Southeast Air District
| Third Air Force | |
|---|---|
F-15E Strike Eagle of the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England
|
|
| Active | 18 December 1940 – present |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Branch |
 United States Air Force
|
| Type | Numbered Air Force |
| Role | Provides combat-ready air forces for U.S. European Command and U.S. African Command |
| Part of |
 United States Air Forces in Europe.png){kind=small} United States Air Forces Africa U.S. European Command U.S. African Command
|
| Garrison/HQ | Ramstein Air Base |
| Engagements |
|
| Decorations |
|
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Lt Gen Richard M. Clark |
| Notable commanders |
Lewis H. Brereton Roscoe C. Wilson Francis H. Griswold |
| Insignia | |
| Emblem of the Third Air Force |  |
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The Third Air Force (3 AF) is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA). Its headquarters is Ramstein Air Base, Germany. It is responsible for all U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa operations and support activities in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command's areas of responsibility.
One of the four original pre–World War II numbered air forces, it was established on 26 March 1941, at Tampa, Florida with a mission of air defense of the Southeastern United States and Gulf Coast regions. During the war, its primary mission became the organization and training of combat units prior to their deployment to the overseas combat air forces.
Its Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant Phillip L. Easton.
The command directs all USAFE and AFAFRICA forces engaged in contingency and wartime operations in the United States European Command (EUCOM) and United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) areas of responsibility. It also has a unique mission as the U.S. military's primary liaison to the British government, which is conducted through the command's 3 AF-UK headquarters at RAF Mildenhall, England. As an integral part of America's commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Third Air Force's area of responsibility includes Air Force missions and personnel in Europe and Africa.
The command also serves as Headquarters United States European Command's "single point of contact" for representing U.S. forces in negotiations with the British government, Third Air Force oversees host nation support agreements for all U.S. military forces based in the United Kingdom through the command's 3 AF-UK headquarters at RAF Mildenhall.
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