PACIFIC AIR FORCES
Pacific Air Forces, with headquarters at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, is a major command of the U.S. Air Force and is the air component of the U.S. Pacific Command.
Mission
PACAF's primary mission is to provide U.S. Pacific Command integrated expeditionary Air Force capabilities to defend the homeland, promote stability, dissuade/deter aggression, and swiftly defeat enemies.
The command's vision is to bring the full power of America's Air Force and the skill of its Airmen to promote peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
PACAF's area of responsibility extends from the west coast of the United States to the east coast of Africa and from the Arctic to the Antarctic, covering more than 100 million square miles. The area is home to 50 percent of the world's population in 36 nations and over one-third of the global economic output. The unique location of the Strategic Triangle (Hawaii-Guam-Alaska) gives our nation persistent presence and options to project U.S. airpower from sovereign territory.
Personnel and Resources
The command has approximately 43,000 military and civilian personnel serving in nine strategic locations and numerous smaller facilities, primarily in Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, Guam and South Korea. Approximately 340 fighter and attack aircraft are assigned to the command with about 100 deployed aircraft rotating on Guam. PACAF will be home to three of the seven F-22 Raptor fighter squadrons, and is already home to the only two C-17 Globemaster III units based outside the continental United States.
Organization
PACAF's major units are 5th Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Japan; 7th Air Force, Osan AB, South Korea; 11th Air Force, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska; and 13th Air Force, Hickam AFB, Hawaii.
Major units also include 3rd Wing, Elmendorf AFB ; 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan AB, South Korea; 15th Airlift Wing, Hickam AFB; 18th Wing, Kadena AB, Japan (Okinawa); 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa AB, Japan; 36th Wing, Andersen AFB, Guam; 51st Fighter Wing, Osan AB; 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska; and 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota AB, Japan.
History
PACAF traces its roots to the activation of Far East Air Forces, Aug. 3, 1944, at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. FEAF was subordinate to the U.S. Army Forces Far East and served as the headquarters of Allied Air Forces Southwest Pacific Area. By 1945, three numbered air forces -- 5th, 7th and 13th -- were supporting operations in the Pacific. At that time, the Army Air Forces in the Pacific became part of the largest and most powerful military organization ever fielded by any country in the world.
After World II, FEAF and 5th Air Force remained in Japan, while 7th Air Force operated from Hawaii, and 13th Air Force from the Philippines. In the post-war years, FEAF was designated the theater air force for the Far East Command. All air forces in the Far East and Southwest Pacific were placed under one Air Force commander for the first time.
When the North Koreans crossed the 38th parallel June 25, 1950, FEAF consisted of 5th Air Force, 13th Air Force, 20th Air Force and the Far East Materiel Command. Four years after the Korean War armistice, FEAF was redesignated Pacific Air Forces and transferred its headquarters to Hickam.
By 1960, PACAF maintained a combat-ready deterrent force of some 35 squadrons, operating from 10 major bases in a half-dozen countries. In the early 1960s communist military strength and firepower in Vietnam increased. As a result, PACAF began a buildup in the area with the addition of troops and better arms and equipment.
Combat aircraft of PACAF flew their last strikes in Cambodia Aug. 15, 1973, writing the final chapter to the long and costly history of active American participation in the Indochina War. The post-Vietnam era found the command focusing on improving its readiness.
PACAF's organizational structure saw a marked period of rapid and extensive changes. Andersen was reassigned from Strategic Air Command in 1989, and 11th Air Force became a part of the command in late 1990. Following the volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Clark AB, the Philippines, was closed and 13th Air Force relocated to Andersen in 1991.
In 1992, changes took place in force structure within PACAF as the command assumed control of theater-based tactical airlift wings, theater C-130 aircraft and crews, and associated theater C-130 support. PACAF also gained control of all operational support aircraft and all aeromedical airlift assets in the Pacific.
Throughout its history PACAF has played a vital role in world events. In addition to its key combat role in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, PACAF units fought in Desert Storm in 1991, and they continue to deploy to Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Italy for peacekeeping operations. PACAF provided its expertise, aircraft, personnel and equipment to facilitate the new Expeditionary Air Force, especially as it applied to successful airbridge operations spanning the vast Pacific Ocean. Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, PACAF again demonstrated its intrepid spirit through its units deployed in support of operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom.
Since 1944, the command has participated in more than 140 humanitarian operations within its area of responsibility and beyond. In these operations PACAF people quickly and efficiently airlifted food, medicine and other supplies to areas devastated by storms, floods, earthquakes, volcanoes and other natural disasters.
Additionally, the command supported three of the largest evacuations ever undertaken by the Air Force: the Newlife evacuation of Vietnamese in 1975, the Fiery Vigil evacuation of Clark Air Base, Philippines, after the 1991 volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo, and the Pacific Haven operation to support and resettle Kurdish evacuees in 1997.
Recent efforts include support of tsunami relief efforts during Operation Unified Assistance in 2006. PACAF stood up a 24/7 air operations center to organize rescue and relief flight efforts by the Air Force as well as Navy, Marine, Coast Guard and other nations. In 2008, PACAF delivered winter supplies and food to China to help victims of China's worst winter storms in more than 50 years. PACAF also delivered 2,000,000 pounds of relief supplies after China was hit by a devastating earthquake and assisted with Burma cyclone relief by preparing C-17s to transport personnel and supplies.
For more than five decades PACAF has served in defense of the nation. The command continually prepares to bring air power quickly and decisively to the far reaches of the Pacific.
Point of Contact
Pacific Air Forces, Public Affairs Office; 25 E Street, Suite G-108; Hickam AFB, Hawaii 96853-5496; DSN 449-3218 or 808-449-3218.
June 2009
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