Numbered Air Force (NAF)

[Guest mrharvester]

What's the purpose of a numbered Air Force? Are they each tasked with a specific mission or geographical area?

[Guest C-21 Pilot]

Numbered Air Force (NAF) defined:

A level of command directly under a MAJCOM (Major Command). NAFs are tactical echelons that provide operational leadership and supervision. They are not management headquarters and do not have complete functional staffs.

Many NAFs are responsible for MAJCOM operations in a specific geographic region or theater of operations.

Specifically, it's just a new level of management. The 18th AF (which is comprised of the old 15th and 21st NAF's) is the CONUS based AMC "heirarchy". The 8th NAF based out of Barksdale is responsible for all CONUS bomber operations.

Just putting Generals in a "leadership" place.

[zrooster99]

NAF = place for chiefs and 0-5s who don't have a real job to hang out and harass everyone else who does...

[Guest Jollygreen]

The creation of the NAF had various reasons (many of which I don't recall).

However one of those reasons was the intention of having NAFs to be the AF's 'go-to-war' command for combatant commanders. In the event a conflict/op were to occur in "their" region, the NAF staff would provide the cadre of Airmen to execute the mission.

A good example would be 9AF. The CC there is dual hatted as both the 9AF/CC and the CENTAF/CC.

Unfortunately the example above doesn't apply to many/most of the NAFs and therefore the concept is currently being relooked.

[ 17. May 2004, 16:18: Message edited by: Jollygreen ]

[Guest hamburger]

How do you determine which Air Force your unit belongs to? I'm in the Texas Air Guard. Are we part of the 10th AF, 19, 15?? How can you tell? Thanks.

[Nanook]

You're part of the Guard Bureau...no NAF. One of the things the ANG does right...no extra layer that always says no.

[M2]

And just for shits and giggles...

First Air Force (1 AF) is a numbered air force (NAF) in Air Combat Command (ACC). It is headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Florida. It is an intermediate echelon responsible for air defense units in the contiguous United States (CONUS). The First Air Force also serves as the Air Force component of the United States Northern Command, and Air Forces Northern (AFNORTH), the Air Force warfighting headquarters supporting United States Northern Command. First Air Force also serves as the CONUS geographical component of the binational North American Aerospace Defense Command.

First Air Force is unique in both its mission and composition. With the transfer of responsibility for continental air defense from the active duty component of the Air Force to the Air National Guard, First Air Force became the first numbered air force to be made up primarily of citizen airmen.

Units aligned under AFNORTH include the Northeast Air Defense Sector, Southeast Air Defense Sector, Western Air Defense Sector, 601st Air Operations Group and the 702d Computer Systems Squadron. Additionally, First Air Force provides operational control of alert air defense fighter units.

(Source)

Cheers! M2

[M2]

This may not be 100% correct, but it will give you a good idea of the NAFs...from a hodgepodge of sources...

Cheers! M!

First Air Force (1 AF) is a numbered air force (NAF) in Air Combat Command (ACC). It is headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Florida. It is an intermediate echelon responsible for air defense units in the contiguous United States (CONUS). The First Air Force also serves as the Air Force component of the United States Northern Command, and Air Forces Northern (AFNORTH), the Air Force warfighting headquarters supporting United States Northern Command. First Air Force also serves as the CONUS geographical component of the binational North American Aerospace Defense Command.

First Air Force is unique in both its mission and composition. With the transfer of responsibility for continental air defense from the active duty component of the Air Force to the Air National Guard, First Air Force became the first numbered air force to be made up primarily of citizen airmen.

Units aligned under AFNORTH include the Northeast Air Defense Sector, Southeast Air Defense Sector, Western Air Defense Sector, 601st Air Operations Group and the 702d Computer Systems Squadron. Additionally, First Air Force provides operational control of alert air defense fighter units.

Second Air Force was 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 and from 1991 to 1993, as part of Strategic Air Command, and later Air Combat Command, it engaged in training for strategic warfare.

After activation under Air Education and Training Command in 1993, it assumed responsibility for basic military and technical training.

