VII Fighter Command

46th Fighter Wing VII Fighter Command
North American P-51D-20-NA Mustangs from the 45th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group flying a B-29 escort mission from Central Field, Iwo Jima, June 1945. Serials 44-63325 44-63314 44-63474 44-63428 identifiable.
Active	1942–1948
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army Air Forces
Role	Command and Control
Engagements	World War II Asiatic-Pacific Campaign (1944–1945)

The VII Fighter Command was a formation of the United States Army Air Forces. Its last assignment was with Far East Air Forces, based on Guam, Mariana Islands. It was inactivated after being redesignated the 46th Fighter Wing on 24 August 1948.

The command was established in Hawaii in February 1942. From its inception until March 1945, the mission of the command was the air defense of the Hawaii Territory. Within ten days after the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the VII Interceptor Command consolidated all Hawaiian Islands defense units. In May 1942, the unit was redesignated the VII Fighter Command, constituting the fighter arm of Seventh Air Force, and its defensive responsibilities expanded to include Midway Island; Canton Island Airfield in the Phoenix Islands and Christmas Island Airfield in the Line Islands.