What You Need To Know About...

...The United States Air Force

 

(Note: This is NOT an official United States Government website)

 

1. General
2. People
3. Planes
9. Books
10. Useful Links

General

1.01  How old is the U.S. Air Force?

Tricky question - the U.S. Air Force started out as the U.S. Army Air Force; a designation it held thru two world wars.  The Air Force as we know it didn't become a separate branch until September 18th, 1947.

1.1 How do I join the United States Air Force?

Start here: http://www.airforce.com or go to your local Air Force recruitment office.

1.5 What is a Bogie/Bogey?

A Bogie (or Bogey) is an unidentified contact (usually airborne).  Could be a plane, could be a missile.  All we know is that it's an unknown airborne contact.  Once we identify it as an enemy it's a "Bandit."  We see that misused in movies fairly often -- the good guys referring to identified enemy aircraft as "Bogeys."

People

2.01 What are the enlisted ranks? (note: these are not comprehensive)

E1 - Airman Basic

E2 - Airman

E3 - Airman First Class (A1C)

E4 - Senior Airman

E5 - Staff Sergeant

E6 - Technical Sergeant

E7 - Master Sergeant/First Sergeant

E8 - Senior Master Sergeant/First Sergeant

E9 - Chief Master Sergeant/Command Master Sergeant

2.02 What are the officer ranks? (note: these are not comprehensive)

O1 - Second Lieutenant

O2 - First Lieutenant

O3 - Captain

O4 - Major

O5 - Lieutenant Colonel

O6 - Colonel

O7 - Brigadier General

O8 - Major General

O9 - Lieutenant General

O10 - General

General of the Air Force (doesn't have an "O" designation; is only used in wartime)

Planes

4.1 Is there a list of planes the Air Force flies?

Of course.  The best list is from the source itself:  Air Force Fact Sheets  Look down the right side of the page.

4.5 Five Planes You Should Know About
4.5.1 B-17

The Flying Fortress - one of the most prominent bombers of World War II.

4.5.2 F-15
4.5.3 B-1
4.5.4 F-117
4.5.5 B-2

Books

9.1 The Air Force - Beautiful 350 page hard-cover coffee table book about the history of the United States Air Force; includes full-color photos and illustrations.

Useful Links

10.1 The United States Air Force - Official Website
10.2 Wikipedia - United States Air Force
 
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