Third Air Force was established in 1940 as the Southeast Air District to provide air defence for that part of continental United States, it also provided air defense and conducted combat training for personnel of newly formed units in World War II. After the war it served Tactical Air Command, then inactivated.

Fourth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force in Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC). It is an intermediate echelon responsible primarily for all Air Mobility Command (AMC) gained AFRC air refueling units in the United States and AMC gained AFRC strategic airlift units in the western United States.

Formed in the United States during World War II to provide air defense and combat training for the personnel of newly formed units. After World War II, Fourth Air Force was assigned to the reestablished Air Defense Command, later to Continental Air Command, and back to Air Defense Command. From September 1960 to January 1966 the organization was inactive. It was deactivated again in September 1969. In October 1976 Fourth Air Force reactivated as a part of the Air Force Reserves (AFRES).

The Fifth Air Force (5AF), with headquarters currently located at Yokota Air Base,Japan, is one of very few numbered air forces of the United States Air Force never to have been based in the United States itself. It is also one of the oldest and continuously active US air forces.

The 5AF had its origins as part of the Far East Air Force (FEAF), which was formed in The Philippines in September 1941 under Major General Lewis H. Brereton. Immediately after the outbreak of the Pacific War in December, Brereton sought permission from theater commander Gen Douglas MacArthur to conduct air raids against Japanese forces in Formosa, but was refused. As a consequence, FEAF was largely destroyed on the ground by Japanese air attacks. Following the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, the remnants of FEAF relocated southwards to bases in the Dutch East Indies. After those islands also fell to Japanese forces early in 1942, FEAF headquarters moved to Australia.

United States Army Air Forces units in Australia, including FEAF, were eventually reinforced and re-organised following their inital defeats in the Philippines and the East Indies. In August 1942, under the command of Major General George Kenney, the new Fifth Air Force was organized as a component of the FEAF, with headquarters in Brisbane, Australia. The 5AF, along with the Thirteenth Air Force (the other main combat command of the FEAF) devastated Japan's air, land, and sea forces in the South West Pacific Area for the remainder of World War II. Using General Kenney's innovative and devastating low-level parafrag, strafing, and skip-bombing tactics, the Fifth and Thirteenth Air Forces played a major role in pushing the Japanese back to their home islands by 1945. Shortly after World War II ended in August, the 5AF relocated to Japan as part of the Allied occupation forces.

In 1950, from headquarters still in Japan, the 5AF became the main United Nations combat air command during the Korean War, and was instrumental in bringing about the cease-fire that formally ended that conflict in 1953.

The Seventh Air Force (7 AF) is a Numbered Air Force (NAF) under the Pacific Air Forces major command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force. 7 AF is also the air component of United States Forces Korea. 7 AF's headquarters is located at Osan Air Base, South Korea. The commander, Seventh Air Force, is dual-hatted as commander of the combined Air Component Command (ACC), part of the US-Republic of Korea (ROK) Combined Forces Command (CFC).

As part of the U.S. Air Force's plan to establish Warfighting Headquarters (WFHQs), 7 AF will evolve into a Warfighting Headquarters for United States Forces Korea.

Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force (NAF) of the major command (MAJCOM) of Air Combat Command of the United States Air Force and it is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

In World War II, it was a United States Army Air Forces unit, which carried out daytime bombing operations in western Europe from airfields in eastern England from 1942. The Eighth Air Force was commanded during World War II by Major General Carl A. Spaatz, Major General Ira C. Eaker, and Lt. General James H. Doolittle, the hero of the 1942 B-25 air raid on Tokyo and other cities in Japan. It later became the United States Air Forces in Europe.

The present Eighth Air Force began its existence as VIII Bomber Command and received its current designation when the original Eighth Air Force redesignated to United States Strategic Air Forces (USSTAF). 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. Eighth Air Force served Strategic Air Command (SAC) after the war, both in the United States and overseas until SAC was deactivated, then served Air Combat Command since June 1, 1992.

The Eighth Air Force's now commonly-accepted nickname, "The Mighty Eighth", derives from the title of British historian Roger A. Freeman's seminal "History of the U.S. 8th Army Air Force" (Doubleday and Company, 1970). Freeman died in the fall of 2005.

