Air Forces, numbered

REVISED: 03/26/99 USAAF/USAF Numbered Air Forces First established during WW2 as part of the USAAF, these units originally had the status of major commands. In the modern Air Force, they are tactical echelons that provide operational leadership and supervision and have assigned subordinate units, such as wings, groups, and squadrons. (Click titles to view the shoulder patch...)

1st Air Force One of the original four numbered air forces formed in the US, it provided air defense and conducted combat training for personnel of newly formed units. After WW2 it was involved in air defense and reserve training, and in the 1960s concentrated entirely upon air defense. Established as Northeast Air District Oct 19, 1940. Activated Dec 18, 1940, at Mitchel Field NY, assigned to Northeast (later Eastern) Defense Command, US Army. Redesignated 1st AF Apr 9, 1941, and Sept 18, 1942. Assigned to USAAF Sept 17, 1943, to Continental Air Forces Apr 16, 1945, and to Air Defense Command Mar 21, 1946. Moved to Fort Slocum (later AFB) NY June 3, 1946. Assigned to Continental Air Command Dec 1, 1948. Moved to Mitchel AFB Oct 17, 1949. Discontinued June 23, 1958. Activated Jan 20, 1966, assigned to Air (later Aerospace) Defense Command, organized Apr 1, 1966, at Stewart AFB NY. Inactivated Dec 31, 1969. Assigned to Tactical Air Command Nov 14 1985, and activated at Langley AFB VA Dec 6, 1985. Moved to Tyndall AFB FL Sept 12, 1991. Relieved from assignment to Tactical Air Command and assigned to Air Combat Command June 1, 1992.

2nd Air Force Formed in the United States to provide air defense and train personnel of newly formed units in World War II, the Second was briefly a part of Air Defense Command after the war. From 1949 to 1975, as part of Strategic Air Command, it engaged in training for strategic warfare. Established as Northwest Air District Oct 19, 1940. Activated December 18, 1940, at McChord Field WA, initially assigned to Central Defense Command, US Army, and later to Western Defense Command, US Army. Redesignated 2nd AF Apr 9, 1941, and Sept 18, 1942. Moved to Colorado Springs CO June 13, 1943. Assigned to USAAF in Sept 1943, and to Continental Air Forces (later SAC) Apr 16, 1945. Inactivated March 30, 1946. Activated June 6, 1946, at Fort Crook NB, assigned to Air Defense Command. Inactivated July 1, 1948. Activated Nov 1, 1949, at Barksdale AFB LA assigned to Strategic Air Command. Inactivated Sept 16, 1950, and organized the same day with no change in station or assignment. Inactivated Jan 1, 1975. Assigned to Strategic Air Command Aug 29, 1991, and activated at Beale AFB CA Sept 1, 1991. Relieved from assignment to SAC and assigned to Air Combat Command June 1, 1992. Inactivated July 1, 1993. Activated the same day at Keesler AFB MS with a change in assignment to Air Education and Training Command.

3rd Air Force Provided air defense and conducted combat training for personnel of newly-formed units in WW2. After the war it served Tactical Air Command, then inactivated. Returned to active service in 1951 as one of the tactical air forces of USAF in Europe. Established as Southeast Air District Oct 19, 1940. Activated Dec 18, 1940, at MacDill Field FL, assigned to Southern Defense Command, US Army. Moved to Tampa FL in Jan 1941. Redesignated 3rd AF Apr 9, 1941, and Sept 18, 1942. Assigned to USAAF about Sept 1943 and to Continental Air Forces April 16, 1945. Moved to Greenville Army Air Base SC and assigned to Tactical Air Command Mar 21, 1946. Inactivated Nov 1, 1946. Organized May 1, 1951, at Victoria Park Estate (later US Air Base, South Ruislip/South Ruislip Air Station) England, assigned to USAF in Europe. Moved to RAF Mildenhall, England, Apr 15, 1972.

