tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80960187116779413372024-02-19T20:43:55.828-08:00Air ForceWorld Air ForcePeace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-11309946345607019672011-04-13T16:09:00.000-07:002011-04-13T16:14:50.641-07:00French Air Force Aircraft Inventory<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrdDNa4Y-T-4_wjU0JM4CqJuKI1LK1-evU6iKz8lnFWLeQ2Z9GCpU67EObylfn8XCrwRg57koFERVuAZNWlSg7ozlSiFpchRmVeD2th7jSe8AfKU8Y8S7lpEekfkNl1ihFdqEb6xB2Z4/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrdDNa4Y-T-4_wjU0JM4CqJuKI1LK1-evU6iKz8lnFWLeQ2Z9GCpU67EObylfn8XCrwRg57koFERVuAZNWlSg7ozlSiFpchRmVeD2th7jSe8AfKU8Y8S7lpEekfkNl1ihFdqEb6xB2Z4/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595210345074614626" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><p>The French Air Force operates a fleet of 874 active aircraft. This includes fighters, transport aircraft, passenger transport and helicopters. 150 comprise the air mobility force (CFAP) and include aircraft such as C-160 and the <span class="mw-redirect">C-130 Hercules</span>. The CFAP also includes 80 helicopters like the <span class="mw-redirect">Super Puma</span> and the Ecureuil. 306 combat aircraft are incorporated into 19 squadrons. The <span class="new">Air 2010</span> concept allows for 300 fighters, mainly composed of the new generation multirole combat airplane Rafale.</p> <table><tbody><tr> <th style="text-align: left; background: #aabccc;">Aircraft</th> <th style="text-align: left; background: #aabccc;">Origin</th> <th style="text-align: left; background: #aabccc;">Type</th> <th style="text-align: left; background: #aabccc;">Versions</th> <th style="text-align: left; background: #aabccc;">In service<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></th> </tr> <tr> <th style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"><b><span class="mw-redirect">Combat aircraft</span></b></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Dassault Mirage 2000</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/22px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>France</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Fighter Aircraft</span> <hr /> <span class="mw-redirect">Attack Aircraft</span> <hr /> <span class="mw-redirect">Trainer Aircraft</span></td> <td>5F/C <hr /> D <hr /> B</td> <td>185<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background:#efefef; "> <td>Dassault Mirage F1</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/22px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>France</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Trainer Aircraft</span> <hr /> Reconnaissance <span class="mw-redirect">Attack Aircraft</span></td> <td>F1B <hr /> FCR/FCT</td> <td>65<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Dassault Rafale</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/22px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>France</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Multirole Fighter</span></td> <td>B <hr /> C</td> <td>56<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background:#efefef; "> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Aircraft</b></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>306</b></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"><b>Trainers</b></th> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/22px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>France</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Trainer Aircraft (Advanced)</span></td> <td>Alpha Jet E</td> <td>140</td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background:#efefef; "> <td>Embraer EMB 121 Xingu</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Flag_of_Brazil.svg/22px-Flag_of_Brazil.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>Brazil</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Trainer Aircraft</span></td> <td>EMB 121</td> <td>30</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Jodel D-140</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/22px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>France</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Trainer Aircraft</span></td> <td><br /></td> <td>18</td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background:#efefef; "> <td>Socata TB</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/22px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>France</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Trainer Aircraft</span></td> <td>TB 30 Epsilon</td> <td>92</td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Walter Extra 300</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/22px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="13" width="22" /> </span>Germany</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Trainer Aircraft (Aerobatic)</span></td> <td>Extra 300SC</td> <td>3</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background:#efefef; "> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Aircraft</b></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>283</b></td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"><b>Transports</b></th> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background:#efefef; "> <td>Dassault Falcon 50</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/22px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>France</td> <td>VIP Transport</td> <td>Falcon 50</td> <td>4</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Dassault Falcon 900</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/22px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>France</td> <td>VIP Transport</td> <td>Falcon 900</td> <td>2</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="background:#efefef; color:black"> <td>Dassault Falcon 7X</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/22px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>France</td> <td>VIP Transport</td> <td>Falcon 7X</td> <td>1</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Socata TBM</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/22px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>France</td> <td>VIP Transport</td> <td>TBM 700</td> <td>16</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="background:#efefef; color:black"> <td>Airbus A319</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Flag_of_Europe.svg/22px-Flag_of_Europe.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>European Union</td> <td>VIP Transport</td> <td>A319-115 CJ</td> <td>2</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Airbus A330</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Flag_of_Europe.svg/22px-Flag_of_Europe.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>European Union</td> <td>VIP Transport</td> <td>A330-223</td> <td>1</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="background:#efefef; color:black"> <td>Airbus A340</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Flag_of_Europe.svg/22px-Flag_of_Europe.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>European Union</td> <td>Strategic Transport</td> <td>A340-211</td> <td>2</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Airbus A310</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Flag_of_Europe.svg/22px-Flag_of_Europe.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>European Union</td> <td>Strategic Transport</td> <td>A310-304</td> <td>3</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="background:#efefef; color:black"> <td>Lockheed C-130 Hercules</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="12" width="22" /> </span>United States</td> <td>Tactical Transport</td> <td>C-130H/C-130H-30</td> <td>14</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">CASA CN-235</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Spain.svg/22px-Flag_of_Spain.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>Spain</td> <td>Tactical Transport</td> <td>CN-235-200/CN-235-200M</td> <td>19</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="background:#efefef; color:black"> <td>Transall C-160</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/22px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>France<span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/22px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="13" width="22" /> </span>Germany</td> <td>Tactical Transport</td> <td>C-160R</td> <td>51</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Flag_of_Canada.svg/22px-Flag_of_Canada.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>Canada</td> <td>Utility transport</td> <td>DHC-6</td> <td>5</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Aircraft</b></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>120</b></td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"><b><span class="mw-redirect">Transport</span>/<span class="mw-redirect">Search and Rescue</span></b></th> </tr> <tr style="background:#efefef; color:black"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Eurocopter AS532 Cougar</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Flag_of_Europe.svg/22px-Flag_of_Europe.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>European Union</td> <td>Transport</td> <td>AS 532UL</td> <td>7</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="background:#efefef; color:black"> <td>Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Flag_of_Europe.svg/22px-Flag_of_Europe.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>European Union</td> <td>Transport</td> <td>AS 332L</td> <td>3</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Eurocopter AS555 Fennec</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Flag_of_Europe.svg/22px-Flag_of_Europe.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>European Union</td> <td>Utility</td> <td>AS 555AN</td> <td>42</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="background:#efefef; color:black"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Aérospatiale SA330 Puma</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/22px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>France</td> <td>Transport helicopter</td> <td>SA 330</td> <td>29</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Aircraft</b></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>81</b></td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"><b><span class="mw-redirect">Maritime Patrol</span></b>/<b>Reconnaissance</b>/<b><span class="mw-redirect">Tanker</span></b></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="12" width="22" /> </span>United States</td> <td>Refuelling</td> <td>C-135FR</td> <td>14</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="background:#efefef; color:black"> <td>Boeing E-3 Sentry</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="12" width="22" /> </span>United States</td> <td>Airborne early warning</td> <td>E-3F</td> <td>4</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Transall C-160</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/22px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>France<span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/22px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="13" width="22" /> </span>Germany</td> <td>ELINT</td> <td>C-160G Gabriel</td> <td>2</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="background:#efefef; color:black"> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Aircraft</b></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>20</b></td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"><b>Nuclear strike</b></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Mirage 2000N</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/22px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>France</td> <td>Nuclear strike</td> <td>Mirage 2000/N</td> <td>64<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td> </tr> <tr style="background:#efefef; color:black"> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Aircraft</b></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>64</b></td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"><b>Total Air Craft in service</b></th> </tr> <tr style="background:#efefef; color:black"> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Aircraft</b></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>874</b></td> </tr></tbody></table></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-80349358969072059962011-04-13T16:06:00.000-07:002011-04-13T16:09:16.475-07:00French Air Force<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLNYvj2DmvmuHNicFCe_EWOtmbvW9OwQkebYXR_Lzfr9vvzjnQ0IGYI7se8djH-cOPFMOm9WtO0_dh0oNnz-55Kle1UhagRUyLqe4QD8zFgMU7L2j4WTHOT55vjvsIjq7cAHClvgmVns/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLNYvj2DmvmuHNicFCe_EWOtmbvW9OwQkebYXR_Lzfr9vvzjnQ0IGYI7se8djH-cOPFMOm9WtO0_dh0oNnz-55Kle1UhagRUyLqe4QD8zFgMU7L2j4WTHOT55vjvsIjq7cAHClvgmVns/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595209132746142754" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">The <b>French Air Force</b> (<span lang="fr"><i><b>Armée de l'Air</b></i></span> (ALA), literally <b>Army of the Air</b>) is the air force of the <span class="mw-redirect">French Armed Forces</span>. It was formed in 1909 as the <i>Service Aéronautique</i> making it the world's oldest airforce. The French Air Force operates 874 aircraft, making it the 4th largest air force in terms of aircraft in NATO, after the air forces of the United States, <span class="mw-redirect">United Kingdom</span> and Turkey.<br /><p>The <b>French Air Force</b> is organized into three levels:</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Central_Command">Central Command</span></h3> <p>The President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, is <i>Chief of the armed forces</i>, responsible for the overall defence policy. The Prime Minister is responsible for national defence and the Minister of Defence is responsible for the execution of the military policy.</p> <p>He is advised by the <i>Chief of Staff of the Armies</i> (CEMA) in regard to the use of forces and the control of military operations. The <i>Chief of Staff-Air Force</i> (CEMAA) determines the air force doctrines and advises the CEMA how to deploy French aerial assets. He is responsible for the preparation and logistic support of the air force. The CEMAA is assisted by the <i>air force staff and</i> by <i>its subordinate services</i>. Finally, the CEMAA is assisted by the inspection of the air force (IAA) and by the air force health service inspection (ISSAA).</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Greater_operational_and_organic_commands">Greater operational and organic commands</span></h3> <p>In the ALA the responsibilities are separated in two main types of commands: operational commands (direct responsible for force deployment) and organic commands (in charge of conditioning and logistic support). These commands are subject to change before 2010 (see Future).</p> <dl><dt>CFAS—Strategic Air Command</dt></dl> <p>All the air forces nuclear assets are placed in this command which is responsible for the operational condition and the eventual deployment of these weapons. The CFAS is one of the two pillars of the French nuclear deterrent. CFAS has 3 squadrons of dual capable <span class="mw-redirect">Mirage 2000N</span> fighter/bombers capable of carrying the nuclear Air-Sol Moyenne Portée stand-off missile and a squadron of <span class="new">C-135FR</span> in-flight refuelling tankers at its disposal to carry out their missions. The commanding CFAS general is responsible for the execution of the mission.</p> <dl><dt>CDAOA—Air Defence and Air Operations Command</dt></dl> <p>This overall command is responsible for all air operations in peacetime serving the public, for the defence of the French airspace and for all offensive and defensive air operations at war.</p> <dl><dt>CFA—Joint Air Command</dt></dl> <p>A new command which has been inaugurated in 2006. It is responsible to ensure and to maintain the operational condition of all branches of the air force now and for the future. At present day the CFA consists of</p> <ul><li>16 fighter squadrons and 25 air defence squadrons</li><li>1 electronic warfare squadron</li><li>simulator and instruction centres</li></ul> <p>On its airbases in Europe and abroad the CFA has 16m000 personnel, 279 fighter aircraft, 122 transport aircraft and 85 helicopters.</p> <dl><dt>CASSIC—Air Surveillance, Information and Communication Systems Command</dt></dl> <p>This command has already been dissolved and the 8100 personnel, working in the former CASSIC have been transferred to the other existing air force commands and to the DIRISI, the interim joint defence communication and intelligence organisation.</p> <p>CDAOA, based in Paris and Lyon, plans and executes all air operations. ex-CASSIC personnel are embedded here to develop exercises and operations abroad.</p> <p>CFA prepares the forces. Since 2007, 38% ex-CASSIC personnel rejoined the airspace control brigade which also controls all ground-air defence units.</p> <p>CSFA, based in Bordeaux, guards the technical and logistical assets. Since 2006 it has taken over many ex-CASSIC projects.</p> <dl><dt>CEAA—Air Force Training Command</dt></dl> <p>Responsible for training all new air force personnel as well as on the technical and on the job training of the other air force personnel, as well as the officers and NCO training. CEAA is also responsible for all schools and training facilities.</p> <dl><dt>CFPSAA—Operational Support Command</dt></dl> <p>This command is responsible for the operational readiness and the deployment of all base protecting squadrons, dog-handlers, fire brigades, paratroopers and NBC and decontamination personnel. In 2007, the CFPSAA has been renamed BAFSI (Brigade Aérienne des Forces de Sécurité et d'Intervention).</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Airbase_Command">Airbase Command</span></h3> <p>The air base command levels are the combat assets of the ALA. An airbase commander has authority over all units stationed on his base. Depending on the units tasks this means that he is responsible for approximately 600 to 2500 personnel.</p> <p>Flying activity in France is carried out by a network of bases, platforms and <span class="mw-redirect">French air defence radar systems</span>. It is supported by bases, which are supervised and maintained by staff, centres of operations, warehouses, workshops, and schools.</p> <p>Both in France and abroad, bases have almost similar infrastructure to provide standardised support. This operational mode allows fast and easy creation of air bases outside of France.</p> <p>Overseas, fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters allow quick response to any request for assistance that falls within international agreements. On average, a base platform, made up of about 1500 personnel (nearly 3500 people including family), provides a yearly economic boost to its area of about 60 million euros. Consequently, determining the sites for air bases constitutes a major part of regional planning.<br /></p></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-43227910055898037252011-03-26T08:17:00.000-07:002011-03-26T08:25:47.498-07:00Royal Air Force Uniform<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrC3472e18_-2d7AXj7QnQxrBpILa4t4UakfoKv9xaPSdqwQmeHLZR8utfBBKLSMgX10Z06MjIIdjtmbbhs1nyNI5DuVF-aH6d7_JBW6IgWg_WIusNpC3wjQcpfKdIaYyvTSsdm_HcSYk/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrC3472e18_-2d7AXj7QnQxrBpILa4t4UakfoKv9xaPSdqwQmeHLZR8utfBBKLSMgX10Z06MjIIdjtmbbhs1nyNI5DuVF-aH6d7_JBW6IgWg_WIusNpC3wjQcpfKdIaYyvTSsdm_HcSYk/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588410113296758402" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">The <b>Royal Air Force uniform</b> is the standardised military dress worn by members of the Royal Air Force. The predominant colours of Royal Air Force uniforms are blue-grey and Wedgewood blue. Many Commonwealth air forces' uniforms are also based on the RAF pattern, but with nationality shoulder flashes. Cadets of the British ATC and CCF (RAF) Sections wear similar uniforms.<br /><h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Official_numbering">Official numbering</span></h3> <p>The RAF currently numbers the various uniforms which may be worn. The following table summarizes the numbering:</p> <table class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"> <tbody><tr> <th>Number</th> <th>Name</th> <th>Notes on use</th> </tr> <tr> <td>No 1</td> <td>Service Dress</td> <td>In temperate regions.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>No 2</td> <td>Service Working Dress</td> <td>In temperate regions.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>No 3</td> <td>Operational Clothing</td> <td>Different patterns for different climates.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>No 4</td> <td>Interim Mess Dress</td> <td>For personnel without No 5 dress.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>No 5</td> <td>Mess Dress</td> <td>In temperate regions.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>No 6</td> <td>Service Dress</td> <td>In warm weather regions. In stone colour, except for 6A (full ceremonial) which is white.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>No 7</td> <td>Service Working Dress</td> <td>In warm weather regions. In stone colour.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>No 8</td> <td>Mess Dress</td> <td>In warm weather regions. Jacket in white.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>No 9</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">RAF Music Services</span> uniform</td> <td>For Directors of Music, bandmasters and musicians</td> </tr> <tr> <td>No 10</td> <td>RAF Music Services uniform</td> <td>For Directors of Music, bandmasters and musicians</td> </tr> <tr> <td>No 11</td> <td>RAF Music Services uniform</td> <td>For Directors of Music, bandmasters and musicians</td> </tr> <tr> <td>No 12</td> <td>Physical Training Instructor Dress</td> <td>Various patterns</td> </tr> <tr> <td>No 13</td> <td>Physical Training Instructor Dress - Parachute Jump Instructor Duties</td> <td>With helmet or beret</td> </tr> <tr> <td>No 14</td> <td>Flying Clothing</td> <td>Various patterns. Consists of a flight suit and optional jacket</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <h3>Royal Air Force Uniform: <span class="mw-headline" id="Service_dress">Service dress</span></h3> <p>The RAF's <span class="mw-redirect">service dress</span> is worn on formal and ceremonial occasions. In temperate regions, it is the most formal uniform in use at present. It remains essentially unchanged from the service dress uniform adopted in the early 1920s. It consists of a blue-grey jacket and trousers (or skirt for female personnel). A <span class="mw-redirect">great coat</span> may be worn at ceremonial events when the weather is cold.</p> <p>In 1947, the temperate officers' services dress jacket was altered. The lower side pockets were removed and the single slit was replaced by two hacking jacket style slits. The lower button was moved up to a position behind the belt and silk embroidery flying badges were replaced with ones in bullion embroidery. These changes were unpopular and in 1951, with the exception of the lower button move, the former uniform style was re-adopted.<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>Service dress takes the following forms:</p> <ul><li>No. 1 Service Dress, for temperate regions. Blue-grey colour.</li><li>No. 1A Service Dress (Ceremonial Day Dress), for temperate regions and for <span class="mw-redirect">air officers</span> only. As per No. 1 Service Dress. <span class="mw-redirect">Air vice-marshals</span> and above wear a ceremonial sash and shoulder boards. Entitled <span class="mw-redirect">air commodores</span> only add the ceremonial sash.</li><li>No. 6 Service Dress, for tropical regions. Stone colour.</li></ul> <h3>Royal Air Force Uniform: <span class="mw-headline" id="Service_working_dress">Service working dress</span></h3> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6ySFkD1vWyVXA1vC6pjOMEy-6_CuqqtnqtLCi-0m47iviKl9MIn9NAZsIYMG75cBLpjKnK1N86OKUKRcDgg80V74h68iPGiQwDp5-r4BUTKgRqPyTmneRqFXxuZyo1RJzdF4oGS4HFA/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6ySFkD1vWyVXA1vC6pjOMEy-6_CuqqtnqtLCi-0m47iviKl9MIn9NAZsIYMG75cBLpjKnK1N86OKUKRcDgg80V74h68iPGiQwDp5-r4BUTKgRqPyTmneRqFXxuZyo1RJzdF4oGS4HFA/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588409817610905922" border="0" /></a>Service working dress, officially designated Number 2 Dress, is the routine uniform worn by most RAF personnel not on operations. It is analogous to the Army's barrack dress. RAF service working dress comes in a number of variations:</p> <ul><li>No 2: Long sleeve shirt with jumper, tie optional</li><li>No 2a: Long sleeve shirt with tie, jumper not worn</li><li>No 2b: Short sleeve shirt without tie, jumper optional</li><li>No 2c: Long sleeve dark blue shirt without tie, jumper optional (certain trades only)</li></ul> <p>The RAF stable belt may be worn with all forms of service working dress.</p> <h3>Royal Air Force Uniform: <span class="mw-headline" id="Flying_duties">Flying duties</span></h3> <p>Aircrew-specific uniforms are officially designated as Number 14 Dress by the RAF. Aircrew on flying duties wear an olive drab flying suit in temperate regions or a khaki flying suit in desert regions. A leather flying jacket, purchased at individual expense, may be worn with the flying suit but only while the wearer is on the ground.</p> <h3>Royal Air Force Uniform:<span class="mw-headline" id="Ground_duties"> Ground duties</span></h3> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrMgTyVLyZRWRP6yiVT_ufgKs4OmPrpI0N97tsSZWddz5W-xiKX4fLSTk3bFRkj65uB79R7xy59IbAZTXr5f42Xdb7aAYmj7WyOfbdOz3kzgRnS45RSftD8Kjn1xcnSUfEA-cFJYz-8k/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrMgTyVLyZRWRP6yiVT_ufgKs4OmPrpI0N97tsSZWddz5W-xiKX4fLSTk3bFRkj65uB79R7xy59IbAZTXr5f42Xdb7aAYmj7WyOfbdOz3kzgRnS45RSftD8Kjn1xcnSUfEA-cFJYz-8k/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588409590500014562" border="0" /></a>RAF personnel either on operations, on exercise or in certain formed units wear a <span class="mw-redirect">disruptive pattern material</span> uniform which is essentially the same as the British Army's operational uniform. In temperate regions Combat Soldier 95 uniform is worn and in desert regions, Desert Combat Clothing is worn.</p> <p>In order to distinguish RAF personnel from Army personnel, in 2006 an operational clothing identity patch was introduced with the text "ROYAL AIR FORCE" in black capitals on a green background. The patch is worn over the right chest pocket, the Desert Combat DPM dress also features this "ROYAL AIR FORCE" text but it is not mandatory to have this patch whilst operationally deployed.</p> <p>Also in 2006 a 45mm squared <span class="mw-redirect">tactical recognition flash</span> was introduced for all personnel to wear on their operation clothing.</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span>Royal Air Force Uniform: <span class="mw-headline" id="Mess_dress">Mess dress</span></h3> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyB46iFKz21Qi9cBo3g8S9pIqBCMRoyVb8NdSLC0tEiXIV1k7FgEGIhT1iWWw7pRH4_hAhrCU9JSmEycXvZvO8fAuHKtJFM2EseEunGvdXZ8Wv2aq8IQqiAkr4C7iwgZV9QR93PIUKMU/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyB46iFKz21Qi9cBo3g8S9pIqBCMRoyVb8NdSLC0tEiXIV1k7FgEGIhT1iWWw7pRH4_hAhrCU9JSmEycXvZvO8fAuHKtJFM2EseEunGvdXZ8Wv2aq8IQqiAkr4C7iwgZV9QR93PIUKMU/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588409077544433074" border="0" /></a>In the RAF mess dress, officially designated Number 5 dress, is worn at formal evening functions. All regular officers possess mess dress whereas warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers wear mess dress if they choose to purchase it. The current mess dress for men consists of a high waisted blue-grey single-breasted jacket fastened at the front by a single link of two RAF buttons connected by a link clip, white marcella shirt, bow tie, waistcoat or cummerbund and blue-grey trousers. Rank, for officers, is indicated in gold braid on the lower sleeve.</p> <p>The first RAF mess dress was introduced in 1920 and it featured a high waisted single-breasted blue-grey jacket which tapered to a point at the front below the waist. A blue-grey waistcoat, trousers and black shoes were also worn. Rank was indicated on shoulder boards in gold lace. This uniform was modified in 1928 when the shoes were replaced by boots and overalls with gold lace and bright blue stripes were introduced. This modified form of the uniform lasted until 1934 when it was replaced by a version similar to the current men's mess dress. The wearing of mess dress was suspended during World War II.