squadrons are headed by the Commanding Officer with the rank of Wing Commander. Some Transport squadrons and Helicopter Units are headed by the Commanding Officer with the rank of Group Captain.

Squadrons of the Indian Air Force

Fighters , Ground Attack and Bombers No. 1 Squadron • No. 2 Squadron • No. 3 Squadron • No. 4 Squadron • No. 5 Squadron • No. 6 Squadron • No. 7 Squadron • No. 8 Squadron • No. 9 Squadron • No.10 Squadron • No.14 Squadron • No.15 Squadron • No.16 Squadron • No.17 Squadron • No.18 Squadron • No.20 Squadron • No.21 Squadron • No.22 Squadron • No.23 Squadron • No.24 Squadron • No.26 Squadron • No.27 Squadron • No.28 Squadron • No.29 Squadron • No.30 Squadron • No.31 Squadron • No.32 Squadron • No.35 Squadron • No.37 Squadron • No.45 Squadron • No.47 Squadron • No.51 Squadron • No.52 Squadron • No.101 Squadron • No.102 Squadron • No.106 Squadron • No.108 Squadron • No.220 Squadron • No.221 Squadron • No.222 Squadron • No.223 Squadron • No.224 Squadron
Helicopters No.104 Heli Squadron • No.105 HU • No.107 HU • No.109 HU
Transports AHQCS • No.11 Squadron • No.12 Squadron • No.19 Squadron • No.25 Squadron • No.41 Squadron • No.42 Squadron • No.43 Squadron • No.44 Squadron • No.48 Squadron • No.49 Squadron • No.59 Squadron • No.78 Squadron

IAF Bases
The IAF operates over 60 air bases, with more being built or planned. They are grouped under one of the five Regional Air Commands.
Northern Air Command
The largest and most important Air Command. It operates 16 Air bases from Rajasthan to Uttar Pradesh
Eastern Air Command
It operates 15 Air bases in Eastern and Noth-eastern India.
Central Air Command
Operates 7 Air Bases in Madhya Pradesh and surrounding states of central India
Southern Air Command
A strategically important Air command, in line with India's latest doctrine of protecting the vital shipping routes. It operates 9 Air bases in South India and 2 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Western Air Command
The front line of defence against Pakistan, this important Command operates 12 Forward Air Bases in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
IAF Aircraft

The Indian Air Force has a strength of 1130 combat aircraft and presently operates with a total of 42 squadrons. Most of the IAF's fighter jets are of French, Soviet/Russian and British origin, with designs by the latter two countries being constructed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited under licence. The indigenously-built HAL Tejas (formerly Light Combat Aircraft) is expected to enter service by 2010, replacing the MiG-21s in IAF service.

Air superiority aircraft
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI (MKI: 'Multifunctional Commercial - Indian') is the IAF's prime air superiority combat aircraft. The Su-30K variant was first acquired in 1996. In October 2004, the IAF signed a multi-billion US$ contract with Sukhoi according to which Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was given the licence to manufacture 140+ Su-30MKI's with full technology transfer. HAL plans to manufacture about 15 of these aircraft annually. The twin seater, multi-role fighter has a maximum speed of 2500 km/h (Mach 2.35) and has a service ceiling of 17,500 metres. The aircraft with one mid air refuelling can go to a distance of 8000 km.On February 8, 2007 India requested 40 additional Su-30MKI combat aircraft.

Multi-role combat aircraft
These are aircraft for strike, offensive support and air defence purposes. The IAF currently possesses several multi-role fighter jets that perform these functions. Single-seater Mirage 2000s and MiG-29s serve in both strike and defence squadrons. The MiG-29 (fulcrum) has a top speed of 2445 km/h (Mach 2.3) and is armed with a 30 mm cannon along with R-60 & R-27 R missiles. Capable of flying at 2500 km/h (Mach 2.3), the Mirage 2000 is the IAF's prime ground-attack fighter jet. This aircraft can carry a wide range of weaponry including two 30 mm integral cannons, two Matra super 530D medium-range missiles and two R550 Magic close combat missiles. 450 multi-role MiG-21 combat aircraft have been serving the IAF for the past two decades. The air force plans to eventually replace its MiG-21s with the indigenously-built LCA HAL Tejas by about 2010.

Strike, attack and offensive support aircraft
Squadrons of Jaguar IS, MiG-27 and MiG-23 aircraft serve as the IAF's primary strike force. The twin-engine Jaguar IB, with a top speed of Mach 1.3, is capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The IAF currently possess 100 Jaguar IS and 8 maritime strike Jaguar IM aircraft. The single-seater MiG-27 carries one GSh-6-30 six-barrelled 30 mm cannon, 4000 kg of general-purpose ordnance, SPPU-22 and SPPU-6 gun pods, and various guided air-to-surface missiles.

Reconnaissance aircraft

Various unmanned aircraft are used for reconnaissance. The IAF used to operate a fleet of MiG-25 (Foxbat) R, U reconnaissance aircraft until 2006. The high-speed interceptor aircraft carried four R-40 (AA-6 'Acrid') air-to-air missiles, two R-23 (AA-7 'Apex') and four R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid') or R-73 (AA-11 'Archer'). The MiG-25, in service since the late 1980s, were decommissioned from service in 2006. The IAF also used the English Electric Canberra aircraft for reconnaissance and photoreconnaissance missions during the Kargil war. The Canberras were originally used as Bombers, and served in that role in the 1971 war. In 2003, the IAF bought 6 IL-78 aircraft from Russia. The aircraft's primary role is air-to-air re-fueling. The IAF has ordered 3 IAI Phalcon mounted on IL-76.Deliveries start from september 2007.

Unmanned aerial vehicles

The primary role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is to provide aerial surveillance and reconnaissance. However, DRDO, ADA and HAL are developing a range of Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles. The IAF currently operates IAI Malat-built Searcher MkII and Heron UAVs. Israel Aircraft Industries and Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), India's leading unmanned aerial vehicle research agency are also jointly developing three new UAVs.
UAVs can also be used as a target aircraft. HAL Lakshya, indigenously-developed pilotless target aircraft, was inducted into the IAF in July 2005. Israel has also bought a few of the Laksya PTAs. Another UAV, the HAL Nishant Remote Piloted Vehicle (RPV) has also been developed, with an endurance of over 3 hours. The UAV can be used for carrying out ground attacks and aerial surveillance. It will be inducted into the Indian Army by 2007. Another smaller UAV, known as the Kapothaka is also being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency.

Support helicopters

An important objective of the IAF is to support ground troops by providing air-cover and by transporting men and essential commodities across the battlefield. The list of helicopters currently in service with the IAF:
Mi-17 1V (Hip-H)
Mi-17 (Hip-H)
Mi-8 (Hip)
Mi-26
Mi-25/35 (Hind)
HAL Dhruv
HAL Cheetah
HAL Chetak
On October 15, 2006 India agreed to acquire 80 Mi-17 helicopters from the Russian Federation in a deal worth approximately US$662 million.

Training aircraft

The Indian Air Force currently operates more than 450 MiG-21 aircraft.The IAF initially planned to replace the MiG-21 fleet with indigenously-built HAL Tejas aircraft by 2006. However, the target could not be met due to developmental delays and a U.S. sanction, following the Pokhran tests, which blocked the delivery of GE F404 engines- a crucial component of the aircraft.
In 2003, the IAF placed an order for 66 Hawk Mk 132 Advanced Jet Trainers in a deal worth over 1 billion GBP. The supply of these advanced trainer aircraft will bring to an end the use of the MiG-21 as a training jet. India also manufactures less-sophisticated HAL HJT-16 Kiran and this aircraft will be replaced with the advanced HJT-36. IAF uses HPT-32 Deepak for basic training.

