U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa | |
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KC-135R from RAF Mildenhall, England refueling F-16Cs from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. A 494th Fighter Squadron F-15E Strike Eagle from RAF Lakenheath, England takes to the sky A C-130H from Ramstein Air Base, Germany flying past Omaha Beach, Normandy, France; this unit has since transitioned to the C-130J An F-16C from Aviano Air Base taxiing in the shadow of the Italian Alps. |
|
Active | 7 August 1945 – Current |
Country | United States of America |
Branch |
United States Army Air Force (1945–1947) United States Air Force(1947 – present) |
Type | Major Command |
Role | Provide combat-ready air forces, and serve as the air component for U.S. European Command and U.S. African Command |
Part of |
U.S. European Command U.S. African Command |
Garrison/HQ | Ramstein Air Base, Germany |
Engagements |
World War II European-African-Middle Eastern Service. World War II Army of Occupation (Germany) Berlin: Humanitarian Airlift |
Decorations |
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award Streamer (12x) |
Commanders | |
Current commander |
General Tod D. Wolters |
Notable commanders |
Lt General Curtis E. LeMay General John P. Jumper General David C. Jones General Richard H. Ellis General Michael J. Dugan General Mark A. Welsh III |
Insignia | |
Emblem of United States Air Forces in Europe | |
Emblem of US Air Forces Africa |
The United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) is a United States Air Force major command (MAJCOM) and a component command of both United States European Command (USEUCOM) and United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM). As part of its mission, USAFE-AFAFRICA commands U.S. Air Force units pledged to NATO, maintaining combat-ready wings based from Great Britain to Turkey. USAFE-AFAFRICA plans, conducts, controls, coordinates and supports air and space operations in Europe, parts of Asia and all of Africa with the exception of Egypt to achieve U.S. national and NATO objectives based on taskings by the two combatant commanders.
USAFE-AFAFRICA is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. It is the oldest continuously active USAF major command, originally activated on 1 February 1942 at Langley Field, Virginia, as the Eighth Air Force of the United States Army Air Forces. Two years later, it was designated as United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe (USSTAF) and on 7 August 1945 it was designated as United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). On 20 April 2012 United States Air Forces in Europe formally became the U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa when the 17th Air Force inactivated.
The commander of USAFE-AFAFRICA is General Tod D. Wolters and Chief Master Sergeant Kaleth O. Wright is the Command Chief Master Sergeant. The command has more than 35,000 active duty personnel, Air Reserve Component personnel, and civilian employees assigned.