In Issue 54 of the UK magazine Games & Puzzles (November 1976), Nick Palmer noted that "Air Force is by a small American company whose products have attracted increasing attention for their consistently high quality." Palmer thought that "Simultaneous movement and a complex but realistic-looking system for determining speed and permissible manoeuvres result in an enthralling struggle for the best attack positions." He concluded by giving the game an Excitement grade of 3 out of 5, saying, "Air Force is definitely not for beginners, but it should delight more experienced players keen to see an air game which goes into every kind of detail from half-loops and visibility to glide bombing and the problems of take-off." In his 1977 book The Comprehensive Guide to Board Wargaming, Palmer noted "Map rather bland, since some scenarios involve disregarding terrain" but concluded, "Good tactical stuff."