Future Aircraft

The Indian Air Force currently operates more than 450 MiG-21 aircraft. Due to its aging equipment, several MiG-21s used in training roles have crashed over the past six years, killing over 50 IAF pilots. The IAF initially planned to replace the MiG-21 fleet with indigenously-built HAL Tejas aircraft by 2006. However, the target could not be met due to developmental delays and a US sanction, following the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, which blocked the delivery of GE F404 engines - a crucial component of the aircraft.
Eager to end its dependence on the MiG-21s, the Indian Defence Ministry decided to purchase 200 multirole combat aircraft worth over US$11 billion in November 2005. The air force sent a Request of Information (RoI) for the following aircraft: Russian MiG-29 M2, French Mirage 2000-5Mk2 and Rafale, European Eurofighter Typhoon, Swedish Gripen and the US F-16C. Besides the F-16Cs, the US has also offered the sale of F-16 Block 70 and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet combat aircraft. However, the IAF seemed inclined towards purchasing the MiG-35 (MiG-29OVT).180 Su-30MKI combat aircraft will be inducted into the IAF in the next few years(Out of the 230 Su-30MKI combat aircraft ordered 50 aircarft are already in service with the IAF).India is also planning the purchase of 50 new Mirage-2000 fighters.IAF has placed an order for 29 upgraded versions of indigenously-manufactured Jaguar IM strike aircraft.India is also planning to lease 4 Tu-22M3 bombers from Russia.
Experts estimate that for India to exert influence over South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, it would require at least 60 squadrons of aircraft performing multi-role combat, deep penetration strike, air superiority, air defence, reconnaissance and electronic warfare tasks. However, the IAF presently operates only 42 squadrons, making the acquisition of these, and other aircraft all the more vital.
It is reported that most IAF officers favour the MiG-35 and the Mirage 2000-9 over the F-16s and F/A-18 Hornets. MiG and Dassault have historically been reliable suppliers in terms of transfers of technology, licensed production in India, personnel training, supply of spare parts, maintenance and upgrading. IAF pilots and technicians are familiar with earlier aircraft from MiG and Dassault and would need minimal retraining. Infrastructural and logistical support for maintenance and spares would also be easier for these aircraft compared to the unfamiliar Gripens, F-16s and F/A-18s. Moreover, many analysts feel that the US, whose unpredictable foreign policy might clamp sanctions at any time, cannot be a reliable supplier.
Apart from the 200 multirole combat aircraft and 220 Light Combat Aircraft, the Indian Air Force was recently given a clearance by the Indian Ministry of Defence to purchase 80+ combat helicopters,3 new UAV,eight refuelling planes,225+ HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer aircraft and some additional medium-range transport aircraft. India is considering the purchase of 15 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
In Development
Besides 200 multirole combat aircraft, the IAF will also buy 220 indigenously-built HAL Tejas light combat aircraft.These aircraft are expected to enter service beginning from 2010. The HAL HJT-36 Intermediate Jet Trainer carried out its maiden test flight in 2003 and is all set to enter service within the next 5 years. HAL recently signed a deal with Russian company Saturn DDB for supply of a specially designed engine for the trainer. The 66 Hawk T.132s will begin arriving in India from 2007. The Hawk, along with the HAL HJT-36, will serve the IAF's future fighter training needs. Apart from combat and training aircraft, India is also developing un-manned surveillance aircraft in collaboration with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).
In 2001, the Ministry of Defence signed a deal with Russia to jointly develop and fund the Perspektivnyi Aviatsionnyi Kompleks Frontovoi Aviatsyi (Future Air Complex for Tactical Air Forces) program. The program was initiated to develop a fifth generation fighter aircraft to fill a role similar to that of Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor in all aspects. Initially, Mikoyan-Gurevich's Project 1.44 was expected to get the contract. However, Sukhoi Aviation Corporation came up with a more cost-effective aircraft and won. Design work has commenced on Sukhoi's experimental Su-47 Berkut aircraft. PAK FA proves to be a very ambitious program and the estimated costs for developing the aircraft vary between US$15-20 billion. However, (as of March 2007) the aircraft is at a very late stage of development without any Indian involvement and an Indo-Russian pact on building a fifth-generation fighter has only recently been agreed . Thus, a fifth-generation fighter aircraft project could still be a project outside the PAK FA frame. An official project name has not been assigned to this possible Indo-Russian fifth-generation fighter aircraft development programme as of March, 2007.
India is also planning to construct a fifth generation aircraft named as the Medium Combat Aircraft or MCA. The MCA is presently in early stages of development and production is expected to commence in 2015. Hindustan Aeronautics has already commenced the development of a Indo-Russian Multirole Transport Aircraft, which will replace the IAF's ageing fleet of Antonov An-32s.
Missile systems
Besides conducting air-based warfare, Indian Air Force also bears the responsibility of protecting Indian skies making anti-aircraft and surface-to-air missiles an important component of the IAF. The most notable missile systems under the IAF are Prithvi 2 ballistic missiles and the SAM 3 Pechora air defence system. The IAF also operates several OSA-AK Air Defence batteries for airdefence of airfields, in addition to several flights using the SA-16 Igla MANPADS missiles.
The IAF and the Indian Army are currently developing Akash and Trishul surface-to-air missiles as a part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. The Indian Air Force will introduce 18 SPYDER air defence systems
References
http:\\www.india-defence.com
http:\\www.bharat-rakshak.com
http:\\indianairforce.nic.in

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"Intellectuals solve problems; geniuses prevent them."

nice work ! quite informative indeed ... i didnt know all that stuff, thanks!

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~*~ Life is short, art long, opportunity fleeting, experience treacherous, judgment difficult ~*~ Hippocrates

Republic of China Air Force

The Republic of China Air Force (中華民國空軍; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínguó Kōngjūn) is the aviation branch of the armed forces of the Republic of China on Taiwan, and is often viewed as one of the most professional and capable branches of the Republic of China's armed forces. The ROCAF's primary mission is the defense of the airspace over and around Taiwan against an attack by the People's Republic of China. Current priorities of the ROCAF include the development of long range reconnaissance and surveillance networks, integrating C4ISTAR systems to increase battle effectiveness, procuring counterstrike weapons, next generation fighters, and hardening airfields and other facilities to survive a surprise attack.

As of May 2005, the Ministry of National Defense has indicated its intention to transfer command of all defensive missile systems to the ROCAF, while future offensive missiles will be placed under an as yet unformed missile command.

Organization

The National Emblem of the Republic of China is used as the roundel for ROC military aircraftLike most of the other branches of the ROC armed forces, much of the ROCAF's structure and organization is patterned after the United States Air Force. Like the USAF, the ROCAF has a wing → group → squadron structure.

Air Force General Headquarters (空軍總司令部)
Air Force GHQ is subordinate to the General Staff (military), the Minister of Defense (civilian), and the ROC President.
Internal Units: Personnel, Combat Readiness & Training, Logistics, Planning, Communications, Electronics & Information, General Affairs, Comptroller, Inspector General, Political Warfare.
Air Force Combatant Command (作戰司令部)
Weather Wing (氣象聯隊): Tamsui, Taipei County
Communications, Air Traffic Control & Information Wing (通信航管資訊聯隊): Taipei City
Air Tactical Control Wing (戰術管制聯隊)
Air Defense Artillery & Garrison Command (防砲警衛司令部)
Education, Training & Doctrine Command (教育訓練暨準則發展司令部)
Logistics Command (後勤司令部)
Combat Wings (作戰聯隊)
401st Tactical Fighter Wing (401聯隊): Hualien AFB flying flying F-16A/B
17th Fighter Squadron "Thor"
26th Fighter Squadron "Witch"
27th Fighter Squadron "Black Dragon"
427th Tactical Fighter Wing (427聯隊): Ching Chuan Kang AFB flying F-CK IDF-1A/B
7th Fighter Squadron "Wolf"
8th Fighter Squadron "Flying Dragon"
28th Fighter Squadron "Baby Dragon"
439th Combined Wing (439聯隊): Pingtung AFB flying C-130H,: E-2T, and C-130HE
10th Tactical Airlift Group
101st Airlift Squadron
102st Airlift Squadron
20th Electronic Warfare Group
6th Electronic Warfare Squadron
2nd Early Warning Squadron
443rd Tactical Fighter Wing (443聯隊): Tainan AFB flying F-CK-1A/B
1st Fighter Squadron
3rd Fighter Squadron
9th Fighter Squadron
455th Tactical Fighter Wing (455聯隊): Chiayi AFB flying F-16A/B and S-70C
Air Rescue Group
21st Fighter Squadron
22nd Fighter Squadron
23rd Fighter Squadron
499th Tactical Fighter Wing (499聯隊): Hsinchu AFB flying Mirage 2000-5Di/Ei
41st Fighter Squadron "Holy Shield"
42nd Fighter Squadron "Cobra"
48th Fighter Squadron "Holy Eagle"
737th Fighter Training Wing (737聯隊): Taitung AFB flying F-5E/F
44th Fighter Squadron
45th Fighter Squadron
46th Fighter Squadron
Air Force Base Command (基地指揮部)
Sungshan Base Command (松山基地指揮部)
Taoyuan Base Command (桃園基地指揮部)
Air Force Academy (空軍官校): Gangshan AFB

History

Formally established in 1920 as the Aviation Ministry, the ROCAF was active during the tenure of the ROC on Mainland China. During the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), the ROCAF participated in attacks on Japanese warships on the eastern front and along the Yangtze river including support for the Battle of Shanghai in 1937. The Chinese frontline fighter aircraft initially comprised mainly of the Curtiss Hawk II and III and the Boeing P-26 model 281, and engaged Japanese fighters in many major air battles beginning on the 14th of August 1937, when Imperial Japanese Navy warplanes raided Chienchiao airbase; "814" has thus become known as "Air Force Day". Chinese Boeing P-26/281 fighters engaged Japanese Mitsubishi A5M fighters in what is among the world's first aerial dogfighting between all-metal monoplane fighter aircraft. A unique mission in April 1938 saw two Chinese B-10 bombers fly a mission over Japan, but dropping only propaganda leaflets over the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Saga. It was a war of attrition for the Chinese pilots, as many of their most experienced ace fighter pilots, such as Lieutenant Liu Tsui-Kang and Colonel Kao Chih-Hang were lost.

ROCAF General HQ was established in June 1946. From 1946-1948, during the Chinese Civil War, the ROCAF participated in combat against the People's Liberation Army engaging in air to air combat on at least eleven occasions in the areas surrounding the Taiwan Strait. The ROCAF reportedly enjoyed a 31:1 kill ratio against the PLA. GHQ was evacuated to Taiwan along with the rest of the ROC Government in April 1949 following the Communist victory in the Chinese Civil War. The ROCAF assisted in halting the PLA advance at the Battle of Kuningtou on Kinmen the same year.

Since then, ROCAF regularly patrolled the straits and fought many engagements with their Communist counterpart, the PLAAF, ROCAF soon received up-to-date equipment from the US, such as the F-86 Sabrejets.