</p> <p>For women, mess dress currently consists of the same style high waisted blue-grey single-breasted jacket and white marcella shirt as men, a small bow tie and cummerbund and a straight ankle length blue-gray skirt, worn with patent-leather court shoes and barely-black tights or stockings. From the 1970s and prior to the introduction of current women's mess dress in 1996, female officers wore a royal blue "<span class="mw-redirect">Empire line</span>" dress made of crimplene material with a loose mandarin neck, long sleeves and an ankle length hem. Rank was indicated on a small enamelled brooch worn near the neck.</p> <p>Officers serving at Scottish <span class="mw-redirect">stations</span> may wear the RAF tartan with their mess dress. The tartan was designed in 1988 and it was officially recognised by the Ministry of Defence in 2001. The tartan is also worn by the RAF's voluntary pipes bands, although not as part of an official RAF uniform<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup>.</p> <p>RAF personnel without No 5 dress, such as airmen, junior officer cadets and some non-regular officers, wear No 1 dress with the blue shirt and tie replaced with a white marcella shirt and black bow tie should the need to wear mess dress arise. This dress pattern is officially designated Number 4 Dress and was previously known as <i>(Interim) Mess Dress</i>.</p><br /></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-49679773767312878642011-03-26T08:09:00.000-07:002011-03-26T08:16:32.590-07:00RAF Operation Ellamy<div style="text-align: justify;"><p><b>Operation ELLAMY</b><sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><span></span></sup> is the codename for the United Kingdom participation in the 2011 military intervention in Libya.<sup id="cite_ref-opscontinue_6-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> The operation is part of an international coalition aimed at enforcing a Libyan no-fly zone in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 which stipulated that "all necessary measures" shall be taken to protect civilians.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> UK <span class="mw-redirect">sorties</span> are under the operational command of the United States.<sup id="cite_ref-BBCHague_8-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> The Canadian participation is Operation MOBILE<sup id="cite_ref-CanDef_9-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> and the French participation is Opération Harmattan.<sup id="cite_ref-FrMoD_10-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> The coalition operation is designated by the United States Department of Defense by the code name Operation Odyssey Dawn.<sup id="cite_ref-DODNewsBriefing_11-0" class="reference"><span></span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-Wired_12-0" class="reference"><span></span></sup></p> The no-fly zone was proposed during the 2011 Libyan uprising to prevent government forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi from carrying out air attacks on rebel forces. Several countries have prepared to take immediate military action at a conference in Paris on 19 March, 2011.<span><br /></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ellamy#External_links"><span class="toctext"></span></a> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Background_to_operation">Background to operation</span></h2> <p>The UN Security Council Resolution 1973 passed on the evening of 17 March 2011 gave a mandate to countries wishing to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya militarily. A conference involving international leaders took place in Paris on the afternoon of Saturday 19 March 2011.<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> International military action commenced after the conference finished, with French military fighter jets being the first to participate in the operation only a few hours after the conference finished in Paris with the first shot fired at 1645 GMT against a Libyan tank.<sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Deployed_forces">Deployed forces</span></h2> <ul><li>Royal Navy<sup id="cite_ref-MoDLibyaupdate_0-3" class="reference"><span>[</span>1<span>]</span></sup> <ul><li>HMS <i>Westminster</i> (F237), a Type 23 frigate<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><span></span></sup></li><li>HMS <i>Cumberland</i> (F85), a Type 22 frigate <ul><li>2 × Lynx Mk.8 helicopters</li></ul> </li><li>HMS <i>Triumph</i> (S93), a <span class="mw-redirect"><i>Trafalgar</i>-class</span> submarine<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><span></span></sup></li></ul> </li><li>Royal Air Force <ul><li>Joint Force Air Component Headquarters at RAF Akrotiri</li><li>Headquarters 906 Expeditionary Air Wing at Gioia del Colle Air Base<sup id="cite_ref-opscontinue_6-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> <ul><li>10 × Typhoon multirole fighters from RAF Coningsby and RAF Leuchars,<sup id="cite_ref-independent1_13-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></li><li>8 × Tornado GR4 interdictor/strike aircraft from RAF Marham<sup id="cite_ref-MoDLibyaupdate_0-4" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></li></ul> </li><li>Headquarters 907 Expeditionary Air Wing at RAF Akrotiri<sup id="cite_ref-opscontinue_6-2" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> <ul><li>3 × Sentry AEW.1 AWACS aircraft from RAF Waddington<sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></li><li>A Nimrod R1 signals intelligence aircraft<sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference"><span></span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-21" class="reference"><span></span></sup></li><li>A Sentinel R1 airborne standoff radar aircraft from RAF Waddington<sup id="cite_ref-opscontinue_6-3" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></li><li>VC10 air-to-air refuelling tankers from RAF Brize Norton<sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></li></ul> </li><li>Force Elements Operated from UK <ul><li>Tornado GR4 interdictor/strike aircraft from RAF Marham<sup id="cite_ref-MoDLibyaupdate_0-5" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></li><li>TriStar K1 air-to-air refuelling tankers from RAF Brize Norton<sup id="cite_ref-opscontinue_6-4" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></li></ul> </li></ul> </li></ul> <ul><li>Possible deployment of Special Forces to mark targets for aircraft<sup id="cite_ref-23" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-24" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></li></ul> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Summary_of_operation">Summary of operation Ellamy<br /></span></h2> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Day_1_-_19_March_2011">Day 1 - 19 March 2011</span></h3> <p>On the afternoon of 19 March, the Royal Navy <span class="mw-redirect"><i>Trafalgar</i>-class</span> submarine HMS <i>Triumph</i><sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> fired Tomahawk cruise missiles.<sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference"><span></span></sup> A combined total along with US over the day was reported by the US to be over 110 missiles.<sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference"><span></span></sup> The Royal Navy also has a Type 22 frigate (HMS <i>Cumberland</i>) and a Type 23 frigate (HMS <i>Westminster</i>) engaged in a <span class="mw-redirect">naval blockade</span>.</p> <p>David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, confirmed that British aircraft were in action over Libya on the 19th,<sup id="cite_ref-28" class="reference"><span>[</span>28<span>]</span></sup> although it was the French Air Force who made the first coalition aerial presence over Libya earlier the same day.</p> <p>Sentry, Sentinel and VC-10 aircraft were said to be carrying out operations from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.<sup id="cite_ref-MoDLibyaupdate_0-6" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> The home base for the VC-10 aircraft was RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and for the Sentinel and Sentry aircraft was RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire.</p> <p>On the night of 19-20 March 2011, Storm Shadow missiles were launched by Tornado GR4 aircraft.<sup id="cite_ref-29" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> Tornados of No. 9 Squadron from RAF Marham had sortied on a 3,000 mi (4,800 km) mission to fire Storm Shadow missiles against targets in Libya. They required refuelling by British tanker aircraft three times on the outward journey and once on the return. Tristar aircraft were involved.<sup id="cite_ref-30" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Day_2_-_20_March_2011">Day 2 - 20 March 2011</span></h3> <p>The MoD announced that Tornado and Typhoon aircraft would be deployed to the Italian Gioia del Colle Air Base.<sup id="cite_ref-MoDLibyaupdate_0-7" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>The <span class="mw-redirect"><i>Trafalgar</i>-class submarine</span> HMS <i>Triumph</i> launched further Tomahawk cruise missiles at targets in Libya.<sup id="cite_ref-MoDLibyaupdate_0-8" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>Tornados GR4s, flying from Marham, were about to attack a target but did not fire their missiles due to reports of civilians near the target.<sup id="cite_ref-libassets_31-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Day_3_-_21_March_2011">Day 3 - 21 March 2011</span></h3> <p>The Prime Minister announced to the House of Commons on 21 March at the start of the debate on the UNSC resolution that RAF Typhoons had been deployed to an Italian airbase (Gioia del Colle) and would fly in support of the NFZ.<sup id="cite_ref-32" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> Three Typhoons successfully conducted a mission and returned to Gioia del Colle.<sup id="cite_ref-33" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>Headquarters 906 Expeditionary Air Wing formed at Gioia del Colle Air Base responsible for assets forward deployed there. Headquarters 907 Expeditionary Air Wing formed at RAF Akrotiri responsible for assets forward deployed there. C-17A Globemaster and Hercules transport aircraft were also used to assist in the build up of deployed forces.<sup id="cite_ref-opscontinue_6-5" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Day_4_-_22_March_2011">Day 4 - 22 March 2011</span></h3> <p>RAF Typhoons flew their first ever combat mission,<sup id="cite_ref-34" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> patrolling the no-fly zone while Tornado GR4s from RAF Marham flew an armed reconnaissance sortie. The MoD reported that Royal Navy ships <i>Triumph</i>, <i>Westminister</i> and <i>Cumberland</i> remained in theatre for additional strikes and patrol.<sup id="cite_ref-35" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Day_5_-_23_March_2011">Day 5 - 23 March 2011</span></h3> <p>Tornado GR4s were forwarded deployed to Gioia del Colle Air Base.<sup id="cite_ref-36" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> In a media interview, the UK Air Component Commander, Air Vice Marshall Greg Bagwell, stated that the Libyan Air Force "no longer exists as a fighting force" and that "we have the Libyan ground forces under constant observation and we attack them whenever they threaten civilians or attack population centres."<sup id="cite_ref-37" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Day_6_-_24_March_2011">Day 6 - 24 March 2011</span></h3> <p>Tomahawk Cruise Missiles were again fired at targets from HMS <i>Triumph</i><sup id="cite_ref-38" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>RAF Tornado aircraft on an armed reconnaissance mission launched Brimstone missiles against Libyan armoured vehicles that were reported to be threatening the civilian population of Adjdabiya. Four T-72 tanks were destroyed in the attack by Tornados, and three by another coalition aircraft. Likely target locations had previously been identified by other Tornado aircraft equipped with RAPTOR pods.<sup id="cite_ref-39" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Military_equipment_used">RAF Military equipment used in operation ellamy<br /></span></h2><br /><div class="thumb tnone" style="width: 416px; margin: 0pt auto;"> <div class="thumbinner"> <div style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; background-color: transparent;"> <p><span class="mw-redirect">Combat aircraft</span> used in Operation Ellamy</p> </div> <div style="float: left; margin: 1px; width: 202px;"> <div class="thumbimage"><span class="image"><img alt="A military aircraft flying with weapons beneath its wings" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/RAF_Tornado_GR4_Iraq.JPEG/200px-RAF_Tornado_GR4_Iraq.JPEG" height="130" width="200" /></span></div> <div class="thumbcaption" style="clear: left;"><span class="mw-redirect">Tornado GR4</span></div> </div> <div style="float: left; margin: 1px; width: 202px;"> <div class="thumbimage"><span class="image"><img alt="Typhoon" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Typhoon_f2_zj910_arp.jpg/200px-Typhoon_f2_zj910_arp.jpg" height="130" width="200" /></span></div> <div class="thumbcaption" style="clear: left;">Typhoon F2</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="thumb tnone" style="width: 620px; margin: 0pt auto;"> <div class="thumbinner"> <div style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; background-color: transparent;"> <p>Surveillance aircraft used in Operation Ellamy</p> </div> <div style="float: left; margin: 1px; width: 202px;"> <div class="thumbimage"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Boeing.e3-d.sentry.takeoff.arp.jpg/200px-Boeing.e3-d.sentry.takeoff.arp.jpg" height="144" width="200" /></span><span class="image"></span></div> <div class="thumbcaption" style="clear: left;">Sentry AEW1</div> </div> <div style="float: left; margin: 1px; width: 202px;"> <div class="thumbimage"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Raf-sentinel-ZJ692-071023-27-16.jpg/200px-Raf-sentinel-ZJ692-071023-27-16.jpg" height="130" width="200" /></span></div> <div class="thumbcaption" style="clear: left;">Sentinel R1</div> </div> <div style="float: left; margin: 1px; width: 202px;"> <div class="thumbimage"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Nimrod_R1_of_51_Sqn%2C_RAF_Waddington_lands_during_Waddington_airshow_2010.jpg/200px-Nimrod_R1_of_51_Sqn%2C_RAF_Waddington_lands_during_Waddington_airshow_2010.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></span></div> <div class="thumbcaption" style="clear: left;">Nimrod R1</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="thumb tnone" style="width: 620px; margin: 0pt auto;"> <div class="thumbinner"> <div style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; background-color: transparent;"> <p>Air-to-air refuelling and military transport aircraft used in Operation Ellamy</p> </div> <div style="float: left; margin: 1px; width: 202px;"> <div class="thumbimage"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Tristar_tanker_zd952_arp.jpg/200px-Tristar_tanker_zd952_arp.jpg" height="136" width="200" /></span></div> <div class="thumbcaption" style="clear: left;">TriStar KC1</div> </div> <div style="float: left; margin: 1px; width: 202px;"> <div class="thumbimage"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/VC10_Royal_Air_Force.jpg/200px-VC10_Royal_Air_Force.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></span></div> <div class="thumbcaption" style="clear: left;">VC10</div> </div> <div style="float: left; margin: 1px; width: 202px;"> <div class="thumbimage"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Royal_Air_Force_C-17_August_2010.jpg/200px-Royal_Air_Force_C-17_August_2010.jpg" height="143" width="200" /></span></div> <div class="thumbcaption" style="clear: left;">C-17A</div> </div> </div> </div><br /></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-64629477951805993092011-03-26T07:59:00.000-07:002011-03-26T08:04:18.921-07:00Royal Air Force Officer Ranks<div style="text-align: justify;"><p>Officers hold a commission from the <span class="mw-redirect">Sovereign</span>, which provides the legal authority for them to issue orders to subordinates. The commission of a regular officer is granted after successfully completing the 30-week-long Initial Officer Training course at the <span class="mw-redirect">RAF College, Cranwell</span>, Lincolnshire. Other officers also train at RAF Cranwell, but on different courses, such as those for professionally qualified officers.</p> <p>The titles and insignia of RAF officers were chiefly derived from those used by the Royal Navy, specifically the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) during World War I. For example, the rank of Squadron Leader derived its name from the RNAS rank of Squadron Commander. RAF officers fall into three categories: air officers, senior officers and junior officers.</p><table><tbody><tr bgcolor="#cccccc"><th><b>NATO Code</b></th> <th>OF-10</th> <th>OF-9</th> <th>OF-8</th> <th>OF-7</th> <th>OF-6</th> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="2" align="center"><b><span class="flagicon"><img alt="United Kingdom" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /></span> United Kingdom</b><br /><br /></td> <td align="center"><span class="image"><img alt="RAF-MRAF-OF-10.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/RAF-MRAF-OF-10.png/100px-RAF-MRAF-OF-10.png" height="83" width="100" /></span></td> <td align="center"><span class="image"><img alt="RAF-ACM-OF-9.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/RAF-ACM-OF-9.png/100px-RAF-ACM-OF-9.png" height="83" width="100" /></span></td> <td align="center"><span class="image"><img alt="RAF-AM-OF-8.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/RAF-AM-OF-8.png/100px-RAF-AM-OF-8.png" height="83" width="100" /></span></td> <td align="center"><span class="image"><img alt="RAF-AVM-OF-7.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/RAF-AVM-OF-7.png/100px-RAF-AVM-OF-7.png" height="83" width="100" /></span></td> <td align="center"><span class="image"><img alt="RAF-Air Cdre-OF-6.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/RAF-Air_Cdre-OF-6.png/100px-RAF-Air_Cdre-OF-6.png" height="83" width="100" /></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Marshal of the Royal Air Force<sup>1</sup></td> <td align="center">Air Chief Marshal</td> <td align="center">Air Marshal</td> <td align="center">Air Vice-Marshal</td> <td align="center">Air Commodore</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td>Abbreviation</td> <td>MRAF</td> <td>Air Chf Mshl or ACM</td> <td>Air Mshl or AM</td> <td>AVM</td> <td>Air Cdre</td> </tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table><tbody><tr bgcolor="#cccccc"><th><b>NATO Code</b></th> <th>OF-6</th> <th>OF-5</th> <th>OF-4</th> <th>OF-3</th> <th>OF-2</th> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="2" align="center"><b><span class="flagicon"><img alt="United Kingdom" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /></span> United Kingdom</b><br /><br /></td> <td align="center"><span class="image"><img alt="RAF-Air Cdre-OF-6.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/RAF-Air_Cdre-OF-6.png/100px-RAF-Air_Cdre-OF-6.png" height="83" width="100" /></span></td> <td align="center"><span class="image"><img alt="RAF-Gp Capt-OF-5.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/RAF-Gp_Capt-OF-5.png/100px-RAF-Gp_Capt-OF-5.png" height="83" width="100" /></span></td> <td align="center"><span class="image"><img alt="RAF-Wg Cdr-OF-4.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/RAF-Wg_Cdr-OF-4.png/100px-RAF-Wg_Cdr-OF-4.png" height="83" width="100" /></span></td> <td align="center"><span class="image"><img alt="RAF-Sqn Ldr-OF-3.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/RAF-Sqn_Ldr-OF-3.png/100px-RAF-Sqn_Ldr-OF-3.png" height="83" width="100" /></span></td> <td align="center"><span class="image"><img alt="RAF-Flt Lt-OF-2.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/RAF-Flt_Lt-OF-2.png/100px-RAF-Flt_Lt-OF-2.png" height="83" width="100" /></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Air Commodore</td> <td align="center">Group Captain</td> <td align="center">Wing Commander</td> <td align="center">Squadron Leader</td> <td align="center">Flight Lieutenant</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td>Abbreviation</td> <td>Air Cdre</td> <td>Gp Capt</td> <td>Wg Cdr</td> <td>Sqn Ldr</td> <td>Flt Lt</td> </tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table><tbody><tr bgcolor="#cccccc"><th><b>NATO Code</b></th> <th colspan="2">OF-1</th> <th>OF(D)</th> <th>Student Officer</th> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="2" align="center"><b><span class="flagicon"><img alt="United Kingdom" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /></span> United Kingdom</b><br /><br /></td> <td align="center"><span class="image"><img alt="RAF-Fg Off-OF-1.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/RAF-Fg_Off-OF-1.png/100px-RAF-Fg_Off-OF-1.png" height="83" width="100" /></span></td> <td align="center"><span class="image"><img alt="RAF-Plt Off-OF-1.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/RAF-Plt_Off-OF-1.png/100px-RAF-Plt_Off-OF-1.png" height="83" width="100" /></span></td> <td align="center"><br /></td> <td align="center"><span class="image"><img alt="RAF-OC-SO.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/RAF-OC-SO.png/75px-RAF-OC-SO.png" height="84" width="75" /></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Flying Officer</td> <td align="center">Pilot Officer</td> <td align="center"><br /></td> <td align="center">Officer Cadet or Student Officer</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td>Abbreviation</td> <td>Fg Off</td> <td>Plt Off</td> <td>A/Plt Off</td> <td>OCdt</td></tr></tbody></table></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-24028741111687467252011-03-26T07:38:00.000-07:002011-03-26T07:58:50.698-07:00Royal Air Force Military Aircraft<div style="text-align: justify;">List of military Aircraft of the Royal Air Force:<br /><table><tbody><tr><th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204);">Aircraft</th> <th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204);">Origin</th> <th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204);">Type</th> <th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204);">Versions</th> <th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204);">In service<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference"><span></span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><span></span></sup></th> <th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204);">Notes</th> </tr> <tr> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="7"><b><span class="mw-redirect">Combat Aircraft</span></b></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Panavia Tornado</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>United Kingdom</td> <td>Attack Aircraft</td> <td>GR4 / GR4A</td> <td>136</td> <td style="text-align: justify;">13 and 14 squadron to be disbanded, "The RAF will retain five front line Tornado squadrons with a total fleet of 136 GR4 aircraft." <sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td>Eurofighter Typhoon</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>United Kingdom</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Multirole Fighter Aircraft</span></td> <td>T1 / T1A / F2 / T3 / FGR4</td> <td>64</td> <td style="text-align: justify;">Confirmed order of 160 airframes. (72 as of yet uncommited)<sup class="Template-Fact" title="This claim needs references to reliable sources from March 2011" style="white-space: nowrap;"><i><br /></i></sup></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="7"><b>Trainer Aircraft</b></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Bell Griffin</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Flag_of_Canada.svg/22px-Flag_of_Canada.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>Canada</td> <td>Trainer Aircraft (Helicopter)</td> <td>HT1</td> <td>11</td> <td style="text-align: justify;"><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td>Beechcraft King Air B200</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="12" width="22" /> </span>United States</td> <td>Mulit-engine Trainer Aircraft</td> <td><br /></td> <td>11</td> <td style="text-align: justify;">One operated on behalf of Foreign & Commonwealth Office.<sup class="Template-Fact" title="This claim needs references to reliable sources from March 2011" style="white-space: nowrap;"><i><br /></i></sup></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Eurocopter Squirrel</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/22px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>France</td> <td>Trainer Aircraft (Helicopter)</td> <td>HT1</td> <td>26</td> <td style="text-align: justify;"><sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Grob Tutor</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/22px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="13" width="22" /> </span>Germany</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Trainer Aircraft</span></td> <td>T1</td> <td>94</td> <td style="text-align: justify;"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Grob Viking</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/22px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="13" width="22" /> </span>Germany</td> <td>Trainer Aircraft (Glider)</td> <td>T1</td> <td>82</td> <td style="text-align: justify;"><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td>Grob Vigilant</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/22px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="13" width="22" /> </span>Germany</td> <td>Trainer Aircraft (Motor Glider)</td> <td>T1</td> <td>65</td> <td style="text-align: justify;"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Hawker Siddeley Hawk</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>United Kingdom</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Trainer Aircraft (Advanced)</span></td> <td>T1 / T1A <hr /> T2</td> <td>129 <hr /> 17</td> <td style="text-align: justify;">Combat capable. (10 more T2s under delivery.)</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td>Short Tucano</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>United Kingdom</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Trainer Aircraft</span></td> <td>T1</td> <td>93</td> <td style="text-align: justify;"><br /></td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="7"><b>Transport Aircraft</b></th> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">BAe 125</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>United Kingdom</td> <td>VIP Transport</td> <td>CC3</td> <td>6</td> <td style="text-align: justify;"><br /></td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">BAe 146</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>United Kingdom</td> <td>VIP Transport</td> <td>CC2</td> <td>2</td> <td style="text-align: justify;"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Britten-Norman Islander</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>United Kingdom</td> <td>VIP Transport</td> <td>CC2 / CC2a / CC2b</td> <td>3</td> <td style="text-align: justify;"><br /></td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Lockheed Hercules</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="12" width="22" /> </span>United States</td> <td>Tactical Transport</td> <td>C1 / C3</td> <td>14</td> <td style="text-align: justify;">To be replaced by 22 Airbus A400M</td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Lockheed Hercules</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="12" width="22" /> </span>United States</td> <td>Tactical Transport</td> <td>C4 / C5</td> <td>24</td> <td style="text-align: justify;"><br /></td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Boeing C-17A Globemaster</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="12" width="22" /> </span>United States</td> <td>Strategic Transport</td> <td>-</td> <td>7</td> <td style="text-align: justify;"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Lockheed TriStar</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="12" width="22" /> </span>United States</td> <td>Strategic Transport/Tanker</td> <td>K1 / KC1 / C2 / C2A</td> <td>9</td> <td style="text-align: justify;" rowspan="2">TriStars and VC10s to be replaced by 14 Airbus A330 MRTTs.