Is the 8th Air Force still active?
Overview. Eighth Air Force is one of two active duty numbered air forces in Air Force Global Strike Command.
Who commanded the 8th Air Force in World War II?
“Hap” Arnold, United States Army Air Force Commander, chose Major General Carl Spaatz to command the Eighth Air Force and later named him commander of all United States Army Air Forces in Europe. Brigadier General Ira Eaker was first head of VIII Bomber Command and later named Commander of the Eighth Air Force.
Why is it called the 8th Air Force?
On 22 February 1944, the Army reorganized its Air Forces in Europe by renaming Eighth Air Force as the United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe (now known as the United States Air Forces in Europe). That same day, the VIII BC became Eighth Air Force.
What planes did the 8th Air Force fly?
Aircraft
- 41-24464 Excalibur. B-17 Flying Fortress.
- 42-107154 ‘Puddles’ B-17 Flying Fortress.
- 42-30612 ‘Hot Foot II’ aka ‘Freestrider’ B-17 Flying Fortress.
- 42-31306 ‘Nelson King’ B-17 Flying Fortress.
- 42-31570 ‘Lucky Me’ B-17 Flying Fortress.
- 42-31611. B-17 Flying Fortress.
- 42-31783 ‘Ready Teddy II’
- 42-3425 In God We Trust.
How many Air Force personnel were killed in ww2?
US Military Casualties in World War II
| Branch | Killed | Wounded |
|---|---|---|
| Army and Air Force | 318,274 | 565,861 |
| Navy | 62,614 | 37,778 |
| Marines | 24,511 | 68,207 |
| Coast Guard | 1,917 | Unknown |
How many U.S. bombers were lost in ww2?
By type, losses totaled 21,452 fighters, 12,037 bombers, 15,428 trainers, 10,221 twin-engine fighters, 5,548 ground attack, 6,733 reconnaissance, and 6,141 transports.
Who commanded the 8th Air Force?
“Eighth Air Force has an extensive history that dates back to World War II,” said Maj. Gen. Andrew Gebara, 8th Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center commander.
Where were b17 bombers stationed in England?
100 group based at RAF Oulton at Aylsham, England, United Kingdom), established in Nov 1943, flew the first operational sortie with their Fortress Mk.
What does 8AF stand for?
During the Cold War (1945–1991), 8 AF was one of three Numbered Air Forces of the United States Air Force’s Strategic Air Command (SAC), with a three-star general headquartered at Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts commanding USAF strategic bombers and missiles on a global scale.
What is the 8th Air Force known for?
Headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base in the communities of Bossier City and Shreveport, La., Eighth Air Force is one of two active-duty numbered air forces in Air Force Global Strike Command. The mission of the Mighty Eighth is to safeguard America through global strike on demand.
What is the 8th Air Force yearbook?
The 8th Air Force Album: The Story of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in WW II. Hollywood, Florida: 8th AF News, 1978. Woolnough, John H. (Ed.) The 8th Air Force Yearbook: The current Status of 8th AF Unit Associations, 1980.
When did the air force Eighth Air Force become an NAF?
The integration process started on 1 February 2001, when the Air Force realigned the Air Intelligence Agency (AIA) under ACC and assigned the 67th Information Operations Wing and the 70th Intelligence Wing to the Eighth. The reorganization transformed the Eighth into the only information operations and bomber NAF in the Air Force.