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Thirteenth Expeditionary Air Force

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The Thirteenth Expeditionary Air Force (13 EAF) is a provisional numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It is headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. It has never been stationed in the continental United States.

Thirteenth Expeditionary Air Force
Shield of the Thirteenth Air Force
Active29 September 2012 – present (as Thirteenth Expeditionary Air Force)
16 January 2007 – 28 September 2012 (as Thirteenth Air Force (Air Forces Pacific))
1 February 1953 – 16 January 2007
8 February 1952 – 1 February 1953
14 December 1942 – 8 February 1952 (as Thirteenth Air Force)
(81 years, 10 months)[1]
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force (18 September 1947 – present)
United States Army ( Army Air Forces, 14 December 1942 – 18 September 1947)
TypeNumbered Air Force
RoleProvide combat-ready air forces for U.S. Pacific Command[2]
Part of  Pacific Air Forces
  U.S. Pacific Command
Garrison/HQHickam Air Force Base, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii
Nickname(s)Jungle Air Force
Engagements
World War II – Asiatic-Pacific Theater [1]
Second Taiwan Strait Crisis
Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

Philippine Presidential Unit Citation

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm[1]
Commanders
Current
commander		Maj Gen Brandon D. Parker
Notable
commanders		Nathan F. Twining
Hubert R. Harmon
Benjamin O. Davis Jr.

The command plans, commands and controls, delivers, and assesses air, space, and information operations in the Asia-Pacific region—excluding the Korea theater of operations—across the security spectrum from peacetime engagement to major combat operations.

Established on 14 December 1942 at Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield, on New Caledonia, 13 AF was a United States Army Air Forces combat air force deployed to the Pacific Theater of World War II. It engaged in operations primarily in the South Pacific, attacking enemy forces in the Solomon Islands, Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaigns; Mariana and Palau Islands campaigns and the Philippines campaign (1944–45).

During the Cold War, 13 AF remained in the Philippines, providing air defense of the nation and becoming one of the Numbered Air Forces of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). During the Korean War, its units provided staging areas for people and equipment destined for the war zone. As the Vietnam War escalated during the late 1960s and early 1970s, 13th AF provided command and control for USAF units stationed in Thailand, its units conducting combat missions throughout Indochina until August 1973. 13 AF units last engaged in combat during the SS Mayaguez Incident in May 1975.

Returning to the Philippines after the Vietnam War ended in 1975, the command remained there until the 1991 evacuation of Clark Air Base after the Mount Pinatubo eruption and the United States withdrawal of military forces afterward.

It was inactivated on 28 September 2012 and its functions merged with PACAF. The next day, the organization was converted to provisional status and reactivated as the Thirteenth Expeditionary Air Force.

Overview

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The command is charged with planning, executing, and assessing operations in support of the U.S. Pacific Command commander's objectives. On behalf of the Pacific Air Forces commander, the 13th AF commander is positioned to command Air Force forces, combined or joint force air components, or a joint task force. Thirteenth AF also commands the only Air Force-led standing joint task force, Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, a collaborative Department of Defense and National Science Foundation effort supporting the U.S. Antarctic Program through Operation Deep Freeze.

Headquarters, 13 AF is made up of an A-staff (the Air Force Forces staff), personal staff, 613th Air and Space Operations Center (AOC), known as the Maj Richard Bong AOC, and the 613th Support Group. The 613th AOC is one of the U.S. Air Force's five full-capability AN/USQ-163 FALCONER weapon systems with the ability to plan, task, execute, monitor, and assess full-spectrum air, space, and information operations for the COMAFFOR and/or C/JFACC. The AOC serves as the nerve center of air operations during any campaign.

In June 1991, Mount Pinatubo buried Clark Air Base, Philippines, in volcanic ash, leading to the evacuation of military personnel and their families in Operation Fiery Vigil, eventually forcing the base to close 26 November 1991. Thirteenth AF relocated and officially established its headquarters at Andersen AFB, Guam, on 2 December 1991.

The command was moved from Guam to Hickam AFB in May 2005. In the early 2000s, 13 AF activated the 13th Air Expeditionary Group for a number of exercises, (February 2004-1 April 2004 for Exercise Balikatan 04; February–March 2004 for Exercise Cope Tiger 04; January–February 2005 for Exercise Cope Tiger 05.

