Aviation as a whole has advanced magnificently since their "Golden age" of World War II. After the first functional fighter jet (ME-262) was invented, the U.S. knew they had to catch up and catch up fast. The U.S. then created the P-80/F-80 "Shooting star"
After this model was created, the U.S. blasted through the competition during the korean war and all the way through to the war in Afghanistan. The U.S. created many aircraft that pounded the enemies into the ground through brute force. One key example of American arial power os the A-10 Thunderbolt II.
The USAF primarily uses two aircraft, the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the A-10 Thunderbolt II
The F-16 is used by the USAF's aerobatic performing team named the Thunderbirds. Have a look at both in action!
Not only does the USAF use aircraft, the USN and USMC use fighter jets too.
The US Marine Corps primarily uses the AV-8B Harrier II jump jet. The AV-8B has a feature that allows it to take off and land completly vertically, (like a helicopter) otherwise known as VTOL (Vertical take-off & landing) or STOVL (short take-off & vertical landing). Have a look!
The Marines are replacing the AV-8B with the F-35B which has the same capabilities as the AV-8B with even more features that can give advantages in the airspace.
The US Navy uses a multitude of aircraft, so much that it would be hard to describe all of them, but the one aircraft that strides above them all is the F/A-18. The F/A-18 was commissioned in the 1980's and is still in use to this day. The F/A-18 "Super Hornet" is the primary choice for the USN because of its versiality. The F/A-18 is also in use by the USMC and USN's aerobatic performance team the Blue Angels.