Air force

An air force is the branch of a country's military which fights in the air. The air force is made up of aircraft such as fighters, bombers, helicopters, and transport aircraft. When a navy has its own air force, it is called Naval Aviation.

Air forces began in the early 20th century, usually as part of a country's army. Most countries separated their air forces in the 1930s and 1940s.

Aircraft in an air force sometimes fly in a formation in which the aircraft fly in a pattern.

The biggest air force in the world is the United States Air Force (USAF), followed by the United States Navy and the Russian Air Force.

Air Force Media

• Usaf.f15.f16.kc135.750pix.jpg

  Four fighters and a KC-135 of the USAF

• B-2 Spirit original.jpg

  USAF B-2 Spirit stealth strategic bomber

• JaguarGR1 41Sqn refueling Gulf1991.jpeg

  Refueling a Jaguar GR1 of the Royal Air Force (1991)

• Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI NR.jpg

  RAF Supermarine Spitfire played a vital role in British victory during the Battle of Britain.

• Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2.jpg

  Finnish Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 aircraft of the Finnish Air Force during the Continuation War

• Heinkel He 111 during the Battle of Britain.jpg

  German Heinkel He 111 bombers during the Battle of Britain

• B-29 in flight.jpg

  B-29 in flight. The B-29 is and XB-29/Model 345 that is factory fresh. Construction Number: 4473, Serial Number: 42-24812, Type: B-29-50-BW, Factory: Boeing factory at Wichita, Kansas

• NATO Map Symbol - Unit Size - Region or Front.svg

  NATO Map Symbol - Unit Size - Region or Front

• Military Symbol - Friendly Unit (Solid Light 1.5x1 Frame)- Unspecified or Composite All-Arms (NATO APP-6).svg

  Military Symbol - Friendly Unit (Solid Light 1.5x1 Frame)- Unspecified or Composite All-Arms (NATO APP-6)

• NATO Map Symbol - Unit Size - Army Group.svg

  NATO Map Symbol - Unit Size - Army Group