USAF F-16Cs “Wild Weasels” from the 14th Fighter Squadron based at Misawa AFB, Japan.

USAF F-16Cs “Wild Weasels” from the 14th Fighter Squadron based at Misawa AFB, Japan.

USAF Lockheed U-2R from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing from Beale AFB, California on detachment to Osan in South Korea.

USAF Lockheed U-2R from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing from Beale AFB, California on detachment to Osan in South Korea.

A significant date for the United States Air Force this week. September 18th 2016 marks the 69th anniversary of the largest Air Forces in the world. Formed as a separate branch of the United States Army on this date, the current U.S.A.F is  today a service which operates more than 5,137 military aircraft, 450 ICBMs and 63 military satellites. It has a $161 billion budget with 307,001 active duty personnel, 177,221 civilian personnel, 69,200 Air Force Reserve personnel, and 105,500 Air National Guard personnel.

The U.S.A.F is a frequent visitor to Australia both in the past and also in the present. Aviation Spotters Online wishes the United States Air Force and its serving personal a Happy Birthday and many many more.

We present this Gallery of U.S.A.F aircraft as our salute to them.

McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle form the 67th Fighter Squadron, 18th Wing based at Kadena AFB, Japan.

McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle form the 67th Fighter Squadron, 18th Wing based at Kadena AFB, Japan.

Boeing B-52H from the 23d Bomb Squadron part of the 5th BW Minot AFB, North Dakota.

Boeing B-52H from the 23d Bomb Squadron part of the 5th BW Minot AFB, North Dakota.

Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor from the 199th Fighter Squadron is a unit of the Hawaii Air National Guard which is part of the 154th Wing located at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor from the 199th Fighter Squadron is a unit of the Hawaii Air National Guard which is part of the 154th Wing located at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu, Hawaii.

USAF F-16C “Wild Weasels” from the 14th Fighter Squadron based at Misawa AFB, Japan.

USAF F-16C “Wild Weasels” from the 14th Fighter Squadron based at Misawa AFB, Japan.

Video of Wild Weasel F-16C as seen at Avalon Airshow 2015.

Boeing KC-135R from 909th Air Refueling Squadron "Young Tigers" of the 18th Wing, based at Kadena AFB, Japan.

Boeing KC-135R from 909th Air Refueling Squadron “Young Tigers” of the 18th Wing, based at Kadena AFB, Japan.

Boeing B-52H from the Barksdale AFB is located in northwest Louisiana

Boeing B-52H from the Barksdale AFB is located in northwest Louisiana

Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules from the 317th Airlift Group, which is an Air Mobility Command tenant unit based at Dyess AFB in Texas.

Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules from the 317th Airlift Group, which is an Air Mobility Command tenant unit based at Dyess AFB in Texas.

MC-130H Special Ops into Darwin

Lockheed MC-130H from the 1st Special Operations Squadron, at Kadena AFB, Okinawa.

USAF F-16C “Wild Weasels” from the 14th Fighter Squadron based at Misawa AFB, Japan.

USAF F-16C “Wild Weasels” from the 14th Fighter Squadron based at Misawa AFB, Japan.

Boeing B-52H from the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron then, deployed to Anderson AFB, Guam.

Boeing B-52H from the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron then, deployed to Anderson AFB, Guam.

Boeing E-3C Sentry AWACS from the 552nd ACW based at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

Boeing E-3C Sentry AWACS from the 552nd ACW based at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III from 517th Airlift Squadron, 354th FW, from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska

Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker from the 203rd Air Refuelling Squadron 154th WG, based at Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker from the 203rd Air Refuelling Squadron 154th WG, based at Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia

Lockheed F-22A Raptor from the 192nd Fighter Wing (192 FW), is a unit of the Virginia Air National Guard at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia

Lockheed F-22A Raptor from the 192nd Fighter Wing (192 FW), is a unit of the Virginia Air National Guard at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia

McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extender 60th Air Mobility Wing based at Travis AFB, California.

McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extender 60th Air Mobility Wing based at Travis AFB, California.

Boeing KC-135R from the 86th Air Refuelling Wing is a unit of the Mississippi Air National Guard stationed at Meridian Regional Airport, Mississippi.

Boeing KC-135R from the 86th Air Refuelling Wing is a unit of the Mississippi Air National Guard stationed at Meridian Regional Airport, Mississippi.

Rockwell International B-1B Lancer from the 28th BW based at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.

Rockwell International B-1B Lancer from the 28th BW based at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.

USAF F-16C “Wild Weasels” from the 14th Fighter Squadron based at Misawa AFB, Japan.

USAF F-16C “Wild Weasels” from the 14th Fighter Squadron based at Misawa AFB, Japan.

Fairchild A-10C Thunderbolt II from the 51st FW based at Osan AFB, in the Republic of South Korea.

Fairchild A-10C Thunderbolt II from the 51st FW based at Osan AFB, in the Republic of South Korea.

USAF 'Thunderbirds' flight demonstration team flying the General Dynamics F-16A are assigned to the 57th Wing, and are based at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

USAF ‘Thunderbirds’ flight demonstration team flying the General Dynamics F-16A are assigned to the 57th Wing, and are based at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 354th FW, Eielson AFB, Alaska.

General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 354th FW, Eielson AFB, Alaska.

General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 354th FW, Eielson AFB, Alaska.

General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 354th FW, Eielson AFB, Alaska.

General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 354th FW, Eielson AFB, Alaska.

General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 354th FW, Eielson AFB, Alaska.

C-5M Super Galaxy 439th Airlift Wing Westover AFB

Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy from the 337th Airlift Squadron of the 439th Airlift Wing Westover AFB Massachusetts.

USAF C-32A 98-80002 Take off ASO 3 (1 of 1)

Boeing C-32A 1st Airlift Squadron, 89th Airlift Wing, based at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.