air arm

American  

noun

1. the aviation section of a national military force, including aircraft, base and support facilities, and personnel.

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Etymology

Origin of air arm

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Archival: Germany's air arm, better known as the Luftwaffe blazes the trail for the opening attacks on Holland, Belgium and tiny undefended Luxembourg.

From Scientific American • Sep. 7, 2023

In total, he served with four squadrons in a fleet air arm career spanning eight years.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2016

China's navy said the "air arm" was also involved, but gave no details.

From Reuters • Oct. 27, 2015

About 750,000 of them belong to the Navy's air arm, which has grown mightily since battleship-bred admirals discovered there was more to air power than met their seamen's eyes.

From Time Magazine Archive

There was not enough oxygen on board, and only the major knew that this was because the chief of the air arm feared the new officers who handled the oxygen depot.

From The Five Arrows by Chase, Allan