| Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) | |
|---|---|
 Shield of the Twelfth Air Force  Shield of Air Forces Southern | |
| Active | 29 February 2008 – present (as Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern)) 21 January 1951 – 29 February 2008 17 May 1946 – 1 July 1950 20 August 1942 – 31 August 1945 (as Twelfth Air Force) (82 years, 2 months)[1] |
| Country |  United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Air Force (18 September 1947 – present) United States Army ( Army Air Forces, 20 August 1941 – 18 September 1947) |
| Type | Numbered Air Force |
| Role | Air component to U.S. Southern Command[2] |
| Part of |  Air Combat Command U.S. Southern Command |
| Headquarters | Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, U.S. |
| Patron | Our Lady of Guadalupe |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations |  Meritorious Unit Commendation  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Maj Gen David A. Mineau |
| Notable commanders | James Doolittle John K. Cannon Tony McPeak |
The Twelfth Air Force (12 AF; Air Forces Southern, (AFSOUTH)) is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC). It is headquartered at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.
The command is the air component to United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) conducting security cooperation and providing air, space, and cyberspace capabilities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
Established on 20 August 1942 at Bolling Field, District of Columbia, 12th Air Force was a United States Army Air Forces combat air force deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of World War II. It engaged in operations in North Africa, the Mediterranean, and Western Europe. During the Cold War, 12 AF was one of the Numbered Air Forces of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and later Tactical Air Command (TAC), Its units engaged in combat operations during the Vietnam War, as well as Operation Desert Storm. As a result of the War on Terror, most Twelfth Air Force units have operated in the United States Central Command AOR.
Since 1987, Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) trains, equips, and prepares assigned units from Air Combat Command and also serves as the air and space component to United States Southern Command.
- ^ a b "Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
- ^ "12th AIR FORCE (AFSOUTH) History". 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern).