Air Force
An air force is the branch of a nation's armed forces that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from the army, navy or other branches. Most nations either maintain an air force or, in the case of smaller and less well-developed countries, an air wing (see List of air forces). Air forces are usually tasked with the air defense of a country, as well as strategic bombing, interdiction, close air support, intelligence gathering, battlespace management and transport functions. Air force operations may also include space-based operations such as reconnaissance or satellite operations.
Other branches of a nation's armed forces may use aviation (naval aviation and army aviation) in addition to or instead of a dedicated air force. Army aviation is considered to be much more competitive than other branches within the Army.
Read more about this topic: Military Aviation
Famous quotes containing the words air and/or force:
“The air deals blows: surely too hard, too often?
No: it is bent on bringing summer down.
Dead leaves desert in thousands, outwards, upwards,
Numerous as birds; but the birds fly away....”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)
“It is the vice of our public speaking that it has not abandonment. Somewhere, not only every orator but every man should let out all the length of all the reins; should find or make a frank and hearty expression of what force and meaning is in him.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)