During the Cold War, the ROCAF was involved in combat air patrols over the Taiwan Strait and engaged the PLAAF on several occasions. ROCAF was also the testbed of American technology at this time. The first successful kill scored by an air-to-air missile was accomplished by an ROCAF F-86 Sabrejet with then experimental AIM-9 Sidewinder.

ROCAF pilots also flew U-2 recon overflights of the PRC during this time with assistance from the USAF. Known as the Black Cat Squadron, they flew 102 missions, and lost 5 planes. All five were shot down by SA-2 surface-to-air missiles, the same type of surface-to-air missile that shot down Gary Powers over the USSR in 1960.

In 1984, Taiwan began the development of the IDF (Indigenous Defense Fighter), after China lobbied US State Department to block the sale of F-16. Maiden flight was made in 1989, and the plane entered service in 1994. Since then Taiwan has managed to procure the F-16 from the US and Mirage 2000 from France.

Equipment

ROCAF AIDC F-CK Indigenous Defence FightersThe ROCAF's armament includes over 400 combat aircraft, the mainstay being the F-16 and F-CK-1 IDFs, with the Mirage-2000s being its most formidable defense fighter. The older F-5s are being phased out slowly. Because of the greater technology curve in the ROCAF, it has been experiencing some of the greater systems integration challenges of the armed forces.

Most of the ROCAF's armament is purchased from the United States which also assists in the training of some ROCAF pilots at Luke AFB in Arizona. The Mirage-2000 fighters were purchased from France in the early 1990s. Some of the ROCAF's aircraft and weapons are also developed domestically such as the F-CK-1 IDF fighter and the Sky Sword series of missiles.

Recent procurement plans

In January 2006, the Air Force announced it wished to buy planes with VSTOL capability, especially the US F-35. It also wished to upgrade its current F-16s and Mirage 2000-5s, and perhaps purchase second-hand F-15s. However, the US has rejected the sale of F-35s or F-15s. There were no reports as to how France had responded.

In mid 2006, the Air Force announced plans to buy 66 F-16 C/D Block 52 aircraft from the US for $3.1 billion USD. On October 2nd 2006, the US has suspended the purchase of the 66 F-16s. According to sources cited by National Defense Minister Lee Jye, the U.S. stance is that until a long-stalled arms purchase package consisting of six Patriot Missile Batteries, 12 P-3C Orion anti-submarine aircraft, and 8 conventional submarines clears the legislature, it does not see Taiwan as having a consistent military procurement plan and has temporarily blocked the sale. Delays the Taiwanese Legislative approving the 2007 defence budget have meant the purchase is still suspended.

On February 28th 2007, it was reported that the U.S. Defense Department approved an order made by Taiwan for 218 AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM, as well as 235 AGM-65G2 Maverick missiles, associated launchers and other equipment to add to Taiwan's current inventory. The total value quoted for the recent arms purchase was revealed to be $421 million US, if all options are exercised

Fighter Aircraft

Type Number
F-16A/B 146
Mirage 2000-5 56
F-CK IDF-1A/B 128
F-5E/F 60+

Early Warning & Electronic Warfare

Type Number
E-2T Hawkeye 6
C-130HE 1

Training

Type Number
AIDC AT-3A/B 36/17
T-34 41

Transports

Type Number Notes
C-130H 19
Beechcraft B-1900C 11 2 Calibration
Fokker F50 3
B737-800 1 VIP transport

Air-launched Missiles

Type Number
AIM-7 600
AIM-9 1082+
AIM-120C-5 120
AIM-120C-7 218(on order)
AGM-65B 500
AGM-65G 40
AGM-65G2 235 (on order)
AGM-84 57
Sky Sword I (天劍一) 300
Sky Sword II (天劍二) 250
MICA 960
Magic II 480

Reference :
www.globalsecurity.org

__________________
"Intellectuals solve problems; geniuses prevent them."

Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. The RAF was formed on 1 April 1918 and has taken a significant role in British military history since then, playing a large part in World War II and in conflicts such as the recent war in Iraq. The RAF has 998 aircraft and, as of 2006, 48,700 personnel.

Mission
The RAF's mission is to "Produce a battle-winning agile air force: fit for the challenges of today; ready for the tasks of tomorrow; capable of building for the future; working within Defence to achieve shared purpose."[1] This is to support the objectives of the UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD), which are to "provide the capabilities needed: to ensure the security and defence of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories, including against terrorism; to support the Government’s foreign policy objectives particularly in promoting international peace and security"

Founded 1 April 1918
Country United Kingdom
Size 46,880 personnel
998 aircraft
Part of Ministry of Defence
Command HQ RAF High Wycombe
Motto Per Ardua ad Astra
latin:"Through Adversity to the Stars"
March Royal Air Force March Past

Commanders

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy
Notable Lord Trenchard
commanders Hugh Dowding
Arthur Harris
Aircraft flown

Attack Tornado GR.4, Harrier, Jaguar
Fighter Typhoon
Interceptor Tornado F.3
Patrol Nimrod MR.2
Reconnaissance Nimrod R.1, Sentinel, Islander
Trainer Tutor, Tucano, Hawk, Vigilant, Viking, Squirrel,
Dominie,King Air
Transport C-17, Hercules, VC-10, Tristar, Merlin, Chinook, Puma

History

The RAF is the oldest independent air force in the world. It was founded on 1 April 1918, during the First World War, by the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. After the war, the service was cut drastically and its inter-war years were relatively quiet, with only minor actions being undertaken in some parts of the British Empire.


The RAF underwent rapid expansion prior to and during the Second World War. Under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan of December 1939, the air forces of other members of the British Commonwealth trained and formed squadrons for service with RAF formations. Many individual personnel from these countries and from continental Europe also served with RAF squadrons.

During the Second World War's Battle of Britain in 1940, the RAF's valiant defence of the skies over Britain against the German Luftwaffe foiled Hitler's plans for an invasion of the British Isles, prompting Prime Minister Winston Churchill to say in the House of Commons on August 20, "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few".

The largest and most controversial RAF effort during the war was the strategic bombing campaign against Germany by Bomber Command. Under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Harris, RAF forces conducted an area bombing campaign against Dresden and other German cities.

During the Cold War years the main role of the RAF was the defence of the continent of Europe against potential attack by the Soviet Union, including holding the UK's nuclear deterrent for a number of years. Since the end of the Cold War, several large scale operations have been undertaken by the RAF, including the Kosovo War, the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Structure of the RAF
Royal Air Force Components

Air Force Board
Air Command
1 Group
2 Group
22 Group

The professional head of the RAF is the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), currently Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy. The CAS heads the Air Force Board, which is a committee of the Defence Council. The Air Force Board (AFB) is the management board of the RAF and consists of the Commander-in-Chief of RAF Air Command, together with several other high ranking officers. The CAS also has a deputy known as the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (ACAS); currently this post is held by Air Vice-Marshal Chris Moran.

Commands

Authority is delegated from the AFB to the RAF's commands. While there were once individual commands responsible for bombers, fighters, training, etc, only one command now exists:

Air Command — HQ at RAF High Wycombe — responsible for all of the operations of the RAF and for recruitment, initial, trade training, including flying training.

Groups

Groups are the subdivisions of operational Commands, these are responsible for certain types of operation or for operations in limited geographical areas. As from 1 April 2007, three Groups exist:

1 Group — the Air Combat Group, controls the RAF's combat fast jet aircraft, including Joint Force Harrier, and has seven airfields in the UK plus RAF Unit Goose Bay in Canada, which is used extensively as an operational training base.
2 Group — the Air Combat Support Group, controls the Strategic and Tactical air transport aircraft, the RAF Regiment, the RAF's Air to Air Refuelling aircraft as well as ISTAR and Search & Rescue assets.
22 Group - responsible for personnel management, selection and training.

Stations

An RAF Station is ordinarily subordinate to a Group and it is administratively sub-divided into Wings. Since the mid to late 1930s RAF stations have controlled a number of flying squadrons or other units at one location by means of a station headquarters.


Wings

A Wing is either a sub-division of a Group acting independently or a sub-division of an RAF Station.

Independent Wings are a grouping of two or more squadrons, either flying squadrons or ground support squadrons. In former times, numbered flying Wings have existed, but more recently they have only been created when required, for example during Operation Telic, Tornado Wings were formed to operate from Ali Al Salem and Al Udeid Air Bases; each of these were made up of aircraft and crews from several squadrons.

On 31 March 2006, the RAF formed nine Expeditionary Air Wings (EAW). The Expeditionary Air Wings have been established to support operations. They have been formed at the nine main operating bases; RAF Coningsby, RAF Cottesmore, RAF Kinloss, RAF Leeming, RAF Leuchars, RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Lyneham, RAF Marham, and RAF Waddington. These units will be commanded by a Group Captain who is also the Station Commander. The EAW is comprised of the non-formed unit elements of the station that are required to support a deployed operating base, i.e. the Command and Control, Logistics and administration functions amongst others. They are designed to be flexible and quickly adaptable for differing operations. They are independent of flying squadrons, Air Combat Support Units (ACSU) and Air Combat Service Support Units (ACSSU) who are attached to the EAW dependent upon what task it has been assigned to do.
On RAF Stations, a Wing is an administrative sub-division. For a flying station these will normally be Engineering Wing, Operations Wing and Administration Wing. Aside from these, the only Wings currently in permanent existence are the Air Combat Service Support wings of 2 Group which provide support services such as communications, supply and policing to operationally deployed units.