</td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td>Vickers VC10</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>United Kingdom</td> <td>Strategic Transport/Tanker</td> <td>C1K / K3 / K4</td> <td>15</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="7"><b><span class="mw-redirect">Transport</span>, <span class="mw-redirect">Search and Rescue</span> Helicopter</b></th> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Agusta A109E</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Flag_of_Italy.svg/22px-Flag_of_Italy.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>Italy</td> <td>Transport Helicopter (VIP)</td> <td>-</td> <td>3</td> <td style="text-align: justify;"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Aérospatiale Puma</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>United Kingdom</td> <td>Transport Helicopter (M-L)</td> <td>HC1</td> <td>43</td> <td style="text-align: justify;">Licence-built as the Westland Puma</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">AgustaWestland Merlin</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>United Kingdom</td> <td>Transport Helicopter (M-L)</td> <td>HC3 <hr /> HC3A</td> <td>22 <hr /> 6</td> <td style="text-align: justify;">- <hr style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;"> Acquired from Danish Air Force</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Boeing Chinook</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="12" width="22" /> </span>United States</td> <td>Transport Helicopter (H-L)</td> <td>HC2 / HC2A <hr /> HC3</td> <td>40 <hr /> 8</td> <td style="text-align: justify;">12 more on order.</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td>Bell Griffin</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Flag_of_Canada.svg/22px-Flag_of_Canada.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>Canada</td> <td>Rescue Helicopter</td> <td>HAR2</td> <td>4</td> <td style="text-align: justify;"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Westland Sea King</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>United Kingdom</td> <td>Rescue Helicopter</td> <td>HAR3 <hr /> HAR3A</td> <td>19 <hr /> 6</td> <td style="text-align: justify;"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="7"><b>Reconnaissance and Surveillance Aircraft</b></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Beechcraft Shadow</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="12" width="22" /> </span>United States</td> <td>Reconnaissance</td> <td>R1</td> <td>4</td> <td style="text-align: justify;">One on order.</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Boeing Sentry</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="12" width="22" /> </span>United States</td> <td>Airborne Early Warning</td> <td>AEW1</td> <td>7</td> <td style="text-align: justify;"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Diamond DA42 Twin Star</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Flag_of_Austria.svg/22px-Flag_of_Austria.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="15" width="22" /> </span>Austria</td> <td>Surveillance</td> <td>-</td> <td>2</td> <td style="text-align: justify;">One on order</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td>General Atomics <span class="mw-redirect">MQ-9 Reaper</span></td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="12" width="22" /> </span>United States</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">UCAV</span></td> <td>-</td> <td>2</td> <td style="text-align: justify;">11 more to be acquired</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Hawker Siddeley Nimrod</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>United Kingdom</td> <td>SIGINT</td> <td>R1</td> <td>2</td> <td style="text-align: justify;">To be replaced by 3 former USAF <span class="mw-redirect">KC-135R</span> aircraft, converted to RC-135V/W <i><span class="mw-redirect">Rivet Joint</span></i> standard.</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td>Raytheon Sentinel</td> <td><span class="flagicon"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Flag_of_Canada.svg/22px-Flag_of_Canada.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /> </span>Canada</td> <td>Battlefield surveillance</td> <td>R1</td> <td>5</td> <td style="text-align: justify;">Will be withdrawn following cessation of required operations in Afghanistan.<sup id="cite_ref-sdsr_5-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>British military aircraft designations generally comprise a <i>type name</i> followed by a <i>mark number</i> which includes an alphabetical <i>rôle prefix</i>. For example, the <i>Tornado F3</i> is designated as a fighter by the 'F', and is the third variant of the type to be produced.</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Strike.2C_attack_and_offensive_support_aircraft">Strike, attack and offensive support aircraft</span></h3> <p>The mainstay of the offensive support fleet is the Tornado GR4. This supersonic aircraft can carry a wide range of weaponry, including Storm Shadow cruise missiles, laser-guided bombs and the <span class="mw-redirect">ALARM anti-radar missile</span>. Since June 2008, the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 has also been capable of being deployed operationally in the air-to-ground role.<sup id="cite_ref-21" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>The Tornado was previously supplemented by the <span class="mw-redirect">Harrier GR7/GR7A</span> in the strike and close air support roles, and to counter enemy air defences. Some Harrier GR7/7A aircraft were upgraded to GR9/GR9A standard with newer avionics and more powerful Rolls-Royce Pegasus engines. The Harrier GR9 was formally accepted into RAF service in late September 2006. The Harrier fleet's farewell flights occurred on 15 December 2010 with fly pasts over numerous military bases and is now retired.<sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <table style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); margin-top: 0.5em;"> <tbody><tr> <td> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Eurofighter-NellisAFB-2008.jpg/180px-Eurofighter-NellisAFB-2008.jpg" class="thumbborder" height="127" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;">Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Tornado_GR4s%2C_617_Squadron_2006.jpg/180px-Tornado_GR4s%2C_617_Squadron_2006.jpg" class="thumbborder" height="81" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;">Tornado GR4 </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Air_defence_and_airborne_early_warning_aircraft">Air defence and airborne early warning aircraft</span></h3> <p>The Panavia Tornado F3 and Eurofighter Typhoon F2/FGR4 are the RAF's air defence fighter aircraft, based at RAF Leuchars and RAF Coningsby. Their task is to defend the UK’s airspace. In October 2007 it was announced that MoD Boscombe Down, <span class="mw-redirect">RNAS Culdrose</span> and RAF Marham would also be used as <span class="mw-redirect">Quick Reaction Alert</span> bases from early 2008, offering around-the-clock fighter coverage for the South and South West of UK airspace when a direct threat has been identified.<sup id="cite_ref-23" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>The Tornado, in service in the air defence role since the late 1980s, is being replaced by the Typhoon. As of December 2010<sup class="plainlinks noprint asof-tag update" style="display: none;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Royal_Air_Force&action=edit" class="external text" rel="nofollow">[update]</a></sup>, the RAF has three operational Typhoon units, 3 Squadron and 11 Squadron based at Coningsby, and 6 Squadron at Leuchars. The last Tornado F3 squadron, 111 Squadron at RAF Leuchars is due to disband in March 2011.<sup id="cite_ref-Courier_24-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>The Sentry AEW1, based at RAF Waddington, provides airborne early warning to detect incoming enemy aircraft and to co-ordinate the aerial battlefield. Both the Sentry and the Tornado F3 have been involved in recent operations including over Iraq and the Balkans.</p> <table style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); margin-top: 0.5em;"> <tbody><tr> <td> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Typhoon_f2_zj910_arp.jpg/180px-Typhoon_f2_zj910_arp.jpg" class="thumbborder" height="117" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;">Eurofighter Typhoon F2 </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Tornado_f3_ze887_kemble_arp.jpg/180px-Tornado_f3_ze887_kemble_arp.jpg" class="thumbborder" height="111" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;">Tornado F3 </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Boeing.e3-d.sentry.takeoff.arp.jpg/180px-Boeing.e3-d.sentry.takeoff.arp.jpg" class="thumbborder" height="130" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;">Sentry AEW1 </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <h3><span class="editsection"></span></h3><h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Future_aircraft">Royal Air Force</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Reconnaissance_aircraft">Reconnaissance aircraft</span></h3> <p>The Tornado GR4A is fitted with cameras and sensors in the visual, infra-red and radar ranges of the spectrum.</p> <p>The <span class="mw-redirect">Nimrod R1</span> provides electronic and signals intelligence. The <span class="mw-redirect">Nimrod R1</span> was due to be retired from RAF service on 31st March 2011 but due to the Operation Ellamy, the UK's action over Libya the RAF will now keep the <span class="mw-redirect">Nimrod R1</span> in service until at least the end of June 2011.</p> <p>The new Sentinel R1 (also known as ASTOR – Airborne STand-Off Radar) provides a ground radar-surveillance platform based on the Bombardier Global Express long range business jet. These were supplemented in 2009 by four Beechcraft Shadow R1 aircraft equipped for the ISTAR role over Afghanistan.<sup id="cite_ref-shadow_25-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>A pair of MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned aerial vehicles have been purchased to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are operated by No. 39 Squadron RAF. More MQ-9s are in the process of being purchased.<sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <table style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); margin-top: 0.5em;"> <tbody><tr> <td> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Nimrod_R1_Waddington_airshow_2009.jpg/180px-Nimrod_R1_Waddington_airshow_2009.jpg" class="thumbborder" height="108" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;"><span class="mw-redirect">Nimrod R1</span> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Raf-sentinel-ZJ692-071029-08-16.jpg/180px-Raf-sentinel-ZJ692-071029-08-16.jpg" class="thumbborder" height="128" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;">Sentinel R1 </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/MQ-9_Reaper_in_flight_%282007%29.jpg/180px-MQ-9_Reaper_in_flight_%282007%29.jpg" class="thumbborder" height="129" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;"><span class="mw-redirect">MQ-9 Reaper</span> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <h3><span class="editsection"></span></h3><h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Future_aircraft">Royal Air Force</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Support_helicopters">Support helicopters</span></h3> <p>An important part of the work of the RAF is to support the British Army by ferrying troops and equipment at the battlefield. However, RAF helicopters are also used in a variety of other roles, including support of RAF ground units and heavy-lift support for the Royal Marines. The support helicopters are organised into the tri-service Joint Helicopter Command (JHC), along with helicopters of the British Army and Royal Navy. The only helicopters not coordinated by the JHC are the search and rescue helicopters of the RAF and RN, and those RN helicopters that are normally based onboard a ship such as a destroyer or frigate.</p> <p>The large twin-rotor Chinook HC2/HC2A, based at RAF Odiham provides heavy-lift support and is supported by the Merlin HC3 and the smaller <span class="mw-redirect">Puma HC1</span> medium-lift helicopters, based at RAF Benson and RAF Aldergrove.</p> <p>It was announced in March 2007 that the RAF was to take delivery of six additional Merlins. The aircraft were originally ordered by Denmark and six new replacement aircraft were built for Denmark. It was also announced that eight Chinook HC3s that were in storage are being modified for the battlefield support role and available for operation from 2010.</p> <table style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); margin-top: 0.5em;"> <tbody><tr> <td> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Ehi_aw101_merlin_zj123_arp.jpg/180px-Ehi_aw101_merlin_zj123_arp.jpg" class="thumbborder" height="125" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;">Merlin HC3 </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Chinook_hc2_za682_arp.jpg/180px-Chinook_hc2_za682_arp.jpg" class="thumbborder" height="111" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;">Chinook HC2 </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/Raf_puma_xw236_arp.jpg/180px-Raf_puma_xw236_arp.jpg" class="thumbborder" height="121" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;"><span class="mw-redirect">Puma HC1</span> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <h3><span class="editsection"></span></h3><h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Future_aircraft">Royal Air Force</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Maritime_patrol">Maritime patrol</span></h3> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 222px;"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fa/ZJ517.jpg/220px-ZJ517.jpg" class="thumbimage" height="130" width="220" /></span> <div class="thumbcaption"> <span class="mw-redirect">Nimrod MRA4</span></div> </div> </div> <p>Until it was withdrawn on 31 March 2010, the <span class="mw-redirect">Nimrod MR2</span>'s primary role was that of <span class="mw-redirect">Anti-Submarine Warfare</span> and <span class="mw-redirect">Anti-Surface Unit Warfare</span>. It was additionally used in a <span class="mw-redirect">Search and Rescue</span> role, where its long range and communications facilities allowed it to co-ordinate rescues by acting as a link between rescue helicopters, ships and shore bases. It could also drop pods containing life rafts and survival supplies to people in the sea. Following its demise, the search and rescue role was adopted by the C-130 Hercules force, and the anti-submarine role by the Royal Navy.<sup class="Template-Fact" title="This claim needs references to reliable sources from October 2010" style="white-space: nowrap;"></sup> The Nimrod MR2 was to be replaced eventually by nine Nimrod MRA4 aircraft from late 2011. However the MRA4 was cancelled in the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review.<sup id="cite_ref-defensenews_28-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Transport_and_air-to-air_refuelling_aircraft">Transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft</span></h3> <p>Having replaced the former Queen's Flight in 1995, <span class="mw-redirect">32 (The Royal) Squadron</span> uses the <span class="mw-redirect">BAe 125 CC3</span>, <span class="mw-redirect">Agusta A109</span> and <span class="mw-redirect">BAe 146 CC2</span> in the VIP transport role, based at RAF Northolt, just west of London.</p> <p>More routine, strategic airlift transport tasks are carried out by the <span class="mw-redirect">TriStars</span> and VC10s based at RAF Brize Norton, for passengers and cargo, and for air-to-air refuelling of other aircraft.</p> <p>Shorter range, tactical-airlift transport is provided by the <span class="mw-redirect">Hercules</span>, the fleet including both older C-130K (Hercules C1/C3) and newer C-130J (Hercules C4/C5) variants, based at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire. All C-130's will be will be withdrawn by 2022.</p> <p>The RAF leased four <span class="mw-redirect">C-17 Globemaster IIIs</span> from Boeing to provide a heavy, strategic airlift capability. These were purchased, as well a fifth C-17, which was delivered on 7 April 2008 followed by a sixth aircraft delivered on 8 June 2008. The new aircraft entered frontline use within days rather than weeks. The MoD said "there is a stated departmental requirement for eight" C-17s and a seventh has been ordered for delivery in December 2010.<sup id="cite_ref-29" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <table style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); margin-top: 0.5em;"> <tbody><tr> <td> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Royal_Air_Force_C-17_August_2010.jpg/180px-Royal_Air_Force_C-17_August_2010.jpg" class="thumbborder" height="129" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;"><span class="mw-redirect">C-17 Globemaster III</span> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Hercules_C130J_%2C_Waddington_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1139086.jpg/180px-Hercules_C130J_%2C_Waddington_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1139086.jpg" class="thumbborder" height="135" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;"><span class="mw-redirect">Hercules C5 (C-130J)</span> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Tristar_threequarters_arp.jpg/180px-Tristar_threequarters_arp.jpg" class="thumbborder" height="124" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;">TriStar K1 </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/VC10_Royal_Air_Force.jpg/180px-VC10_Royal_Air_Force.jpg" class="thumbborder" height="135" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;">VC10 C1K </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="width: 200px; float: left; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 248);"> <tbody><tr> <td style="height: 200px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 0px;"> <div class="center"> <div class="floatnone"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/ZR322_RIAT_Bthebest.JPG/180px-ZR322_RIAT_Bthebest.JPG" class="thumbborder" height="108" width="180" /></span></div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); border-left: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); vertical-align: top;"> <td style="display: block; font-size: 1em; height: 3.2em; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gallerytext" style="height: 3.1em; width: 187px; line-height: 1.3em; padding: 2px 6px 1px; overflow-y: auto; margin: 0px; border: 0px none;">AgustaWestland AW109E </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <h3><span class="editsection"></span></h3><h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Future_aircraft">Royal Air Force</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Search_and_rescue_aircraft">Search and rescue aircraft</span></h3> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 222px;"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Sea.king.northdevon.arp.750pix.jpg/220px-Sea.king.northdevon.arp.750pix.jpg" class="thumbimage" height="146" width="220" /></span> <div class="thumbcaption"> Sea King HAR3A</div> </div> </div> <p>Three squadrons of helicopters exist with the primary role of military search and rescue; the rescuing of aircrew who have ejected or crash-landed their aircraft. These are 22 Squadron and 202 Squadron with the Sea King HAR.3/HAR3A in the UK and 84 Squadron with the Griffin HAR2 in Cyprus.</p> <p>Although established with a primary role of military search and rescue, most of their operational missions are spent in their secondary role of conducting civil search and rescue; that is, the rescue of civilians from the sea, on mountainsides and other locations.</p> <p>Both rescue roles are shared with the Sea King helicopters of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, while the civil search and rescue role is also shared with the helicopters of HM Coastguard.</p> <p>The <span class="mw-redirect">Operational Conversion Unit</span> is 203 Squadron RAF based at RAF Valley equipped with the Sea King HAR3.</p> <p>The related <span class="mw-redirect">Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service</span> comprises four teams of trained mountaineers stationed in the mainland United Kingdom, first established in 1943.</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span></h3><h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Future_aircraft">Royal Air Force</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Training_aircraft">Training aircraft</span></h3> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 222px;"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Bae_hawk_t1_xx245_inflight_arp.jpg/220px-Bae_hawk_t1_xx245_inflight_arp.jpg" class="thumbimage" height="145" width="220" /></span> <div class="thumbcaption"> BAE Hawk</div> </div> </div> <p>Elementary flying training is conducted on the <span class="mw-redirect">Tutor T1</span>. The Tutor is also used, along with the Viking T1 and Vigilant T1 gliders, to provide air experience training for <span class="mw-redirect">air cadets</span> and elementary flying training for trainee RAF pilots.</p> <p>Basic pilot training for fixed-wing and helicopter pilots is provided on the Tucano T1 and Squirrel HT1, while weapon systems officer and weapon systems operator training is conducted in the <span class="mw-redirect">Dominie T1</span>.</p> <p>Advanced flying training for fast-jet, helicopter and multi-engine pilots is provided using the Hawk T1, Griffin HT1 and B200 King Air respectively. At the more advanced stage in training, variants of front-line aircraft have been adapted for operational conversion of trained pilots; these include the <span class="mw-redirect">Harrier T10</span> and Typhoon T1.</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Future_aircraft">Royal Air Force Future aircraft</span></h3> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 222px;"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/F35A_Prototyp_AA1_2.jpg/220px-F35A_Prototyp_AA1_2.jpg" class="thumbimage" height="148" width="220" /></span> <div class="thumbcaption"> <span class="mw-redirect">F-35 Lightning II<br /><br /></span></div> </div> </div> <div class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 222px;"><span class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/A400M-1969.jpg/220px-A400M-1969.jpg" class="thumbimage" height="124" width="220" /></span> <div class="thumbcaption"> Airbus A400M</div> </div> </div> <p>The RAF is planning for the introduction of new aircraft. As of October 2010<sup class="plainlinks noprint asof-tag update" style="display: none;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Royal_Air_Force&action=edit" class="external text" rel="nofollow">[update]</a></sup>, these include:</p> <ul><li>The Airbus A400M, of which 22 are to be used to replace the remaining Hercules C1/C3 (C-130K) transport aircraft.<sup id="cite_ref-30" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></li><li>The <span class="mw-redirect">Hawk T2</span> will replace the existing Hawks in service; the newer model being more similar in equipment and performance to modern front line aircraft.</li><li>The ageing aerial refuelling fleet of VC10s and Tristars will be replaced with the Airbus A330 MRTT under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme.</li><li>The <span class="mw-redirect">F-35C Lightning II</span> will enter service around 2020 under the Joint Combat Aircraft programme. Prior to the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, the STOVL F-35B variant had been intended to directly replace the Harrier GR9.<sup id="cite_ref-defensenews_28-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></li><li>Project Taranis is a technology demonstrator programme, possibly leading to a future Strategic <span class="mw-redirect">Unmanned Aerial Vehicle</span> for both ground attack and reconnaissance roles.</li><li>The Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint, of which three have been ordered to replace the ageing Nimrod R1 fleet in the signals intelligence role by 2014. The aircraft will be Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker tankers converted to RC-135W standard in the most complex combined Foreign Military Sales case and co-operative support arrangement that the UK has undertaken with the United States Air Force since World War II. In RAF service, they will be known as the Airseeker.<sup id="cite_ref-31" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Air_Force#cite_note-31"><span></span></a></sup></li></ul></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-30347396938721634702011-03-26T07:37:00.000-07:002011-03-26T07:38:53.070-07:00History of the Royal Air Force<div style="text-align: justify;"><p>While the British were not the first to make use of heavier-than-air military aircraft, the RAF is the world's oldest independent air force: that is, the first air force to become independent of army or navy control.<sup id="cite_ref-Royal_Air_Force_90th_Anniversary_3-1" class="reference"><span></span></sup> It was founded on 1 April 1918, during the <span class="mw-redirect">First World War</span>, by the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). After the war, the service was drastically cut and its inter-war years were relatively quiet, with the RAF taking responsibility for the control of Iraq and executing a number of minor actions in other parts of the British Empire. Naval aviation in the form of the RAF's Fleet Air Arm was returned to Admiralty control on 24 May 1939.</p> <p>The RAF developed its doctrine of Strategic bombing which led to the construction of long-range bombers and became the basic philosophy in the Second World War.<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Second_World_War">Second World War</span></h3> <p>The RAF underwent rapid expansion prior to and during the <span class="mw-redirect">Second World War</span>. Under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan of December 1939, the air forces of British Commonwealth countries trained and formed "Article XV squadrons" for service with RAF formations. Many individual personnel from these countries, and exiles from <span class="mw-redirect">occupied Europe</span>, also served with RAF squadrons.</p> <p>In the Battle of Britain, in the late summer of 1940, the RAF (supplemented by 2 Fleet Air Arm Squadrons, Polish, Czechoslovakian and other multinational pilots and ground personnel) defended the skies over Britain against the German Luftwaffe, helping foil <span class="mw-redirect">Hitler</span>'s <span class="mw-redirect">plans for an invasion</span> of the United Kingdom, and prompting Prime Minister Winston Churchill to say in the House of Commons on 20 August, "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few".<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>The largest RAF effort during the war was the strategic bombing campaign against Germany by Bomber Command. While RAF bombing of Germany began almost immediately upon the outbreak of war, under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal <span class="mw-redirect">Harris</span>, these attacks became increasingly devastating from 1942 onward as new technology and greater numbers of superior aircraft became available. The RAF adopted night-time <span class="mw-redirect">area bombing</span> on German cities such as Hamburg and <span class="mw-redirect">Dresden</span>, and developed precision bombing techniques for specific operations, such as the "Dambusters" raid by No. 617 Squadron,<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> or the Amiens prison raid known as Operation Jericho.</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Cold_War">Cold War</span></h3> <p>During the Cold War years the main role of the RAF was the defence of the continent of Europe against potential attack by the Soviet Union, including holding the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent for a number of years. After the Cold War, the RAF was involved in several large scale operations, including the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, operations in Afghanistan, the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the subsequent war.</p> The RAF celebrated its 90th birthday with a flypast of the Red Arrows and four Typhoons over many RAF Stations and Central London on 1 April 2008.