What Is the Organizational Structure of the Air Force?

People are often curious about the organizational structure of the U.S. Air Force. The elements of command may change somewhat based on the type of unit, but there are basic elements that remain relatively static. Get the facts about them below.

Airman 

An airman is an individual Air Force member.

Section 

Two or more airmen can form a section. Generally, the section is the place (duty section) where the person works.

For example, the Administrative Section, or the Life Support Section. It's not absolutely necessary to have a section.

For example, many aircrew members and Security Forces (Air Force "cops") don't have a section. Instead, they belong (as a group) to a flight. In Air Force Basic Training, it's called an element. Each basic training flight is divided into four elements, each with an assigned element leader.

Flight

Two or more airmen can form a flight. Two or more sections can also form a flight. It depends on how the squadron is organized. There are three types of flights: Numbered, Alpha, and Functional.

Numbered flights incorporate small mission elements into an organized unit. For example, flights in basic training are numbered flights. While in basic, you could be assigned to Flight 421, for instance.

Alpha flights are components of a squadron and consist of elements with identical missions.

Flights A, B, and C, of a Security Forces Squadron would be an example or A, B, C of an F-16 Fighter Squadron.

Functional flights consist of elements with specific missions. The Military Personnel Flight (MPF) and the Social Actions Flight are two examples of functional flights.

Squadron

Two or more flights form a squadron.

The squadron is the lowest level of command with a headquarters element (example, a squadron commander, or squadron first sergeant). In the Air Force, a squadron commander is generally in the rank of lieutenant colonel (O-5), although smaller squadrons may be commanded by majors, captains and sometimes even lieutenants.

Squadrons are usually identified both numerically, and by function. An example would be the 49th Security Forces Squadron or the 501st Maintenance Squadron.

Group

Two or more squadrons form a group. In the Air Force, groups are usually based upon assignment of squadrons with similar functions. For example, the supply squadron, transportation, and aircraft maintenance squadron would be assigned to the Logistics Group. The flying squadrons would be assigned to the Operations Group. The Dental Squadron and the Medical Squadron would be assigned to the Medical Group, etc.

Usually, groups take on the number of the wing they are assigned to. The 49th Logistics Group, for example, is assigned to the 49th Fighter Wing, at Holloman AFB in New Mexico. The group commander is usually a colonel (O-6).

Wing

Two or more groups compose a wing. There is only one wing on an Air Force base, and the Wing Commander is quite often considered to be the "Installation Commander." There are two types of Wings: Composite and Objective.

Composite Wings operate more than one kind of aircraft. Individual composite wings can have different missions.

Objective Wings streamline and consolidate responsibilities and clarify lines of command. They may have operational missions, such as air combat, flying training, or airlift, and they may provide support to a MAJCOM or a geographically separated unit (GSU). Wings may also have a specilized mission (e.g., an "Intelligence Wing").

Whatever the wing's mission, every wing conforms to the overall concept of "one base, one wing, one boss." Wing commanders most often hold the rank of O-7 (Brigadier General).

Numbered Air Force: A numbered Air Force (Example, 7th Air Force) is usually assigned for geographical purposes, and primarily used only during wartime. In peacetime, they generally only consist of a limited number of headquarters staff who's job it is to prepare and maintain wartime plans.

Major Command (MAJCOM): Air Force Wings usually report directly to MAJCOMs. Air Force MAJCOMs within the Continental United States are primarily organized by mission. For example, Wings who's primary mission is to fly combat missions (fighters and bombers) would likely be assigned to the Air Combat Command. Wings who's primary mission is training would likely be assigned to the Air Force Education & Training Command (AETC). Overseas, MAJCOMs are generally organized by regional area. Examples would be PACAF (Pacific Air Forces). Wings located in the Pacific Region (Hawaii, Japan, Korea, etc.) would usually be assigned to PACAF.

Another example would be USAFE (United States Air Forces Europe), which control most wings assigned to Europe.

Air Force: MAJCOMS report directly to Headquarters, Air Force.

There is no set size (number of personnel) assigned to any specific element. The size of an element of command depends primarily upon the type of unit and mission.