Squadrons

The term squadron (sqn) can be used to refer to an administrative sub-unit of a station, e.g. Air Traffic Control sqn, Personnel Management sqn; there are also ground support squadrons, e.g. 2 (MT) Sqn.

The primary use for the term is as the name of the flying squadrons which carry out the primary tasks of the RAF. RAF squadrons are somewhat analogous to the regiments of the British army, in that they have histories and traditions going back to their formation, regardless of where they are currently based, which aircraft they are operating, etc. They can be awarded standards and battle honours for meritorious service.

Whilst every squadron is different, most flying squadrons are commanded by a Wing Commander and, for a fast-jet squadron, have an establishment of around 100 personnel and 12 aircraft, but 16 aircraft for Tornado F3 Squadrons.


Flights

A flight is a sub-division of a squadron. Flying squadrons are often divided into two flights, under the command of a Squadron Leader; administrative squadrons on a station are also divided into flights.

There are several flying units formed as Flights rather than Squadrons, due to their small size.

RAF Personnel

In 2006 the RAF employed 48,700 active duty personnel and more than 12,000 reservists, including the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, RAF Volunteer Reserve and Sponsored Reserve. At its height during the Second World War, in excess of 1,000,000 personnel were serving at any one time. The only founding member of the RAF still living is Henry Allingham at age 110. [5]


Officers

Officers hold a commission from the Sovereign, which provides the legal authority for them to issue orders to subordinates. The commission is granted after successfully completing the 32-week-long Initial Officer Training course at the RAF College, Cranwell.

The titles and insignia of RAF Officers were derived from those used by the Royal Navy, specifically the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) during World War I. For example, the rank of Squadron Leader derived its name from the RNAS rank of Squadron Commander. RAF officers fall into three categories: air officers, senior officers and junior officers.


Other Ranks

Other Ranks attend the Recruit Training Squadron at RAF Halton for basic training, with the exception of the RAF Regiment, which trains its recruits at RAF Honington.

The titles and insignia of Other Ranks in the RAF was based on that of the Army, with some alterations in terminology. Over the years, this structure has seen significant changes, for example there was once a separate system for those in technical trades and the rank of Chief Technician continues to be held only by personnel in technical trades. RAF other ranks fall into four categories: warrant officers, senior non-commissioned officers

Branches and Trades

All Pilots and Weapon Systems Officers (formerly known as Navigators) in the RAF are commissioned officers.
Non-commissioned aircrew fulfil roles such as Air Loadmasters (ALM), Air Signallers, Air Electronics Operators (AEO), etc., although they are now all known as Weapon Systems Operators.
The majority of the members of the RAF serve in vital support roles on the ground.

Officers and Gunners in the RAF Regiment, which was created during World War II, defend RAF airfields from attack. They have infantry and light armoured units to protect against ground attack and until recently they operated Rapier surface-to-air missiles to defend against air attack - this role was given to the Royal Artillery in 2005 and was taken against the wishes of the RAF, which wanted to retain and maintain its organic ground-to-air defence capability.
The RAF Police are the military police of the RAF and are located wherever the RAF is located. Unlike the UK Civil Police, the RAF Police are armed as needed. Since 2003 the RAF Police have stop and search, arrest, and search and seizure powers outside RAF Stations.
Intelligence Officers and Analysts of the RAF Intelligence Branch support all operational activities by providing timely and accurate Indicators and Warnings. They conduct military intelligence fusion and analysis by conducting imagery and communications analysis, targeting, and assessment of the enemies' capabilities and intent.
Engineering Officers and technicians are employed to maintain and repair the equipment used by the RAF. This includes routine preparation for flight and maintenance on aircraft, as well as deeper level repair work on aircraft systems, IT systems, ground based radar, MT vehicles,ground support equipment(GSE), etc.
Fighter Controllers (FC) and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) control RAF and NATO aircraft from the ground. The FC control the interception of enemy aircraft while the ATC provide air traffic services at RAF stations and to the majority of en-route military aircraft in UK airspace.
Administrative Officers and associated trades perform a range of secretarial tasks as well as fulfilling training management, physical education and catering roles.
Royal Air Force Chaplains are trained by the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre at Amport House.
The Royal Air Force Medical Branch provides healthcare at home and on deployed operations, including aeromedical evacuation services. Medical officers are the doctors of the RAF and have specialist expertise in aviation medicine to support aircrew and their protective equipment. Medical Officers can go on aeromedical evacuations, providing vital assistance on search-and-rescue missions or emergency relief flights worldwide.
The RAF Legal Branch provides legal advice on discipline / criminal law and operations law.

Aircraft

Sea King HAR3A

Chinook HC2

Hercules C3

Tornado F3

Typhoon F2

Strike, attack and offensive support aircraft

The mainstay of the Offensive Support fleet is the Tornado GR4. This supersonic aircraft can carry a wide range of weaponry, including Storm Shadow cruise missiles, laser-guided bombs and the ALARM anti-radar missile.

The Tornado is supplemented by the Harrier GR7 & GR7A and Jaguar GR3 & GR3A, which are used in the strike and close air support roles, and to counter enemy air defences. The Harrier is being upgraded to GR9 standard with newer systems and more powerful engines. The Harrier GR9 was formally accepted into RAF service in late September 2006.


Air defence and Airborne Early Warning Aircraft

The Tornado F3 is the RAF's air defence fighter aircraft, based at RAF Leuchars and RAF Leeming to defend the UK’s airspace.

The Sentry AEW1 provides airborne early warning to detect incoming enemy aircraft and to co-ordinate the aerial battlefield. Both the Sentry and the F.3 have been involved in recent operations including over Iraq and the Balkans.

The Tornado, in service in the air defence role since the late 1980s, is due to be replaced by the state-of-the-art, Eurofighter Typhoon F2 which is based at RAF Coningsby. The UK's second operational Typhoon unit, 11 Sq, reformed on 29 March 2007, joining 3 Sq, also based at RAF Coningsby.


Reconnaissance Aircraft

Variants of attack aircraft, the Jaguar GR3/GR3A and Tornado GR4A are fitted with specialist reconnaissance pods and squadrons exist with both types in the reconnaissance role. All three types are/were equipped with a range of cameras and sensors in the visual, infra-red and radar ranges of the spectrum.

Providing electronic and signals intelligence is the Nimrod R1.

The new Sentinel R1 provides an ASTOR ground radar-surveillance platform based on the Bombardier Global Express long range business jet.

Also used in a classified surveillance role, is a pair of Britten-Norman Islander CC2 aircraft. They form the Station Flight of RAF Northolt in London.

A pair of MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned aerial vehicles have been purchased to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are operated by No. 39 Squadron RAF


Search and Rescue Aircraft

Three squadrons of helicopters exist with the primary role of military search and rescue; the rescuing of aircrew who have ejected or crash-landed their aircraft. These are 22 Sqn and 202 Sqn with the Sea King HAR.3/HAR3A in the UK and 84 Sqn with the Griffin HAR2 in Cyprus.

Although established with a primary role of military search and rescue, most of their operational missions are spent in their secondary role of conducting civil search and rescue; that is, the rescue of civilians from at sea, on mountains and other locations.

Both rescue roles are shared with the Sea King helicopters of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, while the civil search and rescue role is also shared with the helicopters of HM Coastguard.

The Operational Conversion Unit is 203(Reserve) Sqn RAF based at RAF St. Mawgan, equipped with the Sea King HAR3.

The related Royal Air Force Mountan Rescue Service comprises four teams of trained mountaineers stationed in the mainland United Kingdom, first established in 1943.


Maritime Patrol

The Nimrod MR2's primary role is that of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Unit Warfare (ASUW). The Nimrod MR2 is additionally used in a Search and Rescue (SAR) role, where its long-range and extensive communications facilities allow it to co-ordinate rescues by acting as a link between rescue helicopters, ships and shore bases. It can also drop pods containing life rafts and survival supplies to people in the sea.

The Nimrod MR2 will be replaced from 2009 by 12 Nimrod MRA4 aircraft.

Support helicopters

An important part of the work of the RAF is to support the British Army and Royal Marines by ferrying troops and equipment at the battlefield. However, RAF helicopters are also used in a variety of other roles, including support of RAF ground units. The support helicopters are organised into the tri-service Joint Helicopter Command (JHC), along with helicopters of the British Army and Royal Navy.

The large twin-rotor Chinook HC2/HC2A, based at RAF Odiham provides heavy-lift support and is supported by the Merlin HC3 and the smaller Puma HC1 medium-lift helicopters, based at RAF Benson and RAF Aldergrove.

It was announced in March 2007 that the RAF will take delivery of six additonal Merlins. The aircraft were originally ordered by Denmark, six new aircraft will be built for Denmark. Also announced that eight Chinook HC3s, that are in storage, will be modifed for the battlefield support role.


Transport and Air-to-Air Refuelling aircraft

Having replaced the former Queen's Flight in 1995, 32 (The Royal) Squadron uses the BAe 125 CC3, Agusta A109 and BAe 146 CC2 in the VIP transport role, based at RAF Northolt in west London.

More routine air transport tasks are carried out by the Tristars and VC10s based at RAF Brize Norton, both used to transport passengers and cargo, and for air-to-air refuelling of other aircraft.

Shorter-range tactical-airlift transport is provided by the C-130 Hercules, the fleet including both older K-model and new J-model aircraft.

