AF101 FINAL EXAM REVIEW

What is Aeronautical Division, U.S. Army Signal Corps (1907–1916)?

Established in 1907 to manage military ballooning and early flying machines

• Began as a balloon organization; acquired its first airplane in 1908

• First military aircraft use occurred during the 1916 pursuit of Pancho Villa

(reconnaissance)

• Marked the start of U.S. military aviation

What is Air Service, U.S. Army (World War I, 1917–1918)?

Provided all U.S. airpower in France during WWI

• Developed large-scale combat aviation operations

• Led by figures such as Brig Gen Billy Mitchell, who advocated for airpower and

independence

• Missions emphasized observation, pursuit, and limited bombing

What is Air Corps Era & Interwar Development (1920s–1930s)?

Air Corps Tactical School (ACTS) formalized high-altitude daylight strategic bombing

doctrine

• Shifted from ground support to strategic attack concepts

• Laid intellectual and organizational foundations for WWII air operations

What is U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) in World War II (1939–

1945)?

Strategic bombing matured against German industry and petroleum infrastructure

• Large bomber formations executed precision, high-altitude attacks based on ACTS

doctrine

• Airpower became decisive across major theaters

• Successes strengthened the case for a separate air service

What is Creation of the Department of the Air Force (1947)?

National Security Act of 1947 established a separate Department of the Air Force

• Shifted U.S. airpower from Army control to an independent military department

• Created a civilian Secretary of the Air Force and a military Chief of Staff

What is Berlin Airlift (Operation VITTLES, 1948–1949)?

Proved airlift alone could sustain a major city and achieve strategic objectives

• Transition from C-47s to C-54s highlighted need for heavier, long-range transports

• U.S.–British Airlift Task Force refined multinational mobility command and control

• Deployment of nuclear-capable bombers to England signaled U.S. deterrence resolve

• Delivery of over 2 million tons established global mobility as a core USAF capability

What is the Korean War (1950–1953)?

Validated air interdiction for halting enemy advances and disrupting logistics

• Close Air Support (USAF and USMC) proved decisive in containing enemy

breakthroughs

• F-80 jets struggled with rough fields, forcing a return to F-51 Mustangs—highlighting

platform flexibility

• First sustained jet-vs-jet combat (F-86 vs MiG-15) achieved >10:1 kill ratio

• Reinforced American air superiority as a Cold War advantage

What is the Vietnam War (1960s–1973)?

Rolling Thunder exposed flaws in graduated response and restrictive ROE

• Linebacker I & II demonstrated decisive effects of unrestricted strategic air attack

• Massive expansion of air-to-air refueling enabled deep, sustained operations

• Forward Air Controllers, upgraded CAS, and gunships increased accuracy and reduced

fratricide

• Birth of modern Combat Search and Rescue and Pararescue—“leave no one behind”

What is the Strategic Air Command (SAC, 1946–1992)?

Mission: deter attack through assured nuclear retaliation

• Bomber progression (B-29 → B-36 → B-47 → B-52) and KC-135 refueling built

global reach

• 24/7 alert posture instilled a high-readiness culture across the Air Force

• ICBM development (Atlas, Titan, Minuteman) completed the nuclear triad

• SAC culture, standards, and capabilities shaped modern ACC and AFGS

What is Desert Storm (1991)?

First major conflict featuring integrated space capabilities (GPS, satellite comms, ISR)

• AWACS, F-15, F-117, and precision weapons dismantled Iraq’s air defenses

• Air campaign shattered Iraqi ground forces and set conditions for the 100-hour ground

offensive

• Showcased successful Total Force integration (Active Duty, ANG, AFRC, CRAF)

• Established the modern model of joint, combined, and coalition air operations

Who is the Secretary of the Air Force?

The Honorable Troy E. Meink

Who is the Air Force Chief of Staff?

Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach

Who is the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force?

CMSAF David Wolfe

What is the Chain of Command (Top to Bottom?)

President
→ Secretary of Defense
→ Secretary of the Air Force
→ Chief of Staff of the Air Force
→ National Guard Bureau
→ MAJCOMs
→ Numbered Air Forces
→ Wings
→ Groups
→ Squadrons
→ Flights

What is the Air Force Core Functions?

• Air & Space Superiority

• Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR)

• Rapid Global Mobility

• Global Strike

• Command & Control

What does the Air Combat Command do?

- Organizes, trains, and equips combat-ready forces for joint force commanders.

What does the Air Education Training Command do?

- Educates and trains Airmen; develops the Air Force’s human capital.

What does the Air Force Global Strike Command do?

- Manages the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missiles and strategic bomber forces

What does the Air Force Materiel Command do?

- Handles acquisition, sustainment, research, and modernization of Air Force systems.

What does the Air Force Reserve Command do?

- Provides trained and ready reserve forces as part of the Total Force.

What does the Air Force Special Operations Command do?

- Provides specialized and precision-focused special operations forces to combatant commanders

What does the Air Mobility Command do?

- Delivers airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and global mobility support for the joint force

What does the Pacific Air Forces do?

- Conducts air operations across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region

What does the U.S. Air Forces in Europe–Air Forces Africa (USAFE–AFAFRICA) do?

- Conducts air operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa