UNSC Air Force

The UNSC Air Force is a division of the UNSC Defense Force along with the UNSC Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. It serves as an aerial defense and support force. It is tasked with organizing aerial operations, conducting tactical strikes and bombing runs, providing close-air-support for infantry forces, and transportation of UNSCDF personnel.

Operations
The Air Force was present during the Fall of Reach, where their D77-TC Pelican dropships and UH-144 Falcons provided transport and close air support to Army and Marine forces. Additionally, Air Force Longsword interceptors provided air support for ground forces, and YSS-1000 Sabre fighters had a significant role in Operation: UPPER CUT.

The Air Force was also present at the Battle of Mombasa, where Air Force F-99 UCAVs supported Marine forces.

Organization
The Air Force is subordinate to the UNSC High Command (HIGHCOM). Within the Air Force are a number of major commands tasked with different administrative and operational roles. Among these are the Air Combat Command, which is tasked with gaining air superiority and providing support for ground forces, and the Air Mobility Command, which contains Air Mobility Express, assigned to airlift materiél and personnel during wartime.

Personnel
Large numbers of men and women are employed by the UNSC Air Force. Servicepeople hold ranks, which are divided between officers and enlisted. For a list of ranks within the Air Force, see UNSC Air Force Ranks.

UNSC Air Force personnel wear distinctive uniforms. Pilots wear fatigues with teal-toned camouflage and white chest armor. The suit lacks the additional knee, shin or shoulder armor plating worn by most Army troopers or Marines. On missions in a vacuum, the suit can be sealed off and an enclosed standard combat helmet is worn with it. Additionally, the air force operates its own pilot helmet, which is compatible with all other UNSC armor systems. This helmet is presumably used in normal missions while the combat helmet is worn on operations where direct combat, such as boarding action, is expected.

Infantry weapons
The UNSC Air Force maintains an inventory of small arms and other infantry weapons, and appears to share some resources with the UNSC Army. The Air Forces uses the MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System as the standard assault weapon, as well as the M392 Designated Marksman Rifle for medium-range suppression. In addition, the M6G pistol is the standard sidearm, while the M45 Tactical Shotgun is used for close-quarters combat.

Snipers operate with the SRS99AM Sniper Rifle for long-range suppression and anti-matériel operations. The M319 grenade launcher is used for medium-range suppression and anti-fortification duties. The Air Force also operates the M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose Grenade. Anti-armor fire is provided by the M41 rocket launcher.

Aircraft
The UNSC Air Force operates a wide variety of aircraft. The D77-TC Pelican is used mainly for the pickup and transportation of personnel, vehicles and equipment, but is a multirole aerodyne which is capable of carrying numerous armament configurations, including Scorpion anti-tank missiles, Anvil II air-to-surface missiles, as well as a chin-mounted 20mm autocannon.

The UH-144 Falcon is a lighter troop transport and support aircraft which, in addition to a heavy nose cannon, can also be outfitted with grenade launchers or machine guns as secondary armament. It is primarily used to transport small numbers of troops to where the larger Pelican cannot.

The UNSC Air Force also operates a number of fighters, the most common of which is the GA-TL1 Longsword. The Longsword is a multi-role fighter that can be used in a variety of missions, including ground support, anti-ship attacks, and combat with other fighters. . The Air Force also maintains the YSS-1000 Sabre as a space superiority fighter. This prototype aircraft possesses powerful energy shielding technology, and is designed for the dual purposes of peak acceleration and maneuverability in orbital combat. The Air Force also possesses unmanned aerial vehicles in the form of the F-99 UCAV, which can be deployed as reconnaissance aircraft.

Behind the scenes
Initially, author Eric Nylund expressed the opinion that its role and function would have been absorbed into the UNSC Navy, though denied that this was canon. Later, in an interview, Frank O'Connor confirmed the existence of an Air Force branch of the UNSCDF.

List of appearances

 * Halo 3: ODST
 * Halo: Reach