The RAF has leased 4 C-17 Globemaster IIIs from Boeing to provide a strategic airlift capability; it was announced in 2004 that these will be purchased, together with a further example, .The fifth C-17 is due to be delivered in 2008. The MOD has expressed a wish to buy a further 3 C-17s, which could be delivered before mid-2009,when the C-17 production line may be closed.This would leave the RAF with a total of 8 C-17 aircraft,providing a significantly enhanced strategic airlift.


Training aircraft

A wide range of aircraft types are used for training aircrew in their duties. At the more advanced stage in training, variants of front-line aircraft have been adapted for operational conversion of trained pilots; these include the Harrier T10, Jaguar T4 and Typhoon T1. Advanced flying training for fast-jet, helicopter and multi-engine pilots is provided using the Hawk T1, Griffin HT1 and Super King Air respectively.

Basic pilot training for fixed-wing and helicopter pilots is provided on the Tucano T1 and Squirrel HT1, while navigator training is conducted in the Dominie T1.

Elementary flying training is conducted on the Tutor T1, depending on the new pilot's route of entry to the service. The Tutor is also used, along with the Viking T1 and Vigilant T1 gliders, to provide air experience training and basic pilot training for Air Cadets.


Future aircraft

Aircraft in development, or soon to be deployed, include the Airbus A400M, of which 25 are to be used to replace the remaining Hercules C-130Ks.

A new version of the Chinook, the HC3, with improved avionics and increased range, was developed mainly for special forces missions. Service entry has been delayed due to software problems and legal issues.In late Mar/07,the MOD confirmed the intention of making the 8 HC 3,Chinook,aircraft operational. The Eurofighter Typhoon is entering service and the RAF will be the largest operator of the type.

The Typhoon will replace the Tornado F3 interceptor and the Jaguar GR3A ground attack aircraft by 2010. The Hawk 128 will replace the existing Hawks in service; the newer model being more similar in equipment and performance to modern front line aircraft. The ageing aerial refuelling fleet of VC10s and Tristars should be replaced with the Airbus A330 MRTT under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme. Problems with contract negotiations have led to unsolicited proposals for the conversion of civil Tristars or DC-10s.

The Joint Combat Aircraft (the British designation for the F-35 Lightning II) will replace the Harrier GR7 and GR9. Studies have begun regarding the long term replacement for the Tornado GR4 (Although the Future Offensive Air System project was cancelled in 2005). The RAF transport helicopter force, the Puma and Sea Kings, are to be replaced by the Support Amphibious and Battlefield Rotorcraft (SABR) project, likely a mix of Merlins and Chinooks.

Future

In 2006, Colonel Tim Collins, the former Army officer described as a hero during the Iraq war, prompted controversy by calling for the RAF to be disbanded as a separate arm; allowing the Fleet Air Arm and Army Air Corps to absorb aircrew and aircraft dedicated to specific sea and ground roles. However, a Ministry of Defence spokesman responded saying, "There is no question of the RAF being disbanded. The skills and challenges in the air environment are totally different to those faced in maritime or land environments. We need specialists in all three. The RAF does a fantastic job."

Additionally, Nick Cook who edits the aviation section of Jane's Defence Weekly, voiced his disagreement with Tim Collins' idea saying:

"In an era when money is tight there is a lot of introspection about where scant resources should go, but this doesn't make any sense. You can't do without air power. It's totally unrealistic."



References:

http:\\www.raf.mod.uk

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nice info thanks
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United States Air Force

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. Previously part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947.

The USAF is the largest and the most technologically advanced air force in the world, with about 6013 manned aircraft in service (4,282 USAF; 1,321 Air National Guard; and 410 Air Force Reserve); approximately 160 Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles, 2161 Air-Launched Cruise Missiles, and 500 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles; and as of September 30, 2006, had 334,200 personnel on active duty, 120,369 in the Selected and Individual Ready Reserves, and 107,000 in the Air National Guard. An additional 10,675 personnel were in the Standby Reserve and the Air Force employed 168,558 civilian personnel.

The USAF is currently planning a massive Reduction-in-Force (RIF). Because of budget constraints, the USAF will reduce the service's current size by 40,000 full time equivalent positions by 2011, with approximately half to be eliminated in FY 2007. Approximately 35,000 active duty positions, or one year's cycle of enlistments and retirements, will be eliminated over 5 years. The current size of the active-duty force is roughly 70% of that of the USAF at the end of the first Gulf War in 1991.
Not all of the United States' military combat aircraft are operated by the USAF. The United States Army operates its own helicopters, mostly for support of ground combatants. The Navy is responsible for the aircraft operating on its aircraft carriers and Naval air stations, and the Marine Corps operates its own combat and transport aircraft. The Coast Guard also maintains transport and search-and-rescue aircraft, which may be used in a combat and law enforcement role. All branches of the U.S. military operate helicopters.

The Air Force is managed by the Department of the Air Force which is headed by the Secretary of the Air Force who heads administrative affairs. The Department of the Air Force is a division of the United States Department of Defense which is headed by the United States Secretary of Defense. The highest ranking military officer in the department is the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

Leadership
Secretary of the Air Force
Chief of Staff of the Air Force
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force

Independent Structure
Field Operating Agencies
Direct Reporting Units
Separate Operating Agencies

Components
Air Force Reserve Command
Air National Guard

Major Commands
Air Combat Command
Air Education and Training Command
Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Space Command
Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Mobility Command
Pacific Air Forces
United States Air Forces in Europe
Air Force Cyberspace Command

Hierarchical Structure
Major Commands
Numbered Air Forces
Operational Commands
Wings
Groups
Squadrons

Installations
The Pentagon
Air Force Academy
Bases

Equipment
Airman Battle Uniform
Aircraft

Awards, Decorations and Badges
Awards and Decorations
Badges

History and Traditions

Air Force Band
The U.S. Air Force (song)
Air Force Memorial
Famous Airmen
Air Force Museum

History

The United States Air Force became a separate military service on September 18, 1947, with the implementation of the National Security Act of 1947.The Act created the United States Department of Defense, which was composed of three branches, the Army, Navy and a newly-created Air Force. Prior to 1947, the responsibility for military aviation was divided between the Army (for land-based operations) and the Navy, for sea-based operations from aircraft carrier and amphibious aircraft. The Army created the first antecedent of the Air Force in 1907, which through a succession of changes of organization, titles, and missions advanced toward eventual separation 40 years later. The predecessor organizations of today's U.S. Air Force are:

Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps (August 1, 1907 to July 18, 1914)
Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps (July 18, 1914 to May 20, 1918)
Division of Military Aeronautics (May 20, 1918 to May 24, 1918)
U.S. Army Air Service (May 24, 1918 to July 2, 1926)
U.S. Army Air Corps (July 2, 1926 to June 20, 1941) and
U.S. Army Air Forces (June 20, 1941 to September 17, 1947)
The United States Air Force has been involved in many wars, conflicts, and operations since its conception; these include:

World War I
World War II
The Cold War
The Korean War
The Vietnam War
Operation Eagle Claw
Operation Urgent Fury
The United States invasion of Panama
Operation Eldorado Canyon
The Gulf War
The Kosovo War
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom

Active 1947 -
Country United States
Branch Air Force
Role "To fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace"
Size 351,800 active personnel
6,217 aircraft
1900 ICBMs
Part of Department of Defense
Headquarters The Pentagon
Motto Un Ab Alto (unofficial)
March The Air Force Song

Battles/wars

Korean War
Vietnam War
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Deliberate Force
Operation Desert Fox
Operation Allied Force
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom

Korean War

The Korean War, occurring between June 25, 1950, and a cease-fire on July 27, 1953, was a war fought in Korea that was divided by the post-World War II Soviet and American occupation zones, with large-scale participation by other countries. The war began with the invasion of capitalist South Korea by forces in Communist North Korea in 1950 and ended as a stalemate between the sides in 1953.

The principal support on the side of the North was China, with limited assistance by Soviet combat advisors, military pilots, and weapons. South Korea was supported by United Nations (U.N.) forces, principally from the United States, although many other nations also contributed personnel. When the conflict began, North and South Korea existed as provisional governments competing for control over the Korean peninsula after the Division of Korea.

In South Korea, the war is often called 6·25, from the date of the start of the conflict or, more formally, Han-guk Jeonjaeng (Korean: 한국전쟁, literally “Korean War”). In North Korea, it is formally called the Fatherland Liberation War (Korean: 조국해방전쟁). In the United States, the conflict was officially termed a police action — the Korean Conflict — rather than a war, largely in order to avoid the necessity of a declaration of war by the U.S. Congress. However, it is more commonly referred to as the "Korean War." The war is sometimes referred to outside Korea as “The Forgotten War” because it is a major conflict of the 20th century that garners far less attention than World War II, which preceded it, and the controversial Vietnam War, which succeeded it. In China, the conflict was known as the War to Resist America and Aid Korea (抗美援朝), but is today commonly called the “Korean War”

U.S. Intervention

Despite the post-World War II demobilization of U.S. and allied forces, which caused serious supply problems for American troops in the region (excluding the United States Marines, the infantry divisions sent to Korea were at 40% of paper strength, and the majority of their equipment was found to be useless), the United States still had substantial forces in Japan relative to the North Korean military with its largely outdated Soviet equipment. These American forces were under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. Apart from British Commonwealth units, no other nation could supply sizable manpower.