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Air_Force#cite_note-13"><span></span></a></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-78859069040440815562011-03-26T07:35:00.000-07:002011-03-26T07:36:27.912-07:00Royal Air Force Mission<div style="text-align: justify;"><p>The Royal Air Force mission is to support the objectives of the British Ministry of Defence (MoD), which are to "provide the capabilities needed: to ensure the security and defence of the United Kingdom and overseas territories, including against terrorism; to support the Government’s foreign policy objectives particularly in promoting international peace and security."<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>The RAF's own mission statement<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><span></span></sup> reads as thus:</p> <table style="margin: auto; border-collapse: collapse; border-style: none; background-color: transparent; width: auto;" class="cquote"> <tbody><tr> <td style="color: rgb(178, 183, 242); font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px;" valign="top" width="20">“</td> <td style="padding: 4px 10px;" valign="top">... to provide An <i>agile</i>, <i>adaptable</i> and <i>capable</i> Air Force that, person for person, is second to none, and that makes a decisive air power contribution in support of the UK Defence Mission.</td> <td style="color: rgb(178, 183, 242); font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px;" valign="bottom" width="20">”</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>The above statement goes hand in hand with the RAF's definition of <span class="mw-redirect">air power</span>, the concept that guides the RAF strategy. Air Power is defined as: "The ability to project military force in air or space by or from a platform or missile operating above the surface of the earth. Air platforms are defined as any aircraft, helicopter or unmanned air vehicle."<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> Although the RAF is the principal British air power arm, the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm and the British Army's Army Air Corps also deliver air power which is integrated into the maritime, littoral and land environments.</p></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-21221623017211031532011-03-26T07:33:00.000-07:002011-03-26T07:35:25.114-07:00Royal Air Force - RAF<div style="text-align: justify;"><p>The <b>Royal Air Force</b> (<b>RAF</b>) is the air force of the United Kingdom and the oldest independent air force in the world.<sup id="cite_ref-Royal_Air_Force_90th_Anniversary_3-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-HM_Forces:_RAF_4-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> Formed on 1 April 1918,<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> the RAF has taken a significant role in British military history ever since, playing a large part in World War II and in more recent conflicts.</p> <p>The RAF operates 981 aircraft (2011) and, as of early 2011, had a total manpower strength of 42,750 Regulars<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> and 2,500 RAF Volunteers. This makes the RAF the second largest airforce in NATO, the largest in Europe and the 5th largest in the world. The majority of the RAF's aircraft and personnel are based in the UK with many others serving on operations (principally Afghanistan and the Middle East) or at long-established overseas bases (Ascension Island, Canada, Cyprus, Diego Garcia, Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands and Germany).</p><table class="infobox vcard"><tbody><tr><th class="fn org" colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(176, 196, 222); text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Royal Air Force</th> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Founded</th> <td>1 April 1918</td> </tr> <tr class="adr"> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Country</th> <td><span class="country-name"><span class="flagicon"><img alt="United Kingdom" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/22px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" class="thumbborder" height="11" width="22" /></span> United Kingdom</span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Size</th> <td>981 Aircraft <p>Available manpower;</p> <ul><li>42,750 Regulars<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></li><li>2,500 RAF Volunteers</li></ul> <p>Reserve manpower;</p> <ul><li>33,380 Regular Reserve<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></li></ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Part of</th> <td>British Armed Forces</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Air Staff Offices</th> <td><span class="label">MOD Main Building, Whitehall</span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Motto</th> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Latin</span>: <span lang="la"><i>Per Ardua ad Astra</i></span><br />"Through Adversity to the Stars"<sup id="cite_ref-RAF_.E2.80.93_Frequently_Asked_Questions_2-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">March</th> <td>Royal Air Force March Past</td> </tr> <tr> <th colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(176, 196, 222); text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Commanders</th> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Chief of the Air Staff</th> <td>Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Notable<br />commanders</th> <td>Lord Trenchard<br />Lord Portal</td> </tr> <tr> <th colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(176, 196, 222); text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Insignia</th> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">RAF Badge</th> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Royal Air Force Badge" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/Royal_Airforce_Badge.png/75px-Royal_Airforce_Badge.png" height="71" width="75" /></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">RAF roundels</th> <td><span class="image"><img alt="The Low visibility roundel" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/RAF_Lowvis_Army_roundel.svg/75px-RAF_Lowvis_Army_roundel.svg.png" height="75" width="75" /></span> <span class="image"><img alt="The RAF roundel" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/RAF_roundel.svg/75px-RAF_roundel.svg.png" height="75" width="75" /></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Fin flash</th> <td><span class="image"><img alt="The RAF Fin Flash" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/RAF-Finflash-Noncombat.svg/75px-RAF-Finflash-Noncombat.svg.png" height="75" width="75" /></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">RAF TRF</th> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Royal Air Force TRF" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/RAF_TRF.svg/75px-RAF_TRF.svg.png" height="75" width="75" /></span></td> </tr> <tr> <th colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(176, 196, 222); text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Aircraft flown</th> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;"><span class="mw-redirect">Attack</span></th> <td>Tornado GR4<br />Typhoon FGR4<br />Reaper</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Electronic<br />warfare</th> <td>Sentry</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Fighter</th> <td>Typhoon F2</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Helicopter</th> <td>Chinook<br /><span class="mw-redirect">Merlin</span><br /><span class="mw-redirect">Puma</span><br />Sea King<br />Griffin HAR2</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Interceptor</th> <td>Tornado F3<br />Typhoon</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Reconnaissance</th> <td>Islander<br />Shadow R1<br />Nimrod R1<br />Sentinel R1<br />Reaper<br />Tornado GR4A</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Trainer</th> <td>Hawk<br />King Air<br />Squirrel<br />Tucano<br />Tutor<br />Vigilant<br />Viking</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Transport</th> <td>C-17<br />Hercules C3<br />Hercules C4 & C5<br />Tristar<br />VC10</td></tr></tbody></table></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-57371766525188325022011-03-09T00:53:00.000-08:002011-03-09T00:54:56.812-08:00Russian Air Force Corps and Divisions<div style="text-align: justify;"><p>This is an incomplete <b>list of corps and divisions</b> of the Russian Air Force and Russian <span class="mw-redirect">Air Defence Force</span> (PVO) active from 1992 to the present.</p> <table class="wikitable"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#cccccc"> <th>Corps/Division</th> <th>Type</th> <th>Headquarters</th> <th>Formation</th> <th>Equipment</th> </tr> <tr> <td>1st Air Defence Corps</td> <td>KPVO</td> <td>Balashikha</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">16th Air Army</span></td> <td>surface-to-air missiles only</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1st Composite Aviation Division</td> <td>SAD</td> <td>Krasnodar</td> <td>4th Air Army</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Su-24</span>/<span class="mw-redirect">Su-25</span>/<span class="mw-redirect">L-39</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td>8th Aviation Division of Special Purpose</td> <td>адон</td> <td>Chkalovsky Airport, Moscow Oblast</td> <td>Air Forces headquarters</td> <td>transport aircraft</td> </tr> <tr> <td>8th Air Defence Corps</td> <td>KPVO</td> <td>?</td> <td>11 OA PVO (Murmansk)</td> <td>Fighters, radars, SAMs</td> <td>Disbanded 1992-98</td> </tr> <tr> <td>9th Air Defence Division</td> <td>дПВО</td> <td>Moscow Military District</td> <td>1st Air Defence Corps</td> <td>Surface to air missiles</td> <td>May include <span class="mw-redirect">S-400</span> units</td> </tr> <tr> <td>12th Military Transport Aviation Division</td> <td>VTAD</td> <td>Migalovo</td> <td>61st Air Army</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Il-76</span>/<span class="mw-redirect">An-22</span>/<span class="mw-redirect">An-124</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td>19th Air Defence Corps</td> <td>KPVO</td> <td>?</td> <td>4 OA PVO (Sverdlovsk)</td> <td>Fighters, radars, SAMs</td> <td>Disbanded 1992-1998</td> </tr> <tr> <td>21st Air Defence Corps</td> <td>KPVO</td> <td>Severomorsk</td> <td>6th Air Army</td> <td>SAMs, radars, Su-27/MiG-31</td> </tr> <tr> <td>21st Composite Air Division</td> <td>SAD</td> <td>Dzhida</td> <td>14th Air Army</td> <td>Su-24M/Su-25/Su-24MR</td> </tr> <tr> <td>22nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Division</td> <td>TBAD</td> <td>Engels Air Force Base, Engels</td> <td>37th Air Army</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Tu-22M3</span>/<span class="mw-redirect">Tu-95MS</span>/<span class="mw-redirect">Tu-160</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td>22nd Air Defence Corps</td> <td>KPVO</td> <td>?</td> <td>10 OA PVO Murmansk</td> <td>Disbanded 1992-1998</td> </tr> <tr> <td>23rd Air Defence Corps</td> <td>KPVO</td> <td>Vladivostok</td> <td>11th Air Army</td> <td>Su-27/MiG-25PU/MiG-31</td> <td>Also radars, SAMs</td> </tr> <tr> <td>25th Air Defence Division</td> <td>дПВО</td> <td>Komsomolsk-on-Amur</td> <td>11th Air Army</td> <td>Su-27</td> </tr> <tr> <td>32nd Air Defence Corps</td> <td>KPVO</td> <td>Rzhev</td> <td>Special Purpose Command</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Su-27</span>/<span class="mw-redirect">MiG-31</span>/<span class="mw-redirect">MiG-25</span>U</td> <td>Also SAMs, radars</td> </tr> <tr> <td>38th Air Defence Corps</td> <td>KPVO</td> <td><br /></td> <td>14 OA PVO (Siberian Military District)</td> <td>Fighters, SAMs, radars</td> <td>Disbanded 1992-98</td> </tr> <tr> <td>51st Air Defence Corps</td> <td>KPVO</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Rostov on Don</span></td> <td>4th Air Army</td> <td>Su-27/MiG-29</td> <td>Also SAMs, radars</td> </tr> <tr> <td>54th Air Defence Corps</td> <td>KPVO</td> <td>Taytsy</td> <td>6th Air Army</td> <td>Su-27</td> </tr> <tr> <td>56th Air Defence Corps</td> <td>KPVO</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Semipalatinsk</span></td> <td>14 OA PVO</td> <td>Fighters, SAMs, radars</td> <td>Disbanded circa 1992</td> </tr> <tr> <td>105th Composite Aviation Division</td> <td>SAD</td> <td>Voronezh</td> <td>Special Purpose Command</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Su-24</span>/<span class="mw-redirect">Su-25</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td>326th Heavy Bomber Aviation Division</td> <td>TBAD</td> <td>Ukrainka</td> <td>37th Air Army</td> <td>Tu-22M3/MR, Tu-95MS</td></tr></tbody></table></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-66374860436067973512011-03-09T00:50:00.000-08:002011-03-09T00:52:30.675-08:00Structure of Russian Air Force<div style="text-align: justify;"><p>In 2009 the Russian Air Forces' structure was completely changed to a command-air base structure from the previous structure of air army-air division or corps-air regiment. This listing is not up to date. Warfare.ru maintains what appears to be a reasonably up to date listing, and <i>Combat Aircraft</i> magazine in June 2010 listed their organisation's estimate of the new order of battle.</p> <p><b>Forces of central subordination of the Russian Air Force</b></p> <ul><li>8th Air Division for Special Purposes (Chkalovskiy Chkalovsky Airport)</li><li>929th State Flight Test Centre (Akhtubinsk)</li><li>4th Centre for Combat Training and Flight Personnel Training - Lipetsk Air Base</li><li>344th Centre for Combat Training and Flight Personnel Training - Torzhok(ground forces helicopters) <ul><li>696th Research and Instruction Helicopter Regiment (Torzhok)(<span class="mw-redirect">Ka-50</span>, Mi-8, <span class="mw-redirect">Mi-24</span>, <span class="mw-redirect">Mi-26</span>, has used <span class="mw-redirect">Mi-28</span>)</li><li>92nd Research and Instruction Helicopter Squadron (Sokol-Vladimir) (Mi-8, Mi-24)</li></ul> </li><li>2881st Reserve Helicopter Base - <span class="mw-redirect">Mi-24</span> - Totskoye (air base)</li><li>924th Centre for Combat Training and Flight Personnel Training - Yegoryevsk (UAVs)</li><li>Russian State Scientific-Research Institute Centre for Cosmonaut Training - Star City, Russia Zvezdniy Gorodok</li><li>2457th Air Base of Long Range Radiolocation Detection Aircraft - A-50s - Ivanovo Severny</li><li>1st Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment - Su-24 - Lebyazhye</li><li>764th Fighter Aviation Regiment - MiG-31, MiG-25PU - Bolshoye Savino Airport (Sokol)</li><li>5th Independent Long Range Reconnaissance Aviation Detachment - Voronezh (CFE, INF verification)</li><li>185th Centre for Combat Training and Flight Personnel Training - Astrakhan</li><li>118th Independent Helicopter Regiment - Dmitriyevka [Чебеньки], Orenburg Oblast.</li><li>4020th Base for Reserve Aircraft, Lipetsk</li><li>4215th Base for Reserve Aircraft, Dmitriyevka</li></ul> <p><b>Training Units</b></p> <ul><li>Krasnodar Military Aviation Institute (L-39Cs)</li><li>Syzran Military Aviation Institute (Mi-2, Mi-8, Mi-24)</li><li>783rd Training Centre (Armavir) (MiG-29, L-39C)</li><li>786th Training Centre (Borisoglebsk)</li></ul> <p><b>Special Purpose Command</b>, HQ Moscow, Moscow Military District</p> <ul><li>16th Air Army - Kubinka <ul><li>105th Composite Aviation Division, Voronezh <ul><li>455th Bomber Aviation Regiment - operating Sukhoi Su-24, based at <span class="mw-redirect">Chertovitskoye Airport</span>, Voronezh</li><li>899th <i>Shturmovik</i> (Assault) Aviation Regiment <span class="mw-redirect">Su-25</span>, based at Buturlinovka.</li></ul> </li><li>14th Fighter Aviation Regiment - <span class="mw-redirect">MiG-29</span> - Kursk</li><li>28th Fighter Aviation Regiment - <span class="mw-redirect">MiG-29</span> - Andreapol (air base)</li><li>47th Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment - <span class="mw-redirect">MiG-25</span> and <span class="mw-redirect">Su-24</span> in service - HQs at Shatalovo</li><li>237th Air Technology Demonstration Centre of Guards - Kubinka - MiG-29, Su-27, Su-27M, L-39C;</li></ul> </li><li>226th Independent Composite Air Regiment (Mi-8, Mi-9, An-12, <span class="mw-redirect">An-24</span>, An-26, An-30) (Kubinka (air base));</li><li>1st Corps of PVO (surface to air missiles only);</li><li>32nd Corps of PVO (Rzhev) <ul><li>611th Fighter Aviation Regiment <span class="mw-redirect">Su-27</span> Dorokhovo</li><li>790th Interceptor Aviation Regiment - <span class="mw-redirect">MiG-31</span>, <span class="mw-redirect">MiG-25</span>U - <span class="mw-redirect">Khotilovo</span></li></ul> </li><li>Army Aviation components <ul><li>45th Independent Helicopter Regiment (Oreshkovo (Vorotinsk) near Kaluga) Mi-24</li><li>440th Independent Helicopter Regiment for battle control- Vyazma - Mi-24, Mi-8</li><li>490th Independent Helicopter Regiment for battle control - Klokovo (4 km north of Tula) - Mi-24, Mi-8;</li><li>865th Reserve Helicopter Base (Protasovo/<span class="mw-redirect">Aleksandrovo (air base)</span>, near Ryazan);</li></ul> </li></ul> <p><b><span class="new">1st Air and Air Defence Forces Command</span>,</b> Western Operational Strategic Command (former 6th Army of VVS and PVO)</p> <p><b>2nd Command of VVS and PVO,</b> <span class="mw-redirect">Eastern Operational Strategic Command</span> (former 11th Army of VVS and PVO)</p> <p><b>3rd Command of VVS and PVO,</b> Central Operational Strategic Command (former 14th Army of VVS and PVO)</p> <p><b><span class="new">4th Air and Air Defence Forces Command</span>,</b> Southern Operational Strategic Command (former 4th and 5th Armies of VVS and PVO)</p><p><b>Command of Long Range Aviation</b> - HQ at Moscow</p> <ul><li> <ul><li>43rd Centre for Combat and Flight Personnel Training - Ryazan - operates the Tu-22M3, Tu-95MS, <span class="mw-redirect">Tu-134</span>UBL and <span class="mw-redirect">An-26</span>;</li><li>22nd Heavy Bomber Air Division "Donbass" - HQs at <span class="mw-redirect">Engels-2</span>; <ul><li>121st Heavy Bomber Air Regiment - Engels - Tu-160 in service;</li><li>184th Heavy Bomber Air Regiment - Engels - Tu-95MS;</li><li>52nd Heavy Bomber Air Regiment - Shaykovka - Tu-22M3;</li><li>840th Heavy Bomber Air Regiment - Soltsy - Tu-22M3;</li></ul> </li><li>326th Heavy Bomber Air Division - HQs at Ukrainka; <ul><li>182nd Heavy Bomber Air Regiment - Ukrainka - Tu-95MS;</li><li>79th Heavy Bomber Air Regiment - Ukrainka - Tu-95MS;</li><li>200th Heavy Bomber Air Regiment - Belaya (air base) (near Irkutsk) - Tu-22M3, Tu-22MR;</li><li>444th Heavy Bomber Air Regiment - <span class="new">Vozdvizshenka</span> (Ussuriysk) - Tu-22M3;</li></ul> </li><li>203rd Independent Air Regiment of <span class="mw-redirect">Tanker Aircraft</span> - HQs at Ryazan - <span class="mw-redirect">Il-78</span> and Il-78M in service;</li><li>181st Independent Air Squadron - Irkutsk - <span class="mw-redirect">An-12</span> and <span class="mw-redirect">An-30</span>;</li><li>199th Air Base - Ulan-Ude;</li><li>3119th Air Base - Tambov;</li><li>Unknown Air Base - Tiksi;</li></ul> </li></ul> <p><b>Command of Military Transport Aviation</b> - Moscow</p> <ul><li> <ul><li>610th Centre for Combat and Flight Personnel Training - HQs at Ivanovo Severny; <ul><li>Unknown Instructor Military Transport Air Squadron - Ivanovo - operates the Il-76;</li></ul> </li><li>12th Military Transport Air Division - Tver (Migalovo); <ul><li>196th Military Transport Air Regiment - Tver - Il-76 in service;</li><li>566th Military Transport Air Regiment - <span class="new">Seshcha</span> - Il-76, <span class="mw-redirect">An-124</span>;</li><li>76th Independent Military Transport Air Squadron - Tver - <span class="mw-redirect">An-22</span>;</li></ul> </li><li>103rd Military Transport Air Regiment - Smolensk - Il-76;</li><li>110th Military Transport Air Regiment - Krechevitsy - Il-76;</li><li>117th Military Transport Air Regiment - Orenburg - Il-76, An-12;</li><li>334th Military Transport Air Regiment - Pskov - Il-76;</li><li>708th Military Transport Air Regiment - Taganrog - Il-76;</li><li>78th Independent Military Transport Air Squadron - Klin-5 - operates <span class="mw-redirect">An-26</span>, An-12 and <span class="mw-redirect">Tu-134</span>;</li><li>224th Air Detachment of Military Transport Aviation - Tver - An-124, Il-76MD;</li><li>one communications centre</li></ul> </li></ul></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-92195898629380073532011-03-09T00:47:00.000-08:002011-03-09T00:49:30.238-08:00Russian Air Force Ranks and Insignia<div style="text-align: justify;">The independent Russia inherited the ranks of the Soviet Union, although the insignia and uniform was altered a little, especially the re-introduction of the old <span class="mw-redirect">Czarist</span> crown and double eagle. The Russian Air Force is an independent organisation. The Russian Air Force follows the same rank structure as the Russian Ground Forces, with the addition of the title "of aviation" to each officers rank.<br /><br />Russian armed forces have two styles of ranks - troop ranks (army style ranks) and deck ranks (navy style ranks). The army uses troop ranks. The Russian Air Force uses troop ranks. The following table of Ranks is based on those of the Russian Federation. The Russian Federation eliminated the descriptor "of Aviation" following ranks, however, that descriptor is still in use. The rank of a serviceman of a "Guards" unit, formation or ship may be followed by the word “Guards.” The rank of a citizen of the legal, medical or veterinary professions shall be followed by the words “of Justice,” “of the Medical service,” or “of the Veterinary service,” to their respective ranks. The rank of a citizen having reserve or retired status shall be followed by the words “Reserve” or “Retired,” respectively.<br /><h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Table_of_Ranks">Table of Russian Air Force Ranks</span></h2> <table class="wikitable" align="center" cellpadding="5"><tbody><tr> <th width="20%">Category</th> <th width="35%">Troop ranks</th> <th>Rank Insignia</th> <th>NATO Equivalent</th> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="4"> <center><b>Supreme Officers</b><br /><b>or</b><br /><b>General Officers</b></center> </td> <td> <center><span class="mw-redirect">General of the Army</span><br />(<b>генера́л а́рмии</b>)<br />(<i>Generál ármii</i>)</center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - General of the Army - Every day blue.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/RFAF_-_General_of_the_Army_-_Every_day_blue.png/50px-RFAF_-_General_of_the_Army_-_Every_day_blue.png" width="50" height="144" /></span><br /><b>Every day blue uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OF-10 / OF-9</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <center>Colonel General<br />(<b>генера́л-полко́вник</b>)<br />(<i>Generál-polkóvnik</i>)</center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Colonel-general - Every day blue.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/RFAF_-_Colonel-general_-_Every_day_blue.png/50px-RFAF_-_Colonel-general_-_Every_day_blue.png" width="50" height="144" /></span><br /><b>Every day blue uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OF-9 / OF-8</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <center>Lieutenant General<br />(<b>генера́л-лейтена́нт</b>)<br />(<i>Generál-leytenánt</i>)</center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Lieutenant-general - Every day blue.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/RFAF_-_Lieutenant-general_-_Every_day_blue.png/50px-RFAF_-_Lieutenant-general_-_Every_day_blue.png" width="50" height="144" /></span><br /><b>Every day blue uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OF-8 / OF-7</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <center>Major General<br />(<b>генера́л-майо́р</b>)<br />(<i>Generál-mayór</i>)</center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Major-general - Every day blue.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/RFAF_-_Major-general_-_Every_day_blue.png/50px-RFAF_-_Major-general_-_Every_day_blue.png" width="50" height="143" /></span><br /><b>Every day blue uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OF-7 / OF-6</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="3"> <center><b>Senior Officers</b><br /><b>or</b><br /><b>Field Grade Officers</b></center> </td> <td> <center>Colonel<br />(<b>полко́вник</b>)<br />(<i>Polkóvnik</i>)</center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Colonel - Every day blue.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/RFAF_-_Colonel_-_Every_day_blue.png/50px-RFAF_-_Colonel_-_Every_day_blue.png" width="50" height="145" /></span><br /><b>Every day blue uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OF-5 / OF-6</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <center>Lieutenant Colonel<br />(<b>подполко́вник</b>)<br />(<i>Podpolkóvnik</i>)</center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Lieutenant Colonel - Every day blue.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/RFAF_-_Lieutenant_Colonel_-_Every_day_blue.png/50px-RFAF_-_Lieutenant_Colonel_-_Every_day_blue.png" width="50" height="145" /></span><br /><b>Every day blue uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OF-4</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <center>Major<br />(<b>майо́р</b>)<br />(<i>Mayór</i>)</center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Major - Every day blue.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/RFAF_-_Major_-_Every_day_blue.png/50px-RFAF_-_Major_-_Every_day_blue.png" width="50" height="145" /></span><br /><b>Every day blue uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OF-3</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="4"> <center><b>Junior Officers</b><br /><b>or</b><br /><b>Company Grade Officers</b></center> </td> <td> <center><span class="mw-redirect">Captain</span><br />(<b>капита́н</b>)<br />(<i>Kapitán</i>)</center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Captain - Every day blue.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/RFAF_-_Captain_-_Every_day_blue.png/50px-RFAF_-_Captain_-_Every_day_blue.png" width="50" height="145" /></span><br /><b>Every day blue uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OF-2</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <center>Senior Lieutenant<br />(<b>ста́рший лейтена́нт</b>)<br />(<i>Stárshiy leytenánt</i>)</center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Senior Lieutenant - Every day blue.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/RFAF_-_Senior_Lieutenant_-_Every_day_blue.png/50px-RFAF_-_Senior_Lieutenant_-_Every_day_blue.png" width="50" height="145" /></span><br /><b>Every day blue uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OF-2</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <center>Lieutenant<br />(<b>лейтена́нт</b>)<br />(<i>Leytenánt</i>)</center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Lieutenant - Every day blue.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/RFAF_-_Lieutenant_-_Every_day_blue.png/50px-RFAF_-_Lieutenant_-_Every_day_blue.png" width="50" height="145" /></span><br /><b>Every day blue uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OF-1</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <center>Junior Lieutenant<br />(<b>мла́дший лейтена́нт</b>)<br />(<i>Mládshiy leytenánt</i>)</center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Junior Lieutenant - Every day blue.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/RFAF_-_Junior_Lieutenant_-_Every_day_blue.png/50px-RFAF_-_Junior_Lieutenant_-_Every_day_blue.png" width="50" height="145" /></span><br /><b>Every day blue uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OF-1</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="2"> <center><b>Under-Officers</b><br /><b>or</b><br /><b>Master non-commissioned officers</b></center> </td> <td> <center>Senior Praporshchik<br />(<b>ста́рший пра́порщик</b>)<br />(<i>Stárshiy práporshchik</i>)<br /></center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Senior praporschik - Every day blue.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/RFAF_-_Senior_praporschik_-_Every_day_blue.png/50px-RFAF_-_Senior_praporschik_-_Every_day_blue.png" width="50" height="146" /></span><br /><b>Every day blue uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>WO-2 / OR-9</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <center>Praporshchik<br />(<b>пра́порщик</b>)<br />(<i>Práporshchik</i>)<br /></center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Praporschik - Every day blue.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/RFAF_-_Praporschik_-_Every_day_blue.png/50px-RFAF_-_Praporschik_-_Every_day_blue.png" width="50" height="146" /></span><br /><b>Every day blue uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>WO-1 / OR-8</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="4"> <center><b>Sergeants</b><br /><b>and</b><br /><b>Petty Officers</b></center> </td> <td> <center>Starshina<br />(<b>старшина́</b>)<br />(<i>Starshiná</i>)<br /></center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Starshina - Every day green.