CONTENTS In the Air 4 Chapter One The Air Force Approach 6 Chapter Two On the Job 16 Chapter Three Air Force History 26 Chapter Four Always Moving Forward 36 Glossary 46 For More Information 47 Index 48 Words in the glossary appear in bold type the first time they are used in the text
IN THE AIR The United States Air Force plays an important role as one of the main branches of the U S military Its main purpose is to protect the country in the air 4
By protecting the United States in the air the air force protects people and other armed forces on the ground More than 300,000 men and women serve in the U S Air Force today They use the most advanced aircraft and aviation technology to defend the United States But more than 100 years ago the group that would become the U S Air Force began with just one officer and two other men Their main aircraft were balloons Let’s find out more about the massive military power that grew from this small force 5
