DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORIES
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORIES TERMS
Activate
To bring into physical existence by assignment of personnel, from 1922-1959, and again after 1968. During the period 1959-1968, activate meant to place on the active list, available to be organized.
Air Division
Not in current use. Prior to World War II, Air Divisions were composed of two or more air brigades. These commands were tailored for specific missions such as aerial defense of a given geographic area and thus had no standardized organization. During World War II, Air Divisions were an echelon between a Wing and a Numbered Air Force. After World War II, Divisions evolved from Wings. Eventually in an effort to encourage rapid decision-making, and to create flat structures without intermediate levels, Headquarters, USAF gradually inactivated or redesignated the Air Divisions.
Air Force Controlled (AFCON)
The term AFCON applies to all establishments and units under the direct control of Headquarters, USAF for organizational actions. The Air Force reserves the numbers 1 through 999 for these permanent organizations, with the numbers 101 through 300 allotted to the Air National Guard. Among AFCON organizations, AFCON units are always constituted by HQ USAF and assigned to major commands or separate operating agencies for activation. For lineage purposes, an AFCON unit’s existence commences with its constitution and continues, whether active or inactive, through all redesignations until such time as it is disbanded. A disbanded AFCON unit can be reconstituted and activated, thereby continuing its lineage and history. An AFCON unit can be consolidated with one or more AFCON units to form a single unit.
The lineage terms that apply to AFCON establishments differ from those of AFCON units. The life of an AFCON establishment begins with its establishment (either active or inactive) and continues, whether active or inactive, through redesignations, until such time as it is disestablished. It can be reestablished (either active or inactive). An AFCON establishment may also be consolidated with one or more AFCON establishments to form a single establishment.
Air Force Reserve
The Air Force Reserve is a reserve component of the Air Force created by congress to provide a reserve for active duty. It consists of the members of the officers' section of the Air Force Reserve and of the enlisted section of the Air Force reserve. It includes all reserves of the Air Force who are not members of the Air National Guard. The purpose of the Air Force Reserve is to provide trained units and qualified persons available for active duty in the united states Air Force, in time of war or national emergency, and at such other times as the national security may require, to fill the needs of the armed forces whenever more units and persons are needed than are in the regular components. Whenever Congress determines that more organizations are needed for the national security than are in the regular components of the Air Force, components of the Air Force Reserves shall be ordered to active duty and retained as long as needed.
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard is administered by the National Guard Bureau, a joint bureau of the departments of the army and Air Force. The Air National Guard has both a federal and state mission. The dual mission, a provision of the United States of America Constitution and the United States of America Code of Laws, results in each guardsman holding membership in the National Guard of his/her state and in the National Guard of the United States of America. The Air National Guard’s federal mission is to maintain well-trained, well-equipped units available for prompt mobilization during war and provide assistance during national emergencies (such as natural disasters or civil disturbances). During peacetime, the combat-ready units and support units are assigned to Air Force major commands to carry out missions compatible with training, mobilization readiness, and contingency operations. When Air National Guard units are not mobilized or under federal control, they report to the governor of their respective state, territory or the commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard.
Each of the 54 Air National Guard organizations is supervised by the adjutant general of the state or territory. Under state law, the Air National Guard provides protection of life, property and preserves peace, order and public safety. These missions are accomplished through emergency relief support during natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and forest fires; search and rescue operations; support to civil defense authorities; maintenance of vital public services and counterdrug operations. The primary sources of full-time support for Air National Guard units are the dual-status military technicians/guardsmen on active duty. These personnel perform day-to-day management, administration and maintenance. By law, dual-status military technicians are civil service employees of the federal government who must be military members of the unit that employs them. Technicians train with the unit and are mobilized with it when it’s activated.
Army Air Fields
As part of the United States Army, the USAAF operated from facilities known as Army Air Fields. They consisted of a ground station, which consisted of streets, buildings, barracks and the support facilities and organizations. The airfield consisted of the runways, taxiways, hangars, and other facilities used to support flight operations at the airfield. The Station Commander commanded the station organizations and was responsible for the facilities. There was a Quartermaster Group; Service Group; Headquarters Group, and a Combat Group. There was no uniformity in unit designations. In an administrative reorganization by HQ Army Air Force, on 1 May 1944 the station units were re-organized into Army Air Force Base Units (AAFBU), which gave organization to the units under the Station Commander.
Rapid demobilization after September 1945 meant that a new Air Force had to be built with the remnants of the wartime Army Air Forces. Initially, the Army Air Fields retained as permanent bases were assumed by the USAF were renamed as "Air Force Bases", and the Army's organizational structure was carried over into the new service with "Air Force Base Units" replacing the AAFBU. This resulted, into an awkward circumstance where the Combat Group commander was reporting to a Base Commander who may or may not had flying experience. Once the United States Air Force became operational as a separate department, Carl Spaatz, the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force established a policy where, "No tactical commander should be subordinate to the station commander."
