§8062. Policy; composition; aircraft authorization

(a) It is the intent of Congress to provide an Air Force that is capable, in conjunction with the other armed forces, of-

(1) preserving the peace and security, and providing for the defense, of the United States, the Territories, Commonwealths, and possessions, and any areas occupied by the United States;

(2) supporting the national policies;

(3) implementing the national objectives; and

(4) overcoming any nations responsible for aggressive acts that imperil the peace and security of the United States.

(b) There is a United States Air Force within the Department of the Air Force.

(c) In general, the Air Force includes aviation forces both combat and service not otherwise assigned. It shall be organized, trained, and equipped primarily for prompt and sustained offensive and defensive air operations. It is responsible for the preparation of the air forces necessary for the effective prosecution of war except as otherwise assigned and, in accordance with integrated joint mobilization plans, for the expansion of the peacetime components of the Air Force to meet the needs of war.

(d) The Air Force consists of-

(1) the Regular Air Force, the Air National Guard of the United States, the Air National Guard while in the service of the United States, and the Air Force Reserve;

(2) all persons appointed or enlisted in, or conscripted into, the Air Force without component; and

(3) all Air Force units and other Air Force organizations, with their installations and supporting and auxiliary combat, training, administrative, and logistic elements; and all members of the Air Force, including those not assigned to units; necessary to form the basis for a complete and immediate mobilization for the national defense in the event of a national emergency.

(e) Subject to subsection (f) of this section, chapter 831 of this title, and the strength authorized by law pursuant to section 115 of this title, the authorized strength of the Air Force is 70 Regular Air Force groups and such separate Regular Air Force squadrons, reserve groups, and supporting and auxiliary regular and reserve units as required.

(f) There are authorized for the Air Force 24,000 serviceable aircraft or 225,000 airframe tons of serviceable aircraft, whichever the Secretary of the Air Force considers appropriate to carry out this section. This subsection does not apply to guided missiles.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 493 ; Dec. 12, 1980, Pub. L. 96–513, title V, §504(4), 94 Stat. 2916 ; Oct. 1, 1986, Pub. L. 99–433, title I, §110(g)(10), 100 Stat. 1004 ; Apr. 21, 1987, Pub. L. 100–26, §7(g)(3), 101 Stat. 282 ; Dec. 4, 1987, Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title XIII, §1314(b)(9), 101 Stat. 1176 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
8062(a) 8062(b) 8062(c) 8062(d)	10:20. 5:626c(a). 5:626c(f). 10:20r(a). 10:1831.	July 26, 1947, ch. 343, §208(a), (f), 61 Stat. 503 ; Aug. 10, 1949, ch. 412, §12(d), 63 Stat. 591 .
8062(e) 8062(f)	50:1091. 10:20r(b). 10:20t.	July 10, 1950, ch. 454, §§2, 201, 203, 64 Stat. 321 , 323, 324.
		Sept. 19, 1951, ch. 407, §301, 65 Stat. 329 .
		July 9, 1952, ch. 608, §601, 66 Stat. 501 .

In subsection (a), 10:20 (1st 19 words) is omitted as surplusage. The words "any areas occupied by the United States" are substituted for the words "occupied areas wherever located".

Subsection (b) is substituted for 5:626c(a) (1st sentence). 5:626c(a) (last sentence) is omitted as executed.

In subsection (d), the words "consists of" are substituted for the word "includes".

In subsection (d)(1), 10:20r(a) is omitted as superseded by 10:1831. The words "all persons serving in the Air Force under call or * * * under any provision of law, including members of the Air National Guard of the several States, Territories, and the District of Columbia when in the service of the United States pursuant to call as provided by law" are omitted as covered by the words "the Air National Guard while in the service of the United States". 50:1091 (last sentence) is omitted, since the components listed include their members.

In subsection (d)(2), the words "or inducted" are omitted as covered by the word "conscripted".

In subsection (e), the words "Effective on July 10, 1950" are omitted as executed. The words "the limitations imposed by" are omitted as surplusage. The words "not to exceed" are omitted as surplusage, since the revised section states the authorized number and any number over that would not be authorized. The words "and chapter 31 of this title" are substituted for the reference to 10:20s to make it clear that the authority for a 70 group Air Force is subject to all provisions which prescribe the authorized personnel strength of the Air Force.

In subsection (f), the word "considers" is substituted for the words "may determine is more". The words "aggregate" and "amount" are omitted as surplusage. The words "carry out this section" are substituted for the words "fulfill the requirements of the Air Force of the United States for aircraft necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, section 481 of this title, and sections 235, 235a, 628, and 628a of title 5", since the purposes to which the reference is made are stated in the revised section. The last sentence is substituted for 10:20t (proviso).

Amendments

1987-Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–26 and Pub. L. 100–180 amended subsec. (e) identically, substituting "section 115" for "section 114".

1986-Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–433 substituted "section 114" for "section 138".

1980-Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 96–513 substituted ", chapter 831 of this title, and the strength authorized by law pursuant to section 138" for "and chapter 831".

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–513 effective Sept. 15, 1981, see section 701 of Pub. L. 96–513, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Cross References

Transfer, reassignment, consolidation or abolition of functions, powers and duties, see section 125 of this title.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 125 of this title.