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/RFAF_-_Starshina_-_Every_day_green.png/50px-RFAF_-_Starshina_-_Every_day_green.png" width="50" height="146" /></span><br /><b>Every day green uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OR-7</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <center>Senior Sergeant<br />(<b>ста́рший сержа́нт</b>)<br />(<i>Stárshiy Serdzhánt</i>)<br /></center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Senior Sergeant - Every day green.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/RFAF_-_Senior_Sergeant_-_Every_day_green.png/50px-RFAF_-_Senior_Sergeant_-_Every_day_green.png" width="50" height="146" /></span><br /><b>Every day green uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OR-6</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <center>Sergeant<br />(<b>сержа́нт</b>)<br />(<i>Serzhánt</i>)<br /></center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Sergeant - Every day green.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/RFAF_-_Sergeant_-_Every_day_green.png/50px-RFAF_-_Sergeant_-_Every_day_green.png" width="50" height="146" /></span><br /><b>Every day green uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OR-5</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <center>Junior Sergeant<br />(<b>мла́дший сержа́нт</b>)<br />(<i>Mládshiy Serzhánt</i>)<br /></center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Junior Sergeant - Every day green.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/RFAF_-_Junior_Sergeant_-_Every_day_green.png/50px-RFAF_-_Junior_Sergeant_-_Every_day_green.png" width="50" height="146" /></span><br /><b>Every day green uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OR-4</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="2"> <center><b>Soldiers,<br />seamen,<br />airmen</b></center> </td> <td> <center>Gefreiter<br />(<b>ефре́йтор</b>)<br />(<i>Yefrèytor</i>)</center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Efreitor - Every day green.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/RFAF_-_Efreitor_-_Every_day_green.png/50px-RFAF_-_Efreitor_-_Every_day_green.png" width="50" height="146" /></span><br /><b>Every day green uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OR-3</center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <center>Private<br />(<b>рядово́й</b>)<br />(<i>Ryadovóy</i>)<br /></center> </td> <td> <center><span class="image"><img alt="RFAF - Private - Every day green.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/RFAF_-_Private_-_Every_day_green.png/50px-RFAF_-_Private_-_Every_day_green.png" width="50" height="146" /></span><br /><b>Every day green uniform</b></center> </td> <td> <center>OR-2 / OR-1</center></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-45106974026953113722011-03-09T00:44:00.000-08:002011-03-09T00:46:12.904-08:00Aircraft Inventory of Russian Air Force<div style="text-align: justify;">The Russian Air Force operates around 3282 aircraft of all types. This includes 1205 fixed wing combat aircraft, 164 strategic bombers and 301 attack helicopters. <table><tbody><tr> <th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204);">Aircraft</th> <th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204);">Photo</th> <th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204);">Type</th> <th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204);">Versions</th> <th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204);">Numbers In Service<sup id="cite_ref-ReferenceA_26-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></th> </tr> <tr> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="5"><b><span class="mw-redirect">Combat aircraft</span></b></th> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td>Sukhoi Su-27</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Su-27 on landing.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Su-27_on_landing.jpg/100px-Su-27_on_landing.jpg" width="100" height="67" /></span></td> <td>Air Superiority Fighter</td> <td>Su-27</td> <td>250 (plus 72 operated by Navy)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sukhoi Su-30</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Sukhoi Su-30 inflight.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/Sukhoi_Su-30_inflight.jpg/100px-Sukhoi_Su-30_inflight.jpg" width="100" height="66" /></span></td> <td>Strike Fighter</td> <td>Su-30</td> <td>9</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Sukhoi Su-35BM</span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-35 Belyakov.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Russian_Air_Force_Sukhoi_Su-35_Belyakov.jpg/100px-Russian_Air_Force_Sukhoi_Su-35_Belyakov.jpg" width="100" height="67" /></span></td> <td>Air Superiority Fighter</td> <td>Su-35</td> <td>11</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mikoyan MiG-29</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Mig-29 on landing.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Mig-29_on_landing.jpg/100px-Mig-29_on_landing.jpg" width="100" height="67" /></span></td> <td>Multirole Fighter</td> <td>MiG-29</td> <td>194</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td>Mikoyan MiG-31</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Russian Air Force MiG-31 Pichugin.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Russian_Air_Force_MiG-31_Pichugin.jpg/100px-Russian_Air_Force_MiG-31_Pichugin.jpg" width="100" height="66" /></span></td> <td>Interceptor</td> <td>MiG-31</td> <td>168</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Sukhoi Su-34</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Russian Air Force Su-34.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Russian_Air_Force_Su-34.jpg/100px-Russian_Air_Force_Su-34.jpg" width="100" height="65" /></span></td> <td>Fighter-bomber</td> <td>Su-34</td> <td>16</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td>Sukhoi Su-24</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Sukhoi Su-24.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Sukhoi_Su-24.jpg/100px-Sukhoi_Su-24.jpg" width="100" height="67" /></span></td> <td>Tactical Fighter/Bomber</td> <td>Su-24</td> <td>314</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td>Sukhoi Su-25</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Russian Air Force Su-25.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Russian_Air_Force_Su-25.jpg/100px-Russian_Air_Force_Su-25.jpg" width="100" height="63" /></span></td> <td>Close Air Support</td> <td>Su-25</td> <td>243</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Combat Fixed-wing Aircraft</b></td> <td><b>1205</b></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="5"><b><span class="mw-redirect">Bomber Aircraft</span></b></th> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td>Tupolev Tu-22M</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Tupolev Tu-22m3.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Tupolev_Tu-22m3.jpg/100px-Tupolev_Tu-22m3.jpg" width="100" height="75" /></span></td> <td>Strategic bomber</td> <td>Tu-22M</td> <td>84</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tupolev Tu-95</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Tupolev Tu-95 in flight.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/Tupolev_Tu-95_in_flight.jpg/100px-Tupolev_Tu-95_in_flight.jpg" width="100" height="67" /></span></td> <td>Strategic bomber</td> <td>Tu-95</td> <td>64</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td>Tupolev Tu-160</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Tu-160 at MAKS 2007.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/17/Tu-160_at_MAKS_2007.jpg/100px-Tu-160_at_MAKS_2007.jpg" width="100" height="67" /></span></td> <td>Strategic bomber</td> <td>Tu-160</td> <td>16</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Bomber aircraft</b></td> <td><b>164</b></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="5"><b>Trainer Aircraft</b></th> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td>Yakovlev Yak-130</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Russian Air Force Yakovlev Yak-130 Pichugin.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Russian_Air_Force_Yakovlev_Yak-130_Pichugin.jpg/100px-Russian_Air_Force_Yakovlev_Yak-130_Pichugin.jpg" width="100" height="67" /></span></td> <td>Training</td> <td>Yak-130</td> <td>12</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Aero L-39 Albatros</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Rus Aero L-39 Pichugin.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Rus_Aero_L-39_Pichugin.jpg/100px-Rus_Aero_L-39_Pichugin.jpg" width="100" height="66" /></span></td> <td>Training</td> <td>L-39</td> <td>~1000</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Trainer aircraft</b></td> <td><b>~1012</b></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="5"><b>Transport Aircraft</b></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Ilyushin Il-76</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il-76MD Pichugin.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Russian_Air_Force_Ilyushin_Il-76MD_Pichugin.jpg/100px-Russian_Air_Force_Ilyushin_Il-76MD_Pichugin.jpg" width="100" height="67" /></span></td> <td>Transport</td> <td>IL-76MD</td> <td>68</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Antonov An-12</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Russian Air Force Antonov An-12 Dvurekov.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Russian_Air_Force_Antonov_An-12_Dvurekov.jpg/100px-Russian_Air_Force_Antonov_An-12_Dvurekov.jpg" width="100" height="66" /></span></td> <td>Transport</td> <td>An-12</td> <td>126</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Antonov An-2</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="An-2 RB1.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/An-2_RB1.jpg/100px-An-2_RB1.jpg" width="100" height="51" /></span></td> <td>Transport</td> <td>An-2</td> <td>10 (plus 20 in Navy)</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td>Antonov An-22</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Russian Air Force An-22 in April 2007.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Russian_Air_Force_An-22_in_April_2007.jpg/100px-Russian_Air_Force_An-22_in_April_2007.jpg" width="100" height="66" /></span></td> <td>Transport</td> <td>An-22</td> <td>21</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td>Antonov An-32</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="An-32B.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/An-32B.jpg/100px-An-32B.jpg" width="100" height="65" /></span></td> <td>Transport</td> <td>An-32</td> <td>50</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Antonov An-124</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="224th Flight Unit Antonov An-124.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/224th_Flight_Unit_Antonov_An-124.jpg/100px-224th_Flight_Unit_Antonov_An-124.jpg" width="100" height="64" /></span></td> <td>Transport</td> <td>An-124</td> <td>11</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Antonov An-70</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="An-70 takeoff.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/An-70_takeoff.jpg/100px-An-70_takeoff.jpg" width="100" height="67" /></span></td> <td>Transport</td> <td>An-70</td> <td>1</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Transport Aircraft</b></td> <td><b>307</b></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="5"><b><span class="mw-redirect">Command and Control</span></b></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Ilyushin Il-80</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="VVS Ilyushin Il-80 Naumenko.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/VVS_Ilyushin_Il-80_Naumenko.jpg/100px-VVS_Ilyushin_Il-80_Naumenko.jpg" width="100" height="67" /></span></td> <td>Command Post</td> <td>Il-80</td> <td>4</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Tupolev Tu-214</span></td> <td><br /></td> <td>Command Post / VIP</td> <td>Tu-214-100</td> <td>2</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Command Post</b></td> <td><b>6</b></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="5"><b>Aerial refueling</b></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Ilyushin Il-78</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il-78M Maksimov.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Russian_Air_Force_Ilyushin_Il-78M_Maksimov.jpg/100px-Russian_Air_Force_Ilyushin_Il-78M_Maksimov.jpg" width="100" height="66" /></span></td> <td>Refueling Tanker</td> <td>IL-78</td> <td>18</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Aerial refueling aircraft</b></td> <td><b>18</b></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="5"><b>Reconnaissance</b></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Beriev A-50</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Beriev A-50 over Moscow on 6 May 2010.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Beriev_A-50_over_Moscow_on_6_May_2010.jpg/100px-Beriev_A-50_over_Moscow_on_6_May_2010.jpg" width="100" height="68" /></span></td> <td>AEW&C</td> <td>Beriev A-50</td> <td>19</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Reconnaissance & EW aircraft</b></td> <td><b>19</b></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="5"><b><span class="mw-redirect">UAV</span></b></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Yakovlev Pchela</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Yakovlev Pchela NTW 2 93 2.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Yakovlev_Pchela_NTW_2_93_2.jpg/100px-Yakovlev_Pchela_NTW_2_93_2.jpg" width="100" height="64" /></span></td> <td>UAV</td> <td>PCHELA-1T</td> <td>13</td> </tr> <tr> <td>REIS-D</td> <td><br /></td> <td>UAV</td> <td>REIS-D</td> <td>24</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total UAV Aircraft</b></td> <td><b>37</b></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="5"><b><span class="mw-redirect">Attack Helicopter</span></b></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Kamov Ka-50</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Russian Air Force Kamov Ka-50.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Russian_Air_Force_Kamov_Ka-50.jpg/100px-Russian_Air_Force_Kamov_Ka-50.jpg" width="100" height="67" /></span></td> <td>Attack Helicopter</td> <td>Ka-50</td> <td>15</td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Kamov Ka-52</span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Ka-52 061.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Ka-52_061.jpg/100px-Ka-52_061.jpg" width="100" height="68" /></span></td> <td>Attack Helicopter</td> <td>Ka-52</td> <td>10</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mil Mi-24</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Mil Mi-24.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Mil_Mi-24.jpg/100px-Mil_Mi-24.jpg" width="100" height="67" /></span></td> <td>Attack helicopter</td> <td>Mi-24</td> <td>252<sup id="cite_ref-56" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td>Mil Mi-28</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Ми-28-no-balloons.JPG" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/%D0%9C%D0%B8-28-no-balloons.JPG/100px-%D0%9C%D0%B8-28-no-balloons.JPG" width="100" height="61" /></span></td> <td>Attack Helicopter</td> <td>Mi-28</td> <td>24<sup id="cite_ref-59" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Attack Helicopters</b></td> <td><b>301</b></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="5"><b>Transport Helicopter</b></th> </tr> <tr> <td>Mil Mi-8</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="MAKS-2007-Mi-8.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/MAKS-2007-Mi-8.jpg/100px-MAKS-2007-Mi-8.jpg" width="100" height="75" /></span></td> <td>Transport Helicopter</td> <td>Mi-8</td> <td>160 (35 more under Navy control)<sup id="cite_ref-60" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td>Mil Mi-26</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Mil Mi-26.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Mil_Mi-26.jpg/100px-Mil_Mi-26.jpg" width="100" height="62" /></span></td> <td>Transport Helicopter</td> <td>Mil Mi-26</td> <td>30<sup id="cite_ref-61" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Kamov Ka-60</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Russian Air Force Ka-60.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Russian_Air_Force_Ka-60.jpg/100px-Russian_Air_Force_Ka-60.jpg" width="100" height="58" /></span></td> <td>Transport Helicopter</td> <td>Ka-60</td> <td>7<sup id="cite_ref-62" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td><b>Total Transport Helicopters</b></td> <td><b>232</b></td> <td><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-38168944589267666412011-03-09T00:42:00.000-08:002011-03-09T00:43:47.537-08:00History of Russian Air Force<div style="text-align: justify;"><p>Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union into its fifteen constituent republics in December 1991, the aircraft and personnel of the Soviet Air Forces - the <i>VVS</i> were divided among the newly independent states. General <span class="new">Pyotr Deynekin</span>, the former deputy commander-in-chief of the Soviet Air Forces, became the first commander of the new organisation on 24 August 1991. Russia received the majority of the most modern fighters and 65% of the manpower. The major commands of the former Soviet VVS - the Long Range Aviation, Military Transport Aviation and Frontal Aviation were renamed, with few changes, Russian VVS commands. However, many regiments, aircraft, and personnel were claimed by the republics they were based in, forming the core of the new republics' air forces. Some aircraft in Belarus and Ukraine (such as <span class="mw-redirect">Tu-160s</span>) were returned to Russia, sometimes in return for debt reductions, as well as a long range aviation division based at Dolon in Kazakhstan.</p> <p>During the 1990s, the financial stringency felt throughout the armed forces made its mark on the Air Forces as well.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> Pilots and other personnel could sometimes not get their wages for months, and on occasion resorted to desperate measures: four <span class="mw-redirect">MiG-31</span> pilots at Yelizovo in the Far East went on hunger strike in 1996 to demand back pay which was several months overdue, and the problem was only resolved by diverting unit monies intended for other tasks.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> As a result of the cutbacks, infrastructure became degraded as well, and in 1998, 40% of military airfields needed repair. The situation only began to improve after Putin took power and military budgets were greatly increased.</p> <p>The <i>VVS</i> participated in the First Chechen War (1994–1996) and the Second Chechen War (1999–2002). These campaigns also presented significant difficulties for the <i>VVS</i> including the terrain, lack of significant fixed targets and insurgents armed with Stinger and Strela-2M surface-to-air missiles.</p> <p>During the 1990s the Sukhoi design bureau designed a replacement bomber aircraft, the T-60S. This aircraft did not reach the production stage. A further abortive design project was the <span class="mw-redirect">MiG 1.42</span>.</p> <p>The former Soviet Air Defence Forces remained independent for several years under Russian control, only merging with the Air Forces in 1998. The decree merging the two forces was issued by President Boris Yeltsin on 16 July 1997. During 1998 altogether 580 units and formations were disbanded, 134 reorganized, and over 600 given a new jurisdiction.<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> The redistribution of forces affected 95% of aircraft, 98% of helicopters, 93% of anti-aircraft missile complexes, 95 % of the equipment of radiotechnical troops, 100% of anti-aircraft missiles and over 60% of aviation armament. More than 600,000 tons of material changed location and 3500 aircraft changed airfields. Military Transport Aviation planes took more than 40,000 families to new residence areas.</p> <p>The number of servicemen in the Air Force was reduced to about 185 000 from the former combined number of 318,000. 123,500 positions were abolished, including almost 1000 colonel positions. The resignation of 3000 other servicemen included 46 generals of which 15 were colonel generals. On 29 December 1998 Colonel General Anatoly Kornukov, a former Air Defence Forces officer and new commander-in-chief of the merged force, succeeding Deynekin, reported to the Russian defence minister that the task had 'in principle been achieved'.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> General Kornukov established the new headquarters of the force in Zarya, near Balashikha, 20 km north of the centre of Moscow, in the former PVO central command post, where the CIS common air defence system is directed from.</p></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-5539709913564208472011-03-09T00:38:00.000-08:002011-03-09T00:41:44.114-08:00Russian Air Force<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHE2qt-iUNSJIspWenxG6eAqmHh6l7xStgsqVYN9Q7WZA0n5sNc33YxPkhye1Ah_wiV-U2nah3wgrAz6bm5eZeBv994pABMYfdOpkdkhnaLuESb_wGjfNHhO6OCiHb0ibjHxSKKU-PUKA/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHE2qt-iUNSJIspWenxG6eAqmHh6l7xStgsqVYN9Q7WZA0n5sNc33YxPkhye1Ah_wiV-U2nah3wgrAz6bm5eZeBv994pABMYfdOpkdkhnaLuESb_wGjfNHhO6OCiHb0ibjHxSKKU-PUKA/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581997595279980738" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><p>The <b>Russian Air Force</b> (Военно-воздушные cилы России, transliteration: <i>Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii</i>) is the air force of Russia. With 3282 aircraft, it is the second largest Air Force in the world. It is currently under the command of Colonel General <span class="mw-redirect">Aleksandr Zelin</span>. The Russian Navy has its own air arm, the Russian Naval Aviation, which is the former Soviet <i>Aviatsiya Voyenno Morskogo Flota</i> ("Naval Aviation"), or <i>AV-MF</i>).</p> <p>The Air Force was formed from parts of the former <span class="mw-redirect">Soviet Air Forces</span> after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991-92. Boris Yeltsin's creation of the <span class="mw-redirect">Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation</span> on May 7, 1992, can be taken as a convenient formation date for the new Air Force. Since that time, the Air Force has suffered severe setbacks due to lack of resources, and has constantly shrunk in size. Since Vladimir Putin became <span class="mw-redirect">President of the Russian Federation</span> however, much more money has been allocated to the Armed Forces as a whole.</p><table class="infobox vcard"><tbody><tr><th class="fn org" colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(176, 196, 222); text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Военно-воздушные cилы России<br /><i>Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii</i><br />Russian Air Force</th> </tr> <tr class="adr"> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Country</th> <td><span class="country-name"><span class="mw-redirect">Russian Federation</span><br />(previously the Soviet Union and Russian Empire)</span></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Role</th> <td>Defeating enemy units, reconnaissance, defence of major military units and facilities</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Size</th> <td>210,000 personnel<br />2,749 aircraft</td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Anniversaries</th> <td>August 12</td> </tr> <tr> <th colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(176, 196, 222); text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Commanders</th> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Current<br />commander</th> <td>Colonel General Alexander Zelin</td> </tr> <tr> <th colspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(176, 196, 222); text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Insignia</th> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Roundel</th> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Russian Air Force roundel - 2010.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Russian_Air_Force_roundel_-_2010.svg/100px-Russian_Air_Force_roundel_-_2010.svg.png" width="100" height="95" /></span><sup id="cite_ref-rusgov_0-0" class="reference"><span></span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-novosti_1-0" class="reference"><span></span></sup></td> </tr> <tr> <th style="padding-right: 1em;">Former Roundel <sub>(still in widespread use)</sub></th> <td><span class="image"><img alt="URSS-Russian aviation red star.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/URSS-Russian_aviation_red_star.svg/100px-URSS-Russian_aviation_red_star.svg.png" width="100" height="95" /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-89069412389093516172011-02-24T10:04:00.000-08:002011-02-24T10:05:51.548-08:00Career - US Air Force Specialty Code Selection<div style="text-align: justify;"><h3><span class="mw-headline" id="General_AFSCs">General AFSCs</span></h3> <p>Generally speaking, most cadets will apply for their initial AFSC career field towards the end of their first semester in their AS 300 (junior) year. AFROTC cadets can apply for various career fields, to include aeronautically rated Pilot, Navigator/Combat Systems Officer and Air Battle Manager (ABM) slots, as well as non-rated slots such as Missile Operations or Missile Maintenance, Space Operations, Intelligence, Aircraft Maintenance, Meteorology, Civil Engineering, Security Forces, Admin/Personnel, etc. Cadets will be notified of their prospective AFSCs during the following semester. Base of assignment for these AFSCs will not happen until midway through their first semester of their final year in school.</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Rated_Candidates">Rated Candidates</span></h3> <p>Cadets applying for rated slots, such as Pilot, Navigator / Combat Systems Officer (CSO), and Air Battle Manager (ABM), will have the opportunity to apply no later than towards the end of the first semester of their second-to-last year (generally, the 1st semester of the academic junior year). These candidates will also be notified of their alternate AFSC (i.e., Intel, Space, Missiles, etc.) at the same time as all other cadets who applied for non-rated AFSCs. However, before candidates are eligible to apply for aeronautically rated positions, they must be medically qualified for their selection. There are different medical standards for pilots, nav/CSOs, and ABMs, respectively, with undergraduate pilot training medical requirements, primarily uncorrected eyesight, being the most stringent. Like OTS candidates, all AFROTC cadets must take the <b>Air Force Officer Qualifying Test</b> (AFOQT) prior to going on contract. The AFOQT contains Pilot and Navigator sections for prospective pilots and navs/CSOs. The pilot candidates must also take the <span class="external text">Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS)</span> to determine the component score of the Pilot Candidate Selection Model (PCSM) rating. The PCSM rating is a component of the Order of Merit, which allows the USAF to rank-order every single pilot candidate in AFROTC, and determine who gets what undergraduate pilot training (UPT) slot. Once the requirements are met for application, the candidates can apply at this time for <b>Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training</b> (<b>ENJJPT</b>) at <span class="mw-redirect">Sheppard AFB</span>, Texas, which will take the top 9-10% of the pilot candidates that wish to pursue ENJJPT in lieu of traditional Specialized UPT at <span class="mw-redirect">Columbus AFB</span>, Mississippi; <span class="mw-redirect">Laughlin AFB</span>, Texas; and <span class="mw-redirect">Vance AFB</span>, Oklahoma; or Undergraduate Helicopter Pilot Training (UHT) at Fort Rucker, Alabama. ENJJPT selection is based solely off the Order of Merit scores and rank-order.</p> <p>Aeronautically rated candidates will be notified of their rated selection or denial during their second semester of their junior year. Base assignments, including ENJJPT assignment, will be given midway through their first semester of the last year in college. Those cadets who were selected for rated slots are then allowed to wear a flight suit during specified LLABs where the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) or the woodland camoflauge Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) is the Uniform of the Day, unless otherwise noted by the Cadet Wing Commander or Cadet Group Commander. Once selected, pilot-selected cadets will contract with the USAF for 10 years of active duty USAF service following completion of flight training, nav/CSO-selected and ABM-selected cadets will contract for 6 years of active duty following flight training, while cadets in all other AFSCs will contract for 4 years after commissioning.<sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>Pilot candidates also undergo a Flying Class I physical and navigator/CSO cadidates a Flying Class IA physical during the first semester of their last year. These are the most stringent physical exams given by the USAF. ABM candidates will undergo a Flying Class III physical exam.</p> <h4><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Flight_Indoctrination_Program_(FIP)">Flight Indoctrination Program (FIP)</span></h4> <p>Prior to 1991, AFROTC also conducted a Flight Instruction Program (FIP) parallel to the Pilot Indoctrination Program (PIP) at <span class="mw-redirect">USAFA</span>. Although often touted as a means for AFROTC cadets to earn a free <span class="mw-redirect">FAA</span> <span class="mw-redirect">Private Pilot Certificate</span> while in college, the actual intent of the program was to provide an additional flight training screening process for prospective USAF pilot candidates. In AFROTC, FIP consisted of two blocks, the first being a private pilot ground school course taught by an aeronautically rated USAF officer assigned to the AFROTC detachment's cadre. The ground school course was also given an AS400 series designation and open to all AFROTC cadets in their senior year regardless of selection or non-selection for USAF undergraduate pilot training. Cadets who had prior civilian flight training and/or civilian pilot certifications could also enroll in the FIP ground school and the course was also offered as option for Army ROTC cadets, Naval ROTC (NROTC) midshipmen on both Navy and Marine Corps commissioning tracks, Naval Aviation Reserve Officer Candidates (AVROC) and Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class-Air (Marine PLC-Air) officer candidates slated for flight training in their respective services following graduation.</p> <p>The flying portion of FIP was typically conducted by civilian instructors under USAF contract at a nearby civilian airport, normally employing light general aviation aircraft such as the Cessna 150 / Cessna 152 series, Cessna 172, Piper Cherokee, or other similar aircraft. Since FIP was designed as a washout/attrition device, AFROTC cadets who already held an FAA Private Pilot's Certificate or greater were not eligible for any actual flight time via FIP. Those cadets without prior flight experience initially received 38 flight hours, but post-Vietnam War defense cutbacks in the mid-1970s resulted in FIP being reduced to a "safe for solo" program with 25 hours of funded flight time. FIP was discontinued in 1991 when it was replaced by the single-site Enhanced Flight Screening Program (EFSP) at Hondo, Texas.</p> <h4><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Initial_Flight_Screening_(IFS)_and_Navigator_Introductory_Flight_Training_(NIFT)">Initial Flight Screening (IFS) and Navigator Introductory Flight Training (NIFT)</span></h4> <p>With the demise of FIP and PIP in 1991, the 12th Flying Training Wing (12 FTW) at <span class="mw-redirect">Randolph AFB</span>, Texas initially assumed responsibility for the Enhanced Flight Screening Program (EFSP) of all candidates for UPT from all USAF commissioning sources (AFROTC, USAFA and OTS). This training was conducted for these officers following graduation and commissioning at Hondo Municipal Airport, Texas in <span class="mw-redirect">T-41 Mescalero</span> and <span class="mw-redirect">T-3 Firefly</span> aircraft until 1998. Following several fatal mishaps with the <span class="mw-redirect">T-3 Firefly</span>, the program was transferred from the 12 FTW to a civilian contract operation under AETC auspices at Pueblo Memorial Airport, Colorado.</p> <p>The Pueblo program employs civilian <span class="mw-redirect">Diamond DA-20</span> aircraft and is officially known as <b>Initial Flight Screening</b> (IFS) for USAF specialized undergraduate pilot trainees and <b>Navigator Introductory Flight Training</b> (NIFT) for USAF specialized undergraduate navigator/CSO trainees.</p></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-19095755286759269482011-02-24T10:01:00.000-08:002011-02-24T10:04:04.298-08:00Physical and Field Training of US Air Force Reserve<div style="text-align: justify;"><h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Physical_Training_(PT)">Physical Training (PT)</span></h2> <p>Cadets are required to take part in Physical Training (PT) at least twice per week each semester. Whether PT is counted as a school credit or not, attendance at PT (at least 80%) is required to pass Leadership Laboratory (LLAB). As a prerequisite, cadets must have a certified DoD physical or a sports physical on file at the detachment and must complete an AFROTC Physical Health Screening Questionnaire. Before the beginning of exercises, cadets receive a safety briefing on the "importance of hydration, heat stress disorders, and prompt reporting of any problems to a cadre member."<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated5_14-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>Under the supervision of qualified cadre, the PT program is organized and led by AS300 and AS400 cadets.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated5_14-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> PT activities at detachments may vary from sports games, Field Training Preparation training exercises, cardio and muscular strength exercises. Every PT session begins by forming up as a Wing and stretching.</p> <p>The Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) is taken by each cadet each semester and is formatted after the active-duty Air Force's PFA. The PFA is the primary instrument for evaluating the fitness level of each cadet. It is structured to assess the muscular endurance of specific muscle groups and the functional capacity of the cardiovascular system.<sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> Contracted cadets (i.e. those on scholarship/receiving stipend) must pass the PFA. Contracted cadets that fail the PFA are subject to discipline. Two consecutive failures can result in dismissal from the program. Non-contracted cadets must attempt the PFA each semester. Within 72 hours of taking the PFA, cadets have their height, waist, and weight measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). The PFA consists of the BMI measurement, one minute of push-ups, one minute of sit-ups, and a 1.5-mile run. Maximum points for each area is 20 for BMI, 10 for push-ups, 10 for crunches, and 60 for the 1.5 mile run. Cadets must have at least a composite score of 75 to pass the PFA.<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Force_Reserve_Officer_Training_Corps#cite_note-16"><span>[</span>17<span>]</span></a></sup></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Field_Training_(FT)">Field Training (FT)</span></h2> <p>Field Training (FT) is a twenty-eight day<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> training program that takes place the summer before cadets enter the POC. For cadets who have not completed the AS-100 and AS-200 years prior to Field Training, an additional seven days (35 days total) is added at the beginning for academic classes. Completion of this boot camp-style training is a mandatory program for all individuals qualified to pursue an Air Force commission through AFROTC.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated3_18-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> If not previously completed as part of application for an AFROTC scholarship, cadets must also complete the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) prior to attending FT.</p> <p>2008 marked the first year that all AFROTC Field Training Units (FTU) were held at the <span class="mw-redirect">Officer Training School</span> complex at <span class="mw-redirect">Maxwell AFB</span>, Alabama.<sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> With this move and the Air Force's greater emphasis on expeditionary operations in combat zone and the <b>Joint Force Training Center</b> (<b>JFTC</b>) at Camp Shelby, Mississippi.</p> <p>The Field Training program is designed to evaluate military leadership and discipline, determine the cadet's potential for entry into the Professional Officer Course (POC), and to stratify cadets amongst their peers.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated3_18-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>Field Training is split up into three sections: In-Garrison (14 days), and Joint Forces Training Center (JFTC, at Camp Shelby) (14 days) focusing on academics/drll & ceremonies, expeditionary skills training (EST), and deployment, respectively.<sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-21" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>Field Training is headed by an active duty USAF colonel and a staff of approximately 55 active duty USAF officers, non-commissioned officers, and cadet training assistants (CTA). 14 consist of the senior staff, 18 are Flight Commanders (FLT/CC, active duty officers typically assigned to an AFROTC Detachment), and 23 CTAs.<sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-23" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> "CTAs are POC cadets selected, based on their FT performance and overall cadet record, to return to Field Training as assistants to active duty staff members."<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated1_24-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> There is one FLT/CC and one Flight CTA assigned to each flight. Traditional CTAs include Group, Drill & Ceremonies, Physical Training, Public Affairs, and Standardization CTAs.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated1_24-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> The JFTC staff consists of approximately 15 officers and NCOs dedicated to two encampments at a time.</p> <p>In each flight, cadets are ranked from first to last. The top 10% earn the distinction of "Distinguished Graduate", and the next 10% "Superior Performer".<sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> All cadets are ranked in one of three divisions in their respective flight: top, middle, or bottom third. The USAA (United Services Automobile Association) "Top Gun" award acknowledges the highest performing cadet in each flight. Various other awards are given for excelling at physical fitness, marksmanship, academics (extended FTU), and warrior spirit.<sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>Cadets' rankings depend on the following criteria:</p> <ul><li>Preparation for Field Training</li><li>Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA)</li><li>Leadership skills</li><li>Professional qualities</li><li>Communication skills</li><li>Judgment/decision making skills</li><li>Warrior Ethos</li></ul> <p>Only the active duty officers evaluate and stratify the cadets. CTAs often give input but never officially evaluate cadets. Those cadets recommended for CTA duty have the option to apply to become CTAs the following year.</p></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-59181476116971218612011-02-24T09:59:00.000-08:002011-02-24T10:01:46.998-08:00Cadet Organization US Air Force Reserve Training<div style="text-align: justify;"><p><b>Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps</b> (<b>AFROTC</b>) classifies cadets into the following basic categories of training with respect to Field Training attendance and commissioning:<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated6_3-2" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <dl><dd>Initial Military Training (IMT): Cadets who are part of the GMC but are not scheduled to attend FT. Normally AS100 cadets.</dd></dl> <dl><dd>Field Training Preparation (FTP): Cadets scheduled to attend FT in the upcoming summer. Normally AS200 cadets, or if dual-enrolled in AS100 and AS200 classes, AS250 cadets.</dd></dl> <dl><dd>Intermediate Cadet Leader (ICL): Cadets who have successfully completed FT but are not scheduled to commission in the upcoming year. Normally AS300 cadets.</dd></dl> <dl><dd>Senior Cadet Leader (SCL): Cadets who have satisfactorily completed FT and are scheduled to be commissioned in the upcoming year. Normally AS400 cadets.</dd></dl> <dl><dd>Extended Cadet Leader (ECL): Cadets who have completed the AFROTC curriculum but need additional time to complete their academic degree, such as 5-year engineering program students. Normally AS700 cadets.</dd></dl> <p>Detachments organize cadets after the active-duty wing structure to the best of their ability, compensating for variable sizes and circumstances. GMC cadets participate as the underclassmen while the POC cadets participate as the upperclassmen. POC cadets have completed Field Training and are assigned leadership positions in the corps. Cadets are classified and assigned rank commensurate with their position and level of responsibility within the cadet wing and with respect to FT completion.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated7_11-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Cadet_Airmen">Cadet Airmen</span></h3> <p>Cadet Airmen are all cadets who have not satisfactorily completed FT. Cadet Airmen are members of the GMC. AS100 IMT cadets hold the Cadet Fourth Class (C/4C) rank while AS200 FTP cadets hold Cadet Third Class Rank (C/3C). Cadet Airmen are not committed to joining the Air Force unless on AFROTC scholarship.<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> If contracted, AS100 cadets receive a monthly tax free stipend of $300 while AS200 cadets receive $350.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated7_11-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup><sup id="cite_ref-scholarships1_13-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>GMC cadets on contract are also considered to be inactive enlisted members of the Air Force Reserve serving without pay, ranging from Airman Basic (AB, pay grade E-1) to Staff Sergeant (SSgt, pay grade E-5) with higher grades based on prior enlisted military experience in the Active or Reserve Components or other qualifying credentials (i.e., senior Civil Air Patrol cadets or former high school AFJROTC cadets with four years of participation enlisting at Airman First Class {A1C, E-3}, etc.).</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Cadet_Officers">Cadet Officers</span></h3> <p>Cadet Officers, AS300 (ICL), AS400 (SCL), and AS700 (ECL), are cadets who have satisfactorily completed the AFOQT and FT. Cadet officers are members of the POC. Cadet officers wear cadet officer rank (Cadet Second Lieutenant (C/2d Lt) - Cadet Colonel (C/Col)). Unlike the Air Force Academy, for juniors and seniors there is no rank of Cadet Second Class or Cadet First Class, respectively. All cadet officers are considered to be "on contract" and are committed to joining the Air Force upon completion of their academic degree.</p> <p>Like GMC cadets on contract, all POC cadets are considered to be inactive enlisted members of the Air Force Reserve, serving without pay between the grades of E-1 and E-5, with said enlisted status terminating upon commissioning. As contracted cadets, AS300 cadets also receive a monthly tax free stipend of $450 and AS400 cadets receive $500.<sup id="cite_ref-scholarships1_13-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> POC cadets are required to meet USAF height and weight standards, pass the Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) each academic semester, and meet a minimum cumulative and term GPA requirement of 2.50. Repeatedly failing to meet the standards may result in disenrollement from AFROTC. All POC cadets also must hold at least one leadership position within the cadet wing or group as designated by the detachment cadre's Commandant of Cadets (COC).<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated7_11-2" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <p>In some cases, students with academic requirements that exceed four years (usually engineers and other technical majors in five year programs) continue the AFROTC program for additional semesters as needed. During these additional years these cadets (AS700) are only minimally required to participate in LLAB and maintain retention standards.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated7_11-3" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> It is important to note that this is not the case for schools with co-op programs that entail a total of four years of classes and one year of cooperative experience. In these cases the cadets are classified as AS300's their first POC year and AS400's their second and third POC years. The cadets will not attend aerospace classes, Physical Training, or Leadership Lab during their co-op blocks (they will be on Periods of Non-Attendance) and otherwise complete the program like any four-year major.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated7_11-4" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Cadet_Wing">Cadet Wing</span></h3> <p>The cadet wing (cadet group at smaller detachments) is organized to mirror the active-duty objective wing structure and is composed entirely of AFROTC cadets. Cadet rank is determined by the positions and levels of responsibility in which they hold. Cadet wings strive to include positions similar to those found in active-duty wings but additional positions may be added at the discretion of the detachment cadre's COC. Each wing is headed by a Cadet Colonel and has subsequent groups, squadrons, and flights. The only position that is directly appointed by the Detachment Cadre is the Cadet Wing Commander (Cadet Colonel), who is interviewed with the other applicants for the position. Cadet officers rotate positions each semester and cannot hold the same position for two consecutive periods without approval. Cadets returning from Field Training may not hold a rank above Cadet Captain (C/Capt) until one semester in the POC has been completed. Cadet officers are required to serve at least one term in a leadership position. Leadership positions include wing, group, squadron, and flight positions and others named by the COC.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated7_11-5" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> <table class="wikitable"><tbody><tr> <th>Cadet Fourth Class</th> <td>C/4C</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="4thC.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6a/4thC.svg/90px-4thC.svg.png" width="90" height="37" /></span></td> <td>AS100</td> </tr> <tr> <th>Cadet Third Class</th> <td>C/3C</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="3rdC.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6f/3rdC.svg/90px-3rdC.svg.png" width="90" height="37" /></span></td> <td>AS200</td> </tr> <tr> <th>Cadet Second Lieutenant</th> <td>C/2d Lt</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="2lt.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/19/2lt.svg/90px-2lt.svg.png" width="90" height="37" /></span></td> <td>AS300</td> </tr> <tr> <th>Cadet First Lieutenant</th> <td>C/1st Lt</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="1lt.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/1lt.svg/90px-1lt.svg.png" width="90" height="37" /></span></td> <td>AS300</td> </tr> <tr> <th>Cadet Captain</th> <td>C/Capt</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Capt.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Capt.svg/90px-Capt.svg.png" width="90" height="37" /></span></td> <td>AS300/400</td> </tr> <tr> <th>Cadet Major</th> <td>C/Maj</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Maj.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/05/Maj.svg/90px-Maj.svg.png" width="90" height="37" /></span></td> <td>AS400</td> </tr> <tr> <th>Cadet Lieutenant Colonel</th> <td>C/Lt Col</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Ltcol.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7b/Ltcol.svg/90px-Ltcol.svg.png" width="90" height="37" /></span></td> <td>AS400</td> </tr> <tr> <th>Cadet Colonel</th> <td>C/Col</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="Col.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cf/Col.svg/90px-Col.svg.png" width="90" height="37" /></span></td> <td>AS400</td></tr></tbody></table></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-60186260814551717682011-02-24T09:57:00.000-08:002011-02-24T09:59:25.029-08:00Scholarship Programs of US Air Force Reserve<div style="text-align: justify;"><p><b>Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps</b> (<b>AFROTC</b>) offers a variety of highly-competitive college scholarships, ranging from 3-year and 4-year scholarships offered to graduating high school seniors, 2-year and 3-year scholarships to college students enrolled as AFROTC cadets, and 2-, 3- and 4-year scholarships offered to enlisted military personnel.</p> <p><b>Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps</b> (<b>AFROTC</b>)<b> Scholarships offered to high school seniors are categorized as follows:</b></p> <dl><dd><b>Type 1:</b> Pays full college tuition, most fees and $900 per year for books. Approximately 5% of AFROTC four-year scholarship winners will be offered a Type 1 scholarship, mostly in technical fields such as engineering, chemistry, meteorology, applied mathematics or computer science.</dd></dl> <dl><dd><b>Type 2:</b> Pays college tuition and most fees up to $18,000 per year and $900 per year for books. Approximately 20% of AFROTC four-year scholarship winners will be offered a Type 2 scholarship, again, mostly in technical fields. If a student attends an institution where the tuition exceeds $18,000 per year, then he/she pays the difference. All three-year scholarships are Type 2.</dd></dl> <dl><dd><b>Type 7:</b> Pays college tuition up to the equivalent of the in-state rate and $900 per year for books. If a student receives a Type 7 offer but wishes to attend a college/university where they do not qualify under the guidelines above, the student can convert the four-year Type 7 scholarship to a three-Year Type 2 scholarship. A Type 7 scholarship cannot be activated at a non-qualifying school where the student pays the difference.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></dd></dl> <p><b>Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps</b> (<b>AFROTC</b>)<b> Scholarships offered to in-college students are as follows:</b></p> <dl><dd><b>In-College Scholarship Program (ICSP):</b> Open to college freshmen and sophomores in any major. Program is divided into two selection phases and awards-</dd></dl> <dl><dd> <dl><dd><b>ICSP Phase One:</b> Open only to students enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program. Eligible applicants are nominated for ICSP Phase One by their school’s AFROTC detachment commander. Nominees for each detachment are rank-ordered by the detachment commander based on their leadership ability, grades, fitness, and overall participation in the Air Force ROTC program. Headquarters AFROTC makes the final decision and awards scholarships. The nomination deadline is between February 10 and February 28 of each year.</dd></dl> </dd></dl> <p>All cadets selected through ICSP Phase One are awarded a Type 2 scholarship (capped at $18,000 per year for tuition, $900 per year for books).</p> <p>Freshman nominees are awarded three-year scholarships and sophomore nominees are awarded two-year scholarships. All scholarships activate the following fall term.</p> <dl><dd> <dl><dd><b>ICSP Phase Two:</b> Open to college freshman and sophomores in any major. ICSP Phase One nonselects and students not enrolled in Air Force ROTC are eligible to apply for ICSP Phase Two. Eligible applicants are nominated for ICSP Phase Two by the commander of the detachment serving the school where they attend or the school where they will attend once they join Air Force ROTC. Students not currently enrolled in Air Force ROTC must be interviewed by the detachment commander or his/her designee. The deadline for detachments to submit a nomination is June 30. The board meets in July, and those selected are typically notified by August 1 of each year.</dd></dl> </dd></dl> <p>A limited number of cadets selected through ICSP Phase Two are awarded a Type 2 scholarship (capped at $18,000 per year for tuition, $900 per year for books). Most scholarship selected students are awarded a Type 3 scholarship (capped at $9,000 per year for tuition and $900 per year for books).</p> <p>Freshmen nominees are awarded three-year scholarships, and sophomore nominees are awarded two-year scholarships. All scholarships activate the fall term following their distribution.</p> <dl><dd><b>ICSP Phase Three:</b> Depending on officer production and funding, a limited number of qualified sophomore ICSP Phase Two nonselects may be offered Type 6 scholarships. This process takes place at the same time ICSP Phase Two results are released.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></dd></dl> <dl><dd><b>Express Scholarship:</b> Designed to meet Air Force ROTC officer production requirements in specific fields and year groups. This program awards Type 1 scholarships paying full college tuition, most fees and $900 per year for books. In many cases, these scholarships can activate during the same term as nomination. The Express Scholarship program is operated on a fully qualified basis. Those students who meet the qualifications are awarded the scholarship and do not meet a scholarship selection board. The processing of the scholarship award is completed at the local AFROTC detachment. Eligible majors are Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Meteorology.<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></dd></dl> <dl><dd><b>Express Scholarship (Foreign Language):</b> Designed to meet Air Force ROTC officer production requirements in specific fields and year groups. This program awards Type 1 scholarships paying full college tuition, most fees and $900 per year for books. In many cases, these scholarships can activate during the same term as nomination. The Express Scholarship (Foreign Language) program is operated on a fully qualified basis. Those students who meet the qualifications are awarded the scholarship and do not meet a scholarship selection board. The processing of the scholarship award is completed at the local AFROTC detachment. Eligible majors are: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bengali, Cambodian, Chinese, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Kasakh, Kurdish, Malay, Pashtu, Persian-Iranian/Persian-Afghan, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Swahili, Thai, Turkish, Uighur, Urdu/Punjabi, Uzbek and Vietnamese. Most candidates will eventually become USAF officers in the Intelligence career field.</dd></dl> <p><b>Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps</b> (<b>AFROTC</b>)<b> Scholarships offered to enlisted military personnel are as follows:</b></p> <p><b>Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program (ASCP)*:</b> Permits active duty USAF airmen and junior non-commissioned officers to separate from active duty and receive a scholarship worth up to $15,000 per year while pursuing their commission through Air Force ROTC. (* Previously known as the Airman Education and Commissioning Program (AECP))</p> <p><b>Professional Officer Course - Early Release Program (POC-ERP):</b> Offers active duty Air Force enlisted personnel an opportunity for an early release from active duty to enter AFROTC and receive a commission as an Air Force officer. Members selected for POC-ERP will separate from active duty, sign a contract with AFROTC and become full-time college students. This program is open to undergraduate degrees only and cannot be used for postgradate degrees. Upon completion of all undergraduate degree and commissioning requirements, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants and returned to active duty in USAF for a period of at least four years, with longer service commitments required for those selected for flight training. POC-ERP is open to all academic majors. While in AFROTC, individuals will no longer receive military pay or benefits. All members applying for POC-ERP are required to provide proof that they have the financial means to make it through the program. Enlisted personnel selected for POC-ERP may use their Montgomery GI Bill benefits while in the program along with any additional grants or scholarships for which they may qualify.