 Seal of the U.S. Department of the Air Force | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | September 18, 1947 |
| Preceding agency | |
| Headquarters | The Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Employees |
330,159 Regular Air Force 151,360 Civilians 68,872 Air Force Reserve 94,753 Air National Guard |
| Annual budget |
$170.6 billion (2010 Budget Request) |
| Agency executive | |
| Parent agency | U.S. Department of Defense |
| Website | www.af.mil |
The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is one of the three Military Departments within the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Department of the Air Force was formed on September 18, 1947, per the National Security Act of 1947 and it includes all elements and units of the United States Air Force (USAF).
The Department of the Air Force is headed by the Secretary of the Air Force (SAF/OS), a civilian, who has the authority to conduct all of its affairs, subject to the authority, direction and control of the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of the Air Force's principal deputy is the Under Secretary of the Air Force (SAF/US). Their senior staff assistants in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force are four Assistant Secretaries for Acquisition, Financial Management & Comptroller, Installations, Environment & Logistics, Manpower & Reserve Affairs and a General Counsel. The highest-ranking military officer in the department is the Chief of Staff of the Air Force who is the senior uniformed adviser to the Secretary, represents the Air Force on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, heads the Air Staff and is assisted in the latter capacity by the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
By direction of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Air Force assigns Air Force units - apart from those units performing duties enumerated in 10 U.S.C. § 8013 unless otherwise directed - to the Commanders of the Combatant Commands. Only the Secretary of Defense (and the President) has the authority to approve transfer of forces between Combatant Commands.
Organizational structure[]
See Structure of the United States armed forces
Headquarters Air Force[]
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Major Commands[]
Direct Reporting Units[]
The Air Force has a very limited number of Direct Reporting Units:
| Shield | Name | Acronym | Headquarters Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Air Force District of Washington.png | Air Force District of Washington | AFDW | Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility, Maryland |
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Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center | AFOTEC | Kirtland Air Force Base New Mexico |
| Error creating thumbnail: | United States Air Force Academy | USAFA | United States Air Force Academy, Colorado |
Field Operating Agencies[]
Field Operating Agencies (FOA) perform field activities beyond the scope of any of the Major Commands. Their activities are specialized or associated with an Air Force wide mission, and their heads report directly to a functional manager in either the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force or the Air Staff.
History[]
The department has suffered many problems in aircraft acquisition over the years.
- 2003: Darleen Druyun rigged plan to lease Boeing tankers.
- 2011: Department sends KC-X evaluations to wrong companies.
- 2012: Error in paperwork requires Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance to be rebid.[4]
See also[]
- Organizational structure and hierarchy of the United States Air Force
- Department of the Air Force Police
- Air Force Cross (United States)
- Department of the Air Force Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service
- Witt v. Department of the Air Force
Notes and references[]
Bibliography[]
- "Airman Magazine: The Book 2010 - Personnel Facts and Figures". Airman Magazine, Volume 54 Number 3.
External links[]
The original article can be found at United States Department of the Air Force and the edit history here.