Eleventh Air Force

Eleventh Air Force
Public domain · source
Unit name	Eleventh Air Force
Caption	Emblem of Eleventh Air Force
Dates	Established 1941–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Numbered Air Force
Role	Aerospace control and theater support
Garrison	Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
Nickname	Eleventh AF
Motto	Not used
Battles	Aleutian Islands Campaign, World War II
Notable commanders	General Henry H. Hap Arnold, General Mark A. Welsh III

Eleventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the Pacific Air Forces responsible for United States Air Force operations in Alaska and the Arctic. It traces origins to wartime commands formed during World War II and played a central role in the Aleutian Islands Campaign and Cold War air defense. Today it provides theater air component forces, training, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and homeland defense in coordination with Alaska Command, Alaska Air National Guard, Norad and joint partners.

History

Eleventh Air Force was activated in 1941 as part of pre‑war expansions under the United States Army Air Forces and responded to the Japanese occupation in the Aleutian Islands Campaign during World War II, linking operations to leaders such as General Henry H. Hap Arnold and General Jimmy Doolittle. During 1942–1943 it conducted long‑range bombing, maritime patrols, and air superiority missions from bases across the Aleutians, contributing to campaigns alongside the United States Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Postwar reorganization saw Eleventh AF transition under the newly independent United States Air Force in 1947 and assume Arctic air defense roles during the Cold War against strategic threats involving the Soviet Air Forces and strategic bomber routes. Throughout the late 20th century it integrated air defense with the North American Aerospace Defense Command and supported operations in Southeast Asia via aircraft deployments tied to commands like Pacific Air Forces and Alaska Air Command. After the September 11 attacks, Eleventh AF expanded homeland defense, counterterrorism, and personnel recovery missions, coordinating with United States Northern Command, Northern Command, and interagency partners. In recent decades it has modernized for Arctic operations, supporting exercises involving NORAD, RIMPAC, Red Flag-Alaska, and international partners including the Canadian Forces and Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

Organization and Units

Eleventh Air Force serves as the air component to Alaska Command and aligns with Pacific Air Forces; its headquarters is at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The Numbered Air Force oversees wings, groups, and squadrons such as the 3rd Wing, 354th Fighter Wing detachments in Alaska, the 11th Operations Group, and the 176th Wing of the Alaska Air National Guard when mobilized. It partners with specialized units including the 11th Air Control Wing (historical), the 611th Air Operations Center, the 531st Air Force Component staff elements, expeditionary units, and maintenance and logistics groups. Intelligence and surveillance are provided by units employing platforms from the 3rd Wing and associate units like the Advisory Group and elements of the Pacific Air Forces Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance enterprise. The command interfaces with joint and coalition commands such as United States Pacific Command (historical), Alaska NORAD Region, and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge for environmental coordination.

Aircraft and Equipment

Historically Eleventh AF operated a wide range of types, including the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, Bell P-39 Airacobra, and Curtiss P-40 Warhawk during World War II. Cold War and later inventory included the Convair B-36 Peacemaker deployments, Lockheed F-94 Starfire, McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II transient units, and airlift types such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. Modern assets associated with Eleventh AF missions include the Boeing F-22 Raptor operated by Elmendorf-based wings, the Lockheed C-17 Globemaster III of airlift elements, the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker for aerial refueling, and rotary assets like the Boeing CH-47 Chinook and Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk used for personnel recovery and search and rescue. ISR capabilities use platforms such as the RQ-4 Global Hawk and sensor suites integrated with command-and-control systems like the AWACS and regional radars tied into NORAD networks.

Operations and Missions

Eleventh Air Force conducts air defense, air superiority, maritime patrol, search and rescue, personnel recovery, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and joint training. Notable operations include combat and support missions in the Aleutian Islands Campaign, Cold War air defense patrols intercepting Soviet Air Forces aircraft, and participation in multinational exercises such as Red Flag-Alaska and Northern Edge. It provides rapid global mobility in support of operations with commands including U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and supports domestic disaster responses in coordination with Federal Emergency Management Agency and state authorities. The command also leads Arctic domain awareness initiatives, cold-weather training, and expeditionary deployments integrating with partner forces like the Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force.

Bases and Facilities

Headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage, Alaska, Eleventh Air Force operates across a network of installations including Eielson Air Force Base, forward operating locations in the Aleutians, and logistics hubs in Fairbanks and Nome. Historically significant sites include Adak Army Airfield, Dutch Harbor, and Attu Island facilities used during World War II. Modern infrastructure comprises airfields, radar sites, missile warning nodes, and cold‑weather training areas maintained in partnership with state and federal agencies, as well as shared-use facilities with the Alaska Air National Guard and civilian airports.

Commanders

Commanders of Eleventh Air Force have included senior Air Force leaders with subsequent high‑level assignments in commands such as Pacific Air Forces and the United States Air Force staff. Notable figures associated with the command and its lineage include General Henry H. Hap Arnold and General Mark A. Welsh III, among others who advanced to major combatant and staff roles. Commanders oversee joint integration with leaders from Alaska Command, NORAD Region commanders, and partner service component heads.

Insignia and Traditions

The Eleventh Air Force emblem reflects Alaskan motifs and aviation heritage, featuring colors and symbols consistent with USAF heraldry found in other numbered air forces. Traditions emphasize cold‑weather readiness, search‑and‑rescue culture, and commemoration of the Aleutian Campaign through unit ceremonies, museum displays at Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, and memorials at historical sites like Dutch Harbor and Adak. The command participates in heritage events, joint service observances, and maintains historical archives coordinated with the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

Category:United States Air Force Numbered Air Forces Category:Military units and formations established in 1941