</p> <b>Scholarships for Outstanding Airman to ROTC (SOAR):</b> The SOAR program allows USAF enlisted personnel to separate from active duty and receive a scholarship worth up to $15,000 per year while pursuing their commission through AFROTC. Students may not pay the difference to attend higher-cost schools.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Force_Reserve_Officer_Training_Corps#cite_note-9"><span></span></a></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-34789618354533984942011-02-24T09:56:00.000-08:002011-02-24T09:57:04.559-08:00US Air Force Reserve Training Leadership Laboratory<div style="text-align: justify;"><p><b>Leadership Laboratory (LLAB)</b> is a weekly 1-2 hour pass/fail class that trains and prepares cadets for Field Training (FT), develops leadership skills, and promotes Espirit de Corps among all cadets. At some universities, credit hours may be given for completing LLAB. For GMC cadets, LLAB provides new cadets with basic skills and knowledge to be a functional member of the cadet corps, prepares them in Warrior Knowledge and Drill and Ceremonies (marching), and teaches leadership, followership, and teamwork skills. For POC cadets, LLAB furthers leadership and followership skills learned at FT by planning and implementing the activities under the supervision of the active-duty cadre.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated6_3-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></p> Specific LLAB activities are determined by the detachments themselves and thus vary across the nation. Some specific activities include: Field trips to Air Force bases and stations (to include <span class="mw-redirect">Air Force Reserve</span> and Air National Guard installations), Field Days, physical fitness tests and competitions, Drill and Ceremonies, leadership-building exercises, and Air Force officer career days.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Force_Reserve_Officer_Training_Corps#cite_note-5"><span></span></a></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-37380510883172448442011-02-24T09:54:00.000-08:002011-02-24T09:56:04.624-08:00US Air Force Reserve Aerospace Studies<div style="text-align: justify;"><p><b>Aerospace Studies</b> (<b>AS</b>) classes are the academic portion of AFROTC. The General Military Course (GMC) is a two-year course, consisting of AS100 and AS200 cadets, designed to motivate and prepare cadets for entry into the Professional Officer Course (POC). Each AS100 and AS200 course is designed as a weekly, one academic-hour course. The POC is a two-year course, consisting of AS300 and AS400, designed to prepare cadets for active duty as Air Force officers. Each course in the POC is designed as a weekly, three academic-hour course.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated6_3-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Force_Reserve_Officer_Training_Corps#cite_note-autogenerated6-3"><span>[</span>4<span>]</span></a></sup> Specific topics covered in the AS classes are as follows:</p> <dl><dd>AS100 - <b>Foundations of the Air Force</b>: Structure and missions of Air Force organizations, officership, and professionalism. Introduction to communication skills.</dd></dl> <dl><dd>AS200 - <b>The Evolution of Aerospace Studies</b>: Beginnings of manned flight and the development of aerospace power from World War I to present-day current operations.</dd></dl> <dl><dd>AS300 - <b>Leadership Studies</b>: Anatomy of leadership, role of discipline in leadership situations, and the variable affecting leadership. Case studies and practical application in Leadership Laboratory (LLAB). The current AS300 curriculum was previously taught as the AS400 curriculum until the 1990s, when it was shifted to the junior year.</dd></dl> <dl><dd>AS400 - <b>National Security Studies and Preparation for Active Duty</b>: The role of the professional military leaders in a democratic society, international developments on strategic preparedness, and active-duty assignment preparation.<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> The National Security Studies portion of the current AS400 curriculum was previously taught as the AS300 curriculum until the 1990s, when it was shifted to the senior year.</dd></dl> <p>The AS400 program also previously included a single academic term <b>Flight Instruction Program</b> (<b>FIP</b>) private pilot ground school course. This course was mandatory for all cadets slated for undergraduate pilot training on graduation who did not already hold a private pilot certificate or higher, and was optional for all other cadets. FIP was eliminated from AFROTC in 1991.</p></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-51784771893401514892011-02-24T09:53:00.000-08:002011-02-24T09:54:32.634-08:00US Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps<div style="text-align: justify;"><p>The <b>US Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps</b> (<b>AFROTC</b>) is one of the three primary <span class="mw-redirect">commissioning</span> sources for officers in the United States Air Force, the other two being the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) and Air Force <span class="mw-redirect">Officer Training School</span> (OTS). A subordinate command of the Air University within the Air Education and Training Command (AETC), AFROTC is aligned under the <b>Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development</b> at <span class="mw-redirect">Maxwell AFB</span>, Alabama. The Holm Center, formerly known as the Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools (AFOATS), retains direct responsibility for both AFROTC and OTS.</p> <p>AFROTC is the largest and oldest source of commissioned officers for the U.S. Air Force.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated2_0-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> AFROTC's stated mission is to produce quality leaders for the U.S. Air Force. AFROTC units are located on 144 college and university campuses with 984 additional institutions of higher learning participating in <i>cross-town agreements</i> that allow their students to attend AFROTC classes at a nearby "host" college or university.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated2_0-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> According to AFOATS HQ, in 2006, AFROTC commissioned 2,083 USAF Second Lieutenants, with AFROTC enrollment ranging from 23,605 in 1985 to 10,231 in 1993, and around 13,000 enrolled today.</p> <p>AFROTC units at colleges and universities are called "detachments," and are typically headed by an active duty USAF officer in the rank of colonel or <span class="mw-redirect">lieutenant colonel</span> who functions as both the Detachment Commander for USAF purposes and with the nominal title of Professor of Aerospace Studies (PAS) within the institution's academic community. Most colleges and universities will designate the AFROTC detachment as the Department of Aerospace Studies. The PAS is assisted by three to four Assistant Professors of Aerospace Studies (APAS), all active duty USAF officers in the ranks of major or captain. Three USAF non-commissioned officers and one senior non-commissioned officer will typically provide military administrative support and are often augmented by one to two civilian staff support employees of the academic institution.</p> <p>Within AFROTC detachments, the students (referred to as "cadets") are organized into wings, groups, squadrons, and flights, mirroring the USAF functional wing structure.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> The AFROTC detachment's cadet wing or cadet group is separated into two divisions: the General Military Course (GMC) consisting of the first two years of training, and the Professional Officer Course (POC) consisting of the last two years of training.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> The AFROTC program is also divided into two training functions: the Academic Classroom Program (Aerospace Studies classes) and Cadet Activities (i.e., Leadership Laboratory, Physical Training, and other training).</p></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-56655521809658296182011-02-24T09:46:00.000-08:002011-02-24T09:52:04.647-08:00US Air Force Reserve Command<div style="text-align: justify;">The <b>United States Air Force Reserve Command</b> (<b>AFRC</b>) is a major command (MAJCOM) of the <span class="mw-redirect">U.S. </span>The USAF has 68,872 Selected and Individual Ready Reserves<span class="mw-redirect">. Air Force</span> with its headquarters at <span class="mw-redirect">Robins AFB</span>, Georgia. It stood up as a major command of the Air Force on 17 February 1997. Previously, the <b>Air Force Reserve</b> (<b>AFRES</b>) was a Field Operating Agency (FOA).<br /><h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Mission">US Air Force Reserve Mission</span></h2> <p>The Air Force Reserve Command supports the Air Force mission to defend the United States through control and exploitation of air and space by supporting Global Engagement. The AFRC plays an integral role in the day-to-day Air Force mission and is not a force held in reserve for possible war or contingency operations.</p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Purpose">US Air Force Reserve Purpose</span></h2> <p>The purpose of the Air Force Reserve as derived from Title 10 United States Code is to:</p> <blockquote> <p>Provide combat-ready units and individuals for active duty whenever there are not enough trained units and people in the Regular component of the Air Force to perform any national security mission.</p> </blockquote> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Peacetime_Missions">Peacetime Missions</span></h3> <p>Air Force Reservists are on duty around the world. In addition to its role as a proven and respected combat force, the Air Force Reserve is also involved in international humanitarian relief missions, from repairing roads and schools to airlifting supplies.</p> <p>At the request of local, state or federal agencies, the Air Force Reserve conducts aerial spray missions using specially equipped C-130s.</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Special_Capabilities">Special Capabilities</span></h3> <p>The Air Force Reserve has some specialized capabilities not found in regular Air Force units. These include support of counter <span class="extiw">narcotics</span> efforts, weather reconnaissance including hurricane penetration, aeromedical evacuation, aerial spray capabilities and forest fire suppression.</p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Vision">US Air Force Reserve Vision</span></h2> <p><i>To provide the world’s best mutual support to the Air Force and our joint partners—flying and fighting as An Unrivaled Wingman.</i></p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Resources">Resources</span></h2> <p>The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) has more than 74,000 officers and enlisted personnel who serve in thirty-five <span class="mw-redirect">wings</span> equipped with their own aircraft and seven associate units that share aircraft with an active duty unit. Four space operations squadrons share satellite control missions with the active force. The AFRC has more than 620 mission support units equipped and trained to provide a wide range of services, including medical and aeromedical evacuation, aerial port, civil engineer, security forces, intelligence, communications, mobility support, logistics, and transportation operations, as well as more than 440 aircraft assigned to it. This includes the latest, most advanced aircraft in the Air Force inventory, such as the <span class="mw-redirect">C-5 Galaxy</span>, <span class="mw-redirect">C-17 Globemaster III</span>, <span class="mw-redirect">C-130 Hercules</span>, <span class="mw-redirect">F-16 Fighting Falcon</span>, <span class="mw-redirect">F-22 Raptor</span>, <span class="mw-redirect">HH-60 Pave Hawk</span>, <span class="mw-redirect">KC-10 Extender</span>, <span class="mw-redirect">KC-135 Stratotanker</span>, <span class="mw-redirect">WC-130J Hercules</span> ("Hurricane Hunter"), <span class="mw-redirect">MC-130 Combat Talon</span>, <span class="mw-redirect">MC-130P Combat Shadow</span>, <span class="mw-redirect">HC-130P Hercules</span> and <span class="mw-redirect">A-10/OA-10 Thunderbolt II</span>. On any given day, 99% of these aircraft are mission ready and able to deploy within seventy two hours without need for any additional training or preparation. However, Air Combat Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Mobility Command and <span class="mw-redirect">Air Education & Training Command</span> would gain these aircraft and personnel in the event that they are mobilized.</p> <p>Although the Air Force Reserve provides slightly more than 10% of the Air Force's available manpower, the extent of its contribution is much greater. More than 30% of all Air Force missions are accomplished through the efforts of Air Force Reservists. Reservists average more than 360 missions away from home each month, supporting other Commands and Department of Defense requirements for important fighter, airlift, aerial refueling, rescue, and force projection assets.</p> <h2><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Structure">US Air Force Reserve Structure</span></h2> <p>Thirty-five wings, four groups, and 73 squadrons comprise the Air Force Reserve Command. Each wing is charged with a core mission that is accomplished through the collaboration of a variety of specifically tasked squadrons.</p> <p>Reserve wings report to one of three numbered Air Forces reporting to Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. The numbered Air Forces assist their wings in using the guidance and resources provided by their higher headquarters to ensure combat readiness.</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Fourth_Air_Force">Fourth Air Force</span></h3> <ul><li>349th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California</li><li>433d Airlift Wing, Lackland Air Force Base/<span class="mw-redirect">Kelly Field</span> Annex, Texas</li><li>434th Air Refueling Wing, <span class="mw-redirect">Grissom Air Reserve Base</span>, Indiana</li><li>445th Airlift Wing, <span class="mw-redirect">Wright Patterson Air Force Base</span>, Ohio</li><li>446th Airlift Wing, <span class="mw-redirect">McChord Air Force Base</span>, <span class="mw-redirect">Washington</span></li><li>452d Air Mobility Wing, <span class="mw-redirect">March Air Reserve Base</span>, California</li><li>459th Air Refueling Wing, <span class="mw-redirect">Andrews Air Force Base</span>, Maryland</li><li>507th Air Refueling Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma</li><li>624th Regional Support Group, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii</li><li>916th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina</li><li>927th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida</li><li>931st Air Refueling Group, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas</li><li>932d Airlift Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois</li></ul> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Tenth_Air_Force">Tenth Air Force</span></h3> <ul><li>301st Fighter Wing, <span class="mw-redirect">NAS JRB Fort Worth</span>, Texas</li><li>307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana</li><li>310th Space Wing, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado</li><li>340th Flying Training Group, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas</li><li>414th Fighter Group, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina</li><li>419th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah</li><li>442d Fighter Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri</li><li>477th Fighter Group, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska</li><li>482d Fighter Wing, <span class="mw-redirect">Homestead Air Force Base</span>, Florida</li><li><span class="new">610th Regional Support Group</span></li><li>919th Special Operations Wing, Duke Field, Florida</li><li>920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida</li><li>926th Group, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada</li><li><span class="mw-redirect">940th Air Refueling Wing</span>, Beale Air Force Base, California</li><li>944th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona</li></ul> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Twenty-Second_Air_Force">Twenty-Second Air Force</span></h3> <ul><li>94th Airlift Wing, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia</li><li><span class="mw-redirect">302d Airlift Wing</span>, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado</li><li>315th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina</li><li>403d Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi</li><li>439th Airlift Wing, <span class="mw-redirect">Westover Air Reserve Base</span>, Massachusetts</li><li>440th Airlift Wing, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina</li><li>512th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware</li><li>514th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey</li><li>908th Airlift Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama</li><li>910th Airlift Wing, Youngstown-Warren Air Reserve Base, Ohio</li><li>911th Airlift Wing, Pittsburgh International Airport, Pennsylvania</li><li>914th Airlift Wing, Niagara Falls International Airport, New York</li><li>934th Airlift Wing, <span class="mw-redirect">Minneapolis-St Paul Joint Air Reserve Station</span>, Minnesota</li></ul> <h2><span class="editsection"></span>US Air Force <span class="mw-headline" id="Reserve_Categories">Reserve Categories</span></h2> <p>There are several categories of service in the Air Force Reserve. Most Reservists serve in the <i>Unit Program</i>, in which they are required to report for duty at least one weekend a month and an additional two weeks a year.</p> <p>A smaller but equally important category of Reservist is the <i>Individual Mobilization Augmentee</i> (IMA). IMAs are Reservists who are assigned to active-duty units to do jobs that are essential in wartime but do not require full-time manning during times of peace. They report for duty a minimum of one day a month and twelve additional days a year.</p> <p>A small number of Reservists serve limited tours of active duty, usually at headquarters staff level or in other special assignments. Their job is to bring Reserve expertise to the planning and decision-making processes at senior levels within the Air Force and other services.</p> <p>Reservists serving in the Active Guard and Reserve Program (AGR) perform functions for the Air Force Reserve Command that require full time manning. Recruiting is one of the fields in which a reservist can become an AGR. AGRs receive full pay and benefits just like active members of any branch of the armed forces. They serve four year controlled tours of special duty that can be renewed. AGR's have the option with good conduct and performance to serve 20 or more years and receive a retirement after 20 years just like active members of the armed forces.</p> <p>Reservists serving in the Air Reserve Technician Program (ART) carry dual status, working as full-time civil service employees for the Air Force and as military members in the same AFRC units where they work as civilians and performing the same job.</p> <p>Reservists are categorized by several criteria in the Ready Reserve, Standby Reserve, Inactive Ready Reserve or Retired Reserve:</p> <h3>US Air Force <span class="mw-headline" id="Ready_Reserve">Ready Reserve</span></h3> <p>The Ready Reserve is made up of approximately 74,000 trained Reservists who may be recalled to active duty to augment active forces in time of war or national emergency. These Reservists are combat ready and can deploy to anywhere in the world in seventy-two hours.</p> <h3>US Air Force <span class="mw-headline" id="Standby_Reserve">Standby Reserve</span></h3> <p>The Standby Reserve includes Reservists whose civilian jobs are considered key to national defense or who have temporary disability or personal hardship. Most Standby Reservists do not train and are not assigned to units.</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span></h3><h3>US Air Force <span class="mw-headline" id="Individual_Ready_Reserve">Individual Ready Reserve</span></h3> <p>These Reservists no longer train but are qualified in their fields and eligible to be recalled in the event of a national emergency.</p> <p>There is a small group of these reservists labeled PIRR or Participating IRR who receive points toward retirement and are under Cat E status. There are over 1,000 ALOs or Academy Liaison officers in this field, as well as some chaplains, and a few other positions that require Military duty but not a fixed schedule. These CAT E personnel can earn mandays just like Cat A and B reservists but on a more limited basis.</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span>US Air Force <span class="mw-headline" id="Retired_Reserve">Retired Reserve</span></h3> <p>The Retired Reserve is made up of officers and enlisted personnel who receive pay after retiring from active duty or from the Reserve, or are Reservists awaiting retirement pay at age 60.<br /></p></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-80247043934287888742011-02-24T09:37:00.000-08:002011-02-24T09:44:29.277-08:00US Air Force Officer Rank Insignia<div style="text-align: justify;"><p>US Air Force rank is divided between enlisted airmen, non-commissioned officers, and commissioned officers, and ranges from the enlisted Airman Basic (E-1) to the commissioned rank of <span class="mw-redirect">General</span> (O-10). Enlisted promotions are granted based on a combination of test scores, years of experience, and selection board approval while officer promotions are based on time-in-grade and a <span class="new">promotion board</span>. Promotions among enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers are generally designated by increasing numbers of insignia chevrons. Commissioned officer rank is designated by bars, oak leaves, a silver eagle, and anywhere from one to four stars (one to five stars in war-time).</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Commissioned_officers">US Air Force Rank: Commissioned officers</span></h3> <p>The commissioned officer ranks of the USAF are divided into three sections: company grade, field grade, and general officers. Company grade officers are those officers in pay grades O-1 to O-3, while field grade officers are those in pay grades O-4 to O-6, and general officers are those in pay grades of O-7 and above.</p> <p>Currently, promotion from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant is virtually guaranteed after two years of satisfactory service. The promotion from First Lieutenant to Captain is competitive after successfully completing another two years of service. Promotion to Major and above is through a board process. An officer's record is reviewed by a selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. This process occurs approximately between the seven- and ten-year mark, where a certain percentage of Captains will be selected for Major. This process will repeat at the 11-14 year mark for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, and then around the eighteen-year mark for promotion to Colonel.</p> <table style="border: 1px solid rgb(136, 136, 170); background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(247, 248, 255); padding: 5px; font-size: 95%;"> <tbody><tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(204, 204, 204);"> <th><b>Pay grade</b></th> <th>O-1</th> <th>O-2</th> <th>O-3</th> <th>O-4</th> <th>O-5</th> <th>O-6</th> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(204, 204, 204);"><b>Insignia</b></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="US-OF1B.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/US-OF1B.svg/15px-US-OF1B.svg.png" width="15" height="38" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="US-OF1A.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/US-OF1A.svg/15px-US-OF1A.svg.png" width="15" height="38" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="US-O3 insignia.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/US-O3_insignia.svg/45px-US-O3_insignia.svg.png" width="45" height="42" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="US-O4 insignia.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/US-O4_insignia.svg/45px-US-O4_insignia.svg.png" width="45" height="47" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="US-O5 insignia.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/US-O5_insignia.svg/45px-US-O5_insignia.svg.png" width="45" height="47" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="US-O6 insignia.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/US-O6_insignia.svg/45px-US-O6_insignia.svg.png" width="45" height="23" /></span></td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(204, 204, 204);"><b>Title</b></td> <td>Second<br />Lieutenant</td> <td>First<br />Lieutenant</td> <td>Captain</td> <td>Major</td> <td>Lieutenant<br />Colonel</td> <td>Colonel</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td>Abbreviation<sup>2</sup></td> <td>2d Lt</td> <td>1st Lt</td> <td>Capt</td> <td>Maj</td> <td>Lt Col</td> <td>Col</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table><tbody><tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(204, 204, 204);"><th><b>Pay grade</b></th> <th>O-7</th> <th>O-8</th> <th>O-9</th> <th>O-10</th> <th>Special</th> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(204, 204, 204);"><b>Insignia</b></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="US-O7 insignia.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/US-O7_insignia.svg/45px-US-O7_insignia.svg.png" width="45" height="42" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="US-O8 insignia.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/US-O8_insignia.svg/45px-US-O8_insignia.svg.png" width="45" height="21" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="US-O9 insignia.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/US-O9_insignia.svg/75px-US-O9_insignia.svg.png" width="75" height="23" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="US-O10 insignia.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/US-O10_insignia.svg/105px-US-O10_insignia.svg.png" width="105" height="24" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="US-O11 insignia.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/US-O11_insignia.svg/80px-US-O11_insignia.svg.png" width="80" height="74" /></span></td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(204, 204, 204);"><b>Title</b></td> <td>Brigadier<br />General</td> <td>Major<br />General</td> <td>Lieutenant<br />General</td> <td>General</td> <td>General<br />of the Air Force</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td>Abbreviation<sup>2</sup></td> <td>Brig Gen</td> <td>Maj Gen</td> <td>Lt Gen</td> <td>Gen</td> <td>GAF</td></tr></tbody></table><h3><br /><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Warrant_officers"></span></h3><h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Warrant_officers">US Air Force: Warrant officers</span></h3> <p>Although provision is made in regulations for them, the USAF does not use <span class="mw-redirect">warrant officer</span> grades (the only armed service to not do so). The USAF inherited warrant officer ranks from the Army at its inception in 1947, but their place in the Air Force structure was never made clear. When Congress authorized the creation of two new senior enlisted ranks in 1958, Air Force officials privately concluded that these two new "super grades" could fill all Air Force needs then performed at the warrant officer level, although this was not publicly acknowledged until years later. The Air Force stopped appointing warrant officers in 1959,<sup id="cite_ref-WO-5_42-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> the same year the first promotions were made to the new top enlisted grade, Chief Master Sergeant. Most of the existing Air Force warrant officers entered the commissioned officer ranks during the 1960s, but tiny numbers continued to exist for the next 21 years.</p> <p>The last active duty Air Force warrant officer, CWO4 James H. Long, retired in 1980 and the last Air Force Reserve warrant officer, CWO4 Bob Barrow, retired in 1992.<sup id="cite_ref-43" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> Upon his retirement, he was honorarily promoted to CWO5, the only person in the Air Force ever to hold this grade.<sup id="cite_ref-WO-5_42-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> Barrow died in April 2008.