USAAF
WWII air branch
USAAF is an abbreviation for United States Army Air Forces, the military aviation branch that served from 1941 to 1947, when it became the independent U.S.
Air Force.
The term appears primarily in historical contexts discussing World War II air operations: USAAF bombers conducted daylight raids over Germany.
American WWII fighter aircraft
- bomberExplosive-delivery aircraft or saboteur
- fighterOne who engages in combat
- gliderUnpowered flying craft
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
interceptor · trainer · transport · warbird · turbocharged · airframe · twin-engine · heavy bomber
WWII cross-channel assault codename
- NormandyNorthern French coastal region
- D-Day1944 Normandy invasion
- European TheaterWWII's western combat zone
- Pacific TheaterWWII Asian-oceanic front
bombing raid · sortie · mission · formation flying · daylight bombing · precision bombing · carpet bombing
Aviation facility with runways
- airbaseMilitary aviation facility
- aerodromeSmall airport facility
- runwayPaved path for planes
- control towerAviation guidance facility
hangar · barracks · briefing room · debriefing · flight line · staging area · forward base
One who steers aircraft
- navigatorRoute-directing crew member
- bombardierPlane's payload releaser
- gunnerOne who fires artillery
- crew chiefLeader of a work group
Tuskegee Airmen · Flying Tigers · ace · flight officer · ground crew · radio operator · flight surgeon · WAC
Close combat between aircraft
- flakIntense hostile reaction
- LuftwaffeGerman military aviation
- aerial combatWarfare between aircraft
- strafingAerial gunfire at ground
interception · escort mission · antiaircraft · evasive action · bailout · POW · missing in action · Purple Heart
P-51 Mustang
American WWII fighter aircraft
- bomberExplosive-delivery aircraft or saboteur
- fighterOne who engages in combat
- gliderUnpowered flying craft
reconnaissance · interceptor · trainer · transport · warbird · turbocharged · airframe · twin-engine · heavy bomber · escort fighter
Operation Overlord
WWII cross-channel assault codename
- NormandyNorthern French coastal region
- D-Day1944 Normandy invasion
- European TheaterWWII's western combat zone
Pacific Theater · bombing raid · sortie · mission · formation flying · daylight bombing · precision bombing · carpet bombing
airfield
Aviation facility with runways
control tower · hangar · barracks · briefing room · debriefing · flight line · staging area · forward base
pilot
One who steers aircraft
- navigatorRoute-directing crew member
- bombardierPlane's payload releaser
- gunnerOne who fires artillery
crew chief · Tuskegee Airmen · Flying Tigers · ace · flight officer · ground crew · radio operator · flight surgeon · WAC · squadron commander
dogfight
Close combat between aircraft
- flakIntense hostile reaction
- LuftwaffeGerman military aviation
- aerial combatWarfare between aircraft
strafing · interception · escort mission · antiaircraft · evasive action · bailout · POW · missing in action · Purple Heart