69-634: The Alaskan Command ( ALCOM ) is a joint subordinate unified command of the United States Northern Command , responsible for operations in and around the State of Alaska . Alaskan Command is charged with maintaining air sovereignty, deploying forces for worldwide contingencies as directed by the Commander, US Northern Command, providing support to federal and state authorities during civil emergencies and conducting joint training for
138-656: A United States Army Reserve Engineer Company (B-411, whose battalion headquarters are in Hawaii) and a Reserve Hospital. There are no major naval ports in Alaska. The commander of the 17th Coast Guard District, United States Coast Guard , commands U.S. Naval Forces Alaska , accomplishing both the peacetime and wartime naval tasks in the state. Major peacetime responsibilities include search and rescue, law enforcement of territorial waters, maintenance of navigational maritime aides and ensuring maritime safety. Naval Forces Alaska has
207-618: A hundred island airstrips, along with bases in China and Burma . A realignment of these forces was needed by the USAAF to better organize its forces in the Pacific for peacetime. On 6 December 1945, Far East Air Forces was redesignated Pacific Air Command, United States Army (PACUSA), and its Air Forces were redeployed as follows: With this realignment and reassignment of forces, PACUSA controlled and commanded all United States Army Air Forces in
276-528: A part of the command in late 1990. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, civil unrest in the Philippines and negotiations with the extant government of the Republic of the Philippines for the lease of Clark Air Base , along with other U.S. military installations in the Philippines, had reached an impasse. However, following the volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo , the resultant damage to Clark AB, and with
345-560: A peak of nearly 5000 active duty and family members. United States Northern Command The United States Northern Command ( USNORTHCOM ) is one of eleven unified combatant commands of the United States Department of Defense . The command is tasked with providing military support for non-military authorities in the U.S., and protecting the territory and national interests of the United States within
414-569: A post- Cold War desire by the U.S. Government to reduce defense spending, Clark AB was closed and Thirteenth Air Force relocated in 1991. In 1992, changes took place in force structure within PACAF as the command assumed control of theater-based tactical airlift wings, theater C-130 aircraft and crews, and associated theater C-130 support following the disestablishment of Military Airlift Command ( MAC ). PACAF also gained control of all operational support aircraft and all aeromedical airlift assets in
483-587: A re-activated "Alaskan Command", a subordinate unified command of U.S. Pacific Command , took charge of the defense of Alaska and control of all units stationed there. This new command recognized Alaska's important role in the Pacific by putting all military forces in the state of Alaska and under the leadership of one commander. The Eleventh Air Force provides forces to maintain air superiority in Alaska and support Alaska-based ground forces, and combat-ready air forces for employment by unified commanders to preserve
552-691: A unified command reporting to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . The command was founded based on lessons learned during World War II , when a lack of unity of command hampered operations to drive the Japanese from the western Aleutian Islands of Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian Islands campaign . ALCOM was charged with the defense of Alaska and its surrounding waters, and to furnish humanitarian support during disasters, such as
621-603: A vital role in world events. In addition to its key combat role in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, PACAF units fought in Desert Storm in 1991 and continued to deploy to Saudi Arabia , Turkey and Italy for peacekeeping operations such as Operation Southern Watch and Operation Northern Watch . PACAF provided its expertise, aircraft, personnel and equipment to facilitate the new Expeditionary Air Force, especially as it applied to successful airbridge operations spanning
690-849: Is a Major Command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force and is also the air component command of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). PACAF is headquartered at the Hickam AFB portion of Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam , Hawaii, and is one of two USAF MAJCOMs assigned outside the Continental United States, the other being the United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa . Over
759-515: Is a four-star general or admiral in the United States Armed Forces who serves as the head of all U.S. military forces within the command's geographical area of responsibility . The commander of U.S. Northern Command concurrently serves as the commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and is the head of all United States and Canadian joint aerospace military operational forces , stationed within
