The structure of the American Air Force is complex and confusing. Much of it was formed hurriedly during the Second World War, but elements can be traced back as far as the First World War. At its peak, there were almost 2.5 million people employed within its scope both within the United States and overseas in one of the many theatres of operation.
At the start of the Second World War, there were 4 air forces, (designated by district), which were then renumbered 1 – 4 in early 1941. These stayed based within the U.S. covering the West Coast and some training operations on the East Coast and in the southern U.S. The newly established forces were then formed for overseas service. The Fifth, Seventh, Tenth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Twentieth covering the Pacific / Asia campaigns; the Eighth, Ninth, Twelfth and Fifteenth, the European / African / Middle East Theatre; the Sixth covering Panama and finally the Eleventh covering Alaska. During the period 7th December 1941 to 2nd September 1945, there were 16 …..
As always, thank you for educating me, GP.
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A terrific post here. I was glad I didn’t do it – what a mess THAT would have been!!
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I am glad you found and shared it, no matter who had written it.
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An interesting history of the structure of the Air Force, GP. Thank you!
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A bit complicated, I know, but I would have made quite a mess of it if I wrote the article! 🤪
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I have a letter from Maj. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault to Capt. WIllard Simpkins of the 396th Signal Corp (AVN) dated April 20, 1945. It was sent from the Fourteenth Airforce Headquarters in New York. How can I get you a copy? My father was stationed with this unit in support of the Flying Tigers.
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I will reply on your site and thank you very much.
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Reblogged this on depolreablesunite.
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Thank you, Rick.
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Another great history news, GP! Thank you for sharing. Will head over to read the full posting there. Have a nice day! Michael
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Thank you so much, my friend, for always being there.
Have a terrific weekend!
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Thank you for all your kindness, GP! Never thought getting so much important information about wars and heroes. Have a beautiful weekend as well! Please stay save! Michael
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👍😷
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Hey, a emoji with mask. Lol Be save. I am awaiting the emojis showing the different strains. 😉
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hahaha 🤪 We get any more strains and I’ll go goofy! 🤓
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These are all the relatives of the Chinese one. The only migration no one was able to stop, not even our “Minister Horst Seehofer”. :-))
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🧐
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Here we now get quick tests! Lol
On the one hand, self-tests that we have to pay for ourselves: five tests at 25 euros. On the other hand, one test per week paid for by the state, but only carried out by qualified personnel. We are in the middle of the third wave, which experts also call a new pandemic. It’s good that Germany is no longer waging wars. I wouldn’t want to serve in the military here anymore. 😉
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I’m glad you’re getting your tests, but I’m sad to hear about the third wave. I can understand why you wouldn’t care to serve these days – the world has turned upside-down, even without a war. I think Biden is trying for one (or more). Do politicians think it makes them look like a “Big Man” if they declare war?
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Its seems this way, GP! Honestly, i think the politicans are most than ever selfcentered. They only dont know how to escape from their states. 😉 As bad as its sound, i think in approximately one year there are the first civil war actions inside Europe. ;-(
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I had no idea. Our media lately is so wrapped up in Trump/Biden and Covid news that I have to get any other news off the internet. I wonder what side of that civil war the wacky politicians over here will choose… I suspect, whichever side will make them the most money (for their own pockets).
