Air Force Mission

The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win...in air, space and cyberspace. 

To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision:

The United States Air Force will be a trusted and reliable joint partner with our sister services known for integrity in all of our activities, including supporting the joint mission first and foremost. We will provide compelling air, space, and cyber capabilities for use by the combatant commanders. We will excel as stewards of all Air Force resources in service to the American people, while providing precise and reliable Global Vigilance, Reach and Power for the nation.

The Air Force has three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. These core competencies make our six distinctive capabilities possible:

Air and Space Superiority :  With it, joint forces can dominate enemy operations in all dimensions -- land, sea, air and space.

Global Attack:  Because of technological advances, the Air Force can attack anywhere, anytime -- and do so quickly and with greater precision than ever before.

Rapid Global Mobility:  Being able to respond quickly and decisively anywhere we're needed is key to maintaining rapid global mobility.

Precision Engagement:  The essence lies in the ability to apply selective force against specific targets because the nature and variety of future contingencies demand both precise and reliable use of military power with minimal risk and collateral damage.

Information Superiority:  The ability of joint force commanders to keep pace with information and incorporate it into a campaign plan is crucial.

Agile Combat Support:  Deployment and sustainment are keys to successful operations and cannot be separated. Agile combat support applies to all forces, from those permanently based to contingency buildups to expeditionary forces.

The Air Force bases these core competencies and distinctive capabilities on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

Air Combat Command Mission

To support the global implementation of national security strategy. Air Combat Command operates fighter, reconnaissance, battle-management, and electronic-combat aircraft. It also provides command, control, communications and intelligence systems, and conducts global information operations. 

Air Combat Command is the primary force provider of combat airpower to America's warfighting commands. To support the global implementation of national security strategy, ACC operates fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, battle-management, and electronic-combat aircraft. It also provides command, control, communications and intelligence systems, and conducts global information operations.

As a force provider, ACC organizes, trains, equips and maintains combat-ready forces for rapid deployment and employment while ensuring strategic air defense forces are ready to meet the challenges of peacetime air sovereignty and wartime air defense. ACC numbered air forces provide the air component to U.S. Central, Southern and Northern Commands, with Headquarters ACC serving as the air component to Joint Forces Command. ACC also augments forces to U.S. European, Pacific and Strategic Command.

9th Reconnaissance Wing Mission

To deliver persistent, integrated reconnaissance and combat power for our nation. 


Simply put our mission is vital for our nation. We are the eyes and ears for the COCOMs and our national leaders rely on our capabilities and expertise. I sleep very well at night knowing we will accomplish our mission in a manner and style consistent with senior leadership expectations. I expect that when we deploy Airmen into harm's way, we have done everything within our power to ensure they are trained and equipped properly. Finally, although intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance are as ancient as war itself, we are today's experts and we have a duty to lead the way in leveraging this technology for our joint partners. An easy way to remember it is Deliver, Deploy, and Leverage. And if you think about it, these track with our Air Force's mission of Fly, Fight, and Win.

9th Reconnaissance Wing Vision

Empowered Airmen driving decision advantage and lethal force, protecting our way of life.