Third Air Force

Third Air Force. It is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force, assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA). Headquartered at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom, it is responsible for U.S. air and space operations across a vast area including Europe, parts of Asia, and all of Africa. The command supports NATO alliances, conducts expeditionary operations, and provides critical air mobility, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and agile combat support.

History

The unit was originally activated as the Southeast Air District of the United States Army Air Corps in 1940 at MacDill Field, Florida. Redesignated in March 1941, it served as a training organization during World War II, responsible for aircrew and unit training under the First Air Force and later the Army Air Forces Training Command. After the war, it was inactivated in 1945 before being reactivated in 1946 at Greenville Army Air Base, South Carolina, transitioning to the new United States Air Force in 1947. In 1948, it moved to RAF South Ruislip in the United Kingdom, becoming a key component of the newly established United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). During the Cold War, it was central to deterrence against the Soviet Union, overseeing numerous fighter and reconnaissance wings. Following the Cold War, it supported operations like Operation Desert Storm and later saw its area of responsibility expand to include the entire continent of Africa.

Organization

It is a major command echelon under United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa. Its structure includes several wings and groups spread across multiple countries. Key subordinate units include the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, and the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Other significant units are the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, the 352nd Special Operations Wing at RAF Mildenhall, and the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing at Ramstein Air Base. It also exercises coordination over geographically separated units and expeditionary groups supporting operations across the European Command and Africa Command areas.

Bases

Its headquarters is located at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England. Major operating locations include Ramstein Air Base in Germany, a primary hub for air mobility and command and control, and Aviano Air Base in Italy, a forward fighter base. RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom hosts the largest United States Air Force fighter wing in Europe. Other significant installations are Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, and Morón Air Base in Spain. It also maintains a presence at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti and supports operations from various Cooperative Security Locations across Africa and Eastern Europe.

Aircraft

The command operates a diverse fleet to fulfill its multi-role missions. Fighter aircraft include the F-15 Eagle and the F-16 Fighting Falcon, with the newer F-35 Lightning II being introduced at RAF Lakenheath. Air mobility is provided by the C-130J Super Hercules and the C-21. The KC-135 Stratotanker provides critical aerial refueling. Special operations forces utilize the CV-22 Osprey and the MC-130J Commando II. The U-2 Dragon Lady and RQ-4 Global Hawk provide high-altitude intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The E-3 Sentry (AWACS) and E-8 Joint STARS offer airborne command and control and battle management.

Commanders

Notable commanders have included Major General John K. Cannon, who led during its early World War II training period. Lieutenant General Idwal H. Edwards commanded in the late 1940s during its transition to Europe. Major General Gordon P. Saville served as commander in the early 1950s. More recent commanders include Lieutenant General Frank Gorenc, who later led United States Air Forces in Europe, and Lieutenant General Timothy M. Ray. The commander typically holds the rank of lieutenant general and also serves as the Deputy Commander of United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa.

Operations

It plans and executes airpower operations across the US European Command and US Africa Command theaters. It provides forces for NATO missions, including Enhanced Air Policing in the Baltic states and Operation Atlantic Resolve. It has been integral to contingency operations such as Operation Unified Protector over Libya, Operation Inherent Resolve against the Islamic State, and Operation Allies Refuge following the War in Afghanistan. In Africa, it supports counter-terrorism missions like Operation Juniper Shield in the Sahel and provides disaster relief and partnership capacity building across the continent. The command also manages the European Distributed Mission Operations Center and oversees numerous joint and combined exercises with allies.