Progressive Management - The Air Force Handbook

The Air Force Handbook - An Illustrated Guideto the Weapon Systems and Equipment of the USAF, Airplanes, FighterJets and Bombers, Missiles, Satellites, Bombs, Munitions for Combatin Air and Space

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Progressive Management

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Copyright 2014 Progressive Management

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THE AIR FORCE HANDBOOK

U.S. AIR FORCE (USAF)

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CONTENTS

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A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF OF STAFF, UNITEDSTATES AIR FORCE

This year, as we commemorate 60 years asAmerica's Air Force, we must look to history to guide us throughthe many diverse challenges that lie ahead as we transform andstreamline to meet future challenges.

Today, we are a force unmatched by anyone inthe world, seasoned by over 16 years of continuous combatoperations. We are the leaders in Global Vigilance, Global Reach,Global Power, and most importantly, highly skilled and motivatedAirmen.

Our Airmen are the most important piece toexecute our Air, Space, and Cyberspace power and the key to thesuccess of the Total Force. From the front lines of the Global Waron Terror to Homeland Defense and humanitarian missions, our TotalForce accomplish amazing tasks everyday amidst the stressfulsituations in which they are deployedeveryday, everywhere.

This handbook highlights the tools andcapabilities that empower our Airmen, both on the ground and in theair to be successful in their warfighting endeavors and the defenseof the nation.

The systems and equipment highlighted in thefollowing pages showcase the technological lengths to which we willgo to ensure that we will now and in the future continue to be theworld's most capable Air Force as we fly and fight in Air, Space,and Cyberspace.

This handbook is a tool just like theequipment listed within its pages. Use it as the resource for whichit was intended and together we will continue to focus on winningthe Global War on Terror and ensuring the safety and security ofour great nation and its citizens.

T. Michael Moseley

General, USAF Chief of Staff

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This book is designed for clear and easyreference to critical information about Air Force systems.

TITLE: All systems are in alphabeticalorder.

MISSION: How the system benefits Airmen,combatant commanders, support personnel, and the overallachievement of Air Force strategies

CONTRACTORS: A listing of prime andsubcontractors

DESCRIPTION: A general explanation of thesystem and its key capabilities

SPECIFICATIONS: A listing of technical andfunctional parameters

ACQUISITION STATUS: The status of the systemprogram, including the locations assigned, the current inventory,and a listing of key future upgrades to the system

OPERATIONAL ROLES

The Air Force is leveraging its corestrategic capabilitiesGlobal Power, Global Reach, GlobalVigilance, and Agile Combat Supportto ensure joint air, space, andcyberspace dominance; strengthen joint warfighting capabilities;and implement Total Force Integration.

Global Power

Global Power is the Air Force's ability tocontrol air and spaceexploiting the medium to deliver a precise,tailored effect anywhere on the planet. Stealthy platforms and theprecision-guided munitions they deliver provide a capability thatis persistent, precise, survivable, and able to produce tactical,operational, and strategic effects.

Global Reach

Global challenges demand global responses.Whether they are humanitarian, military, or a mix of both, the AirForce meets these demands with an airlift and tanker fleet that hasglobal reach. Global Reach provides the capability to move peopleand equipment across the world quickly, ensuring the rightforceanywhere, anytime.

Global Vigilance

An accurate picture of the battlespace iscritical to understanding and confronting challenges to ournational security. Roughly 33 percent of the Air Force budget isdedicated to the sensors that collect imagery, de-conflict air andspace assets, listen to adversary communications, enable precisenavigation, and develop actionable intelligence. Global Vigilanceprovides the "network" that binds together joint and interagencyplayers, ensuring our Nation's ability to see first, think first,and act first.

Agile Combat Support

Agile Combat Support refers to systems thatenable the Air Force to provide the key strategic capabilities(Global Power, Global Reach, Global Vigilance) to the JointTeam.

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We are at acritical juncture in the history of the United States Air Force. Wefind our service, our department, and our Nation in a transitionperiod that will shape the nation's security for years to come.Tomorrow's expeditionary Air Force will be even greater thantoday'smore agile, more compact, and more effective thaneverensuring global Air, Space, and Cyberspace dominance for theUnited States in the 21st Century.

America's Air Force, as a total force ofActive Duty, Air National Guard, Reserve, and Civilian, continuesto prosecute the Global War on Terror while remaining ready toengage whatever enemy chooses to confront the world's preeminentAir, Space, and Cyberspace force.

In order to continue our legacy as theworld's best Air Force, we have developed and instituted a set ofpriorities that are central to our Joint warfighting success. Byfocusing on these prioritiesWinning the Global War on Terror,Developing Airmen, and Recapitalizing and Modernizing the TotalForcewe are prepared to face the challenges of today and theuncertainties of tomorrow.

WINNING THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR

The Global War on Terror (GWOT) constitutes aU.S.-led response to global terrorism. Our mission within this waris to defeat terrorists whose tactics and global vision encompassextremism, tyranny, and oppression. Our enemies in this conflictare constantly evolving. To fight them, we must remain vigilant inour pursuit of ensuring the continued safety and security of ournation and her citizens. The Air Force is committed to this missionand will continue to project its many unique capabilities to defeatour enemies anywhere in the world. Maintaining combat readiness isa key factor in supporting the GWOT. We must sustain our criticalmission areas of Global Vigilance, Global Reach, and Global Power,while continually maintaining an agile, adaptable, persistent,lethal, and surge-ready air, space, and cyber force.