Air Force, Department of

The Department of the Air Force is separately organized under its own secretary as one of three military departments that functions under the authority, direction, and control of the secretary of defense. The Department of the Air Force is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping armed forces responsible for aerial, space, and cyber warfare. This entry discusses the history, responsibilities, roles, and recent leaders of the Department of the Air Force.

Historical Origins

After the remarkable contribution of the Army Air Forces to the victory in World War II, the long-term effort to gain autonomy for the air arm and coequal status with the army and the navy came to fruition. On July 26, 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947, Public ...

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