A comprehensive look at the Air Force and the Space Force, including people, equipment, budget, weapons systems, and more.
May/June 2024
Vol. 107, No. 5
The command structure of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force; numbered air forces; field commands; major commands; and centers.
Personnel by the numbers: Total Force; end strength and manpower trends; breakdowns by gender, rank, region, command, base, Air Force Specialty Codes, sex, ethnicity, race, marital status, and education.
2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: Spending
Each year, the President submits a budget request to Congress. Congress can add to or subtract from that request, and does, on an item-by-item basis.
2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment
Total aircraft inventory; aircraft inventory trends; ICBM and satellite inventory; andaircraft age.
2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: U.S. Space Force
The U.S. Space Force was created on Dec. 20, 2019. The Space Force
exists as a separate military service within the Department of the
Air Force, lead by the Chief of Space Operations.
Editorial: A Lesson Learned
The principles of the Powell Doctrine and the effective deterrence that it should yield remain relevant today as we contemplate a new Cold War with China and two regional conflicts in which American policy is deeply intertwined.
2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: DOD Personnel
DOD Personnel by the numbers, including Total Force End Strength and Demographics by service, rank, sex, and education.
2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: Pay & Allowances
Military basic pay; housing allowance; hazardous duty pay; federal civilian pay, incentive pay, housing allowances, and SES pay.
2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: Rank Insignia of the Armed Forces
Rank Insignia of the Armed Forces, including Air Force, Space Force, Army, Navy & Coast Guard, and Marine Corps.
2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: Awards and Decorations
Ribbons in order of precedence; devices; specialty berets.
2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: USAF Institutional and Component Commands
The Air Force has six Institutional Commands focused on the recruit, train, and equip function of the department, and 10 Service Component Commands focused on meeting the needs of the nation’s joint Combatant Commands.
2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: FOAs, DRUs, & Civil Air Patrol
Brief descriptions of each, as well as mission and Active-duty personnel numbers.
2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: Air Force Wings
Mission, Location, Emblem, and Majcom affiliation.
2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: Installations
A guide to Active duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard installations worldwide; locator maps for U.S. and overseas installations and operating bases.
2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: Leaders
Air Force Leaders through the years.
2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: Weapons & Platforms
A detailed guide to the aircraft, aerial target systems, weapons systems, and satellite systems in USAF and USSF inventory.
2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: Glossary of Acronyms & Abbreviations
A non-exhaustive list of acronyms and abbreviations found in the 2024 Almanac.
Faces of the Force
Tell us who you think we should highlight here. Write to airandspaceforces@afa.org.
Verbatim
A collection of quotes on airpower, space power, and national security issues.
Letters
We love letters! Write to us at letters@afa.org. To be published, letters should be timely, relevant and concise. Include your name and location. Letters may be edited for space and the editors have final say on which are published.
WORLD: Air
WORLD: Air: Shrinking Air Force; and USAF Weapons School turns 75.
WORLD: Space
WORLD: Space: Space Flag 24-1; China's growth in Space; LEO for moving target indication; and Part-time Guardians status sill unclear.
WORLD: Operations
WORLD: Operations: Fighters stop drones headed for Israel.
WORLD: Modernization
WORLD: Modernization: Goal of 100 B-21s; 100 CCAs by 2030; and Anduril and General Atomics win CCA contracts.
WORLD: Obituaries
WORLD: Obituary: Brig. Gen. Clarence "Bud" Anderson, WWII Triple Ace and Test Pilot dies at 102.
Our New President & CEO’s 3 Key Visions for AFA
“There are not a lot of things that could take me out of retirement. But this was it,” Field said.
‘To Those Who Have Gone’: AFA Revives Doolittle Raiders’ Toast in Worldwide Event
“A toast to those who gave their all in success of their mission, and to those who have since joined them. Our fondest memories, sincere appreciation, and gratitude—to those who have gone.”
Heroes/Leaders: George C. Kenney
Creator, Innovator, and Advocate for an Independent Air Force.
