USAFE-AFAFRICA

USAFE-AFAFRICA
Unit name	United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa
Caption	Emblem of USAFE-AFAFRICA
Dates	1942–present (as USAFE)
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Major Command / Component Command
Role	Air and Space Power Projection
Size	Approximately 31,000 personnel
Command structure	United States Air Force, United States European Command, United States Africa Command
Garrison	Ramstein Air Base, Germany
Current commander	General James B. Hecker
Notable commanders	General Curtis LeMay, General John P. Jumper, General Tod D. Wolters

USAFE-AFAFRICA. The United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa is a Major Command of the United States Air Force and the air component for both the United States European Command and the United States Africa Command. Headquartered at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, it is responsible for all U.S. Air Force operations across the European and African continents. The command provides ready air and space power to support NATO alliances, conduct expeditionary operations, and build partnership capacity across two vital theaters.

History

The command traces its lineage to the Eighth Air Force, activated in Savannah, Georgia in 1942 before deploying to England to conduct strategic bombing campaigns over Nazi Germany. Following World War II, it was redesignated as United States Air Forces in Europe in 1945, becoming a permanent presence during the Cold War to deter the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. Throughout the Cold War, it operated key bases like RAF Lakenheath and Spangdahlem Air Base, and its units participated in critical operations such as the Berlin Airlift and the Vietnam War. After the Cold War, USAFE led air campaigns during the Gulf War, Kosovo War, and post-9/11 conflicts including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The dual-hatted USAFE-AFAFRICA structure was formally established in 2008 when it also became the air component for United States Africa Command.

Organization

USAFE-AFAFRICA is organized under the Headquarters United States Air Force at the Pentagon and serves as the air component for two unified combatant commands. Its command structure includes the Third Air Force, headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, which provides operational command and control for forces in Europe, and the Seventeenth Air Force, which fulfills a similar role for Africa Command. The command also directly oversees numerous wings, groups, and squadrons, and maintains critical liaison elements with key allies such as the Royal Air Force, the German Air Force, and the Italian Air Force. This structure is designed to ensure seamless integration with NATO command entities like Allied Air Command and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.

Mission and responsibilities

The primary mission is to conduct and enable air, space, and cyberspace operations to support U.S. and allied interests. This encompasses a full spectrum of activities from strategic deterrence and collective defense under NATO Article 5 to providing humanitarian assistance and conducting disaster relief. Key responsibilities include ensuring theater security cooperation, building the capacity of partner nations' air forces across Africa and Europe, and maintaining a credible rapid response capability. The command also plays a central role in executing the National Defense Strategy by posturing forces to counter strategic competitors like Russia and address transnational threats in regions such as the Sahel.

Component units and major bases

Major subordinate units include the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath operating the F-35A Lightning II and F-15E Strike Eagle, the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base providing global airlift with C-130J Super Hercules and C-21 aircraft. Other critical installations are RAF Mildenhall, home to KC-135 Stratotanker and special operations forces, Aviano Air Base in Italy hosting the 31st Fighter Wing, and Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. In Africa, key locations include Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti and a network of cooperative security locations across the continent.

Operations and exercises

The command is continuously engaged in real-world operations and multinational exercises. It provides the backbone for NATO's Air Policing missions over the Baltic states and Iceland, and supports ongoing missions like Operation Inherent Resolve. Major recurring exercises include DEFENDER-Europe, a large-scale land and air deployment exercise; African Lion, a joint exercise with Morocco and other African partners; and Astral Knight, focused on integrated air and missile defense. USAFE-AFAFRICA also regularly participates in exercises like Saber Junction with the U.S. Army and Cold Response with Norway to enhance interoperability with allied forces.

Commanders

Commanders have historically been influential United States Air Force generals. Early leaders included General Curtis LeMay, who later headed the Strategic Air Command. Notable recent commanders are General Roger A. Brady, General Philip M. Breedlove, who later served as Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and General Tod D. Wolters, who also held the NATO Supreme Allied Commander role. The current commander as of 2023 is General James B. Hecker, who previously served as commander of NATO Allied Air Command and the Ninth Air Force.

Category:United States Air Force commands