USAFA terms

cadet structure

element (12 cadets)

flight (3 elements, 36 cadets)

squadron (4 flights, 110 cadets)

group (10 squadrons, 1000 cadets)

cadet wing (40 squadrons, all cadets)

O1

2nd Lieutenant

O2

1st Lieutenant

O3

Captain

O4

Major

O5

Lieutenant Colonel

O6

Colonel

O7

Brigadier General

O8

Major General

O9

Lieutenant General

O10

General

E1

Airman Basic

E2

Airman

E3

Airman First Class

E4

Senior Airman

E5

Staff Sergeant

E6

Technical Sergeant

E7

Master Sergeant

E8

Senior Master Sergeant

E9

Chief Master Sergeant

F-15 Eagle

• A twin-engine

• all-weather

• tactical fighter

• known for its speed and agility

• designed to permit the Air Force to gain and maintain air supremacy over the battlefield

F-16 Fighting Flacon

• compact, multi-role fighter

• highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations.

F-22 Raptor

• combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics and supportability

• performs air-to-air and air-to-ground missions

• full realization of operations.

F-35 Lighting II

• latest fifth-generation fighter

• provides next-generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness, and reduced vulnerability for the United States and allied nations.