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You can not have real civil war, GP! You have had your internal wars in the past. Here in the ancient time there were only disagreement between incestous nobilities. Lol
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GP, Great March 1 repost of this detailed article on the MANY divisions of the USAAC!!! With my father’s service with the 20th Air Force in Saipan, 1944-1945, , I was very surprised to read, ” From the Marianas, the Twentieth conducted a strategic air offensive that reached a climax with attacks using the world’s first atomic bombs against the two Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki.” May all be well with you & yours free from COVID & working on getting the vaccine as we are. Wife Geri is now 100% well after those 3 surgeries over the past 1 & 1/2 years for diverticulitis. Have you ever heard of the Dragonman’s Military Museum in Colorado Springs? If you have not, it will blow your mind a thousand times over in size & content. HUGE COLLECTION ON EVERYTHING!!! It’s a private museum & was denied federal money. But it beats BY FAR the Smithsonian & New Orleans WWII museums!!! Here’s the link below to a 12 minute video that you will be glad you viewed!!! Be well! Phil
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So great to hear from you once again. In this day and age, I am so leery of going to a site and asking how everyone is doing – I’ve already received far too much in the way of bad news these past 12 months (and not just covid related). Happy to hear about your wife!! She must be thrilled that those operations are over! 👍
I am definitely going to get on that link you sent. I have not heard about that museum, so I am eager to learn about it!
Take care, Phil and you and yours stay safe! 😷
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Amen!!
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Interesting post! I learned something today!! I’m only familiar with the Far East Air Force (Fifth) since they were in the Philippines during the war. I have this book, “Doomed at the Start” by William H. Bartsch that I want to read about the failed mission of the FEAF in the Philippines but I’ve been so busy lately with other projects.
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I understand. The 5th AF is my favorite as well, simply because of their close association with the 11th Airborne Division.
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It’s not so easy to understood. The American Airforces are very complicated
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Yes, they are, but I chose this article to explain it because I would have made a complete mess of it. Thank you for reading it, Marylou!!
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My gracious! I certainly wouldn’t want to be the one tasked with diagramming that structure. It’s understandable, though; changes and additions were made because of necessity as much as by before-the-fact planning. The various parts reminded me of the houses you used to see — the ones that had sections added as children married, kids were born, spinster aunts came to live, and so on. All of those wings and extra rooms could look a little funny!
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I know what you mean. I tried Google street view one day on the street I grew up on. Quite a few showed signs of more children or relatives! haha
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I had no idea. What an interesting history.
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People have asked me about the make-up, but I knew I’d make a mess of it. I’m just not teacher material.
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Leave it to the military to make it so complicated. I appreciate the attempt to clarify the way the Air Corps chose to organize itself.
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If it wasn’t complicated – it wouldn’t be government! 🤓
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Whew!
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Yes indeed!!
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I never realized the Air Force was so complex. Thanks, GP
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I was just telling Jacqui, I didn’t do a post like this because I’d have everyone totally befuddled!!
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Hahaha. Well it was good to call in an advisor.
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That was interesting. Avaiation Trails sure knows his stuff.
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Yes he does. I would have had everyone quite confused if I tried to explain the set-up!
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Concur with Equipsblog. >grin<
Seriously, I learned much from this source. I hadn't realized how complex that Army Air Force really was. Thanks for sharing.
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Yes, the site is quite a mother load of data. Thanks for going over there, John!
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I went to site and stayed a long while! Some of my old stomping grounds in his trails there!
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I am very happy to hear that!!
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Clear as mud and still an informative piece of historical research. Thanks for sharing. I’d be so dizzy from the research, not sure I would ever be able to get it written up.
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That’s why I was glad Aviation Trails put it together! I would really have you confused!!!
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In that case, thank you very much. Have a great day. Now I know why nobody could stop the Army Air Corps–nobody knew who was what.
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haha, good answer!
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You are right, this is really very detailed and great piece of work, GP Cox.
Thanks for sharing.
Hope you and yours are fine and doing well.
Warm greetings from Norfolk,
The Fab Four of Cley
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Dina, so happy to hear from you. I’m so glad you found this post interesting. It certainly is full of information!
Yes I am well.
Have a great week, GP
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Thank you for this!
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It was indeed my pleasure, Joy. I thought it would be good for you and your family history.
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Sure is!
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That’s a detailed history of a huge air force, GP. Thanks for the link.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It’s a great piece of work, I agree.
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Thank you.
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Thank you for creating such a wonderful post for the US Army Air Corps!!!
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