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#1732798291124828-642: Is a subordinate element of I Corps , headquartered at Joint Base Lewis–McChord . The division's mission is to be prepared to deploy rapidly in the Arctic as well as the Pacific Theater as directed in support of contingency operations, U.S. Pacific Command objectives and United States national interests. 11th Airborne commands two brigade combat teams , an Aviation Task Force, the United States Army garrisons and tenant organizations in Alaska,
897-662: Is equipped with the F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter. The wing's Raptor fighters stand active air defense alert 24-hours-a-day, year-round in support of the North American Aerospace Defense mission. The 354th Fighter Wing uses the F-16 Fighting Falcon to provide close air support and battlefield air interdiction requirements of the 11th Airborne Division and Pacific Air Forces mobility commitments. Military airlift in Alaska
966-500: Is provided by the 3rd Wing's 517th Airlift Squadron at Elmendorf with C-17 Globemaster III and C-12 aircraft. The 962d Airborne Air Control Squadron flies the E-3 Sentry , which can direct friendly fighter aircraft to intercept and identify unknown aircraft as they enter U.S. airspace and also augment existing ground-based radar systems by providing a survivable airborne radar platform during hostilities. Remote locations of
1035-523: The 1964 Alaska earthquake . The Alaskan Air Command , United States Army Alaska and the Navy's Alaskan Sea Frontier were the three original ALCOM service components. The Alaskan Sea Frontier was inactivated in 1971 as part of post- Vietnam War military reductions by President Gerald R. Ford and Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger . Responsibility for the defense of the Aleutian Islands
1104-533: The Arctic to the Antarctic , more than 100,000,000 square miles (260,000,000 km ). The area is home to nearly two billion people who live in 44 countries. The beginnings of PACAF can be traced back to June 1944, when Major General St. Clair Streett 's Thirteenth Air Force was added to Allied Air Forces, South West Pacific Area . At approximately the same time, Lieutenant General George Kenney created
1173-611: The Department of Homeland Security , and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In Exercise Vigilant Shield 2008, Northern Command, Pacific Command , the Department of Homeland Security , and numerous law enforcement agencies across the U.S. conducted exercises to test their "response abilities against a variety of potential threats". The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 and subsequent Department of Defense policy constrains any member of
1242-738: The Douglas C-54 Skymaster cargo aircraft and the Boeing RB-17 Flying Fortress , a former heavy bomber converted to photo mapping duties. FEAF personnel also trained, supported and flew with the fledgling Republic of Korea Air Force ( ROKAF ) under the Bout One Project , primarily operating excess World War II-vintage F-51D Mustang fighter aircraft transferred from USAF inventory, re-marked with ROKAF insignia, and operated in interdiction/ground attack and close air support roles. * Elements of
1311-556: The Eleventh Air Force . ALCOM is headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage . The command is made up of the following military forces: ALCOM also conducts close cooperation and training with the Joint Forces Headquarters, Alaska National Guard , headquartered at Camp Denali, part of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage . ALCOM was established 1 January 1947, as
1380-824: The Far East Air Forces (FEAF) from his Fifth Air Force headquarters, while the Advanced Echelon became the Fifth Air Force under Major General Ennis Whitehead , Sr. The RAAF also formed the Australian First Tactical Air Force under Air Commodore Harry Cobby in October 1944, and when General Douglas MacArthur became commander of all Army forces in the Pacific, the Seventh Air Force
1449-814: The Federal Bureau of Investigation , Central Intelligence Agency , National Security Agency , Defense Intelligence Agency , National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency , and other agencies maintain offices at NORTHCOM and receive daily intelligence briefings. The total of 14 agencies with representatives at NORTHCOM in December 2002 included the State Department, NASA , and the Federal Aviation Administration . Northern Command has completed several joint training exercises with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies,
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#17327982911241518-678: The Goldwater-Nichols Act reworked the overall command structure of the United States military. With the creation of Unified Combatant Commands (UCC) organized either on a geographical basis (known as "Area of Responsibility", AOR) or on a functional basis, Pacific Air Forces became a part of the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM). Andersen AFB in Guam was reassigned from Strategic Air Command ( SAC ) to PACAF in 1989, and Eleventh Air Force became
1587-802: The Gulf of Mexico , the Straits of Florida , portions of the Caribbean region to include The Bahamas , Puerto Rico , the U.S. Virgin Islands , the British Virgin Islands , Bermuda , and the Turks and Caicos Islands . The commander of USNORTHCOM is responsible for theater security cooperation with Canada, Mexico, and The Bahamas. In May 2011, NORTHCOM was mobilized in the wake of the BP oil spill in