<sup id="cite_ref-44" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> Since Barrow's retirement, the Air Force warrant officer ranks, while still authorized by law, are not used.</p> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Enlisted_airmen">US Air Force Rank: Enlisted airmen</span></h3>Enlisted members of the USAF have pay grades from E-1 (entry level) to E-9 (senior enlisted). While all USAF military personnel are referred to as <i>Airmen</i>, the term also refers to the pay grades of E-1 through E-4, which are below the level of non-commissioned officers (NCOs). Above the pay grade of E-4 (i.e., pay grades E-5 through E-9) all ranks fall into the category of NCO and are further subdivided into <b>NCOs</b> (pay grades E-5 and E-6) and <b>Senior NCOs</b> (pay grades E-7 through E-9); the term <b>Junior NCO</b> is sometimes used to refer to staff sergeants and technical sergeants (pay grades E-5 and E-6).<sup id="cite_ref-45" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup> <p>The USAF is the only of the five branches of the United States military where NCO status is not achieved until an airman reaches the pay grade of E-5. In all other branches, NCO status is generally achieved at the pay grade of E-4 (e.g., a Corporal in the Army and Marine Corps, Petty Officer Third Class in the Navy and Coast Guard). However, E-4s in the Army with the rank of Specialist are not considered NCOs. The Air Force mirrored the Army from 1976 to 1991 with an E-4 being either a Senior Airman wearing three stripes without a star or a Sergeant (referred to as "Buck Sergeant"), which was noted by the presence of the central star and considered an NCO. Despite not being an NCO, a Senior Airman who has completed Airman Leadership School can be a supervisor.</p> <table style="border: 1px solid rgb(136, 136, 170); background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(247, 248, 255); padding: 5px; font-size: 95%;"><tbody><tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(204, 204, 204);"> <th><b>US DoD Pay grade</b></th> <th>E-1</th> <th>E-2</th> <th>E-3</th> <th>E-4</th> <th>E-5</th> <th>E-6</th> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(204, 204, 204);">Insignia</td> <td><i>No Insignia</i></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="E2 USAF AM.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/E2_USAF_AM.svg/47px-E2_USAF_AM.svg.png" width="47" height="23" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="E3 USAF AM1.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/E3_USAF_AM1.svg/47px-E3_USAF_AM1.svg.png" width="47" height="32" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="E4 USAF SAM.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/E4_USAF_SAM.svg/47px-E4_USAF_SAM.svg.png" width="47" height="37" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="E5 USAF SSGT.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/E5_USAF_SSGT.svg/47px-E5_USAF_SSGT.svg.png" width="47" height="39" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="E6 USAF TSGT.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/E6_USAF_TSGT.svg/47px-E6_USAF_TSGT.svg.png" width="47" height="44" /></span></td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(204, 204, 204);">Title</td> <td>Airman<br />Basic</td> <td>Airman</td> <td>Airman First<br />Class</td> <td>Senior<br />Airman</td> <td>Staff<br />Sergeant</td> <td>Technical<br />Sergeant</td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td>Abbreviation</td> <td>AB</td> <td>Amn</td> <td>A1C</td> <td>SrA</td> <td>SSgt</td> <td>TSgt</td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><table><tbody><tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(204, 204, 204);"><th><b>US DoD Pay grade</b></th> <th colspan="2">E-7</th> <th colspan="2">E-8</th> <th colspan="4">E-9</th> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(204, 204, 204);">Insignia</td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="E7a USAF MSGT.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/E7a_USAF_MSGT.svg/44px-E7a_USAF_MSGT.svg.png" width="44" height="60" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="E7b USAF 1STSGT1.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/E7b_USAF_1STSGT1.svg/44px-E7b_USAF_1STSGT1.svg.png" width="44" height="60" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="E8a USAF SMSGT.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/E8a_USAF_SMSGT.svg/44px-E8a_USAF_SMSGT.svg.png" width="44" height="66" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="E8b USAF 1STSGT2.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/E8b_USAF_1STSGT2.svg/44px-E8b_USAF_1STSGT2.svg.png" width="44" height="66" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="E9a USAF CMSGT.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/E9a_USAF_CMSGT.svg/44px-E9a_USAF_CMSGT.svg.png" width="44" height="73" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="E9b USAF 1STSGT3.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/E9b_USAF_1STSGT3.svg/44px-E9b_USAF_1STSGT3.svg.png" width="44" height="73" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="E9c USAF CCMS.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/E9c_USAF_CCMS.svg/44px-E9c_USAF_CCMS.svg.png" width="44" height="73" /></span></td> <td><span class="image"><img alt="E9d USAF CMSAF new.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/E9d_USAF_CMSAF_new.svg/44px-E9d_USAF_CMSAF_new.svg.png" width="44" height="73" /></span></td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(204, 204, 204);">Title</td> <td colspan="2">Master<br />Sergeant¹</td> <td colspan="2">Senior Master<br />Sergeant¹</td> <td colspan="2">Chief Master<br />Sergeant¹</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Command Chief<br />Master Sergeant</span></td> <td>Chief Master Sergeant<br />of the Air Force</td></tr></tbody></table></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096018711677941337.post-4627001187169463442011-02-02T11:11:00.000-08:002011-02-02T11:21:46.778-08:00List of Aircraft of the United States Air Force<div style="text-align: justify;">The US Air Force has over 5,778 aircraft commissioned as of 2004. Until 1962, the Army and Air Force maintained one system of aircraft naming, while the U.S. Navy maintained a separate system. In 1962, these were unified into a single system heavily reflecting the Army/Air Force method. For more complete information on the workings of this system, refer to United States Department of Defense aerospace vehicle designation.<br /><br /><p>The List of <b>Aircraft of the United States Air Force</b>:</p> <table> <tbody><tr> <th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Name</th> <th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Type</th> <th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Versions</th> <th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Quantity</span></th> <th style="text-align: left; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(170, 188, 204); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Picture</th> </tr> <tr style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="6"><b>Fixed-wing</b></th> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">A-10 Thunderbolt II</span></td> <td>Attack Aircraft</td> <td>A-10A <hr /> A-10C</td> <td>111 <hr /> 138</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="A-10 Thunderbolt II In-flight-2.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/A-10_Thunderbolt_II_In-flight-2.jpg/150px-A-10_Thunderbolt_II_In-flight-2.jpg" width="150" height="81" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td>Lockheed AC-130</td> <td>Attack Aircraft</td> <td>AC-130H <hr /> AC-130U</td> <td>8 <hr /> 17</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="AC-130 Aircraft.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/42/AC-130_Aircraft.jpg/150px-AC-130_Aircraft.jpg" width="150" height="59" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">B-1 Lancer</span></td> <td>Strategic bomber</td> <td>B-1B</td> <td>67</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="B-1B over the pacific ocean.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/B-1B_over_the_pacific_ocean.jpg/150px-B-1B_over_the_pacific_ocean.jpg" width="150" height="100" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">B-2 Spirit</span></td> <td>Strategic stealth bomber</td> <td>B-2A</td> <td>20</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="B-2 Spirit original.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/B-2_Spirit_original.jpg/150px-B-2_Spirit_original.jpg" width="150" height="94" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">B-52 Stratofortress</span></td> <td>Strategic bomber</td> <td>B-52H</td> <td>85</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Usaf.Boeing B-52.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/Usaf.Boeing_B-52.jpg/150px-Usaf.Boeing_B-52.jpg" width="150" height="99" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">C-5 Galaxy</span></td> <td>Cargo Aircraft</td> <td>C-5A <hr /> C-5B <hr /> C-5C <hr /> C-5M</td> <td>58 <hr /> 48 <hr /> 2 <hr /> 3</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Usaf.c5.galaxy.750pix.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Usaf.c5.galaxy.750pix.jpg/150px-Usaf.c5.galaxy.750pix.jpg" width="150" height="99" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">C-12 Huron</span></td> <td>Cargo Aircraft</td> <td>C-12C <hr /> C-12D <hr /> C-12F <hr /> C-12J</td> <td>16 <hr /> 6 <hr /> 2 <hr /> 4</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="C-12 Huron in flight.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/C-12_Huron_in_flight.jpg/150px-C-12_Huron_in_flight.jpg" width="150" height="102" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">C-17 Globemaster III</span></td> <td>Cargo Aircraft</td> <td>C-17A</td> <td>185</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="C17 aircraft alt.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/C17_aircraft_alt.jpg/150px-C17_aircraft_alt.jpg" width="150" height="110" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td>Gulfstream C-20</td> <td>Cargo Aircraft</td> <td>C-20B <hr /> C-20H</td> <td>5 <hr /> 2</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="USAF C-20.JPG" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/USAF_C-20.JPG/150px-USAF_C-20.JPG" width="150" height="96" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Learjet C-21</td> <td>Cargo Aircraft</td> <td>C-21A</td> <td>76</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Air Force C-21.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Air_Force_C-21.jpg/150px-Air_Force_C-21.jpg" width="150" height="103" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td>Boeing C-22</td> <td>Cargo Aircraft</td> <td>C-22B</td> <td>3</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="C-22B.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/C-22B.jpg/150px-C-22B.jpg" width="150" height="85" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">C-26 Metroliner</span></td> <td>Cargo Aircraft</td> <td>C-26B</td> <td>11</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Metroliner C-26.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Metroliner_C-26.jpg/150px-Metroliner_C-26.jpg" width="150" height="98" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">C-27 Spartan</span></td> <td>Cargo Aircraft</td> <td>C-27J</td> <td><br /></td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="USAF C-27J.JPG" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/USAF_C-27J.JPG/150px-USAF_C-27J.JPG" width="150" height="87" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Boeing C-32</td> <td>Cargo Aircraft</td> <td>C-32A <hr /> C-32B</td> <td>4 <hr /> 2</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="USAF C-32A.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/USAF_C-32A.jpg/150px-USAF_C-32A.jpg" width="150" height="79" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td>Gulfstream C-37</td> <td>Cargo Aircraft</td> <td>C-37A</td> <td>9</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="And-c-37a-89aw.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/And-c-37a-89aw.jpg/150px-And-c-37a-89aw.jpg" width="150" height="97" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td>Gulfstream C-38</td> <td>Cargo Aircraft</td> <td>C-38A</td> <td>2</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">C-40 Clipper</span></td> <td>Cargo Aircraft</td> <td>C-40B <hr /> C-40C</td> <td>4 <hr /> 6</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="C-40B USAF VIP Transport.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/C-40B_USAF_VIP_Transport.jpg/150px-C-40B_USAF_VIP_Transport.jpg" width="150" height="88" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">C-130 Hercules</span></td> <td>Cargo Aircraft</td> <td>C-130E <hr /> C-130H <hr /> <span class="mw-redirect">C-130J</span> <hr /> <span class="mw-redirect">C-130J-30</span></td> <td>171 <hr /> 283 <hr /> 28 <hr /> 5</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="C130H.JPG" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/C130H.JPG/150px-C130H.JPG" width="150" height="59" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">C-135 Stratolifter</span></td> <td>Cargo Aircraft</td> <td>C-135</td> <td>2</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Boeing C-135C 61-2669 Speckled Trout.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Boeing_C-135C_61-2669_Speckled_Trout.jpg/150px-Boeing_C-135C_61-2669_Speckled_Trout.jpg" width="150" height="118" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">E-3 Sentry</span></td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Airborne Command and Control Aircraft</span></td> <td>E-3B <hr /> E-3C</td> <td>22 <hr /> 10</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Usaf.e3sentry.750pix.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/Usaf.e3sentry.750pix.jpg/150px-Usaf.e3sentry.750pix.jpg" width="150" height="97" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Boeing E-4</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Airborne Command and Control Aircraft</span></td> <td>E-4B</td> <td>4</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="E 4b.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/E_4b.jpg/150px-E_4b.jpg" width="150" height="101" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">E-8 Joint STARS</span></td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Airborne Command and Control Aircraft</span></td> <td>E-8A <hr /> E-8C</td> <td>1 <hr /> 17</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Usaf.e8.750pix.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Usaf.e8.750pix.jpg/150px-Usaf.e8.750pix.jpg" width="150" height="110" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>E9 Wiget</td> <td>Electronic Warfare Aircraft</td> <td>E-9A</td> <td>2</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="080826-F-5040D-341.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/080826-F-5040D-341.jpg/150px-080826-F-5040D-341.jpg" width="150" height="93" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">EC-130 Commando Solo</span></td> <td>Electronic Warfare Aircraft</td> <td>EC-130E <hr /> EC-130H <hr /> EC-130J <hr /> EC-130SJ</td> <td>4 <hr /> 14 <hr /> 3 <hr /> 4</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="EC-130H Compass Call 060617.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/EC-130H_Compass_Call_060617.jpg/150px-EC-130H_Compass_Call_060617.jpg" width="150" height="101" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">F-15 Eagle</span></td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Fighter Aircraft</span></td> <td>F-15C <hr /> F-15D <hr /> <span class="mw-redirect">F-15E</span></td> <td>336 <hr /> 54 <hr /> 223</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="F-15, 71st Fighter Squadron, in flight.JPG" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/F-15%2C_71st_Fighter_Squadron%2C_in_flight.JPG/150px-F-15%2C_71st_Fighter_Squadron%2C_in_flight.JPG" width="150" height="88" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">F-16 Fighting Falcon</span></td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Fighter Aircraft</span></td> <td>F-16C <hr /> F-16D</td> <td>1,082 <hr /> 180</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="F-16 June 2008.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/F-16_June_2008.jpg/150px-F-16_June_2008.jpg" width="150" height="104" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);color:black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">F-22 Raptor</span></td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Fighter Aircraft</span></td> <td>F-22A</td> <td>166</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor JSOH.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Lockheed_Martin_F-22A_Raptor_JSOH.jpg/150px-Lockheed_Martin_F-22A_Raptor_JSOH.jpg" width="150" height="100" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">HC-130 Hercules</span></td> <td>Search and Rescue Aircraft</td> <td>HC-130N <hr /> HC-130P</td> <td>10 <hr /> 22</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="US Airforce HC-130.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/US_Airforce_HC-130.jpg/150px-US_Airforce_HC-130.jpg" width="150" height="107" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">KC-10 Extender</span></td> <td>Tanker Aircraft</td> <td>KC-10A</td> <td>59</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="KC-10 Extender (2151957820).jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/KC-10_Extender_%282151957820%29.jpg/150px-KC-10_Extender_%282151957820%29.jpg" width="150" height="99" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">KC-135 Stratotanker</span></td> <td>Tanker Aircraft</td> <td>KC-135R <hr /> KC-135T</td> <td>364 <hr /> 54</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="100225-F-3252P-617.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/100225-F-3252P-617.jpg/150px-100225-F-3252P-617.jpg" width="150" height="90" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td>MC-130 Hercules</td> <td>Multi-mission Aircraft</td> <td>MC-130E <hr /> MC-130H <hr /> MC-130P</td> <td>14 <hr /> 20 <hr /> 31</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="MC-130 Combat Talon II.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/MC-130_Combat_Talon_II.jpg/150px-MC-130_Combat_Talon_II.jpg" width="150" height="98" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">OA-10 Thunderbolt II</span></td> <td>Observation Aircraft</td> <td>OA-10A</td> <td>108</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Thunderbolt - Closeup.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Thunderbolt_-_Closeup.jpg/150px-Thunderbolt_-_Closeup.jpg" width="150" height="101" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">OC-135 Open Skies</span></td> <td>Observation Aircraft</td> <td>OC-135B</td> <td>2</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Oc-135 xxl.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Oc-135_xxl.jpg/150px-Oc-135_xxl.jpg" width="150" height="112" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Boeing RC-135</td> <td>Reconnaissance Aircraft</td> <td>RC-135S <hr /> RC-135U <hr /> RC-135V <hr /> RC-135W</td> <td>3 <hr /> 2 <hr /> 8 <hr /> 8</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="RC-135 Rivet Joint.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/RC-135_Rivet_Joint.jpg/150px-RC-135_Rivet_Joint.jpg" width="150" height="100" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td>T-1 Jayhawk</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Trainer Aircraft</span></td> <td>T-1A</td> <td>179</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="J-1 Jayhawk.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d8/J-1_Jayhawk.jpg/150px-J-1_Jayhawk.jpg" width="150" height="76" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">T-6 Texan II</span></td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Trainer Aircraft</span></td> <td>T-6A</td> <td>337</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="T-6A Texan II.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/T-6A_Texan_II.jpg/150px-T-6A_Texan_II.jpg" width="150" height="107" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">T-38 Talon</span></td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Trainer Aircraft</span></td> <td>T-38A <hr /> T-38C <hr /> (A)T-38B</td> <td>200 <hr /> 246 <hr /> 31</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="T-38C 50FTS ColumbusAFB Sep2006.jpeg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/T-38C_50FTS_ColumbusAFB_Sep2006.jpeg/150px-T-38C_50FTS_ColumbusAFB_Sep2006.jpeg" width="150" height="100" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">T-41 Mescalero</span></td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Trainer Aircraft</span></td> <td>T-41D</td> <td><br /></td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="USAF T-41D.JPG" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/USAF_T-41D.JPG/150px-USAF_T-41D.JPG" width="150" height="49" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td>TU-2 Dragon Lady</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Trainer Aircraft</span></td> <td>TU-2S</td> <td>5</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Lockheed U-2 TR-1B.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Lockheed_U-2_TR-1B.jpg/150px-Lockheed_U-2_TR-1B.jpg" width="150" height="100" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Blanik TG-10</span></td> <td>Trainer Glider</td> <td>TG-10B <hr /> TG-10C <hr /> TG-10D</td> <td>12 <hr /> 5 <hr /> 4<sup id="cite_ref-usafa.af.mil_3-0" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="TG-10B Gliders.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/TG-10B_Gliders.jpg/150px-TG-10B_Gliders.jpg" width="150" height="75" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td>Ximango TG-14</td> <td>Trainer Motor Glider</td> <td>TG-14A</td> <td>14<sup id="cite_ref-usafa.af.mil_3-1" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="USAF TG-14A.JPG" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/USAF_TG-14A.JPG/150px-USAF_TG-14A.JPG" width="150" height="105" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td>Schempp-Hirth TG-15</td> <td>Trainer Glider</td> <td>TG-15A <hr /> TG-15B</td> <td>2 <hr /> 3<sup id="cite_ref-usafa.af.mil_3-2" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="USAF TG-15B.JPG" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7e/USAF_TG-15B.JPG/150px-USAF_TG-15B.JPG" width="150" height="100" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>U-2 Dragon Lady</td> <td>Reconnaissance Aircraft</td> <td>U-2S</td> <td>28</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Usaf.u2.750pix.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Usaf.u2.750pix.jpg/150px-Usaf.u2.750pix.jpg" width="150" height="91" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">de Havilland Canada UV-18</span></td> <td>Utility VSTOL Aircraft</td> <td>UV-18B</td> <td>3</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Pilatus U-28</td> <td>Utility Aircraft</td> <td>U-28A</td> <td>6</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr color="black" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239);"> <td>Boeing VC-25</td> <td>VIP Transport</td> <td>VC-25A</td> <td>2</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Air Force One over Mt. Rushmore.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/Air_Force_One_over_Mt._Rushmore.jpg/150px-Air_Force_One_over_Mt._Rushmore.jpg" width="150" height="121" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">WC-130 Hercules</span></td> <td>Weather Reconnaissance Aircraft</td> <td>WC-130H <hr /> WC-130J</td> <td>10 <hr /> 10</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Lockheed Martin WC-130J.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Lockheed_Martin_WC-130J.jpg/150px-Lockheed_Martin_WC-130J.jpg" width="150" height="83" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">WC-135 Constant Phoenix</span></td> <td>Weather Reconnaissance Aircraft</td> <td>WC-135</td> <td>2</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="WC-135 Constant Phoenix.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/71/WC-135_Constant_Phoenix.jpg/150px-WC-135_Constant_Phoenix.jpg" width="150" height="97" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="6"><b>Unmanned Aerial Vehicles</b></th> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">MQ-1 Predator</span></td> <td>Combat aircraft</td> <td><br /></td> <td>195</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="081131-F-7734Q-001.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/081131-F-7734Q-001.jpg/150px-081131-F-7734Q-001.jpg" width="150" height="100" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">RQ-4 Global Hawk</span></td> <td>Surveillance aircraft</td> <td><br /></td> <td>54 planned</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Globalhawk.750pix.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Globalhawk.750pix.jpg/150px-Globalhawk.750pix.jpg" width="150" height="113" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">MQ-9 Reaper</span></td> <td>Combat aircraft</td> <td><br /></td> <td>28+ 319 planned</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="MQ-9 Reaper - 090609-F-0000M-777.JPG" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/MQ-9_Reaper_-_090609-F-0000M-777.JPG/150px-MQ-9_Reaper_-_090609-F-0000M-777.JPG" width="150" height="106" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">RQ-11 Raven</span></td> <td>Surveillance aircraft</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="AirforceMQ-11B.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/41/AirforceMQ-11B.jpg/150px-AirforceMQ-11B.jpg" width="150" height="98" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">RQ-170 Sentinel</span></td> <td>Surveillance aircraft</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="RQ-170 Wiki contributor 3Dartist.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/RQ-170_Wiki_contributor_3Dartist.png/150px-RQ-170_Wiki_contributor_3Dartist.png" width="150" height="113" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td>Boeing ScanEagle</td> <td>Surveillance aircraft</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="ScanEagle UAV catapult launcher 2005-04-16.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/ScanEagle_UAV_catapult_launcher_2005-04-16.jpg/150px-ScanEagle_UAV_catapult_launcher_2005-04-16.jpg" width="150" height="98" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">Wasp III</span></td> <td>Surveillance aircraft</td> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Wasp III aircraft.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Wasp_III_aircraft.jpg/150px-Wasp_III_aircraft.jpg" width="150" height="68" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="6"><b>Rotary-wing Aircraft</b></th> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">TH-1 Iroquois</span></td> <td>Training Helicopter</td> <td>TH-1H</td> <td>1</td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">UH-1 Iroquois</span></td> <td>Utility Helicopter</td> <td><span class="mw-redirect">UH-1N</span> <hr /> UH-1V</td> <td>62 <hr /> 2</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="Air Force helicopter.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Air_Force_helicopter.jpg/150px-Air_Force_helicopter.jpg" width="150" height="98" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="mw-redirect">HH-60 Pave Hawk</span></td> <td>Search and Rescue Helicopter</td> <td>HH-60G</td> <td>101</td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="HH-60 128th Rescue Wing off Golden Gate 2002.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/HH-60_128th_Rescue_Wing_off_Golden_Gate_2002.jpg/150px-HH-60_128th_Rescue_Wing_off_Golden_Gate_2002.jpg" width="150" height="109" /></span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> <th style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;" colspan="6"><b>Tilt-rotor Aircraft</b></th> </tr> <tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(239, 239, 239); color: black;"> <td><span class="mw-redirect">CV-22 Osprey</span></td> <td>Cargo VTOL Aircraft</td> <td>CV-22B</td> <td>12+50 planned<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><span></span><span></span></sup></td> <td> <div class="floatleft"><span class="image"><img alt="58thoperationsgroup-ospry-2.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/58thoperationsgroup-ospry-2.jpg/150px-58thoperationsgroup-ospry-2.jpg" width="150" height="120" /></span></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /></div>Peace Keeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14874022469012069282noreply@blogger.com