4th Air Force (Reserve) Formed in the US during WW2 to provide air defense and combat training for the personnel of newly formed units, it was assigned in turn to Continental Air Forces, Air Defense Command, and Continental Air Command before inactivating in 1960. The 4th AF served in the air defense program, 1966-69, and became part of the Reserve program in 1976. Established as Southwest Air District October 19, 1940. Activated Dec 18, 1940, at March Field CA, initially assigned to AAF HQ, then to Western Defense Command, US Army. Moved to Riverside CA Jan 20, 1941. Redesignated 4th AF Apr 9, 1941. Moved to Hamilton Field CA Dec 7, 1941, and to San Francisco CA Jan 5, 1942. Redesignated 4th AF Sept 18, 1942. Assigned to USAAF Sept 16, 1943, to Continental Air Forces April 16, 1945, to Air Defense Command Mar 21, 1946. Moved to Hamilton Field (later AFB) CA June 19, 1946. Assigned to Continental Air Command Dec 1, 1948. Discontinued, and inactivated, Sept 1, 1960. Activated Jan 20, 1966, assigned to Air (later Aerospace) Defense Command. Organized Apr 1, 1966, at Hamilton AFB Sept 24, 1976. Activated in the Reserve Oct 8 1976, at McClellan AFB CA, assigned to Air Force Reserve. Redesignated 4th AF Dec 1, 1985.

5th Air Force One of the few numbered air forces never stationed in the US, 5th AF is also one of the oldest, continuously active numbered air forces. Established as Philippine Department Air Force Aug 16, 1941. Activated Sept 20, 1941, at Nichols Field, Philippine Islands, assigned to the Philippine Dept, US Army. Redesignated Far East Air Force Oct 28, 1941. Moved to Darwin, Australia, in Dec 1941, following the Japanese attacks in the Philippines. Redesignated 5th AF Feb 5, 1942. Moved to Brisbane, Australia, Sept 3, 1942. Redesignated 5th AF Sept 18, 1942. Assigned to Southwest Pacific Area in Nov 1942. Stayed in Pacific Area, primarily New Guinea and Philippine Islands until mid-1945. Moved to Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, July 31, 1945; to Irumagawa, Japan, about Sept 25, 1945; to Tokyo Jan 13, 1946; to Nagoya (later Nagoya AB) May 20, 1946; to Seoul, South Korea, December 1, 1950; to Taegu AB Dec 22, 1950; to Seoul June 15, 1951; to Osan-ni Jan 25, 1954; to Nagoya AB (later Nagoya AS/Moriyama AS), Japan, Sept 1, 1954; to Fuchu AS July 1, 1957; and to Yokota Nov 11, 1974.

6th Air Force USAF Southern Command. (Text to come.)

7th Air Force Evolved from the Hawaiian AF that was originally established to control a growing number of air units arriving in the Territory of Hawaii in 1940. Following WW2 it was briefly a named command (see Pacific Air Command) before inactivating. HQ USAF revived the 7th AF during the conflict in Southeast Asia as a replacement for the 2nd Air Division. Established as Hawaiian AF October 19, 1940. Activated November 1, 1940, at Fort Shafter, Territory of Hawaii, assigned to Hawaiian Department, US Army. Moved to Hickam Field about July 12, 1941. Redesignated 7th AF Feb 5, 1942, and Sept 18, 1942. Became part of US Army Forces, Central Pacific Area, about Aug 16, 1943, and assigned to USAAF, Pacific Ocean Areas, Aug 1, 1944. Moved to Saipan, Mariana Islands, Dec 13, 1944. Moved to Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, Japan and assigned to Far East Air Forces (later Pacific Air Command, US Army), July 14, 1945. Moved without personnel or equipment to Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii, Jan 1, 1946. Assigned to USAAF Jan 1, 1947. Redesignated Pacific Air Command Dec 15, 1947. Discontinued June 1, 1949. Redesignated 7th AF Dec 10, 1954. Activated at Hickam Field Jan 5, 1955, assigned to Pacific Air Force (later Pacific Air Force/FEAF [Rear]). Moved to Wheeler AFB Mar 24, 1955. Inactivated July 1, 1957. Activated Mar 28, 1966, and assigned to PACAF. Organized Apr 1, 1966 at Tan Son Nhut Airfield, South Vietnam. Moved to Nakhon Phanom Airport, Thailand, Mar 29, 1973. Inactivated June 30, 1975. Assigned to Pacific Air Forces Aug 20, 1986, and activated at Osan AB, Korea Sept 8, 1986.