1656-801: The Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964, Tactical Air Command (TAC) pilots, navigators and support personnel found themselves deployed from the CONUS to PACAF bases such as Da Nang Air Base and Phan Rang AB in South Vietnam. Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base and Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand were also used by deployed TAC fighter squadrons. As the American effort in Southeast Asia increased, TAC permanently reassigned entire wings of aircraft from CONUS bases to PACAF and increased
1725-769: The Insurrection Act to quell civil disorders, such as the 1992 Los Angeles riots . The Military Commissions Act of 2006 lifted many restrictions placed on the military to support non-military authorities by the Posse Comitatus Act, however the United States Supreme Court ruled in June 2008 that significant portions of the MCA were unconstitutional. The "John Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2007" H.R. 5122 (2006) effectively nullified
1794-610: The NCO Academy and Reserve Component units: Tenant organizations are located at each of the division's installations and include the USA Medical Department Activity-Alaska, USA Dental Activity-Alaska, a signal battalion, and the Bureau of Land Management . The Reserve Component units located throughout the state include a National Guard Regional Support Group (RSG) and Aviation Battalion, and
1863-606: The Operation Crossroads test on Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands in 1946. With the impending establishment of the United States Air Force as an independent service later that year, PACUSA was redesignated Far East Air Forces (FEAF) on 1 January 1947. On that same date, Seventh Air Force in Hawaii was inactivated with its organization absorbed by HQ, FEAF. Coinciding with the establishment of
1932-616: The United States Air Force ( USAF ) as an independent service in September 1947, PACUSA/FEAF deployments to Korea prior to the 1948 partition of the country helped in the establishment of the Republic of Korea (e.g., South Korea ), along with the transfer of surplus military equipment and other aid to French Indochina as well as aid to the Nationalist Chinese during the Chinese Civil War which resumed after
2001-714: The United States Army , Air Force , Navy , or Marine Corps , and the National Guard under federal authority from domestically intervening in a law enforcement capacity on United States soil. Several exceptions to the law have been used in the past, including protecting the citizens' constitutional rights in the absence of state and/or local assistance, such as protecting the Little Rock Nine students in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957, and using
2070-518: The continental United States , Puerto Rico , Canada , Mexico , The Bahamas , and the air, land and sea approaches to these areas. It is the U.S. military command which, if applicable, would be the primary defender against an invasion of the U.S. USNORTHCOM was created on 25 April 2002 when President George W. Bush approved a new Unified Command Plan , following the September 11 attacks . USNORTHCOM went operational on 1 October 2002. USNORTHCOM
2139-656: The 11AF are operated by the PACAF Regional Support Center (PRSC) at Elmendorf. Those locations include Eareckson Air Station on Shemya Island , and a network of 18 Air Force radar sites throughout Alaska. When mobilized, the state's Air National Guard becomes an integral part of Pacific Air Forces and Alaskan Command. The Alaska Air National Guard maintains KC-135 Tankers ( 168th Air Refueling Wing ), C-130s and air rescue HH-60 Pavehawk helicopters ( 176th Wing ). Previously known as United States Army Alaska (USARAK), 11th Airborne Division
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2208-509: The 2d and 3d Air Rescue squadrons, attached to FEAF by the Military Air Transport Service ( MATS ), were located at various bases where they could best perform emergency rescue services with their SB-17 Flying Fortresses . The 512th and 514th Weather Reconnaissance Squadrons of the 2143d Air Weather Wing were located at Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. All USAF units engaged in combat during
2277-681: The 45,000 Total Force personnel of the Regular Air Force , the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard with the tools necessary to support the Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command . PACAF comprises three numbered Air Forces, nine main bases and nearly 375 aircraft. The command's area of responsibility extends from the west coast of the United States to the east coast of Asia and from
2346-520: The Air Force and PACAF to developed increased capability while striving to remain within budgetary resource constraints. One such example has been the evaluation of alternate runway(s)/divert field(s) in the Marianas since late 2011 as a backup to Andersen AFB on Guam, a process that remains on-going as of 2014. In 2023, The first Royal Australian Air Force Deputy Commander took up position alongside
2415-463: The Far East and Southwest Pacific, and all air forces were placed under one Air Force commander for the first time. In November 1945, the 509th Composite Group left North Field on the island of Tinian and was reassigned to Roswell Army Air Field , New Mexico , taking the atomic bomb delivery capability of PACUSA to the United States. Shortly afterwards, Eighth Air Force was reassigned to
