U.S. Air Force by the numbers

The U.S. Air Force had six predecessor organizations under the Army umbrella, including the Aeronautical Division of the Signal Signal Corps (1907–1913), U.S. Army Air Corps (1926–1931), and U.S. Army Air Forces (1941–1947). Though its responsibilities grew and changed, the Air Force remained part of the Army until The National Security Act of 1947.

The Consolidated B-24 Liberator is the most produced bomber in aircraft history. Many of these units were manufactured by Ford Motor Company. Used in World War II, it primarily served the Army, Navy, Royal Air Force, and Royal Australian Air Force and flew in every theater of war due to its superior design.

With a pilot shortage challenging the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was founded in 1942 to assist with domestic operations. The women flew 60 million miles on training, transport, and other missions. The program was canceled after just two years and the women involved weren't recognized with military status until the '70s.

The Korean War was the first conflict for the newly independent Air Force service branch and was significant for its intense air battles. Thirty-eight men were credited with downing five or more enemy aircraft to be known as a flying ace.

The U.S. Air Force flew 5.25 million sorties (defined by the Department of Defense as one operational flight by one aircraft) over South Vietnam, North Vietnam, northern and southern Laos, and Cambodia during the Vietnam War. The USAF suffered heavy casualties during the war, losing thousands of soldiers and 2,251 aircraft: 1,737 to hostile action and 514 in accidents.

The B-52's 185-foot wingspan is too wide to take off and land in traditional fashion, so it has specially designed landing gear that swivels. The B-52 is the most enduring military bomber, having first been put into action in 1961 and a predicted lifespan into 2040.

On Sept. 2–3, 1996, two USAF B-52H's traveled 34 hours to complete an important Operation Desert Storm mission. The 16,000-mile roundtrip from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana to Baghdad represents the longest distance flown for a combat mission.

The B-2 isn't just stealthy—it's sturdy. It can carry 20 tons of conventional and nuclear ordinance (meaning weapons and other ammunition). Its precision and long-range capability made the stealth bomber a key factor in combat scenarios including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Odyssey Dawn.

The USAF was a major part of the Gulf War beginning in 1990. It represented 58% of the U.S. support assets and flew 38,000 sorties. There were 160,000 USAF weapons and ammo dropped during the Persian Gulf War.

The Air Force Space Command was activated on Sept. 1, 1982. The AFSPC numbers 26,000 professionals worldwide who provide space capabilities and expertise including missile warning, satellite control, and space surveillance.

To reverse recent declines in personnel, training, and equipment, the Trump Administration has steadily increased the USAF budget, reaching $156.3 billion in 2019. As a result, an additional 4,000 active duty personnel were added in 2017 and 362 aircraft authorized in 2019.

Texas has the most USAF bases with eight of 78 U.S. installations. Nearly every state in the country has at least one, as does the U.S. territory of Guam. Additionally, there are six bases in Europe and five in Asia.

At 464,000 acres, Eglin Air Force Base is the largest air force installation in the world, spanning three Florida counties. It contains two National Historic Landmark Districts and its McKinley Climatic Laboratory is on the National Register of Historic Places.

This USAF's 323,904 active duty members include 12,349 pilots, 3,232 navigators, and 1,279 air battle managers. The Air Force currently has a pilot deficit and plans to bring at least 1,200 more into the ranks for the next two years.

Basic Military Training (BMT) for the USAF is held over eight and a half weeks in San Antonio, Texas. In addition to weapons, security, and flight training, cadets learn mental prep and recovery, leadership, and ethics.

According to the 2019 pay table, the lowest monthly salary for an enlisted AF servicemember is $1,680.90. An E-7 Master Sergeant, one of the highest ranks for non-commissioned officers, makes $3,020.70. Officer salaries range from $3,188.40 to $6,722.70 per month.

In 2014, the Air Force raised its maximum age for enlistment from 27 to 39. To join as a health care, law, or ministry professional, the maximum age is 48. To enlist, you cannot be younger than 17 (18 for GED holders).

Air Force height and weight standards are the same for men and women. If you're over the maximum weight for your height, you will not be allowed to start basic training. For example, a 5-foot-8-inch person may not weigh more than 180 pounds.

Women were first allowed to enter pilot training in 1976, and fighter pilot training in 1993. Of the 66,345 women currently in the USAF, 766 are pilots, 335 are navigators, and 229 are air battle managers.

The U-2, which flies at 70,000 feet, is considered one of the most difficult aircraft in the world to fly due to altitude pressure and tricky control. In 2015, Merryl Tengesdal became the first African American woman to fly the U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane.

In tandem with USAF military personnel, thousands of civilians support and sustain its aircraft, facilities, and infrastructure. In 6,000 occupations from physicians to electricians, these important workers number 170,000.

The presidential air transport fleet consists of two VC-25 aircraft with tail numbers 28000 and 29000. Tail number 28000 flew Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. It was also the aircraft that carried President Barack Obama on his historic 2016 trip to Cuba.

The Air Force Falcons football team is in the Mountain West Conference of the NCAA since the conference was founded in 1999. The team has sent 18 players onto pro careers, including Chad Hennings (Dallas Cowboys), Ben Garland (San Francisco 49ers), and Chris Gizzi (Green Bay Packers).

The official museum of the USAF in Dayton, Ohio, is 96 years old, making it the oldest military and aviation museum in the world. It's also the largest with 360 vehicles and missiles, including the “Memphis Belle,” a WWII bomber that inspired a 1990 film, and John F. Kennedy's Air Force One plane.

In 2009, United States Air Force Academy graduate Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger landed a US Airways plane safely in the Hudson River, saving all 155 people on board. The Academy has been providing four-year education to cadets since 1954.