How Many Aircraft Does the US Air Force Have?

How Many Aircraft Does the US Air Force Have?

• USAF has over 5,000 aircraft, from F-22s to B-52s, assigned to 10 Major Commands.
• Major Commands like ACC, AMC, and AFGSC are vital to national defense missions.
• AETC trains new pilots on various aircraft models, preparing them for service.

The United States Air Force is the largest air force in the world with 5,189 aircraft in active use all over the world according to the World Directory of Military Aircraft (WDMMA). These range from the 5th generation fighters like the F-22 and F-35 to a bomber approaching 75 years of service (B-52) to special VIP transport that makes sure high ranking government officials travel in comfort and security.

In terms of largest air forces, the US Army (4,397 aircraft) and US Navy (2,626 aircraft) would rank 2nd and 4th respectively if they were separate forces. Russia (3,652 aircraft) and China (2,084 aircraft) are third and fifth in overall numbers.

Air Force aircraft are assigned to one of the ten Major Commands (MAJCOM) based on that organization’s stated mission and needs. Here, we take a look at the fleets operated by each of the 10 MAJCOMs.

Air Combat Command

Air Combat Command (ACC) is headquartered at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia and has the following mission statement:

“ACC organizes, trains and equips Airmen who fight in and from multiple domains to control the air, space and cyberspace.”

This command has 1,097 aircraft ranging from Attack aircraft (A-10, AC-130), Fighter /Air Superiority (F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35), Electronic Warfare (E-3, E-8, EC-130, E-11A), Tankers (KC-135, MC-130), Transport (C-17, C-130J), Reconnaissance (C-12, RC-135W), Rotary Wing (HH-60) and Unmanned Systems (MQ-1, MQ-9, RQ-4, RQ-170).

Air Mobility Command

Air Mobility Command (AMC) is headquartered at Scott AFB, Illinois and provides heavy lift, transport, and refueling services. The commands mission statement is Air Mobility Command provides unrivaled airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, global air mobility support and Global Mobility Mission Command to project, connect, maneuver and sustain the Joint Force to achieve national objectives.

The fleet includes heavy lift aircraft (C5, C17), Tactical Transport (C-130, C-130J, LC-130, WC-130), Tanker aircraft (KC-46, KC-10, KC-135) and VIP Transport (VC-25, C-20, C-32, C-37, C-21, C-40).

Air Force Global Strike Command

Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) is headquartered at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana and provides global strike capabilities via the B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, and the B-52 Flying Fortress. AFGSC’s mission statement is “Airmen providing strategic deterrence, global strike and combat support…anytime, anywhere!” Prior to the reorganization of Air Force MAJCOM’s in 1993, the aircraft under AFGSC were assigned to Strategic Air Command (SAC) and were responsible for nuclear deterrence during the Cold War.

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Air Education and Training Command

Air Education and Training Command (AETC) is headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. AETC’s mission statement is “Find, recruit, train, and educate the Airman the nation needs.” This is evident as AETC is responsible for the entire educational life cycle of new airmen and specifically new pilots.

Pilot training begins in the T-34 and T-6 aircraft before moving on to the T-38 or T-1 depending on if they are advancing to fighter/bombers or airlift/tanker aircraft. Once initial pilot training is complete the students will be assigned a type aircraft and begin training on that specifically. AETC has an inventory of F-15, F-16, F-35, C-17, C-130J, CV-22, KC-135, KC-46, and H-60/H-1 rotary wing aircraft.

Air Force Material Command

Air Force Material Command (AFMC) is headquartered at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. AFMC does not have a direct warfighting mission but rather is responsible for designing, acquiring, and testing new equipment. Their mission statement is,

“Powering the world’s greatest Air Force…We develop, deliver, support, and sustain war winning capabilities.”

AFMC does have aircraft assigned as test bed equipment and transportation for personnel and material. At least one of every current Air Force aircraft is assigned to AFMC with the F-16 being the most popular (22 total aircraft) and the T-38 the second most popular (13 aircraft)

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Air Force Reserve Command

Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) is headquartered at Robbins AFB, Georgia. Their mission statement is,

“Provide strike, air mobility, special operations forces, rescue, aeromedical evacuation, aerial firefighting and spraying, weather reconnaissance, cyber space operations, ISR, space, flying training, and other capabilities to support the Active-duty force and assist with domestic and foreign disaster relief.”

AFRC has a diverse range of aircraft ranging from A-10/F-16/F-35 to B-52 and C-130’s of multiple variations.

Air Force Special Operations Command

Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is headquartered at Hurlbert Field, FL and provides aerial support to special operations units across the globe. Due to their specialized mission AFSOC has a smaller number of specialized aircraft ranging from the AC-130, CV-22, MQ-9, and several other C-130 variants.

Pacific Air Force Command

Pacific Air Force Command (PACAF) is headquartered at Joint Base Peal Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Their mission is to,

“Provide U.S. Pacific Command integrated expeditionary Air Force capabilities, including strike, air mobility, and rescue forces.”

PACAF also charged with administration and command of Air Force assets in Hawaii, Alaska, and South Korea and is considered an expeditionary force. PACAF is equipped with a variety of aircraft ranging from the A-10, F-15, F-16, F-22 to transports such as the C-12, C-17, C-40 and KC-135 tankers.

US Air Forces Europe/US Air Forces Africa

(USAFE-AFA) is headquartered in Ramstein AB, Germany. USAFE-AFA is also an expeditionary unit and has a mission of supporting Air Force operations across Europe and Africa. Their mission statement is,

“Serves as the air component for U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, directing air operations, including warfighting and humanitarian/ peacekeeping actions, and maintains combat-ready forces for NATO responsibilities”.

USAFE-AFA has a wide range of aircraft available to include multiple variants of the F-15 and F-16, KC-135 tankers, C-130J and C-40 transport aircraft.