Refers generally to large bodies of military aircraft under the control of a ruler, state, or nation that is responsible for the conduct of air warfare. The term is extended to administrative and maintenance personnel in support of this force. Functions of air forces include control of airspace and support of land or seagoing military forces. Modern air forces of major nations have incorporated intercontinental ballistic missiles, long-range bombers, and aircraft both manned and un-manned. ——AAT台湾

A large force of military aircraft; a branch of a nation's armed forces concerned with carrying out military operations in the air.——牛津当代大辞典

the part of a country’s military organization that uses planes to fight → army, navy.——朗文当代大辞典  @en