The Organization and Lineage of the United States Air Force,
Abstract
This study surveys the evolution of the Air Force field structure from the earliest military aeronautical organizations to those comprising the modern Air Force. It does not examine every organizational facet of the Army Air Service, Army Air Corps, Army Air Forces, or United States Air Force, but it does trace most of the major organizations. It is intended to describe how the Air Force came to be, how it evolved organizationally, and how it was organized to accomplish its defense mission. The work consists of three parts. The first part surveys the beginning of the United States Army's air arm, birth of the Air Service, principal organizations created between the world wars, tremendous organizational growth during World War II, and the changes that occurred in the immediate postwar period. Part two, perhaps of most interest to Air Force personnel, discusses the superstructure of the service-the commands, separate operating agencies, direct reporting units, and numbered and named air forces. The lineages of these upper echelon establishments are traced from the creation to 1983. The final part examines the current USAF organizational hierarchy, from major commands down to functional entities, including detachments and operating locations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA179888
Entities
People
- Charles A. Ravenstein