Second Air Force

Second Air Force
Unit name	Second Air Force
Caption	Emblem of the Second Air Force
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Numbered Air Force
Role	Training and certification
Garrison	Barksdale Air Force Base
Motto	"Second to None"
Battles	World War II, Cold War
Commander1	Major General (placeholder)

Second Air Force Second Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force responsible for advanced training and operational preparation for strategic forces. Rooted in early World War II expansion, it has evolved through Strategic Air Command eras, Air Combat Command realignments, and modern Air Education and Training Command missions. Its lineage links to historic bomber training programs, strategic deterrence, and contemporary test and evaluation roles supporting nuclear-capable and conventional units.

History

Established during the rapid mobilization prior to World War II, Second Air Force oversaw heavy bomber training and crew preparation for theaters including the European Theater of Operations and the Pacific Theater of Operations. During the World War II years it coordinated with United States Army Air Forces commands, supported the development of aircraft like the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-29 Superfortress, and interacted with logistics hubs such as Wright Field and McClellan Air Force Base. Postwar reorganization placed it under Strategic Air Command where Second Air Force managed strategic bomber wings and nuclear-capable units alongside bases like Barksdale Air Force Base and Kadena Air Base. Cold War deployments integrated with NATO frameworks, connections to United States Air Forces in Europe, and deterrence patrols related to crises like the Cuban Missile Crisis. With the dissolution of Strategic Air Command and broader USAF restructuring, Second Air Force transitioned roles within Air Education and Training Command, adopting responsibilities tied to technical training, flying training, and readiness oversight.

Organization and Structure

Second Air Force is organized into numbered wings, groups, and squadrons reporting through the Air Force Global Strike Command and, historically, Air Education and Training Command. Its command echelon aligns with headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base and subordinate wings at installations such as Keesler Air Force Base, Sheppard Air Force Base, and Whiteman Air Force Base. Administrative coordination occurs with major commands like Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, and support agencies including Air Force Personnel Center and Air Force Materiel Command. Training pipelines interact with institutions such as the United States Air Force Academy, Air University, and technical schools at Goodfellow Air Force Base. The structure supports liaison with combatant commands including United States Northern Command and United States Strategic Command.

Roles and Missions

Second Air Force conducts advanced flight training, operational test and evaluation, and certification of aircrew for strategic and bomber forces, linking to platforms like the B-52 Stratofortress, B-1 Lancer, and B-2 Spirit. It executes missions in support of strategic deterrence, nuclear surety, and global strike readiness while ensuring compliance with directives from the Secretary of the Air Force and doctrinal guidance from Air Force Doctrine Publication 3-70 (doctrinal example). The numbered air force provides curriculum oversight for enlisted technical training, professional military education associated with Noncommissioned Officer Academy programs, and joint training with partners such as United States Army, United States Navy, and allied air arms from Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force. It also interfaces with civilian agencies including the Department of Energy for nuclear stewardship and coordinates contingency response with Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Units and Bases

Second Air Force has commanded units across the continental United States and overseas, including wings at Barksdale Air Force Base, Whiteman Air Force Base, Keesler Air Force Base, Sheppard Air Force Base, Vance Air Force Base, and Laughlin Air Force Base. Squadrons under its purview historically included bomber squadrons equipped with B-17 Flying Fortress and B-29 Superfortress, and modern bomber and tanker training units linked to the 358th Fighter Wing (example), 2nd Bomb Wing, and other numbered wings. Connections extend to test ranges such as Eglin Air Force Base and Tyndall Air Force Base, and joint facilities like Naval Air Station Fallon. Support establishments include logistics centers at Ogden Air Logistics Complex and San Antonio Air Logistics Complex.

Aircraft and Equipment

Aircraft historically associated with Second Air Force include the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator, Boeing B-29 Superfortress, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, Rockwell B-1 Lancer, and Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit. Training fleets and support aircraft have included the T-38 Talon, T-6 Texan II, KC-135 Stratotanker, and unmanned systems like the MQ-9 Reaper for certain mission sets. Ground equipment and systems integrated into Second Air Force responsibilities encompass strategic command and control suites, nuclear surety instrumentation, and maintenance programs coordinated with Air Force Sustainment Center and defense contractors such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin.

Notable Operations and Deployments

Second Air Force units participated indirectly in strategic campaigns during World War II including operations supporting the Combined Bomber Offensive and Firebombing of Tokyo via bomber crew training for XX Bomber Command and Eighth Air Force units. Cold War activities tied to strategic alert posture during events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and NATO readiness exercises exemplify its deterrence-linked role. Training and deployment support extended to operations in the post-9/11 era, facilitating deployments to theaters like Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom through crew and maintenance readiness programs. Humanitarian and domestic response involvements have included support to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and partnership responses coordinated with United States Northern Command.

Commanders and Leadership

Leadership of Second Air Force has included commanders drawn from senior USAF leadership with backgrounds in bomber operations, training, and strategic deterrence; notable contemporaries have held ranks such as Major General and Lieutenant General. Command relationships connect to service-level leaders like the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and civilian oversight from the Secretary of the Air Force. Historical interactions included coordination with commanders of Strategic Air Command, leaders of Air Education and Training Command, and joint force commanders of United States Strategic Command and United States Central Command.

Category:United States Air Force numbered air forces