U.S. Army Air Forces · 1941–1945
USAAF Order of Battle
Every numbered air force that fought in World War II. Select an air force to explore its bomb groups, fighter groups, and squadrons - from the Mighty Eighth over Europe to the Flying Tigers over China.
European Theater
1942–1945
The air war over Nazi-occupied Europe - from England, Italy, and North Africa.
8th Air Force
The Mighty Eighth
ETO
England
39
Bomb Groups
15
Fighter Groups
200+
Squadrons
The largest air armada ever assembled. Based across England, the 8th waged the strategic daylight bombing campaign against Nazi Germany. Suffered more casualties than the entire U.S. Marine Corps - over 26,000 killed and 28,000 captured.
9th Air Force
The Tactical Air Force
ETO
France / Belgium / Germany
11
Bomb Groups
17
Fighter Groups
95+
Squadrons
The tactical hammer of D-Day and the drive across Europe. The 9th provided close air support, interdiction, and fighter-bomber strikes that broke the Wehrmacht's ability to maneuver from Normandy to the Rhine.
12th Air Force
The Tactical Warriors
MTO
North Africa / Sicily / Italy
12
Bomb Groups
16
Fighter Groups
97+
Squadrons
First USAAF numbered air force to see combat in the European war - flying from North Africa during Operation Torch. Fought through Tunisia, Sicily, and up the Italian boot providing tactical air power in the Mediterranean.
15th Air Force
The Ploesti Raiders
MTO
Foggia, Italy
21
Bomb Groups
7
Fighter Groups
106+
Squadrons
Strategic bombing from the Foggia complex in southern Italy. The 15th struck oil refineries at Ploesti, aircraft factories across the Reich, and every target within range. Home of the 332nd Fighter Group - the legendary Tuskegee Airmen Red Tails.
Pacific Theater
1941–1945
Island-hopping across the Pacific - from Pearl Harbor to the doorstep of Japan.
5th Air Force
Kenney's Kids
SWPA
Australia / New Guinea / Philippines
10
Bomb Groups
6
Fighter Groups
62+
Squadrons
General George Kenney's air force in the Southwest Pacific. Home of America's top two aces - Richard Bong (40 kills) and Thomas McGuire (38 kills). Units like the Jolly Rogers, Air Apaches, and Satan's Angels fought from Australia to the Philippines.
7th Air Force
The Sunsetters
CENTRAL PACIFIC
Hawaii / Saipan / Iwo Jima
4
Bomb Groups
5
Fighter Groups
31+
Squadrons
Originally the Hawaiian Air Force - present at Hickam Field during the Pearl Harbor attack. The 7th's fighter groups deployed to Iwo Jima to fly the longest fighter missions of the war: 1,500-mile P-51 Mustang escort runs to Tokyo.
13th Air Force
The Jungle Air Force
SOUTH PACIFIC
Guadalcanal / New Georgia / Philippines
4
Bomb Groups
2
Fighter Groups
23+
Squadrons
The 'Jungle Air Force' of the South Pacific. Fought from Guadalcanal through the Solomons to the Philippines. The 347th Fighter Group flew the mission that intercepted and killed Admiral Yamamoto on April 18, 1943.
20th Air Force
The Superfortress Force
PACIFIC
Mariana Islands (Guam / Tinian / Saipan)
21
Bomb Groups
4
Fighter Groups
79+
Squadrons
The B-29 Superfortress strategic bombing force - reporting directly to General Hap Arnold in Washington. From the Marianas, the 20th burned Japan's industrial cities to the ground and delivered the atomic bombs that ended the war.
China-Burma-India Theater
1942–1945
The forgotten theater - flying the Hump, fighting in Burma, and striking from China.
10th Air Force
The CBI Pioneers
CBI
India / Burma
4
Bomb Groups
6
Fighter Groups
37+
Squadrons
The air force of India and Burma. Flew the Hump airlift over the Himalayas, supported Wingate's Chindits with the Air Commandos, and struck Japanese supply lines across Burma. The 1st Air Commando Group pioneered air assault warfare.
14th Air Force
The Flying Tigers
CBI
Kunming, China
3
Bomb Groups
5
Fighter Groups
31+
Squadrons
Chennault's Flying Tigers - the successor to the legendary AVG. Every bullet, bomb, and drop of fuel was flown over the Himalayan Hump from India. Despite chronic supply shortages, the 14th achieved a 7.7:1 kill ratio against the Japanese.
Western Hemisphere
1941–1945
Defending the Panama Canal and hunting U-boats in the Caribbean.
6th Air Force
The Canal Defenders
CARIBBEAN
Panama Canal Zone
2
Bomb Groups
3
Fighter Groups
23+
Squadrons
Guarded the most critical strategic chokepoint in the Western Hemisphere - the Panama Canal. Flew antisubmarine patrols across the Caribbean hunting German U-boats that threatened Allied shipping lanes.
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11
Air Forces
217
Groups
784+
Squadrons