The workhorses of the USAF airlift forces are the C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, and C-5 Galaxy. [76][77][78], In response to a 2007 United States Air Force nuclear weapons incident, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates accepted in June 2009 the resignations of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force General T. Michael Moseley. 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 "NCOs" (pay grades E-5 and E-6) and "senior NCOs" (pay grades E-7 through E-9); the term "junior NCO" is sometimes used to refer to staff sergeants and technical sergeants (pay grades E-5 and E-6).[61]. U.S. Central Command operations deter adversaries and demonstrate support for allies and partners in the region. [21], Command and control is "the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission. Our goal is to cover everything you need to know about being an officer in the United States Air Force, from joining the military, commissioning in the USAF, your first assignment and follow-on assignments, promotions, military pay and benefits, and more. The top-level structure of these forces is the Air Expeditionary Task Force (AETF). ", "Warrant Officer Programs of Other Services", "Department of Defense Enlisted Rank Insignias", "Air Force first sergeants work to help Airmen", "Getting the Blues, by Tech. The purpose of all of these core missions is to provide what the Air Force states as global vigilance, global reach, and global power. [79] The Washington Post reported in 2010 that General Schwartz began to dismantle the rigid class system of the USAF, particularly in the officer corps. It provides joint military forces the capability to move from place to place while retaining the ability to fulfill their primary mission. Some of these traditions range from "Friday Name Tags" in flying units to an annual "Mustache Month". [35] To put more emphasis on nuclear assets, the USAF established the nuclear-focused Air Force Global Strike Command on 24 October 2008, which later assumed control of all USAF bomber aircraft. Air-to-air refueling is extensively used in large-scale operations and also used in normal operations; fighters, bombers, and cargo aircraft rely heavily on the lesser-known "tanker" aircraft. The organizational structure as shown above is responsible for the peacetime organization, equipping, and training of air units for operational missions. The Air Force through the Department of the Air Force is headed by the civilian Secretary of the Air Force, who reports to the Secretary of Defense and is appointed by the President with Senate confirmation. The predecessor organizations in the Army of today's Air Force are: During the early 2000s, two USAF aircraft procurement projects took longer than expected, the KC-X and F-35 programs. Currently, promotion from second lieutenant to first lieutenant is virtually guaranteed after two years of satisfactory service. Many of these scholarships will pay for two, three, or four years of tuition, books and fees at numerous universities and colleges and allow cadets to pursue studies in various technical and non-technical majors. The US Air Force Fitness Test (AFFT) is designed to test the abdominal circumference, muscular strength/endurance and cardiovascular respiratory fitness of airmen in the USAF. The use of "challenge coins" dates back to World War I when a member of one of the aero squadrons bought his entire unit medallions with their emblem,[89] while another cultural tradition unique to the Air Force is the "roof stomp", practiced by Airmen to welcome a new commander or to commemorate another event, such as a retirement. All AFJROTC instructors are retired Air Force commissioned and noncommissioned officers. Personnel may test once a year if he or she earns a score above a 90%. [64] The current service dress uniform, which was adopted in 1994, consists of a three-button coat with decorative pockets, matching trousers, and either a service cap or flight cap, all in Shade 1620, "Air Force blue" (a darker purplish-blue). Post-conflict, regeneration of a credible nuclear deterrent capability will deter further aggression. They'll spend nine and a half weeks training at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. USAF personnel assigned to base honor guard duties wear, for certain occasions, a modified version of the standard service dress uniform that includes silver trim on the sleeves and trousers, with the addition of a ceremonial belt (if necessary), service cap with silver trim and Hap Arnold Device (instead of the seal of the United States worn on the regular cap), and a silver aiguillette placed on the left shoulder seam and all devices and accoutrements. Effective 1 July 2010, the AFFT is administered by the base Fitness Assessment Cell (FAC), and is required twice a year. It is the second youngest branch of the U.S. Armed Forces[a] and the fourth in order of precedence. [60] Upon his retirement, he was honorarily promoted to CWO5, the only person in the Air Force ever to hold this grade.