Structure of the Force

摘要

There is considerable variation in how the major commands and subordinate units of the Air Force are organized. This overview describes both the typical organization chain and USAF's Air and Space Expeditionary Force. The Department of Defense (DOD) is a Cabinet agency headed by the Secretary of Defense. It was created in 1947 to consolidate pre-existing military agencies-the War Department and the Navy Department. Subordinate to DOD are the three military depart ments (Army, Navy, and Air Force), each headed by a civilian Secretary.