Air Force symbol with cradled Pacific Air Forces shield (clr), Commercial reproduction of this emblem is NOT permitted without the permission of the proponent organizational/unit commander. Image is 7x7 inches @ 300 ppi.
Pacific Air Forces, headquarted 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 45,000 military and civilian personnel serving in nine strategic locations and numerous smaller facilities, primarily in Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, Guam and the Republic of Korea. Approximately 340 fighter and attack aircraft are assigned to the command with approximately 100 additional deployed aircraft stationed rotationally on Guam. PACAF will be home to three of the seven F-22 fighter squadrons currently programmed, and is already home to the only two C-17 units based outside the continental United States.
Approximately 2,100 PACAF Airmen are deployed at any given time in support of the Overseas Contingency Operations, many participating in non-traditional missions such as convoy and detainee operations.
Organization
PACAF's major units are 5th Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Japan; 7th Air Force, Osan AB, Republic Korea; 11th Air Force, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.
Major units also include 3rd Wing, Elmendorf AFB; 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea; 15th Airlift Wing, Hickam AFB; 18th Wing, Kadena AB, Japan (Okinawa); 51st Fighter Wing, Osan AB; 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska; 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa AB, Japan; 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota AB; and the 36th Wing, Andersen AFB, Guam.
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 AFB 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, 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 Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines and other locations in support of contingency 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, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Since 1944, the command has participated in more than 140 humanitarian operations within its area of responsibility and beyond. In these operations PACAF personnel 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 AB, 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.
On Sept. 28, 2012, 13th Air Force was inactivated and combined with the staff of Pacific Air Forces at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
Point of Contact Pacific Air Forces, Public Affairs Office; 25 E Street, Suite G-108; Hickam AFB, Hawaii 96853-5496; DSN 448-3218 or 808-448-3218.
