U.S. Army Air Forces
5th Air Force
The oldest continuously serving numbered air force in the USAAF. Born from the ashes of the Far East Air Force destroyed at Clark Field on December 8, 1941, the 5th Air Force rebuilt in Australia under General George Kenney and became the aerial spearhead of MacArthur's island-hopping campaign from New Guinea to the Philippines. Home of America's two top aces — Richard Bong (40 kills) and Thomas McGuire (38 kills). Finished the war with an unmatched 3,445 aerial victories.
5th Air Force — Bomb Groups
SWPA · 1942–1945
Bombardment Group (Light)
The Grim Reapers
A-20/B-25
Havoc
One of the most versatile attack groups in the Pacific. The Grim Reapers flew A-20 Havocs and B-25 Mitchells at treetop level, pioneering skip-bombing and parafrag tactics that devastated Japanese shipping in the Bismarck Sea.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-17/B-24
Flying Fortress
Present at Clark Field on December 8, 1941 when Japanese attacks destroyed most of its B-17s on the ground. The 19th fought a desperate retreat through Java to Australia, becoming the first heavy bomb group in the Pacific war.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Medium/Heavy)
The Red Raiders
B-26/B-25/B-24
Marauder
Flew B-26 Marauders, then B-25 Mitchells and B-24 Liberators across the Pacific. The Red Raiders attacked shipping, airfields, and installations from Australia to the Philippines, pioneering low-level attack tactics.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Medium)
Sun Setters
B-25
Mitchell
The Sun Setters flew B-25 Mitchells in devastating low-level strafer missions against Japanese shipping and ground targets across New Guinea and the Philippines. Masters of the commerce-destroying skip-bomb attack.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Ken's Men
B-17/B-24
Flying Fortress
Named 'Ken's Men' after General George Kenney. Flew B-17s and later B-24 Liberators against Japanese bases across the SWPA. Participated in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea and the long campaign from New Guinea to the Philippines.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Jolly Rogers
B-24
Liberator
The legendary 'Jolly Rogers' — identified by skull-and-crossbones nose art on their B-24 Liberators. Flew devastating long-range strikes against Japanese oil installations at Balikpapan, Borneo, and across the SWPA.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Light)
The Roarin' 20s
A-20/A-26
Havoc
Flew A-20 Havocs in the attack role across New Guinea and the Philippines. The 312th specialized in low-level strafing and bombing of Japanese positions, providing devastating close support for ground troops.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Medium)
Air Apaches
B-25
Mitchell
The 'Air Apaches' flew strafer B-25 Mitchells equipped with forward-firing guns and bombs. Masters of low-level attack, they destroyed Japanese airfields, shipping, and ground targets from New Guinea through the Philippines.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Flying Circus
B-24
Liberator
The 'Flying Circus' flew B-24 Liberators on long-range strategic missions from Australia deep into the Netherlands East Indies. Earned a DUC for devastating attacks on Japanese oil installations at Balikpapan, Borneo.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Light)
A-20/A-26
Havoc
Flew A-20 Havocs and A-26 Invaders in the attack role from New Guinea through the Philippines. Provided devastating low-level fire support for Allied ground operations during MacArthur's island-hopping campaign.
Squadrons
5th Air Force — Fighter Groups
SWPA · 1942–1945
Fighter Group
The Blacksheep
P-47
Thunderbolt
One of the oldest fighter groups in the USAAF. Flew P-40s, P-38s, and P-47s across the SWPA from 1942 to VJ Day. Fought from Milne Bay through New Guinea, Leyte, Mindoro, and Ie Shima.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-51
Mustang
Flew P-39 Airacobras, P-47 Thunderbolts, and P-51 Mustangs across the Pacific. Fought the desperate early campaigns in New Guinea before joining the offensive drive through the Philippines.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
The Flying Knights
668
Aerial Victories
P-47
Thunderbolt
Home of America's top two aces: Major Richard Bong (40 kills) and Major Thomas McGuire (38 kills), both Medal of Honor recipients. The 49th was the highest-scoring fighter group in the 5th Air Force with 668 aerial victories.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew P-47 Thunderbolts in the SWPA from 1943. Provided escort for bombers and conducted fighter sweeps and ground attack missions across New Guinea and the Philippines.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-51
Mustang
Flew P-47 Thunderbolts and later P-51 Mustangs. Colonel Neel Kearby, the group's first CO, earned the Medal of Honor for shooting down six Japanese aircraft in a single engagement. Kearby scored 22 kills before being shot down.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
Satan's Angels
551
Aerial Victories
P-38
Lightning
'Satan's Angels' — the premier P-38 Lightning group in the Pacific. Activated in Australia in 1943 specifically to gain air superiority over New Guinea. The 475th was an all-P-38 group throughout the war, scoring 551 aerial victories.
Squadrons
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10
Bomb Groups
6
Fighter Groups
62+
Squadrons