2484-681: The Gulf of Mexico to provide air, ground, and logistical support. In October 2014, NORTHCOM took administrative control of Alaskan Command . Commander, U.S. Northern Command is concurrently Commander of the U.S.-Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The two are co-located at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs , Colorado . General Ralph Eberhart was the first CDRUSNORTHCOM. USNORTHCOM headquarters has approximately 1,200 uniformed and civilian staff. In its first period of organising in 2002–03, one priority
2553-400: The Korean War were under the overall command of Far East Air Forces. ** The 31st Photo Reconnaissance Squadron was a Strategic Air Command unit, attached to FEAF for operations. On 29 June 1950, the unit began flying combat missions over the Korean Peninsula in their RB-29 Superfortresses to provide FEAF Bomber Command with target and bomb-damage assessment photography. In response to
2622-426: The Northern American territories. The commander of U.S. Northern Command is nominated for appointment by the President of the United States and must be confirmed by the United States Senate . The commander of U.S. Northern Command typically serves for two years. Note: The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 stipulates that at least one deputy commander of USNORTHCOM be a National Guard general officer unless
2691-471: The Pacific previously under the cognizance of MAC. With the concurrent disestablishment of Strategic Air Command ( SAC ) and Tactical Air Command ( TAC ) the same year, PACAF also assumed responsibility for all active KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft based in Hawaii and Japan, "gaining command" responsibility for all Air National Guard KC-135 aircraft in Hawaii and Alaska, and all E-3 AWACS aircraft in Japan and Alaska. Throughout its history PACAF has played
2760-440: The People's Republic of China invaded the Nationalist outposts. By 1960, PACAF maintained a combat-ready deterrent force of some 35 squadrons, operating from 10 major bases in a half-dozen countries. In the early 1960s, communist military strength and firepower in Vietnam increased. As a result, PACAF began a buildup in the area with the addition of troops and better arms and equipment. In response to what has become known as
2829-505: The U.S. Navy and small allied contingents, FEAF's Fifth Air Force bore the brunt of the coalition air combat operations. With the 1953 Korean Armistice, the deployed SAC and TAC units to Japan and Korea were gradually withdrawn, and returned to the United States. Twentieth Air Force was inactivated on 1 March 1955, leaving FEAF with two Air Forces, the Fifth in Japan and the Thirteenth in the Philippines, although units were maintained on Guam and Okinawa. On 1 July 1954, Pacific Air Force
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2898-467: The USAF Command Chain. Commands Force Air Forces Air Divisions Wings Pacific Air Forces comprises the following wings and major units. The Fifth Air Force is responsible for USAF operations in Japan. Its role is to defend Japan, respond to regional events, and enhance the U.S. and Japan Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement alliance between the U.S. and Japan. Permanent units The Seventh Air Force contributes to maintaining
2967-436: The VNAF. Combat aircraft of PACAF flew their last strikes in Cambodia 15 August 1973, writing the final chapter to the long and costly history of active American participation in the Indochina War . The Paris Peace Accords of 1973 ended PACAF's use of South Vietnamese bases, and by 1976 bases in Thailand were turned over to the Thai government. In 1979, normalization of relations with the People's Republic of China also led to
3036-440: The battle. MacArthur ordered General George E. Stratemeyer , CIC of FEAF, to attack attacking North Korean forces between the front lines and the 38th parallel . Despite the post-World War II demobilization of United States armed forces, the United States Air Force still had substantial forces in the Pacific to oppose the North Korean military. When the North Koreans crossed the 38th parallel on 25 June 1950, FEAF consisted of
3105-563: The commander is already such an officer. Northern Command has created several classified "concept plans" (e.g. "Defense Support of Civil Authorities") that are intended to address the 15 National Planning Scenarios that NORTHCOM must be prepared to respond to. However, in 2012, the GAO found that the national strategy to defend the United States is several years out of date. NORTHCOM operates extensive domestic intelligence operations which both share and receive information from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Employees of
3174-420: The end of World War II (1945–1949). On 25 June 1950, the armed forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (e.g., North Korea ) invaded South Korea. On 27 June, the United Nations Security Council voted to assist the South Koreans in resisting the invasion. President Harry Truman authorized General of the Army Douglas MacArthur (commander of the US occupying forces in Japan) to commit units to
3243-451: The final USAF withdrawal from Southeast Asia in the beginning of 1976. By 1970, direct PACAF involvement the war was winding down as the conflict was being increasingly turned over to the South Vietnamese under the process known as Vietnamization . Units from the Republic of Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) took on more and more combat to defend their nation while PACAF tactical air strength was being reduced as several air bases were turned over to
