Definition
A military airfield owned and operated by the United States Army, used primarily for Army aviation operations such as helicopter and fixed-wing transport activity. AAFs appear on aeronautical charts and in the Chart Supplement, and civilian pilots may use them only with prior permission unless an emergency or specific authorization applies.
Plain English
An airfield run by the U.S. Army. Civilian pilots usually need permission before landing there.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation acronym lists, military airport names, older airport references, and flight planning material that identifies a facility as Army-related.
Derivation
“Air field” originally meant an open field prepared for aircraft to use. In aviation, it came to mean a landing facility. “Army” tells you the facility is tied to Army aviation.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots must recognize military airfields to follow access rules, avoid restricted airspace, and interpret NOTAMs correctly.
Intuition Check
Do not read “field” as just an open area or small airport. In AAF, it means an Army airfield, and access may be restricted.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot noticed the destination was marked AAF on the chart and called ahead to request prior permission to land.