The Philippine Air Force is the branch of Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines which has the primary responsibility in protecting the Philippine Air space to organize, train and equip forces for prompt and sustained air operations for the defense of the Philippines; to organize, train and equip forces for airlift, airborne and tactical air operations unilaterally or in coordination with surface forces; to formulate and develop doctrines, concepts, systems, policies, procedures, strategies, tactics and techniques for operations peculiar to the Air Force; to organize, train and equip all Air Force reserve units; and to perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by higher authority.

The Philippine Air Force at present is in the midst of a transformation effort aimed at revitalizing its territorial defense capabilities while retaining the ability to support AFP internal security operations as well as national development efforts and respond to calamities.