United States Air Force

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the most technologically advanced and formidable air force in the world. Established in 1947, it serves as an integral branch of the U.S. military, responsible for providing air and space superiority. Its primary mission set includes tactical air support, strategic bombing, air defense, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.

Strategically, the USAF aims to establish and maintain control of air and space domains to ensure unimpeded access for U.S. military operations. This is critical for enabling the effective projection of American military power across global theaters. To achieve this, the Air Force relies on a broad range of assets, from state-of-the-art fighter jets like the F-35 Lightning II to remotely piloted drones such as the MQ-9 Reaper.

In recent years, the focus has shifted towards multi-domain operations, meaning seamless coordination across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. This transition is dictated by the evolving nature of modern warfare where control of one domain can profoundly impact the effectiveness of operations in another.

Moreover, the USAF plays a significant role in the U.S. nuclear triad, sharing responsibilities with the Navy for second-strike capabilities. It maintains a fleet of B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress bombers capable of delivering nuclear payloads, a sobering deterrent that aims to dissuade adversaries from contemplating a first-strike nuclear attack.

The service has also been increasing its focus on space as a potential domain of warfare, with the establishment of the U.S. Space Force as an independent service branch being a significant milestone. While the Space Force has taken over many responsibilities, the Air Force still plays a critical role in developing and deploying assets for space operations, including satellites and other technologies essential for communication, navigation, and ISR missions.

Challenges facing the USAF include the need adapt to new forms of warfare that include cyber and information operations, and managing limited resources in the face of broad and evolving global commitments. Given the rise of near-peer competitors like China and Russia, who are investing heavily in anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities, the USAF's role in establishing air and space superiority has never been more critical.