Ninth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force in Air Combat Command (ACC). It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina. It is an intermediate echelon responsible primarily for fighter units in the eastern United States. The Ninth Air Force also serves as the Air Force component of the United States Central Command.

The Ninth Air Force began life in the United States as a numbered close air support command. This establishment became the major tactical air force in the European Theater of Operations during World War II.

Most of the Ninth Air Force was created from USAAF units which had been part of the U.S. Army Forces in the Middle East (USAFIME) fighting in the Egypt-Libya Campaign in late 1942. As the Ninth Air Force they were initially under the overall command of AFHQ in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. In 1943 they moved to the United Kingdom with their headquarters at RAF Burtonwood, England in 1943. They left behind the heavy bombers of IX Bomber Command which joined the newly created Fifteenth Air Force. Following the war, Ninth Air Force served as one of the tactical air forces of Tactical Air Command.

Tenth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force in Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC). It is an intermediate echelon responsible primarily for all Air Combat Command (ACC) and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) gained units in the United States.

Formed in the United States on 15 January 1942, the Eleventh Air Force was originally called the Alaska Air Forces. It was originally created during World War II to handle the buildup of Army Air Forces in Alaska to defend against Japanese threats to the United States.

Air Forces Southern (12th Air Force) provisional (AFSOUTH) (previously Twelfth Air Force) is the Air Force component of United States Southern Command. It is part of Air Combat Command (ACC). It is headquartered at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Arizona.

Like the Fifth Air Force, the Thirteenth Air Force/Kenney Warfighting Headquarters (13AF/KWFHQ) has never been stationed in the continental United States. It is also one of the oldest, continuously active, numbered air forces.

It engaged in combat in the Pacific during World War II. Since World War II, it has provided air defense in the Far East, primarily the Philippines, until the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo forced the closure of Clark AB. Numerous Thirteenth Air Force organizations participated in Southeast Asia combat operations in the 1960s and 1970s.

Fourteenth Air Force, also 14th Air Force (14 AF), is a Numbered Air Force (NAF) of Air Force Space Command (AFSPC). It is a functional echelon dedicated to space systems operations, responsibile for missile warning, space surveillance, and range operations for the Department of Defense, NASA, and commercial space launches. Fourteenth Air Force is headquartered at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Fourteenth Air Force operated in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater during World War II as the Flying Tigers and subsequently served Air Defense Command, Continental Air Command, and the Air Force Reserves (AFRES). In 1993, Fourteenth Air Force was transferred from AFRES to AFSPC.

Fifteenth Air Force was a Numbered Air Force in U.S. Air Force. In its most recent form, it was Air Mobility Command's intermediate echelon for units in the western United States and Pacific theater. On October 1st, 2003, Fifteenth Air Force was redesignated Fifteenth Expeditionary Mobility Task Force (EMTF), a new organization below a Numbered Air Force.

Fifteenth Air Force was established on November 1, 1943 as part of the United States Army Air Forces in the World War II Mediterranean Theater of Operations as a strategic air force and commenced combat operations the day after it was formed. The first commander was General Jimmy Doolittle.

The new air force drew its operational forces from heavy bombers of the IX Bomber Command, the strategic bomber command of the Ninth Air Force which was relocating to the United Kingdom to become a tactical air force in the European Theater of Operations, the Twelfth Air Force, and by a diversion of groups originally intended for the Eighth Air Force.

Mainly operating out of bases in southern Italy, the Fifteenth Air Force, along with the Eighth Air Force and RAF Bomber Command, became the instruments used by the Allies to carry the strategic air offensive to Axis occupied Europe and Germany.

A total of around 2,110 bombers were lost on operations by its fifteen B-24 and six B-17 bombardment groups, while its seven fighter groups claimed a total of 1,836 enemy aircraft destroyed.

The Fifteenth was de-activated in Italy September 15, 1945.