8th Air Force The initial 8th AF became the USAF in Europe (see USAFE). The present 8th AF began its existence as VIII Bomber Command. It engaged in combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II and moved to the Pacific Theater in the final months of the war. It served Strategic Air Command after the war, both in the US and overseas. Established as VIII Bomber Command Jan 19, 1942. Activated Feb 1, 1942 at Langley Field VA, assigned to Air Force Combat Command. Moved to Savannah AB GA about Feb 10, 1942. Moved to Daws Hill, England, Feb 23, 1942, joining 8th AF. Moved to High Wycombe, England, May 15, 1942. Redesignated 8th AF Feb 22, 1944, when the original 8th AF became United States Strategic Air Forces (USSTAF). Moved without personnel or equipment to Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, July 16, 1945, assigned to US Army Strategic Air Forces. Moved without personnel or equipment to MacDill Field FL June 7, 1946, joining SAC. Moved to Fort Worth Army Airfield (later Griffiss AFB/Carswell AFB) TX Nov 1, 1946. Moved to Westover AFB MA June 13, 1955. Moved without personnel or equipment to Andersen AFB, Guam, Apr 1, 1970, absorbing resources of 3rd Air Division. Moved without personnel or equipment to Barksdale AFB LA Jan 1, 1975, absorbing resources of Second Air Force. Relieved from assignment to SAC and assigned to Air Combat Command June 1, 1992.

9th Air Force After beginning life as a numbered air support command, this unit became the major tactical air force in the European Theater of Operations during WW2, first entering combat in the Mediterranean Theater, then moved to England in 1943. Following the war it served as one of the air forces of Tactical Air Command. Established as 5th Air Support Command Aug 21, 1941. Activated Sept 2, 1941, at Bowman Field KY, assigned to Air Force Combat Command. Moved to New Orleans AAB LA Jan 24, 1942. Redesignated 9th AF Apr 8, 1942. Moved to Bolling Field DC July 22, 1942. Redesignated 9th AF Sept 18, 1942. Moved to Egypt Nov 12, 1942, assigned to Mediterranean Theater of Operations. Moved to England Oct 16, 1943, assigned to European Theater of Operations. Became part of United States Strategic Air Forces (later USAF in Europe) in June 1944. Moved to France Sept 15, 1944, and to Germany June 6, 1945. Inactivated Dec 2, 1945. Activated Mar 28, 1946 at Biggs Field TX, assigned to Tactical Air Command. Moved to Greenville Army Air Base (later AFB) SC Oct 31, 1946. Assigned to Continental Air Command Dec 1, 1948. Moved to Langley AFB VA Feb 14, 1949, and to Pope AFB NC Aug 1, 1950. Redesignated 9th AF (Tactical) Aug 1, 1950. Assigned to Tactical Air Command Dec 1, 1950. Redesignated 9th AF June 26, 1951. Moved to Shaw AFB SC Aug 20, 1954. Relieved from assignment to Tactical Air Command and assigned to Air Combat Command June 1, 1992.