On hearing of the outbreak of large-scale hostilities in Korea, Truman ordered MacArthur to transfer munitions to the ROK Army, while using air cover to protect evacuation of U.S. citizens who were fleeing from the advancing North Koreans. Truman did not agree with his advisors who called for unilateral U.S. airstrikes against the North Korean forces but did order the Seventh Fleet to protect Taiwan, thereby ending America’s policy of acquiescing to the defeat of the forces of Chiang Kai-Shek. The Nationalist government (now confined to Taiwan) asked to participate in the war. Their request was denied by the Americans, who felt they would only encourage PRC intervention.

The first significant foreign military intervention was the American combat unit Task Force Smith, part of the U.S. Army’s 24th Infantry Division based in Japan. On July 5 it engaged in its first clash with North Korea at Osan and was defeated with heavy losses. The half-strength 24th Division was forced to fall back to Taejeon, which also fell and made General William F. Dean a prisoner of war.

By August, the South Korean forces and the U.S. Eighth Army had been easily defeated and retreated into a small area in the southeast corner of the Korean peninsula around the city of Pusan. American Eighth Army commander Lieutenant General Walton Walker was able to maneuver his forces to successfully confront the North Koreans as the Communists attempted a flanking maneuver instead of concentrating their forces, which might have destroyed U.N. forces in the area.

Nonetheless, by September only the area around Pusan, about 10% of the total Korean peninsula, was still in the hands of the coalition. With the aid of massive American supplies, air support, and additional reinforcements, the U.S. and ROKA forces managed to stabilize a line along the Nakdong River. This desperate holding action became known in the United States as the Pusan Perimeter. Although more U.N. support arrived, the situation was dire for the southern régime and its foreign allies, and it appeared as if the North would unite the peninsula under its government.

Vietnam War

The Vietnam War (also known as the Second Indochina War, the American War in Vietnam and the Vietnam Conflict) occurred from 1959 to April 30, 1975. The war was a successful effort by the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV or North Vietnam) and the indigenous National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam, (also known as the Việt Cộng, Charlie or VC) to reunify Vietnam under a communist government. To a degree, the war may be viewed as a Cold War conflict between the U.S., its allies and the Republic of Vietnam on one side, and the Soviet Union, its allies, the People's Republic of China and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on the other. Others, however, viewed the conflict as a civil war between communist and non-communist Vietnamese factions.

The U.S. deployed large numbers of troops to South Vietnam between 1954 and 1973. Some U.S. allies also contributed forces. U.S. military advisers first became involved in Vietnam in 1950, assisting French colonial forces. In 1956, these advisers assumed full responsibility for training the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. President Kennedy increased America's troop numbers from 500 to 16,000. Large numbers of combat troops were dispatched by Lyndon Johnson beginning in 1965. Almost all U.S. military personnel departed after the Paris Peace Accords of 1973. The last American troops left the country on April 30, 1975.

At various stages the conflict involved clashes between small units patrolling the mountains and jungles, amphibious operations, guerrilla attacks on the villages and cities and large-scale conventional battles. U.S. aircraft also conducted massive aerial bombing, targeting North Vietnam's cities, industries and logistical networks. Cambodia and Laos were drawn into the conflict. Large quantities of chemical defoliants were sprayed from the air, in an effort to reduce the cover available to the enemy.

The Vietnam War was finally concluded on 30 April 1975, with the Fall of Saigon. The war claimed 58,000 U.S. combat dead and the lives of between 2 and 5.7 million Vietnamese,[4] a large number of whom were civilians. Although exact numbers are difficult to verify, the disparity in deaths illustrated the overwhelming superiority of U.S. firepower.

Escalation and Americanization, 1964-1968

On August 2, 1964, the U.S.S. Maddox was attacked by torpedo boats in the Gulf of Tonkin. The destroyer was on an intelligence mission along North Vietnam's coast. A second attack was reported two days later on the U.S.S. Turner Joy and U.S.S Maddox in the same area. The circumstances of the attack were murky. Lyndon Johnson commented to his Undersecretary of State, George Ball, that "those sailors out there may have been shooting at flying fish."The second attack led to retaliatory air strikes and prompted Congress to approve the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. The resolution gave the president power to conduct military operations in South East Asia without declaring war. It was later revealed that the second attack was questionable. "The Gulf of Tonkin incident," writes Louise Gerdes, "is an oft-cited example of the way in which Johnson misled the American people to gain support for his foreign policy in Vietnam." George C. Herring argues, however, that McNamara and the Pentagon "did not knowingly lie about the alleged attacks, but they were obviously in a mood to retaliate and they seem to have selected from the evidence available to them those parts that confirmed what they wanted to believe."


A Viet Cong suspect, captured during an attack on an American outpost near the Cambodian border in South Vietnam, is interrogatedThe National Security Council recommended a three-stage escalation of the bombing of North Vietnam. On March 2, 1965, following an attack on a U.S. Marine barracks at Pleiku, Operation Flaming Dart and Operation Rolling Thunder commenced. The bombing campaign, which would ultimately last three years, was intended to force North Vietnam to cease its support for the NLF by threatening to destroy North Vietnam's air defenses and industrial infrastructure. As well, it was aimed at bolstering the morale of the South Vietnamese. Between March 1965 and November 1968, Operation Rolling Thunder deluged the north with a million tons of missiles, rockets and bombs.Bombing was not restricted to North Vietnam. Other aerial campaigns, such as Operation Commando Hunt, targeted different parts of the NLF and PAVN infrastructure. These included the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which ran through Laos and Cambodia. The objective of forcing North Vietnam to stop its support for the NLF, however, was never reached.

After several attacks, it was decided that U.S. Air Force bases needed more protection. The South Vietnamese military seemed incapable of providing security. On 8 March 1965, 3,500 United States Marines were dispatched to South Vietnam. This marked the beginning of the American ground war. U.S. public opinion overwhelmingly supported the deployment. Public opinion, however, was based on the premise that Vietnam was part of a global struggle against communism. In a statement similar to that made to the French, almost two decades earlier, Ho Chi Minh warned that if the Americans "want to make war for twenty years then we shall make war for twenty years. If they want to make peace, we shall make peace and invite them to afternoon tea." As former First Deputy Foreign Minister, Tran Quang Co, noted, the primary goal of the war was to reunify Vietnam and secure its independence. The policy of the DRV was not to topple other non-communist governments in South East Asia.

The Marines' assignment was defensive. The initial deployment of 3,500 in March, increased to nearly 200,000, by December.The U.S. military had long been schooled in offensive warfare. Regardless of political policies, U.S. commanders were institutionally and psychologically unsuited to a defensive mission. In May, ARVN forces suffered heavy losses at the Battle of Binh Gia. They were again defeated in June, at the Battle of Dong Xoai. Desertion rates were increasing and morale plummeted. General William Westmoreland informed Admiral Grant Sharp, commander of U.S. Pacific forces, that the situation was critical. He said, "I am convinced that U.S. troops with their energy, mobility, and firepower can successfully take the fight to the NLF." With this recommendation, Westmoreland was advocating an aggressive departure from America's defensive posture and the sidelining of the South Vietnamese. By ignoring ARVN units, the U.S. commitment became open ended. Westmoreland outlined a three point plan to win the war:

"Phase 1. Commitment of U.S. (and other free world) forces necessary to halt the losing trend by the end of 1965.

Phase 2. U.S. and allied forces mount major offensive actions to seize the initiative to destroy guerrilla and organized enemy forces. This phase would be concluded when the enemy had been worn down, thrown on the defensive, and driven back from major populated areas.

Phase 3. If the enemy persisted, a period of twelve to eighteen months following Phase 2 would be required for the final destruction of enemy forces remaining in remote base areas."

The plan was approved by the Johnson administration. Westmoreland predicted victory by the end of 1967. Johnson did not, however, communicate this change in strategy to the media. Instead he emphasized continuity. U.S. policy now depended on matching the North Vietnamese and the NLF in a contest of attrition and morale. The opponents were locked in a cycle of escalation. The idea that the government of South Vietnam could manage its own affairs was shelved.

Operation Starlite was the first major ground operation by U.S. troops and proved largely successful. U.S. soldiers engaged in search-and-destroy missions. Learning from their defeats, the NLF began to engage in small-unit guerrilla warfare, instead of conventional American-style warfare. This allowed them to control the pace of the fighting, engaging in battle only when they believed they had a decisive advantage. The guerrillas benefited from familiar terrain, a degree of popular support and from the fact the U.S. troops were unable to tell friend from foe.

The average U.S. serviceman was nineteen years old. This compares with twenty-six years of age for those who participated in World War II. Soldiers served a one year tour of duty. As one observer noted "we were not in Vietnam for 10 years, but for one year 10 times." Unlike soldiers in WWII and Korea, there were no secure rear areas. American troops were vulnerable to attack everywhere they went.


The Ho Chi Minh Trail running through Laos, 1967.Under the command of General Westmoreland, the U.S. increased its troop commitment to more than 553,000 servicemen by 1969. Westmoreland performed a logistical miracle, building a complex series of bases, ports, airstrips, medical facilities, fuel depots, warehouse, roads and bridges from scratch. A third world nation, South Vietnam was inundated with manufactured goods. As Stanley Karnow writes, "the main PX, located in the Saigon suburb of Cholon, was only slightly smaller than the New York Bloomingdale's ...." The American build-up transformed the economy and had a profound impact on South Vietnamese society. A huge surge in corruption was witnessed. The country was also flooded by civilian specialists from every conceivable field to advise the South Vietnamese government and improve its performance.

