Third Air Force

Third Air Force (Air Forces Europe)
Shield of the Third Air Force
Active1 December 2006 – present (as Third Air Force (Air Forces Europe))
1 May 1951 – 1 November 2005 (as Third Air Force)
26 March 1941 – 1 November 1946 (as Third Air Force)
18 December 1940 – 26 March 1941 (as Southeast Air District)
(c. 78 years)[a][1]
Country United States of America
Branch United States Air Force (18 September 1947 – present)
United States Army ( Army Air Forces, 20 June 1941 – 18 September 1947; Army Air Corps 19 October 1940 – 20 June 1941)
TypeNumbered Air Force
RoleProvides combat-ready air forces for U.S. European Command and U.S. African Command[2]
Part of United States Air Forces in Europe
United States Air Forces Africa
U.S. European Command
U.S. African Command
HeadquartersRamstein Air Base, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Motto(s)Develop - Defend - Deliver
Engagements
World War II – American Theater

Kosovo War – Air Campaign[1]
Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Websitewww.usafe.af.mil/About-Us/3rd-Air-Force/
Commanders
CommanderMaj Gen Paul Moga[3]
Vice CommanderCol Calvin B. Powell
Command ChiefCCM Stephanie A. Cates
Notable
commanders
Lewis H. Brereton
Roscoe C. Wilson
Francis H. Griswold
William D. Dunham
Frank L. Gailer Jr.

The Third Air Force (Air Forces Europe) (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, and operations and support activities in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command's 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.

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. Several airfields are associated with the Third Air Force.


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  1. ^ a b Haulman, Daniel L. (3 April 2019). "Third Air Force (USAFE) Fact Sheet". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  2. ^ "3rd Air Force". www.usafe.af.mil.
  3. ^ "Third Air Force welcomes new commander". U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa. Ramstein Air Base, Germany: HQ USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.