10th Air Force Created for air combat operations in India and Burma during WW2. After the War the 10th AF served the air defense and reserve training programs. Established Feb 4, 1942. Activated Feb 12, 1942, at Patterson Field OH, assigned to Air Force Combat Command. Moved to New Delhi, India, March 5, 1942 and assigned to US Army Forces in China-Burma-India. Redesignated 10th AF Sept 18, 1942. Assigned to AAF, India-Burma Sector, Aug 21, 1943. Moved to Barrackpore, India, Oct 16, 1943; to Belvedere Palace, Calcutta Jan 8, 1944; to Kanjikoah June 20, 1944. Assigned to AAF, India-Burma Theater, Oct 27, 1944. Moved to Myitkyina, Burma, Nov 2, 1944; Bhama Feb 7, 1945; Piardoba, India, May 15, 1945; Kunming, China, June 23, 1945. Assigned to AAF, China Theater, July 6, 1945. Moved to Liuchow Aug 9, 1945; Kunming Aug 25, 1945; Shanghai Oct 18, 1945; and Fort Lawton WA Jan 5, 1946. Inactivated Jan 6, 1946. Activated May 24, 1946 at Brooks Field (later, AFB) TX, assigned to Air Defense Command. Moved to Offutt AFB NB July 1, 1948; Fort Benjamin Harrison (later AFB) IN Sept 25, 1948. Assigned to Continental Air Command Dec 1, 1948. Moved to Selfridge AFB MI Jan 16, 1950. Discontinued, and inactivated, Sept 1, 1960. Activated Jan 20, 1966, assigned to Air (later, Aerospace) Defense Command. Organized Apr 1, 1966 at Richards-Gebaur AFB MO. Inactivated Dec 31, 1969. Redesignated 10th AF (Reserve) Sept 24, 1976. Activated in the Reserve Oct 8, 1976 at Bergstrom AFB TX, assigned to USAFR. Redesignated 10th AF Dec 1, 1985.

11th Air Force Military aircraft began to deploy to Alaska during the last half of 1940. To coordinate air activities there, the Alaskan Defense Command established the Air Field Forces, Alaskan Defense Command May 29, 1941. Under authority from Western Defense Command, the Alaskan Defense Command replaced the Air Field Forces, Alaskan Defense Command, with the Air Force, Alaskan October 17, 1941. Neither the Air Field Forces nor the Air Force, Alaskan Defense Command, were legitimate War Department establishments and must be classified in the same category as provisional units, although that term was never used in connection with them. The War Department activated the Alaskan AF Jan 15, 1942, replacing the Alaskan Defense Command. Established as Alaskan Air Force Dec 28, 1941. Activated Jan 15, 1942. Redesignated 11th AF Feb 5, 1942; Alaskan Air Command Dec 18, 1945; 11th AF Aug 9, 1990; concurrently, status changed from a major command of the USAF to a subordinate organization of the Pacific Air Forces.

12th Air Force Established in the US, the 12th AF moved to England for training and participated in the invasion of North Africa. It engaged in tactical operations for the remainder of the war in the Mediterranean. The unit has subsequently served both in the US and Europe. Established and activated Aug 20, 1942, at Bolling Field DC, assigned to AAF. Moved to England Sept 12, 1942, attached to 8th AF. Moved to Algeria Nov 9, 1942, assigned to Mediterranean Theater of Operations. Moved to Tunisia in Aug 1943 and to Italy Dec 5, 1943. Inactivated at Florence, Italy, Aug 31, 1945. Activated May 17, 1946 at March Field CA, assigned to Tactical Air Command (TAC). Assigned to Continental Air Command December 1, 1948. Moved to Brooks AFB TX Jan 21, 1949. Discontinued July 1, 1950. Organized Jan 21, 1951 at Wiesbaden, Germany, assigned to USAF in Europe. Moved to Ramstein (later, Ramstein AB), Germany, Apr 27, 1953. Moved without personnel or equipment to Waco TX Jan 1, 1958, absorbing resources of 18th AF. Assigned to TAC. Moved to Bergstrom AFB TX Aug 30, 1968. Relieved from assignment to TAC and assigned to Air Combat Command June 1, 1992. Moved from Bergstrom AFB TX, to Davis-Monthan AFB AZ Oct 1, 1992.

13th Air Force Like the 5th AF, the 13th has never been stationed in the US. It is also one of the oldest, continuously-active numbered air forces. Since WW2 it has provided air defense in the Far East, primarily the Philippines, although it operated for a short period (1948-49) in the Ryukyu Islands. Numerous 13th AF organizations participated in Southeast Asia combat operations in the 1960s and 1970s. Established Dec 14, 1942. Activated Jan 13, 1943, on New Caledonia Islands. Moved to Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Jan 21, 1943, as part of US Army Forces in the Far East. Moved to Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, Jan 13, 1944, and to Los Negros Island, Admiralty Islands, June 15, 1944. Assigned to Far East Air Forces June 15, 1944. Moved to Hollandia, New Guinea, Sept 13, 1944; stayed in Pacific Area, primarily New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippine Islands, until late 1948. Moved to Kadena AB, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, Dec 1, 1948, without personnel or equipment; and Clark AFB (later AB), Philippine Islands, May 16, 1949. Assigned to Pacific Air Force (later Pacific Air Force/FEAF [Rear]), May 17, 1955. Assigned to Pacific Air Forces, July 1, 1957. Moved to Anderson AFB, Guam, Dec 2, 1991.