Washington encouraged its SEATO allies to contribute troops. Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines all agreed to send troops. Major allies, however, notably European nations, Canada and Great Britain declined Washington's troop requests. The U.S. and its allies mounted complex operations, such as operations Masher, Attleboro, Cedar Falls, and Junction City. However, communist forces remained elusive and demonstrated great tactical flexibility.

Meanwhile, the political situation in South Vietnam began to stabilize somewhat with the coming to power of Vice President Nguyen Cao Ky and President Nguyen Van Thieu in 1967. Thieu, mistrustful and indecisive, remained president until 1975. This ended a long series of military juntas that had begun with Diem's assassination. The relative calm allowed the ARVN to collaborate more effectively with its allies and become a better fighting force.

The Johnson administration employed a "policy of minimum candor" in its dealings with the media. Military information officers sought to manage media coverage, by emphasizing stories which portrayed progress in the war. Over time, this policy damaged the public trust in official pronouncements. As the media's coverage of the war and that of the Pentagon diverged, a so-called credibility gap developed.
In October, 1967, a large anti-war demonstration was held on the steps of the Pentagon. Some protesters were heard to chant, "Hey, hey, LBJ (Lyndon Baines Johnson)! How many kids did you kill today?" The rise of opposition to the Vietnam War was partly in response to larger draft quotas.


National Chief of Police Nguyen Ngoc Loan, executes an NLF officer in Saigon during Tet. Images of the killing shocked the world.Having lured General Westmoreland's forces into the hinterland at Khe Sanh, in January 1968, the PAVN and NLF broke the truce that had traditionally accompanied the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday. They launched the surprise Tet Offensive in the hope of sparking a national uprising. Over 100 cities were attacked. Although the U.S. and South Vietnamese were initially taken aback by the scale of the urban offensive, they responded quickly and decimated the ranks of the NLF. The NLF mounted assaults on General Westmoreland's headquarters and the U.S. embassy. In Hue, they captured the Imperial Citadel and much of the city, executing nearly 3,000 residents. After the war North Vietnamese officials acknowledged that the Tet Offensive caused grave damage to NLF forces. But the offensive had another unintended consequence.

General Westmoreland had became the public face of the war. He was featured on the cover of Time magazine three times and was named 1965's Man of the Year. Time described him as "the sinewy personification of the American fighting man .... (who) directed the historic buildup, drew up the battle plans, and infused the ... men under him with his own idealistic view of U.S. aims and responsibilities."In November 1967, Westmoreland spearheaded a public relations drive for the Johnson administration to bolster flagging public support. In a speech before the National Press Club he said that a point in the war had been reached "where the end comes into view."Thus, the public was shocked and confused when Westmoreland's predictions were trumped by Tet.The American media, which had been largely supportive of U.S. efforts, rounded on the Johnson administration, for what had become an increasing credibility gap. Despite its military failure, the Tet Offensive became a political victory and ended the career of President Lyndon B. Johnson, who declined to run for re-election. Johnson's approval rating slumped from 48% to 36%. As James Witz noted, Tet "contradicted the claims of progress ... made by the Johnson administration and the military." The Tet Offensive was the turning point in America's involvement in the Vietnam War. It had a profound impact on domestic support for the conflict. The offensive constituted an intelligence failure on the scale of Pearl Harbor. At Ben Tre one officer noted that "it became necessary to destroy the village in order to save." Westmoreland became Chief of Staff of the Army in March, just as all resistance was finally subdued. The move was technically a promotion. However, his position had become untentable, because of the offensive and because his request for 200,000 additional troops had been leaked to the media. "Westy" was succeeded by his deputy Creighton Abrams, a commander less inclined to public media pronouncements.


Children flee a South Vietnamese napalm strike. This picture was to become one of the most iconic of the war.On May 10, 1968, despite low expectations, peace talks began between the U.S. and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Negotiations stagnated for five months, until Johnson gave orders to halt the bombing of North Vietnam. The Democratic candidate, Vice-President Hubert Humphrey, was running against Republican former Vice-President Richard Nixon. Through an intermediary, Nixon advised Saigon to refuse to participate in the talks until after elections, claiming that he would give them a better deal once elected. Thieu obliged, leaving almost no progress made by the time Johnson left office.

As historian Robert Dallek writes, "Lyndon Johnson's escalation of the war in Vietnam divided Americans into warring camps ... cost 30,000 American lives by the time he left office, (and) destroyed Johnson's presidency ...." His refusal to send more U.S. troops to Vietnam was Johnson's admission that the war was lost. As Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara noted, "the dangerous illusion of victory by the United States was therefore dead.

Operation Desert Storm

The Gulf War or the Persian Gulf War (2 August 1990–28 February 1991) was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of approximately 30 nations led by the United States and mandated by the United Nations in order to liberate Kuwait.

The conflict is known by numerous alternative names that reflect the historical, political, and journalistic views of different groups and regions. These include Gulf War, Persian Gulf War, War in the Gulf, 1990 Gulf War, Second Persian Gulf War (to distinguish it from the Iran-Iraq War), Gulf War Sr. or First Persian Gulf War (to distinguish it from the 2003 Iraq War), Liberation of Kuwait, and War of Kuwait. Operation Desert Storm was the U.S. name of the airland operations and is often used to refer to the conflict.

It was actually the second of three Persian Gulf Wars fought between western allies and a theoretically independent Iraq. The first [1], also known as the Anglo-Iraqi War, had been fomented by Nazi Germany (which supplied aircraft in Iraqi markings with German crews) to draw Allied forces away from campaigns for the Mediterranean and the Western Desert during the parallel Second World War. In that tradition, many historians label it, therefore, as the Second Gulf War (although, for the British Army, it also brought back memories of the Great War Mesopotamian campaign).

Five days after Iraq invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990, the United States started to deploy Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, and Coast Guard units to Saudi Arabia with the Saudis expressing doubts that Iraq was preparing to invade their country (Operation Desert Shield), while at the same time urging other countries to send their own forces to the scene. U.S. coalition-building efforts were so successful that by the time the fighting (Operation Desert Storm) began on January 17, 1991, twelve countries had sent naval forces, joining the local navies of Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf states, as well as the huge array of the U.S. Navy, with no fewer than six aircraft-carrier battle groups; eight countries had sent ground forces, joining the local troops of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the seventeen heavy, six light brigades of the U.S. Army and nine Marine regiments, with all their vast support and service forces and four countries had sent combat aircraft, joining the local air forces of Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, as well as the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine aviation, for a grand total of 2,430 fixed-wing aircraft. Against them, the Iraqis deployed only a few gunboats and small missile craft to match the coalition's armada; but on the other hand, some 1.2 million ground troops with about 5,800 tanks, 5,100 other armored vehicles, and 3,850 artillery pieces made for impressive ground strength. With 750 fighters and bombers, 200 other aircraft, and elaborate missile and gun defenses, Iraqi air strength also seemed formidable. However, the tanks used by Iraqis were mostly copies of 50 year old Soviet design and the shells these tanks used had Chinese steel penetrators or Soviet penetrators, which were decommissioned in 1970's, because they were outdated then (in 1970's). The same situation held for other branches of Iraqi military.

The war developed out of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, following Iraqi contentions that Kuwait was illegally slant-drilling petroleum across Iraq’s border. The invasion was met with immediate economic sanctions by the UN against Iraq. The Gulf War began on January 1991, resulting in a decisive victory for the coalition forces, which drove Iraqi forces out of Kuwait with minimal coalition deaths. Aerial and ground combat was confined to Iraq, Kuwait and bordering areas of Saudi Arabia. Iraq also launched missiles against targets in Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Operation Desert Shield

The battleship USS Wisconsin was one of many naval vessels deployed for Operation Desert Shield, and marked one of the few post-World War II times that battleships participated in actual combat operations.In 1980 then President Jimmy Carter issued the Carter Doctrine, which states in part that

"...an attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force."

President Ronald Reagan expanded this further in 1981 by declaring that the United States would use force to protect Saudi Arabia, whose security at the time was threatened after the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq War. Acting on this authority, and out of fear the Iraqi army could launch an invasion of Saudi Arabia, President George H. W. Bush quickly announced that the U.S. would launch a "wholly defensive" mission to prevent Iraq from invading Saudi Arabia - Operation Desert Shield - and US troops moved into Saudi Arabia on August 7, 1990. On August 8, Iraq declared parts of Kuwait to be extensions of the Iraqi province of Basra and the rest to be the 19th province of Iraq.

The United States Navy mobilized two naval battle groups, the aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Independence and their escorts, to the area, where they were ready by August 8. 48 US Air Force F-15s from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, landed in Saudi Arabia and immediately commenced round the clock air patrols of the Saudi-Kuwait-Iraq border areas to prevent further Iraqi advances. The U.S. also sent two battleship battle groups centered around the battleships USS Missouri and USS Wisconsin to the region; these would become the last battleships to actively participate in a war. Military buildup continued from there, eventually reaching 500,000 troops. Much of the material was airlifted or carried to the staging areas via fast sealift ships, allowing a quick buildup. The consensus among military analysts is nonetheless that until October, the American military forces in the area would have been insufficient to stop an invasion of Saudi Arabia had Iraq attempted one.


Humanitarian Operations
The U.S. Air Force has taken part in numerous humanitarian operations. Some of the more major ones include the following:

Berlin Airlift (Operation Vittles), 1948-1949
The Soviet blockade of Berlin closed off all surface access to the city of Berlin. If left unchallenged the Soviet Union would have permanent control of all of Berlin. In the Berlin Airlift the USAF built a "Luftbrücke" or air bridge to provide relief. For 15 months, the 2.2 million inhabitants of the Western sectors of Berlin were sustained by air power alone as the operation flew in 2.33 million tons of supplies on 277,569 flights. The Soviets' eventual capitulation and dismantling of the surface blockade represented one of the great Western victories of the cold war - without a bomb having been dropped - and laid the foundation for NATO.