3312-521: The following countries: In 1962, PACAF activated the 2d Air Division to be the main warfighting organization in South Vietnam. As the conflict escalated, Seventh Air Force was activated on 1 April 1966, replacing 2d Air Force. PACAF units in Thailand were under the command of Thirteenth Air Force beginning in 1964, then in 1973 a joint Seventh/Thirteenth Air Force headquarters was established in Bangkok to direct PACAF forces in Thailand operating in Indochina (until 15 August 1973), and Thailand until
3381-423: The following primary units*: At that time, the combat units of the FEAF were equipped with the Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star jet fighter, the North American F-82 Twin Mustang all-weather escort fighter, the Douglas B-26 Invader light attack bomber, the Lockheed RF-80A Shooting Star tactical reconnaissance aircraft, and the Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bomber. Support units were equipped with
3450-596: The limits of the Insurrection Act when it was passed; however, the bill was amended in 2008. On 1 October 2008, the 3rd Infantry Division 's 1st Brigade Combat Team was assigned to U.S. Northern Command, marking the first time an active unit had been given a dedicated assignment to Northern Command. The force will be known for the first year as a CBRNE Consequence Management Response Force, and will serve as an on-call federal response force for terrorist attacks and other natural or manmade emergencies and disasters. Pacific Air Forces The Pacific Air Forces ( PACAF )
3519-555: The majority of naval forces in Alaska for the defense of the state's 33,000 miles (53,000 km) of shoreline. Due to budget constraints and warming relations with former adversaries, the Adak Naval Air Station was closed in March 1997. Prior to the deactivation, Adak's mission had shifted from providing support to air operations for antisubmarine warfare forces to one of providing short term support of transiting aircraft and ships. The island's population had shrunk to approximately five hundred unaccompanied personnel residents – down from
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#17327982911243588-406: The mid and late 1950s. The 1954 and 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis both threatened to break out into a war, and USAF F-104C fighter squadrons were deployed to Kung Kuan Air Base on Taiwan in 1958. The question of " Matsu and Quemoy " became an issue in the 1960 American Presidential election when Richard Nixon accused John F. Kennedy of being unwilling to commit to using nuclear weapons if
3657-435: The national sovereignty of the United States and defend U.S. interests overseas. The largest subordinate units in the Eleventh Air Force are the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf and the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base , near Fairbanks . The 3d Wing provides air defense and air superiority in Alaska, and supports Pacific Air Forces during contingencies in the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility. The 3rd Wing
3726-430: The newly established Strategic Air Command ( SAC ) on 7 June 1946 and its strategic units reassigned to the 1st Bombardment Division . The major mission of PACUSA in the postwar years (1946–1950) was occupation duty in Japan and the demilitarization of the Japanese society in conjunction with the United States Army. In addition, PACUSA helped to support atomic bomb testing in the Pacific Proving Grounds beginning with
3795-461: The number of rotated tactical fighter and reconnaissance squadrons on rotating Temporary Duty (TDY) commitments to PACAF bases in Vietnam and Thailand, along with units to South Korea, Japan and the Philippines. On a daily basis, flight crews would hurl themselves and their planes at targets across the area of operations over the skies of North and South Vietnam . At the height of the Vietnam War (1968), PACAF commanded forces at major air bases in
3864-407: The past sixty-five plus years, PACAF has been engaged in combat during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and Operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The mission of Pacific Air Forces is to provide ready air and space power to promote U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific region during peacetime, through crisis, and in war. PACAF organizes, trains, and equips
3933-412: The rapid deployment of combat forces. ALCOM combined forces include more than 16,000 Air Force , Army , Navy and Coast Guard personnel, and 3,700 guardsmen and reservists. Recently, the Command Representative for Missile Defense position was created to be the focal point for all issues related to Ground-Based Midcourse Defense in Alaska, in support of Alaskan Command, the Alaska NORAD Region , and
4002-454: The second decade of the 21st century, expanding theatre challenges and simultaneous resource constraints have forced continuing innovation and adjustments by PACAF in order to meet mission requirements. Previously assigned four numbered air forces, PACAF downscoped to three numbered air forces in September 2012, inactivating 13th Air Force and merging its functions into PACAF. Base consolidations and infrastructure limitations have also required
