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List of major commands of the United States Air Force

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This is a list of major commands (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force.

A major command is a significant Air Force organization subordinate to Headquarters, US Air Force. Major commands have a headquarters staff and subordinate organizations, typically formed in numbered air forces, centers, wings, and groups.[1]

Historically, a MAJCOM is the highest level of command, only below Headquarters Air Force (HAF), and directly above numbered air forces (NAFs).

The USAF is organized on a functional basis in the United States and a geographical basis overseas. A major command (MAJCOM) represents a major Air Force subdivision having a specific portion of the Air Force mission. Each MAJCOM is directly subordinate to Headquarters, Air Force. MAJCOMs are interrelated and complementary, providing offensive, defensive, and support elements. An operational command consists (in whole or in part) of strategic, tactical, or defense forces; or of flying forces that directly support such forces. A support command may provide supplies, weapon systems, support systems, operational support equipment, combat material, maintenance, surface transportation, education and training, or special services and other supported organizations.

From 1948 to 1991 MAJCOMs had the authority to form wings using manpower authorizations under their control. Each MAJCOM or other organization reporting directly to USAF was assigned a block of four digit numbers to use for units it organized. The system terminated in 1991 when USAF assumed control of all units except for provisional ones. While the majority of MAJCOM wings were support units, combat commands could (and did) create combat units on their own as shown at List of MAJCOM wings of the United States Air Force.

The USAF's last major reorganization of commands was in 1992. In July 2006, the Air Force Network Operations (AFNETOPS) command was stood up at Barksdale Air Force Base. At the time, it was anticipated that it would be transformed into a new MAJCOM: the Air Force Cyber Command.[2] However, this did not occur, and AFNETOPS was integrated into Air Force Space Command.

On 20 December 2019, the United States Space Force became an independent military service and Air Force Space Command was transferred and redesignated as Space Operations Command.

Despite the naming similarity to other major commands, the Air Force Medical Command (AFMEDCOM) is not a MAJCOM, rather a Direct Reporting Unit (DRU).

Since its inception in 1947, a total of 27 organizations have been designated as major commands. Over time, the role of MAJCOMs have changed: some were replaced with NAFs, while some NAFs were replaced with MAJCOMs.

Currently, the USAF is organized into nine MAJCOMS (seven functional and two geographic), with the Air National Guard component reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force (HAF).[3] The most recent major command, Air Force Global Strike Command, was activated in August 2009. The other MAJCOMs have either inactivated or lost their command status.

Current

[edit]
Shield Major Command Headquarters Current Commander Mission Statement
Air Combat Command (ACC) Langley AFB, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, U.S. Gen Adrian L. Spain "ACC organizes, trains and equips combat-ready Airmen to control and exploit the air, cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum in support of the Joint Force." [4]
Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Randolph AFB, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Lt Gen Clark J. Quinn "Find, recruit, train and educate the Airmen the nation needs."[5]
Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, U.S. Gen Stephen L. Davis "Airmen ALWAYS ready to provide long-range precision strike ... anytime, anywhere!"[6]
Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, U.S. Lt Gen Linda S. Hurry "Powering the world’s greatest Air Force…we deliver readiness and war-winning capabilities for today and tomorrow."[7]
Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Robins AFB, Georgia, U.S. Lt Gen John P. Healy "The mission of the Air Force Reserve Command is to provide combat ready forces to fly, fight and win."[8]
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Hurlburt Field, Florida, U.S. Lt Gen Michael E. Conley "Raise and Retain Disciplined Professionals; Air Commandos Ready for Any Challenge."[9]
Air Mobility Command (AMC) Scott AFB, Illinois, U.S. Lt Gen Rebecca J. Sonkiss (Interim) "AMC provides unrivaled airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, global air mobility support, and global command and control to project, connect, maneuver, and sustain the Joint Force (JF) in support of national objectives. Right Effects, Right Place, Right Time!"[10]
Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Hickam AFB, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, U.S. Gen Kevin B. Schneider "PACAF, in coordination with other components, allies, and partners, provides USINDOPACOM with continuous unrivaled air, space, and cyberspace capabilities to ensure regional stability and security."[11]
United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Ramstein Air Base, Germany Lt Gen Jason T. Hinds "Protect the U.S. homeland with our Allies and partners; Project combat-ready airpower in Europe, Africa and beyond; Deter aggression and win decisively should deterrence fail."[12]

Historic

[edit]
Shield MAJCOM Dates Active
Alaskan Air Command 1945–1990
Aerospace Defense Command 1946–1950; 1951–1980
Air Force Cyber Command (Provisional) 2007–2008
Air Force Communications Command 1961–1991[13]
Air Force Intelligence Command 1948–1993
Air Force Logistics Command 1944–1992
Air Force Space Command 1982–2019
Air Force Systems Command 1950–1992
Air Proving Ground Command 1946–1957 as major command
Air Training Command 1946–1993
Air University 1920–1993
Bolling Field Command 1946-1958
Caribbean Air Command 1940–1976
Continental Air Command 1948–1968
Electronic Security Command 1948–1993
Headquarters Command, USAF 1946–1976
Military Airlift Command 1966–1992
Northeast Air Command 1950–1957
Pacific Air Command 1946–1949
Special Weapons Command 1949–1952
Strategic Air Command 1946–1992
Tactical Air Command 1946–1992
United States Air Forces Southern Command 1940–1976

References

[edit]
  • Donald, David, (Ed.) (1992). US Air Force Air Power Directory. Westport, CT: AIRtime Publishing Inc.
  1. ^ Air Force Instruction 38-101, AIR FORCE ORGANIZATION, 4 APRIL 2006 (with Change 2, dated 20 July 2006), paragraph 2.2.2., page 10.
  2. ^ Lopez, Staff Sgt. C. Todd (3 November 2006). "8th Air Force to become new cyber command". Air Force Print News. United States Air Force. Retrieved 24 November 2006.
  3. ^ Pampe, Capt. Carla (10 July 2006). "Air Force officials consolidate network ops". Eighth Air Force Public Affairs. United States Air Force. Retrieved 10 July 2006.
  4. ^ "ACC > Air Combat Command > Display".
  5. ^ "Air Education and Training Command > About Us".
  6. ^ "About Us".
  7. ^ "About Us".
  8. ^ "Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command > Air Force Reserve Command > Fact Sheet".
  9. ^ "Air Force Special Operations Command > Air Force Special Operations Command > Display".
  10. ^ "About Us".
  11. ^ "Mission, Vision & Priorities".
  12. ^ "About Us".
  13. ^ "Air Force Communications Command". af.mil. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
[edit]
  • Wikimedia Commons logo Media related to United States Air Force#Major Commands at Wikimedia Commons
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