Operation Safe Haven I and II, 1956-1957
Military Air Transport Service's (MATS) 1608th Air Transport Wing from Charleston AFB, South Carolina and 1611th Air Transport Wing from McGuire AFB, New Jersey airlifted over 10,000 Hungarian refugees to the United States. President Eisenhower approved asylum for the refugees who fled Hungary after Soviet forces crushed an anti-communist uprising there.


Operations Babylift, New Life, Frequent Wind, and New Arrivals, 1975
Following the fall of Cambodia and South Vietnam to Communist forces, transports from 11 Air Force wings and other units airlifted over 50,000 refugees to the United States. These airlifts constituted the largest aerial evacuation in history. Air Force units also moved 5,000 relief workers and more than 8,500 tons of supplies.


Operation Provide Comfort, 1991
Following the Persian Gulf War, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein attacked the Kurdish population in northern Iraq. In response to the unfolding human tragedy, Air Force transports in support of the operation provided more than 7,000 tons of blankets, tents, food, and more to the displaced Kurds and airlifted thousands of refugees and medical personnel.


Operation Sea Angel, 1991
An airlift of 3,000 tons of supplies to Bangladesh following a Typhoon.


Operation Provide Hope, 1992-1993
Provided 6,000 tons of food, medicine, and other cargo to republics of the former Soviet Union.

Administrative Organization

The Air Force is managed by the (civilian) Department of the Air Force, one of the three service departments, and led by the Secretary of the Air Force(SECAF) and the uniformed Air Staff.


SECAF

The Headquarters (HQ) of the SECAF includes the Secretary, Under Secretary, Assistant Secretaries, General Counsel, the Inspector General, Air Reserve Forces Policy Committee, and other offices and positions established by law or the SECAF. The Office of the SECAF has responsibility for acquisition and auditing, comptroller issues (including financial management), inspector general matters, legislative affairs, and public affairs.

The current Secretary of the Air Force is Michael Wynne; the current Under Secretary of the Air Force is Ronald Sega.


Air Staff

The Air Staff primarily consists of military advisors to the CSAF and the SECAF. This includes the Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, and Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF), four deputy chiefs of staff (DCS), the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General, The Judge Advocate General, the Chief of the Air Force Reserve, and additional military and civilian personnel as the SECAF deems necessary.

The current Chief of Staff of the Air Force is General T. Michael Moseley.

The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is the senior enlisted person in the Air Force. Currently, the position is held by Chief Master Sergeant Rodney J. McKinley.

Subordinate Commands and echelons
USAF subordinate commands and echelons are the Major Commands (MAJCOMs), field operating agencies (FOA), and direct reporting units (DRU).


Major Commands

The USAF is organized on a functional basis in the United States and a geographical basis overseas. A major command (MAJCOM) represents a major Air Force subdivision having a specific portion of the Air Force mission. Each MAJCOM is directly subordinate to HQ USAF. MAJCOMs are interrelated and complementary, providing offensive, defensive, and support elements. An operational command consists (in whole or in part) of strategic, tactical, space, or defense forces; or of flying forces that directly support such forces. A support command may provide supplies, weapon systems, support systems, operational support equipment, combat material, maintenance, surface transportation, education and training, or special services and other supported organizations.

The USAF experienced its last major reorganization of commands in 1992. On July 5, 2006, the USAF stood up the Air Force Network Operations (AFNETOPS) Command at Barksdale Air Force Base; on November 2, 2006, it was announced that this organization would be transformed into a new major command, the Air Force Cyberspace Command. The USAF is currently organized into ten MAJCOMS (8 Functional and 2 Geographic), with the Air National Guard component reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force (HQ USAF).

Wings

U.S. roundel. Lower side of starboard wing, upper side of port wing and on each side of the fuselage.

Low-visibility roundel

The wing is a level of command below the NAF. A wing has approximately 1,000 to 5,000 personnel. It is responsible for maintaining the installation and may have several squadrons in more than one dependent group. A wing may be an operational wing, an air base wing, or a specialized mission wing. It is usually commanded by a Colonel or Brigadier General.


Operational Wing
An operational wing is one that has an operations group and related operational mission activity assigned to it. When an operational wing performs the primary mission of the base, it usually maintains and operates the base. In addition, an operational wing is capable of self-support in functional areas like maintenance, supply, and munitions, as needed. When an operational wing is a tenant organization, the host command provides it with base and logistics support.

Air Base Wing
Some bases which do not have operational wings or are too large or diverse for one wing will have an Air Base Wing (ABW). The ABW performs a support function rather than an operational mission. It maintains and operates a base. An air base wing often provides functional support to a MAJCOM headquarters.

Wings are composed of several groups with different functional responsibilities. Groups are composed of several squadrons, each of which has one major responsibility or flying one type of aircraft. Squadrons are composed of two or more flights.

Aerospace Expeditionary Task Force

CHOPPED units are referred to as "forces". The top-level structure of these forces is the Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force (AETF). The AETF is the Air Force presentation of forces to a COCOM for the employment of Air Power. Each COCOM is supported by a standing Numbered Air Force - Component (NAF-C) to provide planning and execution of aerospace forces in support of COCOM requirements. Each NAF-C consists of a Commander, Air Force Forces (COMAFFOR) and AFFOR/A-staff, and an Air Operations Center (AOC). As needed to support multiple Joint Force Commanders (JFC) in the COCOM's Area of Responsibility (AOR), the NAF-C may deploy Air Component Coordinate Elements (ACCE) to liaise with the JFC.


Commander, Air Force Forces
The Commander, Air Force Forces (COMAFFOR) is the senior Air Force officer responsible for the employment of Air Power is support of JFC objectives. The COMAFFOR has a special staff and an A-Staff to ensure assigned or attached forces are properly organized, equipped, and trained to support the operational mission.


Air Operations Center
The Air Operations Center (AOC) is the COMAFFOR's Command and Control (C²) center. This center is responsible for planning and executing air power missions in support of JFC objectives.


Air Expeditionary Wings/Groups/Squadrons
The AETF generates air power to support COCOM objectives from Air Expeditionary Wings (AEW) or Air Expeditionary Groups (AEG). These units are responsible for receiving combat forces from Air Force MAJCOMs, preparing these forces for operational missions, launching and recovering these forces, and eventually returning forces to the MAJCOMs. Theater Air Control Systems control employment of forces during these missions.

Aircraft


Boeing B-52 strategic bomber taking offThe United States Air Force has over 7,500 aircraft commissioned as of 2004. Until 1962, the Army and Air Force maintained one system of aircraft naming, while the U.S. Navy maintained a separate system. In 1962, these were unified into a single system heavily reflecting the Army/Air Force method. For more complete information on the workings of this system, refer to United States Department of Defense Aerospace Vehicle Designations.

Current aircraft of the USAF:

A-10A/C Thunderbolt II
AC-130H/U Spectre/Spooky II
An-32 (leased)
AT-38B Talon
B-1B Lancer
B-2A Spirit
B-52H Stratofortress
C-5A/B/C/M Galaxy
C-9A Nightingale
C-12C/D/F Huron
C-17A Globemaster III
C-20A/B/C Gulfstream III
C-20H Gulfstream IV
C-22B
C-25A
C-26B
C-29A (HS.125-800)
C-32A (Air Force Two)
C-37A Gulfstream V
C-38A Astra
C-40B
C-41A
C-47T
C-130E/H/J Hercules
C-135C/E/K Stratolifter
CN-235-100
CV-22B Osprey
E-3B/C Sentry
E-4B
E-8C JSTARS
E-9A
EC-137D Stratoliner
F-15A/B/C/D Eagle
F-15E Strike Eagle
F-16A/B/C/D Fighting Falcon
F-22A Raptor
F-35 Lightning II
F-117A Nighthawk
HC-130H/N/P
HH-60G Pave Hawk
KC-135E/R/T Stratotanker
KC-10A Extender
LC-130H
MC-130E/H/W Combat Talon/Combat Spear
MH-53J/M Pave Low III/IV
Mi-8
NB-52H 'Mother Ship'
NC/C-21A Learjet
NC-130A/E
NC-135B/E/W
NCH-53A Sea Stallion
NT-39A/B Sabreliner
OA-10A Thunderbolt II
OC-135B
M/RQ-1A/B Predator
RQ-4A Global Hawk
RC-135S/U/V/W
T-1A Jayhawk
T-6 Texan II
T-37B Tweet
(A)T-38A/B/C Talon
T-41D
TC-18E
TC-135S/W
TE-8A
TG-3A
TG-4A
TG-7A
TG-9A
TG-10B/C/D
TG-11A
TG-15A/B
TU-2S
UH-1N Iroquois
U-2R/S Dragon Lady
UC-26C
UV-18A/B Twin Otter
UV-20A Chiricua
U-28A (Name yet to be determined)
VC-9C Nightingale
VC-25A (Air Force One)
VC-137C (Former Air Force One)
WC-130H/J
WC-135C/W

Reference :

http:\\www.af.mil
http:\\www.state.gov
http:\\www.military-quotes.com

__________________
"Intellectuals solve problems; geniuses prevent them."