The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal Corps, the USAF was established as a separate branch of the United States Armed Forces in 1947 with the enactment of the National Security Act of 1947. It is the second youngest branch of the United States Armed Forces and the fourth in order of precedence. The United States Air Force articulates its core missions as air supremacy, global integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, rapid global mobility, global strike, and command and control.
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. The armed forces consists of six service branches: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. All six armed services are among the eight uniformed services of the United States.
The 5th Bomb Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command's Eighth Air Force. It is stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The wing is also the host unit at Minot. The 5 BW is one of only two active duty Boeing B-52H Stratofortress wings in the United States Air Force, the other being the 2d Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Also, stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, and operating the B-52H is a third unit, the 307th Bomb Wing, which is part of the Air Force Reserve Command.
The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Combat Command. As a provisional unit, it may be activated or inactivated at any time.
Bennie Luke Davis was a United States Air Force general who served as the commander-in-chief of Strategic Air Command, and as the director of Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff, with its headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The command was the major American nuclear deterrent force with bombers, tankers, reconnaissance aircraft and intercontinental ballistic missiles. The Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff coordinated United States nuclear war plans and develops the Single Integrated Operational Plan.
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is an American long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades. It has been operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since the 1950s. The bomber can carry up to 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of weapons, and has a typical combat range of around 8,800 miles (14,200 km) without aerial refueling.
Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) is a Major Command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force, headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. AFGSC provides combat-ready forces to conduct strategic nuclear deterrence and global strike operations in support of combatant commanders. Air Force Global Strike Command is the Air Force's service component to the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).
Lloyd Richardson Leavitt Jr. was an American Air Force lieutenant general. As vice commander in chief of the Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, he fulfilled the responsibilities of the SAC commander in chief in his absence. He was also the commander's principal adviser in the formulation of SAC policies, plans, and directives.
Stephen W. "Seve" Wilson is a retired United States Air Force four-star general, who last served as the 39th vice chief of staff of the Air Force. He previously served as the deputy commander of United States Strategic Command. Prior to that, he served as the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. In his capacity as commander of Air Force Global Strike Command his responsibilities included organizing, training, equipping, and maintaining all United States ICBM and nuclear-capable bomber forces. Prior to his current assignment, Wilson served as Commander, Eighth Air Force. Wilson was the longest serving vice chief of staff in Air Force history. He had his retirement ceremony on November 13, 2020 and retired effective December 31, 2020. Wilson serves on the Board of Directors of BAE Systems, the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems PLC Board. He also serves as a advisor to New Vista Capital.
The Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal is a service medal of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force established on 27 May 2014. The medal recognizes service by personnel in various career fields who have served in units involved with national strategic nuclear deterrence operations. Officer and enlisted personnel in the Regular Air Force, Regular Space Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard communities are eligible for this medal. Eligible service is retroactive from 26 December 1991.
Timothy Michael Ray is a retired United States Air Force general who last served as the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command from August 21, 2018, to August 27, 2021. He concurrently served as the commander of Air Forces Strategic – Air, United States Strategic Command. His two previous assignments were as the Deputy Commander, United States European Command, and as the Commander, Third Air Force. He previously served as the director of global power programs in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Headquarters United States Air Force, Washington, D.C.
Stanley C. Beck is a retired major general in the United States Air Force. He was the vice commander of the Strategic Air Command's 15th Air Force at March Air Force Base, California.
Robert Scott Jobe is a United States Air Force major general who was appointed the Director of Plans, Programs, and Requirements of the Air Combat Command in July 2021. Previously, he was the director of strategic plans of the United States Air Force. In February 2021, he was nominated for promotion to major general and assigned to become director of plans, programs, and requirements of the Air Combat Command, replacing Major General Case Cunningham.
David B. Lyons is a United States Air Force major general who serves as the director of air and space operations of the Air Combat Command. He has was commanded the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing. In February 2021, he was nominated for promotion to major general.
Heather L. Pringle is a retired United States Air Force major general who last served as the commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory. She previously served as the director of strategic plans of the U.S. Air Force.
Dagvin R. M. Anderson is a United States Air Force lieutenant general who serves as the director for joint force development of the Joint Staff. He previously served as the vice director for operations of the Joint Staff. He has also commanded the Special Operations Command Africa.
Andrew J. Gebara is a United States Air Force major general who served as the commander of the Eighth Air Force from 2021 to 2023. He most recently served as Director of Strategic Plans, Programs, and Requirements of the Air Force Global Strike Command. Previously, he was the Deputy Senior Director for Defense Policy and Strategy of the National Security Council.
John Joseph Nichols is a United States Air Force major general who served as the director of operations of the United States Strategic Command. He previously served as director of global power programs at the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. He also commanded the 509th Bomb Wing.
A deputy chief of space operations is a senior leadership position in the United States Space Force. There are four deputy chiefs of space operations in the Space Force, staffed either by a lieutenant general or a senior executive service personnel. They are the service's equivalent to the Army's and Air Force's deputy chiefs of staff, the Marine Corps' deputy commandants, and the Navy's deputy chiefs of naval operations. They are part of the Office of the Chief of Space Operations and hold office at the Pentagon.
