1.
air force
The branch of a country's military forces that conducts aerial warfare. Japan's equivalent is the 航空自衛隊 (Air Self-Defense Force).
空軍基地がある。
There is an air force base.
空軍のパイロットになりたい。
I want to become an air force pilot.
その国は空軍の近代化に力を入れている。
That country is putting effort into modernizing its air force.
空軍 refers to the air force branch of a country's military. It is composed of 空 (sky/air) + 軍 (military/armed forces).
THE THREE BRANCHES:
- 陸軍: army (land forces)
- 海軍: navy (sea forces)
- 空軍: air force
JAPAN'S CASE:
Japan does not officially have an 空軍. Under the post-war constitution, Japan's military is organized as 自衛隊 (Self-Defense Forces). The air force equivalent is the 航空自衛隊 (Air Self-Defense Force). 空軍 is used when referring to other countries' air forces.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 空軍基地: air force base
- 空軍力: air power
- 空軍パイロット: air force pilot