United States Army Air Forces

The United States Army Air Forces was the main air service of the United States Army during and after World War II. It started on June 20, 1941, replacing the older United States Army Air Corps. The AAF grew very quickly during the war, reaching over 2.4 million people and nearly 80,000 airplanes by 1944. It had many bases in the United States and operated from more than 1,600 airfields around the world by the end of the war in Europe, known as V-E Day.

The AAF was created to give the air arm more control and to solve problems inside the Army about how aviation should be organized. Even though it stayed part of the Army, it acted almost like an independent service by the end of the war. Other countries, like the United Kingdom with its Royal Air Force and Germany with its Luftwaffe, already had separate air forces. In 1947, after the war, the United States Air Force was created as its own branch of the military, following the National Security Act of 1947.

Creation

The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) began as a way to improve how air power was used in the military. Before this, ideas about strategic bombing were developed at the Air Corps Tactical School. Leaders like Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell pushed for an independent air force, but faced resistance.

In 1935, the command of all combat air units in the United States was centralized under a group called the General Headquarters Air Force. This was a step toward a separate air force, but it still had to support ground forces.

When the United States entered World War II, the need for a better organized air force became clear. On 20 June 1941, the USAAF was created, led by Henry H. Arnold. This gave the air forces more control and autonomy. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Arnold gained a seat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, giving the USAAF more equality with other military branches.

The USAAF went through several changes to improve its structure. By March 1942, it was organized into three main parts, and later reforms simplified its command. These changes helped the USAAF become a strong and effective part of the military during the war.

Main article: Air warfare of World War II

Expansion

The United States Army Air Forces began growing quickly in 1939 under President Roosevelt’s direction. Starting with just 800 combat airplanes, the Air Corps aimed to build a strong air force to defend the Western Hemisphere. By the time World War II started, plans were in place to build many more airplanes and airfields.

As the war continued, the Army Air Forces grew very quickly. By 1944, they had almost 2.4 million people and 80,000 airplanes. This huge growth required new training programs, better organization, and lots of new airfields. The Air Force became a major part of the U.S. military effort during World War II.

Main article: United States aircraft production during World War II

Organization and equipment

By the end of World War II, the United States Army Air Forces had created 16 numbered air forces spread around the world to fight the war. These included forces within the continental United States to support operations and provide air defense. These forces were organized into groups and squadrons for different tasks like bombing, fighting, and observation.

The USAAF used many types of aircraft, including bombers like the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and fighters like the North American P-51 Mustang. They also had planes for observation, transport, training, and other special duties. These aircraft helped the USAAF carry out its missions during the war.

Main article: List of military aircraft of the United States

Role in World War II

The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) played a crucial role during World War II as the main air force component of the U.S. Army. It was established in 1941 and became the direct predecessor of today’s United States Air Force.

The USAAF focused on strategic bombing campaigns against Germany and Japan. Early plans like AWPD/1 aimed to weaken Germany’s industrial capabilities through air attacks. Later plans, such as AWPD/42, adjusted targets to include facilities like U-boat bases. These efforts were part of a broader strategy to support Allied ground forces and disrupt enemy supply lines.

The USAAF also supported troops in different theaters of war. In Europe, they conducted bombing missions and provided air support for ground operations. In the Pacific, they assisted both ground forces and naval operations, helping to move troops and supplies across islands. The use of long-range bombers, such as the B-29 Superfortress, showed the growing power of air forces in warfare.

Culture

USAAF uniforms had different styles for men and women, and for different weather conditions. In winter, members wore olive-drab wool uniforms, while in summer, they wore lighter khaki cotton clothes. Officers had their own special uniforms, often with darker fabrics and extra details like shoulder straps.

Women in the USAAF, known as “Air WACs,” wore uniforms similar to other women in the Army. These included dresses, jackets, and skirts in olive drab or khaki colors. Special flight clothing was also made for women, including jackets and pants designed for flying missions.

The USAAF had special badges and insignia to show a person’s rank or job. These included wings for pilots and other air crew members, as well as patches worn on the shoulder to show which air force a person belonged to. These included the First Air Force in the Northeast United States, the Second Air Force in the Northwest United States, the Third Air Force in the Southeast United States, the Fourth Air Force in the Western United States, the Fifth Air Force in the Philippines and Australia, the Sixth Air Force, the Seventh Air Force in Hawaii, the Eighth Air Force in Europe, the Ninth Air Force in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe, the Tenth Air Force in India and Burma, the Eleventh Air Force in Alaska, the Twelfth Air Force in North Africa and the Mediterranean, the Thirteenth Air Force in the South Pacific, the Fourteenth Air Force in China, the Fifteenth Air Force in the Mediterranean, and the Twentieth Air Force in India, China, and the Mariana Islands.

Lineage of the United States Air Force

The United States Air Force has a long history that started with the Aeronautical Division, Signal Corps on 1 August 1907. Over the years, it went through several names and changes, including the Aviation Section, Signal Corps, the Division of Military Aeronautics, the Air Service, United States Army, and the United States Army Air Corps.

The United States Army Air Forces was established on 20 June 1941 and lasted until 18 September 1947. After that, it became the United States Air Force, which has been serving since 18 September 1947.