Units

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Prior to its inactivation, two wings were permanently assigned to 13 AF:

  • 15th Wing, Hickam AFB Hawaii
    Partnered with the Hawaii Air National Guard, the 15th WG provides strategic, tactical and command airlift with C-17s, one specially configured C-40 and one C-37. It also includes a squadron of Lockheed F-22s. Finally it serves as an important en-route location for transient aircraft.
  • 36th Wing, Andersen AFB, Guam
    The 36th WG has an expansive mission to support global projection and reach from its strategic location in the Pacific.

On 5 January 2007, Detachment 1, 13 AF was activated at Yokota AB, Japan. Det 1 is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing air operations around Japan in coordination with the Japan Air Self Defense Force, through the Fifth Air Force staff at Yokota, and the 613th Air and Space Operations Center at Hickam.

The 613th Support Group maintains a consolidated commander's support staff providing personnel support for the entire headquarters; an operational support flight providing facility, training, readiness, and security management; and has two subordinate units: the 56th Air and Space Communications Squadron and the 17th Operational Weather Squadron.

The 13th Air Expeditionary Group, and formerly the 500th Air Expeditionary Group, is activated seasonally to support Operation Deep Freeze in the Antarctic.

History

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Thirteenth Air Force has never been stationed in the continental United States; it is also one of the oldest, continuously active, numbered air forces. It engaged in combat in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Since World War II, it has provided air defense in the Far East, primarily the Philippines, until the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo forced the closure of Clark AB. Numerous Thirteenth Air Force organizations participated in Southeast Asia combat operations in the 1960s and 1970s.

Lineage

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  • Established as Thirteenth Air Force on 14 December 1942
Activated on 13 January 1943
Inactivated on 8 February 1952
  • Activated on 1 February 1953
Redesignated as Thirteenth Air Force (Air Forces Pacific) on 16 January 2007
Inactivated on 28 September 2012
  • Redesignated as Thirteenth Expeditionary Air Force, and converted to provisional status, on 29 September 2012
Activated on 29 September 2012[3]

Assignments

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Stations

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World War II

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Commands

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During World War II, 13th AF consisted of two major commands, XIII Fighter Command and XIII Bomber Command.

XIII Fighter Command
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Activated on 13 January 1943. Served in combat with Thirteenth AF until the end of the war. Inactivated in the Philippines on 15 March 1946. Disbanded on 8 October 1948.

Groups

  • 18th Fighter Group (1943–47) (P-40F, P-39, P-38, P-61, P-70)
    (Transferred from Fifth Air Force, Hickam Field, Hawaii in March 1943).
  • 347th Fighter Group (1942–45) (P-39, P-38, P-40, P-400)
    (Established on New Caledonia on 3 October 1942)
  • 4th Reconnaissance Group (1943–45) (F-4 (P-38))
  • 403d Troop Carrier Group (1943–46) (C-46, C-47)
  • Unattached Units:
    • Det B 6th Night Fighter Squadron (February – September 1943) (P-70, P-38)
      Reassigned to 7th Air Force, 1943.
    • 419th Night Fighter Squadron (April – November 1943) (P-38, P-61)
      Activated April 1943 with P-38s, Reassigned to 18th Fighter Group, November 1943. Reequipped with P-61s May 1944. Served in New Guinea, Philippines. Inactivated February 1947.
    • 550th Night Fighter Squadron (1944–46) (P-61)
      Activated June 1944. Received P-61s January 1945. Served in New Guinea, Philippines. Inactivated January 1946.
    • 7th Radio Squadron, Mobile (J)
XIII Bomber Command
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Activated on 13 January 1943. Served in combat with Thirteenth AF until the end of the war. Inactivated in the Philippines on 15 March 1946. Disbanded on 8 October 1948.

Groups

Operational history

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B-25 Mitchells from the 42d Bombardment Group fly over Bougainville from their base at Stirling Airfield, Stirling Island, Solomon Islands, 1944

Thirteenth Air Force began operations in November 1942 as an organization composed of many widely separated Seventh Air Force and independent units scattered in the South Central Pacific during the Solomon Islands campaign.

Initially charged with taking a defensive stand against advancing enemy forces, Thirteenth Air Force later took the offensive flying a variety of aircraft, including the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell, B-26 Marauder, P-38 Lightning, P-39 Airacobra, P-40 Warhawk, P-61 Black Widow, C-46 Commando, C-47 Skytrain, and L-5 Sentinel.

