U.S.A.F. (United States Air Force)
Researched by Dan O. 2002-03	RESEARCH REPORT  MY INTERVIEW  BIBLIOGRAPHY  ABOUT THE AUTHOR  PRODUCTS I CREATED DEDICATION  WHY I CHOSE THIS TOPIC  SELF-EVALUATION  THANK YOU

 Research Summary

The U.S. Air Force is the branch of the armed forces (military) that does most of the air and space missions. They also have most of the advanced aircraft and advanced aircraft technology.

The Air Force is the group of the Armed Forces that does most of the air and space missions. The U.S. Air Force’s job is to help defend the United States from enemy militaries and terrorists. 
Some jobs airmen do are computer systems operators, jet mechanics, and medical specialists. Those jobs are open to officers, too. The U.S. Air Force uses the more advanced radar and aircraft technology to defend our nation. The Air Force also helps other countries at war with air support and airplanes to use in battle.    

The work schedule in the U.S Air Force depends on where you work, and your rank. For example, if you’re a pilot you’ll usually work less than a computer systems operator. At war you will have only time to eat and sleep once or twice a day.

There are two main groups in the Air Force, enlisted members (also called airmen), and officers Here are the officer ranks from low to high… 
o Second Lieutenant
o First Lieutenant
o Captain
o Major
o Lieutenant Colonel
o Colonel
o Brigadier General
o Major General
o General
o General of the Air Force.
  
  

The main tools used in the air force are planes, radar, and helicopters. The M-16 rifle and machine guns are the main ground weapons used by the Air Force.

Some good things about the job are that you can have the pride of defending your nation, and that you may later be recognized as a great veteran. You also receive good training in the air force.

Some high school subjects that are useful in the Air Force are government or civics, foreign languages, advanced math and science, geography or social studies, and advanced computer science, depending on which area of the Air Force you’ll be in.

The minimum education level is a high school diploma.

To apply for the Air Force you need a social security card and a birth certificate.

Some personal skills needed are mechanical skills and scientific skills, technical manipulation is also a skill needed. 

Some classes that would help are science and social studies because they would give you information about the world. Math skills are also very important.

The earnings depend on where in the Air Force you are and your rank. For example, pilots get paid more than a radar operator.  Officers get paid more than Airmen. Generals of the Air Forces get paid the most. An airmen with a four-year milestone earns up to $16,550 per year. An officer on a four-year milestone can earn up to $39,000 per year. 

Some important dates in the Air Force history are…  
1907: The army set up an aeronautical section office. 
1909: The army bought their first plane from the Wright brothers.  
1914: The aviation division signal corps took control of the training and operation in aviation.  
1917: The first aero squadron went into France during World War One.  
1926: The congress established the U.S. Army Air Corps.  
1941: The congress set up army air forces.  
1945: A B-29 dropped the first atomic bombs used, in Hiroshima, and Nagasaki Japan. 
1947: The U.S. Air Force was made a separate service.  
1948: The Berlin Airlift started.  
1950: The air force was ordered to action in Korea, dogfights of jets started.  
1957: The first successful firing of an ICBM (inter continental ballistic missile) happened. 
1965: The Navy and Air Force bombed North Vietnam to begin operation "Rolling Thunder". 
1968: The C-5 took its first flight in (it is the largest airplane ever).  
1976: Women were first admitted to the academy. 
1988: We unveiled stealth planes.  
1991: The Air Force drove Iraqi forces out of Kuwait.

 Some related jobs are the Navy, the Army, the Marines, and the Coast Guard. Most law enforcement jobs require similar skills and training.

The job can lead to promotions, perhaps even all the way to being a General of the Air Force, or being in another armed force. If you want to become an officer you have to have a college degree.

 The best web-site is probably www.airforce .com because it has a great deal of information.

All pilots are officers.
 
 
 

Who I Interviewed And What I Learned On December 5, 2002 I interviewed Richard Droll over the phone. Richard Droll was a good person to interview because he has been in the Air Force for two years. He worked in Public Relations at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado the entire time. I learned that spy planes go back to World War 1, when they used cameras and planes to take pictures. I also learned that they call freshmen "Doolies" at the Air Force Academy. He told me that your work schedule depends on where you work in the Air Force. Richard said that one goal for the U.S. Air Force is to get closer to the other Armed Forces. Some facts he told me about airplanes are that the F-22 is the least commonly used plane, and the F-15 and F-16 are the most commonly used planes. Some facts he told me about the Air Force Academy are that President Eisenhower signed the bill that made the academy, and that 1976 was the year that the Academy allowed women in.

Bibliography  Droll, Richard. Phone interview, December 5, 2002  Green, Michael The United States Air Force. Mankato, Minnesota Capstone Press 1998 Pp.5-6  Kaufman, Daniel J. "U.S. Air Force" Encarta Reference Suite. 2001. "Military Careers" Career Discovery Encyclopedia .2000.    Parker, Tom.  "Mission: Flight." U.S Air Force. <http://www.airforce.com. >  October 31, 2002  Thompson, Wayne " U.S. Air Force" World Book Encyclopedia. 2001.

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