A air force is the air component of the armed forces of a State which makes it possible to exert a military action in or since the air and space; it implements military aircrafts and their support on the ground, an inspection network of the airspace and generally of the units of ground-to-air missiles as well as trainings of commandos.

The organization of the armed forces differs according to the States and the missions reserved for the Air force vary consequently. The most current missions are:

  • the interception and destruction of the intruders in the national airspace or the protection brought closer to the bombers on mission above the enemy territory.
  • the penetration of the enemy airspace and recognition or the attack (bombardment, shooting of missiles, etc) of strategic objectives or tactics.
  • strategic and tactical transport as well as parachuting or the dropping on zone.
  • the support for other elements: in-flight refueling, air monitoring of the battle field, attacks on the ground of the enemy units, etc
  • the participation in the nuclear deterrence

The air and sea component of the armed forces (embarked aviation on board aircraft carrier and aviation based with ground in charge of the maritime surveyance) is, generally, under the responsibility of the naval forces. ( to see the article Aeronautical naval )

The Army can also implement an air component charged with the combat aéroterrestre, with mainly of the helicopters, light aviation and the Drone S (in France: ALAT - light aviation of the Army).

The mission of detection of the intrusions in the national airspace is, generally, reserved for the air force. It uses systems of weapons primarily made up of radars.

The mission of protection of air bases is entrusted, according to the countries, with the air force or the Army.

At the United States, the navy (US Navy) and the troops of navy (US Navy) as well as the Army (US Army) and the coastguards (US Coast Guard) put each one works of it an air component distinct from the air force (US Air Force). Each one of these air components to the dimension of an air force of an European country.

There exists, within the air force, two chains hierarchical:

  • organisational: they are the military ranks.
  • functional: they are names related to the execution of a particular mission.
    • patrol leader: he can order an air formation.
    • commander of flotilla: he manages and can authorize the air missions.

Air forces in the world

See too

Internal bonds

External bonds

  • Official site of the French Air force

  • Site of Component the Belgian Air
  • Air & Space Power Newspaper, re-examined USAF
  • Memory on the air strategy during the campaigns of the XXème century
  • Official site of the Air force (Ministry for Defense)
  • List of air bases - Finance law Project for 2006 - Senate
  • Office Air Information (BAI) - Information and Recruitment
  • noninstitutional Site on the Fusiliers Commandos of the Air
  • nonofficial Site on the units, bases, planes (photographs), badges, meeting of the Air force
  • nonofficial Site on the Fusiliers Commandos of the Air
  • Site of information on the Patrol of France
  • NonOfficial Site on the Commandos of the Air
  • Blog Fusilier Commando of the Air

Simple: Air Force Zh-classical: 空師

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