air force

Also known as air army

military branch of service primarily concerned with aerial warfare

AI overview

An air force is the military branch that specializes in fighting wars from the air, using aircraft and related technology to achieve military objectives. It matters because control of the skies has become essential to modern warfare, allowing nations to protect their territory, support ground forces, and project power over long distances.

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OpenStreetMap tag: military_service=air_force
Commons category: Air force

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Article

An air force in the broadest sense is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army aviation or naval aviation units. Typically, air forces are responsible for gaining control of the air, carrying out strategic and tactical bombing missions, and providing support to land and naval forces often in the form of aerial reconnaissance and close air support.

The term air force may also refer to a tactical air force or numbered air force, which is an operational formation either within a national air force or comprising several air components from allied nations. Air forces typically consist of a combination of fighters, bombers, helicopters, transport planes and other aircraft.