United States Pacific Air Forces

United States Pacific Air Forces
Command structure	United States Indo-Pacific Command
Garrison	Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii
Garrison label	Headquarters

United States Pacific Air Forces. It is the air component of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, responsible for air operations across the vast Indo-Pacific region. Headquartered at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam in Hawaii, it provides combat-ready airpower to uphold security commitments and ensure stability. The command oversees tens of thousands of personnel and hundreds of aircraft across multiple bases and nations.

History

The command's origins trace to the World War II-era Far East Air Forces, which directed operations against Imperial Japan. It was redesignated as Pacific Air Command after the war and later as Pacific Air Forces in 1957, with its headquarters moving to Hickam Air Force Base. Throughout the Cold War, it played a central role in conflicts including the Korean War, where units like the Fifth Air Force engaged in intense air campaigns, and the Vietnam War, orchestrating massive bombing operations such as Operation Rolling Thunder and Operation Linebacker II. Following the Cold War, it supported operations like Operation Desert Storm and has since pivoted focus towards great power competition, integrating with allies like the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Republic of Korea Air Force.

Organization

The command is a Major Command of the United States Air Force and serves as the air component for United States Indo-Pacific Command. Its structure includes numbered air forces that provide operational leadership across geographic areas. The Fifth Air Force, headquartered at Yokota Air Base in Japan, oversees forces in Japan and the Korea Peninsula. The Seventh Air Force, at Osan Air Base in South Korea, is focused on the Korean Theater of Operations. The Eleventh Air Force, based at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Alaska, is responsible for the Arctic and North Pacific regions. These subordinate commands coordinate with components of the United States Navy and United States Army under the Joint Task Force construct.

Major units

Key flying wings under its purview include the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, operating the F-15C/D Eagle and KC-135 Stratotanker. The 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon, while the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base operates the A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-16. In Alaska, the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base hosts F-35A Lightning II and F-16 aircraft, and the 3rd Wing at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson flies the F-22 Raptor. These units are supported by airlift and reconnaissance assets like the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base with C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.

Operations and exercises

The command conducts continuous operations to ensure regional deterrence and readiness. It maintains a persistent bomber presence through Bomber Task Force missions, deploying aircraft like the B-52 Stratofortress and B-1B Lancer from bases such as Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. Major annual exercises include Cope North, a large-scale multilateral exercise in Guam with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force; Red Flag – Alaska, an advanced aerial combat training at Eielson Air Force Base; and Key Resolve and Foal Eagle, joint drills with the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. It also participates in Pacific Sentry and Keen Edge to enhance interoperability with key allies.

Commanders

Notable former commanders include General Curtis LeMay, who later served as Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force; General Lauris Norstad, who became Supreme Allied Commander Europe; and General John D. W. Corley. Recent commanders have been pivotal in the Pacific Pivot strategy, such as General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy and General Kenneth S. Wilsbach. The commander typically holds the rank of General and also serves as the air component chief for United States Indo-Pacific Command, reporting directly to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Installations

Primary operating bases span the region, forming a strategic network. Major installations include Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, a key hub for airpower projection; Yokota Air Base, the western headquarters in Tokyo; and Osan Air Base and Kunsan Air Base in South Korea. In the Central Pacific, Andersen Air Force Base on Guam is critical for power projection and bomber operations. Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam serves as the main headquarters, while Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson anchor the Alaskan front. Forward operating locations also exist in places like Singapore at Paya Lebar Airbase and Thailand at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base.

Category:United States Air Force commands