Where's the Air Force in Science Fiction?

[Wiglaf]

Can anyone confirm the gay sex would be better in space than in underwater submarine. Thanks.

[Asher]

Certainly allows for more possibilities.

There's also usually a higher oxygen content in space, which bodes well for endurance.

[bc1871]

It might be due to something as simple, as the fact that marines and naval brigades have taken a strong foothold in popular culture, while on the other hand, who would want to read a story about the RAF Regiment or the Air Force Security Forces in space?

[EPW]

[Elok]

Put it this way: you're a writer describing a group of 500-foot spacecraft bristling with laser cannon and plasma torpedos and whatnot.

If you use a naval analogy, it's a fleet or armada of frigates, destroyers, cruisers, battleships, battlecruisers, dreadnoughts...
If you use an air force analogy, it's a...wing? flight? of...you have to make up a whole bunch of new names.

Unless you create a sci-fi universe full of small, nimble, lightly-crewed spacecraft and nothing else, you're going to have to depend on naval terms or else make up a whole new lingo. And it makes more sense that we'd adapt the old when moving into the future, rather than make up whole new terminologies.

[bc1871]

The concept of using AF terminology could work, if properly implemented:
Possible Navy to Air Force Conversions:
Fleet = Numbered Air Force or Tactical Air Force/Strategic Air Force/etc. (Role dependent)
Naval Gunnery = Air Defense systems
Naval Torpedoes = Anti-Aircraft Rocket Propelled Projectiles
Marines = Air Force Regiment/Gunners/Security Police/Security Forces/Defense Guards
Aircraft Carrier= Mobile Air Station
Destroyer= Mobile Air Defense Platform

[Al B. Sure!]

Marines = Air Force Regiment/Gunners/Security Police/Security Forces/Defense Guards

[Patroklos]

For the perpetuation of marines it makes perfect sense. Modern day marines are units designed to be embarked on ships for transport between land masses to assault unfriendly targets.

In space, marines are units designed to be embarked on ships for transport between planets to assault unfriendly targets.

Its an even better direct translation if your scifi universe includes boarding actions, butcause thats what marines really used to do when they were created.

[BlackCat]

And what about pirates ?

Have you ever heard about anyone boarding an airplane from another ???? No, it has to be done from a ship.

[Tattila the Hun]

And what about pirates ?

Have you ever heard about anyone boarding an airplane from another ???? No, it has to be done from a ship.

Kurt Russel did that. Got Steven Seagal killed in the process.

[bc1871]

Navy to Air Force conversion:

Pirates = Hijackers