U.S. Army Air Forces

20th Air Force

The Twentieth Air Force wielded the most devastating weapon of the war — the B-29 Superfortress. From bases in India and the Mariana Islands, these crews flew the longest combat missions in aviation history, raining fire on the Japanese empire from 30,000 feet. The 20th Air Force's incendiary campaign destroyed 67 Japanese cities, and the 509th Composite Group dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki that ended the war.

20th Air Force — Bomb Groups PTO · 1942–1945

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Flew the first B-29 combat mission of the war — Operation Matterhorn — attacking Bangkok from bases in India on June 5, 1944. Later transferred to West Field, Tinian in the Marianas for operations against the Japanese home islands.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Part of XX Bomber Command's original deployment to India for Operation Matterhorn. Flew long-range strikes against Japan from India, staging through China. Later transferred to the Marianas.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

Hellbirds

B-29

Superfortress

The 'Hellbirds' flew from India as part of the CBI-based strategic bombing campaign against Japan. Overcame enormous logistical challenges flying missions over the Himalayan 'Hump' to stage through Chinese bases.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Flew B-29 missions from bases in India and China as part of the XX Bomber Command. Attacked steel works, aircraft factories, and other strategic targets in Japan, Manchuria, and Southeast Asia.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Flew the first B-29 mission from the Marianas against Tokyo on November 24, 1944 — the first bombing of the Japanese capital since the Doolittle Raid. Operated from Isley Field on Saipan through the end of the war.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Operated from Saipan alongside the 497th, flying high-altitude precision missions and later low-altitude incendiary attacks against Japanese cities. Participated in the firebombing campaign that devastated urban Japan.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Part of the 73rd Bomb Wing on Saipan. Flew strategic bombing missions against Japanese industrial and military targets, including the devastating fire raids on Tokyo and other major cities.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Completed the 73rd Bomb Wing's deployment to Saipan. Participated in the escalating strategic bombing campaign that systematically destroyed Japan's capacity to wage war.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Flew B-29 missions from Tinian against the Japanese home islands. Participated in both high-altitude precision bombing and the devastating low-level incendiary raids that destroyed vast areas of Japanese cities.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Operated from North Field, Tinian. Earned a DUC for bombing the industrial area of Kawasaki. Also conducted aerial mining operations against Japanese shipping lanes in the Inland Sea.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Flew B-29 Superfortresses from North Field, Tinian against strategic targets in Japan. Participated in the firebombing campaign and aerial mining operations that crippled Japanese industry and shipping.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Part of the 313th Bomb Wing on Tinian. Flew combat missions against Japan including both precision and area bombing missions. Participated in the final months of the air offensive that forced Japan's surrender.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

One of the oldest bombardment groups in the Army Air Forces, the 19th BG flew B-29s from Guam against the Japanese home islands in the final months of the war.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Flew B-29 Superfortresses from Guam against strategic targets in Japan. Participated in both precision daylight bombing and the devastating low-altitude incendiary raids on Japanese cities.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Operated from North Field, Guam, flying B-29 missions against the Japanese homeland. Part of the massive strategic bombing force that reduced Japan's war-making capability to rubble.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Completed the 314th Bomb Wing's deployment on Guam. Flew combat missions against Japanese targets during the final months of the Pacific War.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Flew radar-equipped B-29s specialized in night precision attacks on Japan's petroleum industry. The 315th Wing's campaign against oil refineries and storage facilities systematically eliminated Japan's remaining fuel supply.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Part of the 315th Bomb Wing's specialized campaign against Japanese oil targets using radar-directed night bombing. Flew some of the last combat missions of the war.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Flew radar-equipped B-29s from Northwest Field, Guam, conducting night precision attacks on Japan's oil infrastructure. The last combat mission of WWII was flown by the 315th Bomb Wing.

Squadrons

Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)

B-29

Superfortress

Completed the 315th Bomb Wing on Guam. Flew specialized night radar bombing missions against Japan's petroleum industry, systematically destroying fuel production and storage.

Squadrons

Composite Group

B-29

Superfortress

The most consequential bomb group in history. Dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima (August 6, 1945 — 'Enola Gay') and Nagasaki (August 9, 1945 — 'Bockscar'), ending World War II. Commanded by Colonel Paul Tibbets.

Squadrons

20th Air Force — Fighter Groups PTO · 1942–1945

Fighter Group

P-51

Mustang

Flew P-51 Mustangs from Iwo Jima, providing long-range escort for B-29 missions over Japan. The capture of Iwo Jima made fighter escort possible, dramatically reducing B-29 losses over the Japanese home islands.

Squadrons

Fighter Group

P-51

Mustang

Flew P-51 Mustangs from Iwo Jima escorting B-29s to Japan and conducting fighter sweeps over the enemy homeland. The 21st's presence over Japan forced the remaining Japanese fighters to engage American Mustangs instead of bombers.

Squadrons

Fighter Group

P-51

Mustang

Deployed to Iwo Jima with P-51 Mustangs to provide very long range escort for the B-29 strategic bombing campaign against Japan. One of the last fighter groups deployed in the Pacific War.

Squadrons

Fighter Group

P-47N

Thunderbolt

Flew the long-range P-47N Thunderbolt variant from Iwo Jima. Provided escort for B-29s and conducted fighter sweeps over Japan in the final weeks of the war.

Squadrons

Bomb Groups

Fighter Groups

79+

Squadrons