List of Major Commands of the United States Air Force
This is a list of Major Commands (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force
Historically, a MAJCOM is the highest level of command, only below Headquarters Air Force (HAF), and directly above Numbered Air Forces (NAF).
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 HAF. MAJCOMs are interrelated and complementary, providing offensive, defensive, and support elements. An operational command consists (in whole or in part) of strategic, tactical, space, 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.
The USAF experienced its last major reorganization of commands 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.[1] However, this did not occur, and AFNETOPS was integrated into Space Command.
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 currently organized into ten MAJCOMS (8 Functional and 2 Geographic), with the Air National Guard component reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force (HAF).[2] The most recent major command, Air Force Global Strike Command, activated in August 2009. The other MAJCOMs have either inactivated or lost their command status.
Contents
Current
Shield | MAJCOM | Location of Headquarters | Mission |
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75px | Air Combat Command | Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia | Provide Air Force component units for United States Central Command, United States Southern Command, United States Northern Command, and United States Strategic Command |
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Air Education and Training Command | Joint Base San Antonio/Randolph Air Force Base, Texas | Recruits, trains, and educates airmen |
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Air Force Global Strike Command | Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana | Develop and provide combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations |
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Air Force Materiel Command | Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio | Conducts research, development, testing and evaluation, and provides the acquisition management services and logistics support necessary to keep Air Force weapon systems ready for war |
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Air Force Reserve Command | Robins Air Force Base, Georgia | Provides operational capability, strategic depth and surge capacity as an integrated Total Force partner in every Air Force core mission |
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Air Force Space Command | Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado | Development and operation of military space and cyberspace technologies |
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Air Force Special Operations Command | Hurlburt Field, Florida | Provide Air Force component units for United States Special Operations Command |
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Air Mobility Command | Scott Air Force Base, Illinois | Provide global air mobility through airlift and aerial refueling for all of the United States armed forces |
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Pacific Air Forces | Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii | Provide Air Force component units for United States Pacific Command |
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United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa | Ramstein Air Base, Germany | Provide Air Force component units for United States European Command and United States African Command |
Historic
Shield | MAJCOM | Dates Active |
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Alaskan Air Command | 1945–1990 |
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Aerospace Defense Command | 1946–1950; 1951–1980 |
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Air Force Cyber Command (Provisional) | 2007–2008 |
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Air Force Communications Command | 1943–1991 |
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Air Force Intelligence Command | 1948–1993 |
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Air Force Logistics Command | 1944–1992 |
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Air Force Systems Command | 1950–1992 |
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Air Proving Ground Command | 1943–2012 |
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Air Training Command | 1946–1993 |
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Air University | 1920–1993 |
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Caribbean Air Command | 1940–1976 |
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Continental Air Command | 1948–1968 |
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Electronic Security Command | 1948–1993 |
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Headquarters Command, USAF | 1985–1994 |
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Military Airlift Command | 1966–1992 |
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Northeast Air Command | 1950–1957 |
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Pacific Air Command | 1946–1949 |
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Special Weapons Command | 1949–1952 |
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Strategic Air Command | 1946–1992 |
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Tactical Air Command | 1946–1992 |
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United States Air Forces Southern Command | 1940–1976 |
References
- Donald, David, (Ed.) (1992). US Air Force Air Power Directory. Westport, CT: AIRtime Publishing Inc.
External links
Media related to United States Air Force#Major Commands at Wikimedia Commons