The US has the largest and most powerful Air Force in the world.
The US Air Force operates more than 5,000 aircraft, and the air service flies more than just fighters and bombers. The Air Force also runs missions ranging from surveillance to aerial refueling to supply airlift, each of which requires a specialized aircraft.
The following graphics from CI Geography shows every aircraft in the US Air Force as of August (you can view a much larger version of these graphics here):
This first graphic depicts combat-related and combat-support aircraft divided into squadrons. For instance, there are seven F-22 squadrons — even though the plane saw combat for the first time only in September 2014 in operations against the Islamic State and Al Qaeda in Syria.
In addition, there are 12 A-10 squadrons for close-air support, even though the Air Force wants to retire the aging aircraft. The Air Force argues that the A-10's role can be carried out by a range of other aircraft, including the new fifth-generation F-35. So far, the Air Force has two F-35 squadrons.
This second graphic shows the bomber, aerial-refueling, and flight-training squadrons. The Air Force has more than 30 squadrons of aerial-refueling vehicles. These planes function like in-air gas stations, allowing a plane to refill its fuel tanks without having to land. Aerial tankers are critical for extending a mission's area of operations.
The Air Force also has 11 dedicated bomb squadrons made up of three different aircraft: the B-1B Lancer, the B-2A Spirit stealth bomber, and the massive B-52H Stratofortress, which was introduced in 1955 and is still in service.
The third chart details aircraft used for airlift operations. Airlift squadrons run a wide range of missions from carrying the president in the Presidential Aircraft Group to delivering humanitarian relief and supplies to airlifting tanks and Humvees across the globe.
Airlift squadrons carry out most of the US Air Force missions and activities, with various US airbases around the world functioning as staging locations.
SEE ALSO: This chart shows just how massive the US Navy is
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