Department of the Air Force in the United States

Introduction to Department of the Air Force

Department of the Air Force, one of the three major components of the United States Department of Defense, created by the National Security Act of 1947. It is headed by the secretary of the air force, a civilian who is appointed by the president with the consent of the Senate and functions under the secretary of defense. The secretary of the air force is responsible for and has authority to conduct all affairs of the air force establishment. The secretary is assisted by an under-secretary and four assistant secretaries who are authorized to act, respectively, in the areas of financial management; manpower, reserve affairs, installations, and environment; acquisition; and space. This authority, subject to the secretary’s direction, extends not only to actions within the air force establishment but also to actions and relationships involving Congress and other governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and individuals. The secretary receives military advice from the Air Staff, headed by a chief of staff, who serves as the air force member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The chief of staff also advises the president, the National Security Council, and the secretary of defense.” (1)

Department of the Air Force

In Legislation

Department of the Air Force in the U.S. Code: Title 10, Subtitle D, Part I, Chapter 803

The current, permanent, in-force federal laws regulating department of the air force are compiled in the United States Code under Title 10, Subtitle D, Part I, Chapter 803. It constitutes “prima facie” evidence of statutes relating to Air Force (including department of the air force) of the United States. The reader can further narrow his/her legal research of the general topic (in this case, Air Force Organization of the US Code, including department of the air force) by chapter and subchapter.

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Department of the Air Force in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Department of the Air Force

In this Section

Federal Departments, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense (including Department of Defense Purpose, Department of Defense Organization, Department of Defense Liaison of Command and Department of Defense Supporting Agencies), Department of Education, Department of Energy

(including Department of Energy Purpose, Department of Energy Organization and Department of Energy Research and Development), Department of Health and Human Services (including Department of Health and Human Services History and Department of Health and Human Services Agencies and Services), Department of Homeland Security (including Department of Homeland Security Organization and Functions, Department of Homeland Security Origins and Department of Homeland Security Supporting Agencies), Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Justice (including Department of Justice Functions, Department of Justice Structure and Department of Justice Associated Agencies), Department of Labor, Department of National Defence, Department of State (including Department of State Administration and Department of State Bureaus), Department of the Air Force, Department of the Army, Department of the Interior (including Department of the Interior Functions and Department of the Interior Principal Agencies), Department of the Navy, Department of the Treasury, Department of Transportation, Department of Veterans Affairs (including the Department of Veterans Affairs Service Categories, Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits Available and GI Bill of Rights) and Department of War.