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 Department of the Air Force will develop a "Mission Ready Airmen" construct with training focused on a mix of skills needed for wartime operational mission readiness.
Air Force Materiel Command will establish an Integration Development Office to provide technology assessments, roadmaps, mission-systems alignment, and technical expertise to assess operational concept feasibility.
The Department of the Air Force will consolidate force development functions under an expanded Airman Development Command to provide a common, mission-focused development and training path for Airmen.
The Department of the Air Force will create an Office of Competitive Activities to oversee and coordinate sensitive activities.
The Department of the Air Force will expand the Nuclear Weapons Center into the Air Force Nuclear Systems Center within Air Force Materiel Command to provide comprehensive materiel support to the nuclear enterprise.
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, performing the duties of Acting Under Secretary Kristyn Jones, endorsed the 2024-02-12 organizational changes for the Department of the Air Force.
The Department of the Air Force will create an Integrated Capabilities Office to lead capability development and resource prioritization for modernization investments.
Virtualitics held a contract with the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center to use its platform to predict maintenance needs for the Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile fleet.
The Department of the Air Force will create a Program Assessment and Evaluation Office to incorporate a more strategic and analytically based approach to resourcing decisions.
The Department of the Air Force will establish an Integrated Capabilities Command to develop competitive operational concepts, integrated requirements, and prioritized modernization plans aligned with force design.
GMTI sensors in space will provide commanders persistent video-like surveillance capabilities that historically were provided by aircraft such as the U.S. Air Force’s Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS).
The Air Force has ordered five ROAM terminals to test on a variety of military aircraft.
On 2024-02-12 at the Air & Space Forces Association Warfare Conference in Aurora, Colorado, the Department of the Air Force unveiled initiatives to reshape the Air Force and Space Force to concentrate resources on strategic competition with China.
The Department of the Air Force on 2024-02-12 unveiled a long-term vision to revamp personnel, operations, and technology to reshape the Air Force and Space Force to focus resources on strategic competition with China.
Three Transit 5BN satellites were launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base between September 1963 and April 1964.
The Air Force awarded SpaceX a $102,000,000 five-year contract two years ago to demonstrate technologies and capabilities to transport military cargo and humanitarian aid around the world on a heavy rocket.
Lt. Col. (Ret) Eric Holstrom retired from the U.S. Air Force in September 2007 after holding positions at the headquarters, wing, group, and squadron levels.
The US Air Force shot down the balloon from China on February 4, 2023.
Zeno Power Systems is on track to deliver its first RPS-powered satellite to the U.S. Air Force by 2026.
The SARSAT Mission Control Center forwards distress signal locations to Rescue Coordination Centers operated by the U.S. Air Force for land rescues and by the U.S. Coast Guard for maritime rescues.