AF.mil  
Join the Air Force

News > CENTAF now AFCENT with redesignation
 
Photos 
AFCENT Patch
United States Air Forces Central patch. (U.S. Air Force illustration)
Download HiRes
CENTAF now AFCENT with redesignation

Posted 3/17/2008   Updated 3/18/2008 Email story   Print story


3/17/2008 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) -- On January 1, 1983, United States Central Command Air Forces was activated as the air component of the United States Central Command. Twenty-five years later, in a ceremony here March 3, 2008, it took on a new name, United States Air Forces Central, and an enhanced way of employing forces in war.

The official date of the change is March 1, and Lt. Gen. Gary North, USAFCENT and 9th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony. 

The ceremony also included the inactivation of the 609th Air Intelligence Group, Air Intelligence Squadron, Combat Operations Squadron, Combat Plans Squadron, Air Support Squadron and the Information Operations Flight; the redesignation and assumption of command of the 609th Air Operations Group to the 609th Air Operations Center, which forms the core of the Combined Air and Space Operations Center and the 609th Air Operations Center, Detachment 1; and the activation and assumption of command of Detachment 5, U.S. Air Forces Central.

This redesignation effort marks the implementation of the chief of staff of the Air Force's direction to establish an Air Force component organization that is structured to operate and train every day in its wartime configuration. Warfighting organizations are being stood up around the globe to enhance the operational level support, planning, command, control, and execution of air, space and information operations capabilities across the full range of military operations.

USAFCENT is responsible for air operations, either unilaterally or in concert with coalition partners, and developing contingency plans in support of national objectives for USCENTCOM's 27-nation area of responsibility in Southwest Asia.

Comment on this story   (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

View the comments/letters page 



tabComments
No comments yet.  
Add a comment

 Inside AF.mil

ima cornerSearch

tabMore HeadlinesRSS feed 
Nominations open for civilian humanitarian award

Feb. 8 airpower summary

HAW mission growing, aids international relief support

Airmen provide intelligence needs for Red Flag

Kyrgyz community tour Transit Center at Manas

Keesler medical teams provide Haitian victim care

Altus officials temporarily relocate aircrew training

Macedonian officials visit Ramstein to advance partnerships, integration

Luke chapel gives for Haiti relief

480th ISR Wing Airmen aid Haiti recovery

Officer Training School celebrates 50th anniversary  
1


Feb. 7 airpower summary

Airmen support space shuttle launch  
1


Air Force secretary to headline symposium at Academy

tabCommentaryRSS feed 
Every little bit helps

A mentor's influence


Site Map      Contact Us     Questions     Security and Privacy notice     E-publishing