UNSC Air Force

The UNSC Air Force is the branch of the United Nations Space Command responsible for atmospheric operations and orbital defense. The Air Force maintains a network of orbital defense satelites, orbital defense platforms, unmanned drones, and manned aerospace interceptors to defend human-controlled space. The UNSC Air Force frequently works closely with the UNSC Navy and the UNSC Army.

The official mission of the UNSC Air Force is to maintain aerial superiority over the worlds controlled by the United Earth Government, as well as conducting space control operations. The Air Force is responsible for training, organizing, and equipping aerospace forces to intercept and destroy hostile attacks before and after they enter a planet's orbit. The Air Force's functions include:

Deployment and maintenance of UNSC unmanned satellites and manned orbital defense platforms. Monitoring and regulation of civilian and military aerospace operations. Development and maintenance of doctrine, procedures, and equipment of common interest to itself, the UNSC Navy and the UNSC Army. Furnishing launch and support for the UNSC Navy and UNSC Army.

The UNSC Air Force's orbital defense network and aerospace interceptors are among the first lines of defense for a UNSC Colony, and their vigiliance is a highly dependent asset for a world's survival. Their constant monitoring of a planet's space provides crucial early-warning to impending enemy attack, and ensures a hostile force is either destroyed or delayed so sufficient reinforcements can be requested. The Air Force maintains a fleet of quick reaction forces throughout Earth and the Inner Colonies, which are prepared and ready to deploy atmospheric fighters or spaceplanes at the first sign of hostile action. These quick reaction forces operate in close coordination with the orbital defense network to delay enemy assault and carry out attrition attacks, while supporting UNSC Navy fleet assets. The Air Force takes the defense of the orbit and near-orbit territory solemnly, operating a wide range of stations, satellites and aerospace craft to fulfill their task.

The UNSC Air Force also maintains security for spaceports, and maintains a security force for UNSC air bases. Additionally, the UNSC Air Force also contributes to Search and Rescue operations.