14th Air Force Operated primarily in China during WW2, and subsequently served Air Defense Command, Continental Air Command, and the USAFR. Established Mar 5, 1943. Activated Mar 10, 1943, at Kunming, China, assigned to US Army Forces, China-Burma-India Theater. Assigned to US Forces, China Theater, about Oct 24, 1944. Moved to Peishyi Aug 7, 1945; to Fort Lawton WA Jan 5, 1946. Inactivated Jan 6, 1946. Activated May 24, 1946 at Orlando AAB (later AFB) FL, assigned to Air Defense Command. Assigned to Continental Air Command Dec 1, 1948. Moved to Robins AFB GA Oct 28, 1949. Inactivated Sept 1, 1960. Activated Jan 20, 1966, assigned to Air (later Aerospace) Defense Command. Organized Apr 1, 1966 at Gunter AFB AL. Moved without personnel or equipment to Colorado Springs CO July 1, 1968, absorbing resources of 9th Aerospace Defense Division. Redesignated 14th Aerospace Force July 1, 1968. Inactivated Oct 1, 1976. Redesignated 14th AF(Reserve), and activated in the Reserve Oct 8, 1976, at Dobbins AFB GA, assigned to USAFR. Redesignated 14th AF Dec 1, 1985. Inactivated July 1, 1993. Activated the same day at Vandenberg AFB CA with a change in assignment to Air Force Space Command.

15th Air Force WW2 was well underway when the 15th AF was established in the Mediterranean theater as a strategic air force, drawing its operational forces from existing units in the European and Mediterranean theaters, and began combat operations the day after it was formed. In the postwar years it became one of Strategic Air Command's primary numbered air forces. Established Oct 30, 1943. Activated Nov 1, 1943, at Tunis, Tunisia, assigned to Mediterranean Theater. Moved to Bari, Italy, Dec 1, 1943. Assigned to US Strategic Air Forces about Feb 1944. Inactivated Sept 15, 1945. Activated Mar 31, 1946, at Colorado Springs CO, assigned to SAC. Moved to March AFB CA Nov 7, 1949. Relieved from assignment to SAC and assigned to Air Mobility Command Jan 1, 1992. Moved to Travis AFB CA July 1, 1993.

16th Air Force Originated as a separate operating agency, this post-war numbered air force served both Strategic Air Command and USAF in Europe. Established as Joint United States Military Group, Air Administration (Spain), and activated May 20, 1954, at Madrid, as a separate operating agency (SOA) of the USAF. Redesignated 16th AF July 15, 1956. Assigned to SAC July 1, 1957, losing SOA status. Moved to Torrejon AB, Spain, Feb 1, 1958. Assigned to USAF in Europe Apr 15, 1966. Moved to Aviano AB, Italy, Aug 10, 1992.

17th Air Force Another post-war air force, served USAF in Europe after its establishment as 17th AF Apr 17, 1953. Organized Apr 25, 1953, at Rabat-Sale, French Morocco, assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe. Moved to Wheelus AB, Libya, Aug 1, 1956. Moved without personnel or equipment to Ramstein AB, West Germany, Nov 15, 1959, and restaffed. Moved to Sembach AB, West Germany, Oct 5, 1972.

18th Air Force Extensive troop carrier operations within Tactical Air Command called for some intermediate echelon of command, and HQ USAF created a new numbered air force for this purpose in March 1951. Later, 18th AF received other combat units in addition to troop carrier wings. 12th AF absorbed all of its resources Jan 1, 1958. Established as 18th AF (Troop Carrier) Mar 7, 1951. Organized Mar 28, 1951, at Donaldson AFB SC, assigned to Tactical Air Command. Redesignated 18th AF June 26, 1951. Moved to Waco TX Sept 1, 1957. Inactivated Jan 1, 1958.