4071-460: The southwest Pacific in World War II. On 15 June 1945, Fifth Air Force , Clark Field , Luzon, Philippines; Seventh Air Force , Hickam Field, Hawaii, USA; and Thirteenth Air Force , Clark Field, Luzon , Philippines were assigned to FEAF to support combat operations in the Pacific. With the end of World War II in September 1945, the USAAF found its units deployed throughout the Pacific, from Hawaii to India , from Japan to Australia, and based on
4140-411: The task force designator Task Force 91. District 17 forces are located at Petersburg , Juneau , Ketchikan , Homer , Seward , Tok , Anchorage , Kenai , Valdez , Nome , St. Paul , and three air stations at Kodiak , Sitka and Cordova (seasonal). The district uses a wide variety of vessels, including tenders, patrol boats and medium endurance cutters. During wartime, Coast Guard forces provide
4209-431: The threat posed by the introduction of Soviet-built (and often Soviet-manned) MiG-15 jet fighters into the Korean People's Air Force (KPAF), USAF F-80 and F-82 units were later re-equipped with the North American F-86 Sabre jet fighter between December 1951 and Spring 1953. Eventually, these USAF F-86 units would establish a kill ratio of 10:1 versus their KPAF adversaries. During the Korean War (1950–1953), alongside
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#17327982911244278-624: The vast Pacific Ocean. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, PACAF again demonstrated its intrepid spirit through its units deployed in support of Operation Noble Eagle , Operation Enduring Freedom and, in 2003, Operation Iraqi Freedom . Since 1944, the command has also participated in more than 140 humanitarian operations within its area of responsibility and beyond. In these operations PACAF people quickly and efficiently airlifted food, medicine and other supplies to areas devastated by storms, floods, earthquakes, volcanoes and other natural disasters. As PACAF entered
4347-464: The withdrawal of PACAF personnel from Ching Chuan Kang Air Base , Republic of China (Taiwan) . The post-Vietnam era found the command focusing on improving its readiness and PACAF's organizational structure saw a marked period of rapid and extensive changes. Inactivated at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, Seventh Air Force was reactivated at Osan Air Base , South Korea in 1986 to take over Fifth Air Force activities in South Korea. Also in 1986,
4416-513: Was activated at Hickam Air Force Base , Territory of Hawaii , and assigned to Far East Air Forces (FEAF), which was headquartered in Japan. Pacific Air Force at Hickam functioned primarily as the Air Force staff component and planning element of U.S. Pacific Command. On 1 July 1956, Pacific Air Force was redesignated Pacific Air Force/FEAF (Rear) . Headquarters FEAF began preparations to move from Japan to Hawaii. Smith assumed additional responsibilities as deputy commander, Far East Air Forces. This
4485-509: Was added as well. Far East Air Forces (FEAF) was activated on 3 August 1944, at Brisbane , Queensland , Australia . FEAF (Provisional) had actually been created on 15 June 1944, and Fifth Air Force assigned to it. FEAF was subordinate to the U.S. Army Forces Far East and served as the headquarters of Allied Air Forces Southwest Pacific Area . The creation of FEAF consolidated the command and control authority over United States Army Air Forces ( USAAF ) units widely deployed throughout
4554-474: Was established on 25 April 2002 when President George W. Bush approved a new Unified Command Plan , and attained initial operating capability on 1 October 2002. According to the UCP, Northern Command's mission is to: USNORTHCOM's Area of Responsibility (AOR) includes air, land and sea approaches and encompasses the continental United States , Canada , Mexico and the surrounding water out to approximately 500 nautical miles (930 km). It also includes
4623-456: Was followed on 1 July 1957 with United States Far East Air Forces being redesignated as Pacific Air Forces ( PACAF ) and transferring its headquarters to Hickam AFB , Territory of Hawaii . On 1 October 1955, the Far East Air Materiel Command was transferred from Far East Air Forces to Air Force Materiel Command . Tensions between the Communist Chinese on the mainland and the Nationalist Chinese on Taiwan dominated FEAF and PACAF during
4692-519: Was to hire civilian staff which could help respond to a Weapons of Mass Destruction attack and to coordinate disaster recovery. *These Subordinates fall under United States Army Intelligence and Security Command , however Operational Control (OPCON) is given to ARCYBER for cyber-related effects. There is no U.S. Navy component of ALCOM. The United States Coast Guard 's 17th District works closely with ALCOM and de facto acts as its maritime component. The commander of United States Northern Command
4761-430: Was transferred to U.S. Pacific Command , again creating a lack of unity of command for Alaskan defense. U.S. Army Alaska was inactivated in 1974, and ALCOM followed suit in 1975. Joint Task Force-Alaska was created to replace ALCOM. It was a provisional organization activated in the event of war or disasters by the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff . The problem of disjointed command was corrected on 1 October 1989 when
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