It was Thirteenth Air Force P-38Gs of the 339th Fighter Squadron of the 347th Fighter Group which, on 18 April 1943, flew the mission which resulted in the death of Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto.

From 1942 to 1945, Thirteenth Air Force staged out of tropical jungles on more than 40 remote islands including the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign; Mariana and Palau Islands campaign and the Philippines campaign (1944–45), thus earning the nickname, "The Jungle Air Force." The command's units participated in a total of five different operation areas and 13 campaigns.

Thirteenth Air Force along with Fifth Air Force in Australia and Seventh Air Force in Hawaii were assigned to the newly created Far East Air Forces (FEAF) on 3 August 1944. FEAF was subordinate to the U.S. Army Forces Far East and served as the headquarters of Allied Air Forces Southwest Pacific Area. By 1945, three numbered air forces—5th, 7th and 13th—were supporting operations in the Pacific. FEAF was the functional equivalent in the Pacific of the United States Strategic Air Forces (USSTAF) in the European Theater of Operations.

After hostilities ended in 1945, Thirteenth Air Force established its headquarters at Clark Field, Philippines, in January 1946. In May of that year, it moved to Fort William McKinley, Luzon. By August 1947, 13AF returned to Clark Field. In December 1948, the unit moved to Kadena, Okinawa, where it remained for only a few months before returning to Clark in May 1949.

Korean War

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On 25 June 1950, 13AF consisted of the following units:[4][5][6]

  • 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing/Group (F-80)
  • 21st Troop Carrier Squadron (C-54)
  • 6204th Photo Mapping Flight (RB-17))

The 6204th Photo Mapping Flight, located at Clark AB, Philippines, deployed the Flight's two RB-17 aircraft complete with combat crews and maintenance personnel to Johnson AB, Japan in mid-June 1950. The FEAF deployment order specified that the two RB-17 aircraft be equipped with normal armament insofar as practicable, not to interfere with the photographic capability of the aircraft. This posed a problem for the Flight, since the RB-17s had been flying peacetime missions and were not equipped for combat. However, the 6204th found the necessary gunners and equipment, made the modifications to the aircraft, and by late August 1950 the detachment began flying photo-mapping missions over Korea. By the end of November 1950, it had photographed the entire North Korean area at least once and re-photographed some areas as far north as weather conditions permitted. By early December the detachment returned to Clark AB and resumed the flight's mapping program in the Philippine area.

During the Korean War, 13AF units provided staging areas for people and equipment destined for the war zone. During the decade of peace that followed the war, the command concentrated on training and surveillance activities to maintain a high state of readiness for contingencies.

Vietnam War

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From the time of signing of U.S./Taiwan defense arrangements, the 327th Air Division of 13th Air Force maintained units in Taiwan, up until 1979. 327th Air Division reported in this capacity to United States Taiwan Defense Command.

As the Vietnam War escalated during the late 1960s and early 1970s, 13AF again served as a staging base and logistics manager for units fighting in Southeast Asia. As more American aircraft and people were poured into the war effort, combat units and facilities under 13AF in Thailand increased. At its peak, 13AF was composed of seven combat wings, nine major bases, 11 smaller installations and more than 31,000 military members.

With the buildup and execution of Operations Desert Shield and Storm, 13AF provided aircraft and support staff vital to the Gulf war coalition victory in Southwest Asia.

Post Cold War

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In June 1991, Mount Pinatubo buried Clark in volcanic ash, forcing the base to close on 26 November and leading to the evacuation of assigned military members and their families in Operation Fiery Vigil. The Thirteenth Air Force relocated and officially established its headquarters at Andersen Air Force Base on 2 December 1991.

In 2005, the Jungle Air Force stood down as a traditional Numbered Air Force and moved to Hickam Air Force Base to assume the role of the new Kenney Warfighting Headquarters for PACAF, which was activated in provisional status in June 2005.