19th Air Force Formed after WW2 during its years of active service the 19th AF served Tactical Air Command. Established July 1, 1955. Activated July 8, 1955, at Foster AFB TX assigned to Tactical Air Command. Moved to Seymour Johnson AFB NC Sept 1, 1958. Inactivated July 2, 1973. Assigned to Air Education and Training Command June 8, 1993. Activated at Randolph AFB TX July 1, 1993.

20th Air Force Formed exclusively as a heavy strategic bombardment organization. Headquartered in the United States, under command of General Henry Arnold, with direction from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, its B-29 components operated in the China-Burma-India and Pacific theaters, carrying the air war to the Japanese. Operations climaxed with nuclear attacks on Japan in Aug 1945. After the war, it remained in the Pacific and served in combat for a short time during the Korean war. Later was involved primarily in air defense of the Ryukyu Islands. Established as 20th AF and activated Apr 4, 1944, at Washington DC, assigned to USAAF. Moved to Harmon Field, Guam, July 16, 1945, and assigned to US Army Strategic Air Forces. Assigned to Pacific Air Command, US Army (later Far East Air Forces) Dec 6, 1945. Moved to Kadena AB, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, May 16, 1949. Inactivated Mar 1, 1955. Assigned to Strategic Air Command Mar 29, 1991. Activated at Vandenberg AFB CA Sept 1, 1991. Relieved from assignment to SAC and assigned to Air Combat Command June 1, 1992. Relieved from assignment to ACC and assigned to Air Force Space Command July 1, 1993. Moved to Warren AFB WY Oct 1, 1993.

21st Air Force Created as a wing during WW2, this establishment gradually evolved into its modern designation. Established as 23d AAF Ferrying Wing June 12 1942. Activated June 18, 1942, at Presque Isle ME, assigned to AAF Ferrying Command (later Air Transport Command). Redesignated North Atlantic Wing, Air Transport Command Feb 11, 1944. Redesignated North Atlantic Division, Air Transport Command, June 27, 1944. Moved to Fort Totten NY and redesignated Atlantic Division, Air Transport Command, Sept 20, 1945. Attached to Air Transport Service (Provisional), Sept 5 to Oct 14, 1947. Assigned to Air Transport Service Oct 15, 1947. Moved to Westover Field (later AFB) MA Oct 24, 1947. Redesignated Atlantic Division, Military Air Transport Service (later Military Airlift Command), June 1, 1948. Moved to McGuire AFB NJ June 1, 1955. Redesignated Eastern Transport AF July 1, 1958, and 21st AF Jan 3, 1966. Relieved from assignment to Military Airlift Command and assigned to Air Mobility Command June 1, 1992.

22nd Air Force Traces its origins to WW2 through an official consolidation of two organizations in 1979. Established as Domestic Division, Air Corps Ferrying Command, and activated Dec 28, 1941, in Washington DC, assigned to USAC Ferrying Command. Redesignated: Domestic Wing, USAC Ferrying Command. Feb 26, 1942; Domestic Wing, AAF Ferry Command, Mar 9, 1942; Domestic Wing, USAAF Ferrying Command, Mar 31, 1942; Ferrying Division, Air Transport Command, June 20, 1942. Moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb 10, 1943. Redesignated Continental Division, Air Transport Command, Feb 28, 1946. Discontinued Oct 31, 1946. Consolidated Mar 29, 1979, with the organization established as Continental Division, Military Air Transport Service, and organized at Kelly AFB TX July 1, 1948, assigned to Military Air Transport Service (later, Military Airlift Command); moved to Travis AFB CA June 25, 1958; redesignated Western Transport Air Force July 1, 1958, and 22nd AF Jan 8, 1966. Relieved from assignment to Military Airlift Command and assigned to Air Mobility Command June 1, 1992. Inactivated July 1, 1993. Activated the same day at Dobbins ARB GA with a change in assignment to USAFR.

23rd Air Force Air Force Special Operations Command.