Military aviation
From Open Encyclopedia
Image:Lincoln Lightning.jpg Military aviation includes any use of aircraft by a country's military. Primary combat functions include bombing, ground attack and air defence, but the term also includes transport, reconnaissance, training and search-and-rescue functions. In peacetime, military aviation might include disaster relief, border patrol, search and rescue and reconnaissance functions.
The military of different countries may have an arm dedicated to aviation (an air force) or may distribute military aviation between other arms such as the army, navy or marine corps. Even when a country has a dedicated air force, the other arms will generally also have aviation elements.
Air Force
Where they exist, air forces are usually tasked with the air defence of a country, as well as strategic bombing, ground attack and transport functions. A majority of western Air Forces consist mainly of fixed-wing aircraft. Air Force operations also include space-based operations, including reconnaissance, satellite launches, as well as missile testing.
