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Air Combat Command, with headquarters at Langley Air Force Base,
Va., is a major command activated June 1, 1992. It is the primary provider
of air combat forces to America's unified combatant commands.
Mission
Air Combat Command's operates fighters, bombers, reconnaissance, battle
management, rescue and theater airlift aircraft, as well as command,
control, communications and intelligence systems.
As a force provider, ACC organizes, trains, equips and maintains combat-ready
forces for rapid deployment and employment while ensuring strategic air
defense forces are ready to meet the challenges of peacetime air sovereignty
and wartime air defense. ACC provides nuclear forces for U.S. Strategic
Command, theater air forces for the five geographic unified commands
(U.S. Atlantic Command, U.S. European Command, U.S. Pacific Command,
U.S. Central Command and U.S. Southern Command). ACC also provides air
defense forces to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
 Personnel and Resources
More than 100,000 active-duty members and civilians make up ACC's work
force (approximately 90,000 active-duty members and more than 11,000
civilians). When mobilized, more than 63,000 members of the Air National
Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with about 760 aircraft, are assigned
to ACC. In total, ACC and ACC-gained units consist of more than 1,700
aircraft.
Organization
ACC's forces are organized under four numbered air forces and two major
direct reporting units. The ACC commander is also component commander
of U.S. Air Forces Atlantic Command and U.S. Strategic Command. He also
acts as executive agent for the Air Force chief of staff on search and
rescue matters in the 48 contiguous states.
Numbered Air Forces
First Air Force, with headquarters at Tyndall Air Force Base,
Fla., performs a daily operational mission as the continental U.S. NORAD
Region. The First Air Force commander, as the region commander, reports
directly to the commander in chief, NORAD. First Air Force includes three
air defense sectors responsible for the air defense of their respective
sectors of the continental U. S. using Air National Guard aircraft on
around-the-clock alert.
First Air Force plays a key role in the nation's war on drugs by working
closely with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Customs Service to monitor
and intercept illegal drug traffic.
Eighth Air Force, with headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base,
La., is responsible for ACC forces in the central United States, and
functions as the air planner under the commander in chief, U.S. Atlantic
Command (USACOM) for the Atlantic area of responsibility, and commander,
Task Force Bomber for U.S. Strategic Command.
Ninth Air Force, with headquarters at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.,
is responsible for fighter, bomber, tanker, airlift and air control operations
and training in the Eastern United States.
Ninth Air Force also is U.S. Central Command Air Forces, the Air Force
component of U.S. Central Command. Operation Desert Shield deployed the
USCENTAF staff to the Southwest Asia theater, operationally controlling
joint and coalition air forces. To prepare for this type mission, USCENTAF
active and reserve forces train regularly with Army, Navy and Marine
Corps units.
Twelfth Air Force, with headquarters at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.,
operates combat-ready forces and equipment in the Western and Midwestern
United States and Panama. In addition, 12th Air Force is the Air Force
component of the U.S. Southern Command. The command's units perform fighter
and bomber operations, training, reconnaissance, air control and a wide
range of electronic combat tasks.
Direct Reporting Units
U.S. Air Force Air Warfare Center, at Nellis Air Force Base,
Nev., manages advanced pilot training and integrates many of the Air
Force's test and evaluation requirements. The 53rd Wing at Eglin AFB,
Fla. is assigned to the Air Warfare Center.
Aerospace Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
Center, at Langley AFB, Va., serves as the lead organization to
integrate and influence command and control (C2) and intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) for the Air Force. Its primary
task is to merge air and space C2 and ISR operational and delegated
systems architectures, requirements and standards in a continuing drive
toward commonality. Other tasks are to build aerospace C2 and ISR modernization
strategies, integrated mission area investment plans and divestment
strategies, appropriate C4I Support Plans and associated programming
documents, and ensure they are linked to current Air Force Modernization
Planning Process, Air Force Strategic Plan and Thrust Area Transformation
Plans; work with appropriate Air Force agencies and major commands
to ensure training programs are developed for emerging, current and
future C2 and ISR systems and concepts; and serve as the Air Force
interface for establishment of all C2 and ISR related joint tactics,
techniques and procedures.
Point Of Contact
Air Combat Command, Public
Affairs Office, 115 Thompson St., Suite 211; Langley AFB VA 23665-1987;
DSN 574-5014 or (757) 764-5014.
Above Information Courtesy
of United States Air Force
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