FS firefighters dispense water and chemical fire retardants from the air and use cameras to take aerial photos, video, or infrared imagery. FS aviation also supports law enforcement, surveys, and numerous other activities for the management and protection of nearly 188 million acres of National Forest System lands. All aircraft are modified and instrumented to perform extremely diverse missions of atmospheric research, air chemistry, photogrammetry, aeronautical charting, coastal mapping, snow survey, fishery survey, marine mammal research, lidar nautical charting , and logistical support to scientific parties. Visit Commerce Department of Defense Mission DOD has an aviation force composed of fighter, bomber, attack, and airlift aircraft as well as specialized aircraft. The specialized systems perform a broad range of functions, including aerial refueling, airborne warning and control, electronic combat and air defense suppression, reconnaissance and surveillance for targeting, and special operations.
Helicopters are also a part of the aviation force structure.
The U.S. Army has organic helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft to provide air assault, ground attack, and combat support missions. Visit the Defense Department Department of Energy Mission DOE has a small fleet of aircraft, which support DOE's missions with transportation of sensitive nuclear materials, cargo transportation, power line patrol, installation security, multispectral photography, transportation of hazardous materials, and passenger transportation. Most aircraft in the fleet are intensively modified to perform their peculiar missions. Additionally, DOE uses special aircraft in atmospheric and energy research, primarily unpiloted aerial vehicles. Visit Energy Department of Health and Human Services Mission DHHS does not own or operate any aircraft.