In the postwar years and the establishment of the U.S. Air Force as an independent service, the Fifteenth Air Force was re-activated as one of Strategic Air Command's primary numbered air forces. Since its transfer to Air Mobility Command in 1992, Fifteenth Air Force has assumed responsibility for airlift and air refueling missions.

Sixteenth Air Force is the Warfighting Headquarters for United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) . It is headquartered at Ramstein AB, Germany.

Originated as a separate operating agency, Sixteenth Air Force has served both Strategic Air Command and United States Air Forces in Europe. The Sixteenth Air Force has been the operational air force for USAF combat operations in the Balkans since its move to Aviano AB, Italy, in 1992.

In 2005, Sixteenth Air Force moved to Ramstein AB, Germany to become USAFE's new Warfighting Headquarters. Currently the 401st Air Expeditionary Wing, responsible for ongoing U.S. Air Force contingency support in the Balkans, is the only wing assigned to Sixteenth Air Force in its new role. All other wings that were assigned are now assigned to HQ Air Command Europe.

Eighteenth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force in Air Mobility Command (AMC). It serves as the warfighting component of AMC. To accomplish this role, Eighteenth Air Force absorbed the units previously assigned to both Fifteenth Air Force and Twenty-First Air Force, AMC's Tanker/Airlift Control Center, and two new Expeditionary Mobility Task Forces (EMTFs).

The Eighteenth Air Force commander is also the Commander, Task Force 294 (TF 294), which provides aerial refueling to aircraft assigned to the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) in time of war. TF 294 includes air refueling units from the 18 AF, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve Command.

The United States Air Force created the Eighteenth Air Force to serve as an intermediate echelon of command for extensive troop carrier operations within Tactical Air Command in March 1951. Later, the Eighteenth AF received other combat units in addition to troop carrier wings. On January 1, 1958 Eighteenth Air Force was deactivated and Twelfth Air Force absorbed all of its resources. On October 1, 2003 Eighteenth Air Force was reactivated at Scott Air Force Base.

Formed after World War II, the Nineteenth Air Force served Tactical Air Command between its creation in 1955 and 1973. Since 1993, it has been responsible to Air Education and Training Command for undergraduate and specialized flight training.

Twentieth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force in Air Force Space Command (AFSPC). It is headquartered at F.E. Warren Air Force Base Wyoming. It is an intermediate echelon responsible primarily for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) operations.

The Twentieth Air Force commander is also the Commander, Task Force 214 (TF 214), which provides alert ICBMs to the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).

Twenty-First Air Force was a Numbered Air Force in U.S. Air Force. In its most recent form, it was Air Mobility Command's intermediate echelon for units in the eastern United States, Atlantic, European, and Middle East theaters. On October 1st, 2003, Twenty-First Air Force was redesignated Twenty-First Expeditionary Mobility Task Force (EMTF), a new organization below a Numbered Air Force.

Created as a wing of the USAAF during World War II, it gradually evolved into its modern designation of Twenty-First Air Force. Initially, it ferried aircraft, but by 1942, its mission had changed, as it is today, to airlifting personnel and cargo.

Twenty-Second Air Force is a Numbered Air Force in Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC). It is an intermediate echelon responsible primarily for all Air Mobility Command (AMC) gained AFRC theater airlift units in the United States and AMC gained AFRC strategic airlift units in the eastern United States.

Twenty-Second Air Force can trace its lineage to World War II. Prior to and during the first part of America's participation in World War II, the organization ferried aircraft. After World War II the organization operated as a subordinate echelon of the Military Air Transport Service (MATS). When MATS was redesignated Military Airlift Command (MAC), the organization was designated Twenty-Second Air Force. After the U.S. Air Force reorganization of 1992, Twenty-Second Air Force continued as a subordinate echelon of Air Mobility Command. In 1993, Twenty-Second Air Force was transferred to the Air Force Reserves (AFRES) to replace Fourteenth Air Force, which transferred to Air Force Space Command.

[Ferg]

Okay, so I know the definition of a Numbered Air Force, but can somebody explain to me why we have them? They're the tactical echelon below a MAJCOM, got it. But if they're simply a staff asset to run things, why don't we absorb them into the MAJCOMs? And why in the hell do we have MAJCOMs that only have one NAF? Isn't that kind of like having an Ops Group that only has one squadron? What the hell is the point?

