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Organization of the U.S.A.F.
  Eight major commands work together to further the mission of the USAF.

  Strategic Air Command . . . controls all very heavy, very long-range bombardment, reconaissance and fighter groups. Its purpose: To carry out intensive and sustained long-range bombardment and fighter operations, alone or in co-operation with land and/or naval forces. SAC's principal weapons are giant new bombers like B-29, B-36 and B-50. They can bomb an aggressor in his own backyard, smashing his attack at its point of origin and destroying his capacity for war.

  Tactical Air Command . . . flies new jet planes, improved fighters and attack bombers. TAC's purpose: To attack enemy aircraft on the ground and in the air... strike hostile troop-lines of communications...destroy supply concentrations. It trains and equips fighter forces for independent operations anywhere in the world. Photo reconnaissance and tactical troop-carrying are other responsibilities of TAC. 

Air Defense Command... has the big job of guarding the United States against enemy air attack. Should we be threatened, ADC's fighter-inceptors and night fighters-guided by co-ordinated aircraft warning and control-would be first in action.

ADC has another important duty: Training the Air Reserve and the Air National Guard. Fighter and bombardment squadrons, airdrome outfits, aircraft warning units, headquarters organizations and many another subordinate group of the USAF are parallel in the Air Guard structure. These civilian components of our peacetime Air Force are being welded into effective fighting units ready for instant action in case of any national emergency. 

Air Material Command... is directly responsible for much of the research and development that keeps the USAF ahead in aviation. AMC's technicians and engineers are continuously probing new fields: Jet propulsion, guided missiles, electronics-radar, rockets, cosmic rays, atomic energy. AMC develops and supplies new equipment which assures the quality, strength and efficiency of the USAF. From blueprint to final testing, the Air Materiel Command points the way to our continued mastery of the air. 

Air Training Command... trains pilots, air crews and maintenance men from start of basic training into all the highly specialized fields of the USAF. For the men of the Air Force must be specialists. They are taught by experts using the finest known training aids. Air Training Command does more. It supervises unit training for the three combat commands (except advanced courses at the Air University). Through two subordinate headquarters, the Flying Training and Technical Training Divisions, it controls virtually all Air Force Schools. 

Air Transport Command... with bases around the world, affords the Armed Forces nontactical personnel and freight transportation. It provides swift, efficient service in every area of occupation. Vital services like air search and rescue, accident prevention, airways communications and weather service are important functions of this round-the-world command. And ATC, also, is charged with air evacuation of the sick and wounded. 

The Air University... supervises such USAF institutions as the Air War College, Air Command and Staff School, Air Tactical School, Special Staff School and the USAF School of Aviation Medicine. In charge of nearly all advanced USAF courses, the Air University crystallizes and passes on to the field the latest Air Force doctrines.

Air Proving Ground Command... is a tactical testing laboratory for the USAF. Tactical doctrines, battle techniques and training procedures are developed by this command. Equipment is reviewed, tested, evaluated. The Air Proving Ground Command then provides the USAF with full assurance that its weapons and equipment provide the right kind of air strength to uphold the Peace.