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United States Air Forces Central

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Article Genealogy
Parent: Third United States Army Hop 4
Expansion Funnel Raw 88 → Dedup 18 → NER 9 → Enqueued 6
1. Extracted88
2. After dedup18 (None)
3. After NER9 (None)
Rejected: 9 (not NE: 9)
4. Enqueued6 (None)
Similarity rejected: 3
United States Air Forces Central
Unit nameUnited States Air Forces Central
Dates1983–present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeNumbered Air Force
RoleAir combat
Command structureUnited States Central Command, Air Combat Command
GarrisonShaw Air Force Base
Garrison labelHeadquarters
NicknameAFCENT
BattlesGulf War, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraq War, Operation Inherent Resolve
Notable commandersCharles A. Horner, John P. Jumper, T. Michael Moseley

United States Air Forces Central. It is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force assigned to United States Central Command. As the air component for CENTCOM, it is responsible for air operations and air warfare across a 20-nation area of responsibility covering the Middle East, parts of North Africa, and Central Asia. Its headquarters is located at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

History

The command was originally established in 1983 as United States Central Command Air Forces, activated at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. Its creation was a direct response to the need for a dedicated air component following the establishment of United States Central Command itself. The unit saw its first major combat test during the Gulf War in 1991, where under the leadership of Charles A. Horner, it executed the massive Operation Desert Storm air campaign. Following the war, it enforced no-fly zones over Iraq through operations like Operation Southern Watch and Operation Northern Watch. After the September 11 attacks, it played a central role in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the subsequent Iraq War, overseeing the shock and awe campaign during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In recent years, its focus has shifted to the air campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Organization

As a Numbered Air Force, it is a major command echelon directly under the Air Combat Command for administrative and readiness functions, while operationally reporting to United States Central Command. Its structure includes several Air Expeditionary Wings and Groups that rotate into the AOR. Key subordinate units often include the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Dhafra Air Base and the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing at Ali Al Salem Air Base. It also exercises command over various Air Force Special Operations Command units and coordinates closely with allied air forces through entities like the Combined Air Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

Commanders

Commanders have historically been senior generals in the United States Air Force. The first commander was Robert C. Taylor. Notable commanders include Charles A. Horner, who led during the Gulf War; John P. Jumper, who later served as Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force; and T. Michael Moseley, another future Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. Other distinguished leaders have included Joseph W. Ralston, who later became Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO, and Lance L. Smith. The commander also typically holds the title of Combined Forces Air Component Commander for CENTCOM.

Operations

Its operations span decades of continuous engagement in the CENTCOM region. Major campaigns include the extensive air offensives of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. It has conducted prolonged counterinsurgency and close air support missions in Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom and in Iraq. Since 2014, it has led the U.S. air component of Operation Inherent Resolve, conducting strikes against ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq. It also participates in theater security cooperation exercises like Exercise Bright Star with partners such as the Egyptian Air Force and engages in maritime patrol operations in the Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait.

Aircraft

The command operates a diverse fleet of aircraft drawn from active, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve Command units on rotational deployments. Key fighter and attack aircraft include the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. It utilizes a range of bombers, including the B-1 Lancer, B-52 Stratofortress, and B-2 Spirit. Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance is provided by platforms like the E-3 Sentry, E-8 Joint STARS, RC-135, MQ-9 Reaper, and U-2 Dragon Lady. Critical support aircraft include the KC-135 Stratotanker, KC-10 Extender, C-17 Globemaster III, and C-130 Hercules.

Bases

Primary operating bases are spread across the AOR, often in host nations through formal status of forces agreements. Major hubs include Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which hosts the Combined Air Operations Center; Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates; and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. Other significant locations have included Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, and Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. Its permanent headquarters remains at Shaw Air Force Base in the United States, collocated with United States Army Central.

Category:Numbered Air Forces of the United States Air Force Category:United States Central Command