Got talking about this in light of all the budget cuts. Seems like we could save some $$$ if we get rid of the NAFs.

[Texaco]

I think some NAFs serve a purpose IMO. Look at AETC for an example: You have the 2 AF in charge of basic training and a bunch of tech schools and then you have the 19 AF which only focuses on flight training. I think the jump from a MAJCOM to the wing is too big and it's a way to specialize and allocate assets.

On the other hand looking at AFSO which was under MAC as the 23 AF (1983), which later became it's own MAJCOM (1990), but now the 23 AF is back (2008) under AFSOC.

Just look at it as more non-flying staff jobs, so you can make Lt Col one day.

[slacker]

The NAFs' only job is to simulate the enemy during peacetime.

[Guest Crew Report]

Isn't that kind of like having an Ops Group that only has one squadron? What the hell is the point?

Better get rid of Eielson while you're at it.

[M2]

NAF's own/operate AOCs...

[SuperWSO]

NAF's own/operate AOCs...

I honestly can't tell, was that a vote for shutting down all NAF's or justification for their existence? The forms said my sarcasm detector was intermittent today, so I'm just checking. After all, AOCs are a weapons system.

[Gravedigger]

NAF's own/operate AOCs...

It seemed to make sense (at least on the space side) having a general in charge of space operations and also being dual hatted as the commander of the JSpOC. Then again, maybe I was just really impressed by all the pictures and flow charts in the 14AF briefing.

[Toro]

NAF's own/operate AOCs...

True, but that ownership could (in theory) be transferred up to the MAJCOM, or to another GO. Take USAFE, for example. While Gen Brady (USAFE/CC) probably has too much on his plate, he could certainly delegate oversight to one of the other 10-ish GOs in USAFE. While the AOC works for the NAF/CC, we have little to do directly with the rest of the A-Staff and we are a self-sufficient entity.

Something like this came up recently where methods of combining duplicate forces was plotted out to see where we could cut funds. Bringing the AOC under the MAJCOM/CC was one of those propositions. It creates a whole new (even more) confusing system of reporting/command/responsibility, etc., but the bottom line is it's doable.

[Champ Kind]

I did a PACAF exercise at Hickam a few months ago and I was amazed at the inefficiency of having AOCs subordinate to a NAF that seems like it only exists just to house the AOC. Especially when the MAJCOM commander was at all of the meetings, along with the NAF and AOC commander, anyway.

[firezemissiles]

In the AFGSC case, the two NAFs owned by the MAJCOM accomplish very different parts of the 'deterrence' mission. To have the care and feeding of bomber wings left directly to a missileer (or vice versa) without a commanding GO in the mission area involved would do a disservice to the mission.

[Toro]

In the AFGSC case, the two NAFs owned by the MAJCOM accomplish very different parts of the 'deterrence' mission.

True, but I would tend to agree with the dissolving of the single NAFs under a MAJCOM. The NAF staff could easily be absorbed into the MAJCOM staff to accomplish the same missions. It would mostly allow for the cutting of a bunch of higher level NCOs and officers (O-5 and above) who accomplish similar missions.

[MD]

True, but I would tend to agree with the dissolving of the single NAFs under a MAJCOM. The NAF staff could easily be absorbed into the MAJCOM staff to accomplish the same missions. It would mostly allow for the cutting of a bunch of higher level NCOs and officers (O-5 and above) who accomplish similar missions.

Same question occurred back in the early 90s regarding Air Divisions. Back then, you had a command echelon known as the AD between the Wing and the NAF. AD ran the functions on the base, and the Wing came underneath it, oftentimes when there were two Wings at the same base. For example, Luke AFB was the 832nd AD. The two flying Wings, 58th TTW (F-4/F-16) and the 405th TTW (F-15) fell underneath the AD. IIRC, the "one base, one wing" concept was the demise of the ADs

Other ADs were the 831st AD was George AFB, 833rd at Holloman, and 836th at DM.