Numbered Air Force - Named Air Forces

Named Air Forces

Named Air Forces operate at the same level as Numbered Air Forces. General Headquarters Air Force, the first named air force of the United States Army's air arm, began operations in 1935. The GHQ Air Force became the Air Force Combat Command in 1941. Several of the numbered air forces began as named air forces.

Since World War II other named air forces have existed in both operational and support commands. Air Forces Iceland, and the Central, Eastern, Japan, and Western Air Defense Forces, have provided air defense capability. The USAF Special Operations Force controlled operational special forces. The Crew, Flying, and Technical Training Air Forces served Air Training Command both in the air and on the ground. Pacific Air Force/FEAF (Rear) controlled both operational and support forces of Far East Air Forces. Air Materiel Force, European Area, and Air Materiel Force, Pacific Area, on the other hand, served primarily as logistical support establishments.

Currently, United States Air Forces Central provides airpower in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

Air Force Shield Station Major Command Comments
Air Forces Iceland
Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland USAFE Established in 1952. Performed air defense of Iceland and North Atlantic. Inactivated 28 June 2006
Air Materiel Force, European Area Châteauroux-Déols Air Base, France Air Force Logistics Command From 1954 to 1962 served as the primary USAF logistical organization in Europe
Air Materiel Force, Pacific Area Tachikawa Air Base, Japan Air Force Logistics Command Originated during World War II in 1944, served as the primary USAF logistical organization in the Pacific. Inactivated 1962.
Aviation Engineer Force Wolters Air Force Base, Texas Continental Air Command Controlled aviation engineer organizations of the United States Army, on duty with the United States Air Force, 1951–1956
Central Air Defense Force Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Missouri Air Defense Command Controlled ADC Radar and Interceptor units in the central United States, 1951-1960.
Crew Training Air Force Randolph Air Force Base, Texas Air Training Command Provided training for air crews, 1952-1957.
Eastern Air Defense Force
Stewart Air Force Base, New York Air Defense Command Controlled ADC Radar and Interceptor units in the eastern United States, 1949-1960.
Flying Training Air Force Randolph Air Force Base, Texas Air Training Command Provided flying training for combat crews and flying training leading to an aeronautical rating, 1951-1958.
Japan Air Defense Force Nagoya Air Base, Japan Far East Air Force This air defense organization was established to replace the 314th Air Division, 1952–1954
Pacific Air Force/FEAF (Rear) Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii Territory Far East Air Force Established to control Air Force operations in the Pacific and Far East during the move of the Far East Air Forces (FEAF) from Japan to Hawaii, 1954–1957
Technical Training Air Force Randolph Air Force Base, Texas Air Training Command Provided officer candidate training, indoctrination (basic) training, and technical training to Air Force personnel, 1951-1958.
USAF Special Operations Force
Eglin Air Force Base, Florida Tactical Air Command When the USAF Special Air Warfare Center became too large and cumbersome for center status, it was elevated to a named air force, 1962-1974.
Western Air Defense Force Hamilton Air Force Base, California Air Defense Command Controlled ADC Radar and Interceptor units in the western United States, 1951-1960.
United States Air Forces Central
Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina Air Combat Command Established in 1983. Air component of United States Central Command, a regional unified command. Responsible for air operations (either unilaterally or in concert with coalition partners) and developing contingency plans in support of national objectives for USCENTCOM's 20-nation area of responsibility in Southwest Asia.

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