United States Air Forces Southern Command

United States Air Forces Southern Command
USAF Southern Command emblem
Active20 November 1940 – 1 January 1976
(35 years, 1 month)
Detailed
  • 8 July 1963 – 1 January 1976 (as United States Air Forces Southern Command)
    31 July 1946 – 8 July 1963 (as Caribbean Air Command)
    18 September 1942 – 31 July 1946 (as Sixth Air Force)
    5 August 1941 - 18 September 1942 (as Caribbean Air Force)
    20 November 1940 – 5 August 1941 (as Panama Canal Air Force)
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
TypeMajor Command
Garrison/HQHoward Air Force Base, Panama
Engagements
World War II - Antisubmarine
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Hubert R. Harmon

The United States Air Forces Southern Command is an inactive Major Command of the United States Air Force. It was headquartered at Albrook Air Force Base, Canal Zone, being inactivated on 1 January 1976.

Initially designated Panama Canal Air Force when first established in October 1940, its mission was the defense of the Panama Canal. Later it took on United States Air Force relations, including foreign military sales (FMS) and disaster relief assistance, with the Latin American nations. The command supported disaster relief to countries such as Guatemala, Jamaica, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Colombia. It also assisted states in Central and South America in purchases of United States military aircraft and trained their technicians in logistics and maintenance for the aircraft.