On 6 October 2006, after a one-year transformation of command and control of air, space and information operations in the Pacific, Thirteenth Air Force officially began operations as a component numbered air force headquarters and welcomed a new commander. Former Pacific Air Forces Deputy Commander, Lt. Gen. Loyd S. "Chip" Utterback, assumed command of the unit 6 October, replacing Maj. Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., who had commanded Thirteenth Air Force from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and Hickam since January 2005. Previously designated as a management headquarters, Thirteenth Air Force became one of 10 organizations designed to enhance the operational level support, planning, command, control and execution of air, space and information operations capabilities across the full range of military operations throughout the U.S. Pacific Command's area of responsibility (minus the Korea theater of operations). On 28 September 2012, 13 AF was inactivated and its functions merged into PACAF.[7]

On 29 September 2012, the Thirteenth Air Force was converted to provisional status and reactivated as the Thirteenth Expeditionary Air Force.[3] The organization is commanded by the Director of Air and Cyberspace Operations of Pacific Air Forces.[8]

List of commanders

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Thirteenth Air Force (1943–2012)

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No. Commander[3] Term
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
1Twining, Nathan F.Major General
Nathan F. Twining		13 January 194327 July 1943195 days
2Owens, Ray L.Brigadier General
Ray L. Owens		27 July 19437 January 1944164 days
3Harmon, Hubert R.Major General
Hubert R. Harmon		7 January 19446 June 1944151 days
-Usher, George L.Brigadier General
George L. Usher
Acting		6 June 194415 June 19449 days
4Streett, St. ClairMajor General
St. Clair Streett		15 June 194419 February 1945249 days
5Wurtsmith, Paul B.Major General
Paul B. Wurtsmith		19 February 19454 July 19461 year, 135 days
6Eubank, Eugene L.Major General
Eugene L. Eubank		4 July 1946November 1948c. 2 years, 4 months
7Crabb, Jarred V.Brigadier General
Jarred V. Crabb		November 19481 December 1948c. 1 month
8Myers, Charles T.Major General
Charles T. Myers		1 December 1948c. 30 May 1949180 days
9Turner, Howard M.Major General
Howard M. Turner		c. 30 May 194916 October 19512 years, 139 days
10Moore, ErnestMajor General
Ernest Moore		16 October 195110 October 1952360 days
11Sessums Jr., John W.Major General
John W. Sessums, Jr.		10 October 195227 August 19541 year, 321 days
12Lee, William L.Brigadier General
William L. Lee		27 August 195415 September 19562 years, 19 days
13Ackerman, John B.Major General
John B. Ackerman		15 September 1956February 19581 year, 166 days
14Moorman, Thomas S.Major General
Thomas S. Moorman		14 April 195819 June 19613 years, 66 days
15Milton, Theodore R.Major General
Theodore R. Milton		19 June 196124 July 19632 years, 35 days
16Maddux Jr., SamMajor General
Sam Maddux Jr.		24 July 19631 July 19651 year, 342 days
17Wilson, James W.Lieutenant General
James W. Wilson		1 July 19651 August 19672 years, 31 days
18Davis Jr., Benjamin O.Lieutenant General
Benjamin O. Davis Jr.		1 August 19671 August 19681 year, 0 days
19Gideon, Francis C.Lieutenant General
Francis C. Gideon		1 August 19681 February 19701 year, 184 days
20McNickle, Marvin L.Lieutenant General
Marvin L. McNickle		1 February 19701 September 19722 years, 213 days
21Moore, William G.Lieutenant General
William G. Moore		1 September 19721 October 19731 year, 30 days
22Manor, Leroy J.Major General
Leroy J. Manor		1 October 19738 October 19763 years, 7 days
23Poston, Freddie L.Major General
Freddie L. Poston		8 October 19769 April 19792 years, 183 days
24Hildreth, James R.Major General
James R. Hildreth		9 April 197922 June 19812 years, 74 days
25Burns, Kenneth D.Major General
Kenneth D. Burns		22 June 19816 July 19843 years, 14 days
26Nelson, Michael A.Major General
Michael A. Nelson		6 July 198417 June 1985346 days
27Williams, Gordon E.Major General
Gordon E. Williams		17 June 198527 March 1986283 days
28Luigs, Charles F.Brigadier General
Charles F. Luigs		27 March 198631 July 1986126 days
29Carns, Michael P. C.Major General
Michael P. C. Carns		31 July 198619 June 1987323 days
30Snyder, DonaldMajor General
Donald Snyder		19 June 1987January 19902 years, 196 days
31Studer, William A.Major General
William A. Studer		January 19902 December 19911 year, 335 days
32Burr, H. HaleMajor General
H. Hale Burr		2 December 199121 July 19942 years, 231 days
33Swope, Richard T.Major General
Richard T. Swope		21 July 199422 April 19961 year, 276 days
34Dallager, John R.Major General
John R. Dallager		22 April 199620 August 19982 years, 120 days
35Waskow, Thomas C.Major General
Thomas C. Waskow		20 August 1998May 1999254 days
36Dick, Daniel M.Major General
Daniel M. Dick		May 199914 November 20001 year, 197 days
37Lay II, Theodore W.Major General
Theodore W. Lay II		14 November 200021 September 20021 year, 311 days
38Larsen, Dennis R.Major General
Dennis R. Larsen		21 September 200224 January 20052 years, 125 days
39Rice Jr., Edward A.Major General
Edward A. Rice Jr.		24 January 20056 October 20061 year, 255 days
40Utterback, Loyd S.Lieutenant General
Loyd S. Utterback		6 October 20062 September 20092 years, 331 days
41Carlisle, Herbert J.Lieutenant General
Herbert J. Carlisle		2 September 2009December 20101 year, 90 days
42Kresge, Stanley T.Lieutenant General
Stanley T. Kresge		December 201028 September 20121 year, 302 days

Thirteenth Expeditionary Air Force (2012–present)

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No. Commander[3] Term
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
43Handy, Russell J.Major General
Russell J. Handy		29 September 201218 July 2013292 days
44McGillicuddy, Paul H.Brigadier General
Paul H. McGillicuddy		18 July 2013August 201314 days
45McDaniels, Jeffrey R.Brigadier General
Jeffrey R. McDaniels		August 2013June 20151 year, 304 days
46Smith, Dirk D.Brigadier General
Dirk D. Smith		June 2015March 20171 year, 273 days
47Williams, Stephen C.Brigadier General
Stephen C. Williams		March 201714 January 20191 year, 319 days
48Mack, Russell L.Major General
Russell L. Mack		14 January 20193 June 2019140 days
49Pleus, Scott L.Major General
Scott L. Pleus		3 June 201918 July 20201 year, 45 days
50Pilch, Lansing R.Major General
Lansing R. Pilch		18 July 202026 July 20211 year, 8 days
51Iverson, David R.Major General
David R. Iverson		26 July 202130 January 20243 years, 109 days
52Parker, Brandon D.Major General
Brandon D. Parker		30 January 2024Incumbent287 days

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Kane, Robert B. (5 November 2009). "Thirteenth Air Force (Air Forces Pacific) (PACAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  2. ^ "Thirteenth Air Force". GlobalSecurity.org. 3 October 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Ream, Margaret (26 September 2022). "Thirteenth Expeditionary Air Force (PACAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  4. ^ Bailey, Carl E. (20 February 2007). "Pacific Air Forces (USAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 24 October 2008.
  5. ^ Final Cut: The Postwar B-17 Flying Fortress: The Survivors, Scott A. Thompson, Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, 1993.
  6. ^ Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9
  7. ^ "13th Air Force inactivates, merges with PACAF". Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  8. ^ "Air Force Instruction 13-103 Pacific Air Force Forces Supplement" (PDF). United States Secretary of the Air Force. 12 April 2019. p. 36. Retrieved 26 June 2023.

Bibliography

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  • Lippincott, Lt. Col. Benjamin E. From Fiji Through the Philippines with the Thirteenth Air Force. San Angelo, Texas: Newsfoto Publishing Company, 1948.
  • Maurer, Maurer. Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
  • Mays, Terry M., Night Hawks & Black Widows, Schiffer Publishing, 2009. ISBN 0-7643-3344-5.
  • Rohfleisch, Kramer J. Guadalcanal and the Origins of the Thirteenth Air Force (USAAF Historical Study No.35). Air Force Historical Research Agency, 1945.
  • Rohfleisch, Kramer J. The Thirteenth Air Force, March–October 1943 (USAAF Historical Study No.120). Air Force Historical Research Agency, 1946.
  • Rust, Kenn C. and Dana Bell. Thirteenth Air Force Story...in World War II. Temple City, California: Historical Aviation Album, 1981 (republished in 1992 by Sunshine House of Terre Haute, Indiana). ISBN 0911852905.
  • Smith, Stanly E. 13 Against the Sun. New York: Belmont Books, 1961.
  • Wolf, William. 13th Fighter Command in World War II: Air Combat over Guadalcanal and the Solomons. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 2004. ISBN 0-7643-2067-X.
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