The U.S. Air Force (USAF) plays a significant role in the space industry, historically serving as the Department of Defense's executive agent for space, and developing early military space programs and launch vehicles. Although the U.S. Space Force was established as an independent branch in 2019, the Air Force continues to contribute to space operations, including training personnel, research and development, and maintaining partnerships. The USAF's space-related activities encompass satellite operations, missile warning, communication support, and collaboration with allies to ensure regional stability. Key partners include the U.S. Space Force, other branches of the military, and international allies.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
The United States Air Force launched GAMBIT Mission 4342 from Vandenberg Air Force Base on June 6, 1974.
The Air Force launched HEXAGON Mission 1208 from Vandenberg Air Force Base on April 10, 1974.
The United States Air Force launched HEXAGON Mission 1208 from Vandenberg Air Force Base on April 10, 1974.
The Air Force launched GAMBIT Mission 4342 from Vandenberg Air Force Base on June 6, 1974.
DeepSat secured a $1.25 million contract with the U.S. Air Force under the SBIR Initiative's Direct to Phase II program.
A general from the Army has returned to lead INTA after over a decade of directors from the Air Force and Space.
The PLA Air Force (PLAAF) is creating a networked system that integrates manned and unmanned platforms.
Major James F. Linzey served nearly 24 years as an Army and Air Force chaplain and retired with the rank of major.
Maj. Gen. Charles J. Dunlap, Jr., USAF (retired) coined the term 'lawfare' in 2001.
Charles Phillips is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel who began his career in 1978 as an orbital analyst in the Space Defense Center and Space Computational Center in the Cheyenne Mountain Complex.
Operational control of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense site at Vandenberg is provided by the U.S. Army, with support functions provided by the Space Force and Air Force.
Charles Phillips is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel who began his career in 1978 as an orbital analyst and later worked as a Space Shuttle flight controller and on Shuttle/Mir and ISS programs.
Space Launch Complex 10 hosted Air Force weather satellite launches in the 1970s and Royal Air Force Thor missile practice launches in the early 1960s.
The U.S. Army provides operational control of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense site at Vandenberg, with support functions provided by the Space Force and the Air Force.
Camp Cooke was mostly shuttered by the mid-1950s when the Air Force selected the site for long-distance rocket and missile launches over open water.
FLINT (Foreign Launch Interactive Piece Separation) was a program created by USAF Captain William E. Wiesel for tasks including cataloging objects from launches and processing maneuvers.
Slick-10 (Space Launch Complex 10) is the historic site where the Air Force launched weather satellites in the 1970s and where the Royal Air Force practiced launching Thor intermediate-range ballistic missiles in the early 1960s.
Charles Phillips worked as an orbital analyst in the Space Defense Center and Space Computational Center at Cheyenne Mountain Complex and later served as a Senior Director at Clear Air Force Station, Alaska, at the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System radar site.
The key organizations involved in the development of near-real-time reconnaissance satellites included the NRO, CIA’s Office of Special Projects, and the Secretary of the Air Force Special Projects office.
The second KENNEN was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on 14 June 1978.