Associate
The Associate Unit is distinctly different from the typical Reserve flying unit. They do not possess their own organic aircraft but rather share aircraft, training equipment, aerospace ground equipment, facilities, and spares with the active duty wing. Augmentation by these Reserve Associate units will ensure full utilization of aircraft under full mobilization. The objective of the Air Force Reserve associate program is to provide trained personnel to be the initial and primary source of augmentation of the active forces in any emergency requiring rapid and sustaining expansion of the strategic airlift and air refueling capabilities. Additionally, the Air Force Reserve associate units perform peacetime missions as an adjunct to, or corollary of, training. AMC and AFRC, respectively, must ensure that the active duty host and Air Force Reserve associate units are indoctrinated and trained to achieve this objective. Under the associate concept, reservists fly the same missions, accomplish the same training requirements and maintain the same professional standards as their active duty counterparts.
Attach
To place one military organization temporarily with another for operational control and other purposes, including administration and logistical support. An attached organization is one that is temporarily serving away from the establishment to which it is assigned. It is usually attached to another establishment.
Authorize
To designate an organization and place it on the inactive Army list. Used during the middle and late 1920s and early 1930s in place of "constitute," particularly for organizations held for an emergency and not scheduled for immediate activation.
Base Units (Army Air Forces/Air Force)
In February 1944, a War Department letter authorized the U.S. based commands, air forces, and centers of the AAF to designate and organize AAF Base Units, one for each base in the United States, with separate additional base units to provide personnel overhead for wings, regions, and higher echelons. Although controlling functional "squadrons," the base units had no headquarters as such and thus were miscellaneous units rather than establishments. To the basic numerical designation and the AAFBU designation, the new units could have a parenthetical suffix that indicated the unit function, for example, 999th AAFBU (Bombardier School)."
AAF Base Units were authorized lettered squadrons as functional components, but these squadrons were not units. Each squadron (Squadron A, Squadron B, etc.) had a specific function such as maintenance, supply', or motor pool. The parenthetical suffix to the base unit designation could be changed whenever the unit's functions changed, but the numerical portion could not be changed. In September 1947, upon establishment of the United States Air Force, all AAF Base Units were redesignated as Air Force Base Units (AFBUs); but by mid-1948 the remaining base units were discontinued or redesignated into a new type of four-digit unit, the direct predecessor of the MAJCON system.
AAF BASE ORGANIZATIOANL ALLOCATIONS
Headquaters, Army Air Forces
1-99
First Air Force
100-199
Second Air Force
200-299
Third Air Force
300-399
Fourth Air Force
400-499
Air Transport Command (in the US)
500-599, 8,33,36,62
AAF Proving Ground Command
600-699
AAF Materiel Command
700-799
I Troop Carrier Command
800-899
AAF Tactical Center (Later, AAF Proving Ground
Command; Air Proving Ground
900-999, 600-699
AAF Redistribution Command
1100-1599
Air Transport Command (overseas)
1100-1599
Air Training Command
2000-3999, 106, 463,467
Service Command; Air Technical Service Command; Air Materiel Command
4000-4999, 600-699, 900-915, 917-999
AAF School (Later, Air University)
27, 41-49, 308
AAF Weather Wing (later, AAF Weather Service; Air Weather Service)
65-74
Army Airways and Communications Systems (Later Airways and Air Communications Service
75-99, 700-799
Air Defense Command (Later, Aerospace Defense
Command)
9-10, 12, 32, 61, 100-199, 306, 314-315, 331,
400-499, 916, 4101, 4103, 4122, 4131, 4159,
4161, 4163, 4169, 4204, 4211
Bolling Field Command (later HQ Command)
1, 3-7, 35
Continental Air Forces (later Strategic Air Command
1, 2, 35, 36, 39, 60-64, 100-499, 800-899, 1077, 4118, 4166, 4188
Military Air Transport Service (Later, MAC)
33, 62, 65-99, 500-599, 700-799, 1100-1599
Tactical Air Command
300-399, 414, 800-899, 2002
Bestowed history
Combat squadrons of the Army Air Forces during World War II were normally organized into combat groups, with three or four squadrons to each group, and with the group serving as the basic combat element of the AAF. In many commands (although the practice was not uniform), two or more combat groups formed wings for administrative and operational control. This organization of combat elements changed in 1947 when the U.S. Air Force adopted a wing-base plan. Under the new plan, each combat wing was assigned one combat group (the group having three or four combat squadrons) and three support groups: an airdrome (later, air base or combat support) group; a maintenance and supply group; and a medical group.
All of these organizations except the combat group were new organizations without a previous history. For the most part, wings that had existed during World War II were either inactivated or redesignated as air divisions. Those organizations comprising a new wing carried the same numerical designations. using the numerical designation of the already existing combat group. Thus, the 1st Fighter Group of World War II gave its number, 1st, to the newly formed 1st Fighter Wing and to the 1st Airdrome (later, Air Base) Group, 1st Maintenance and Supply Group, and 1st Station Medical Group. In all cases, the functional designation of the combat group and the combat wing remained the same; a fighter wing had a fighter group, a bombardment wing had a bombardment group, a troop carrier wing had a troop carrier group. and a reconnaissance wing had a reconnaissance group.
On 16 June 1952, SAC with the approval of HQ USAF, inactivated the headquarters of its combat groups (which had remained active under token manning) and assigned the combat squadrons to the wings. As a result of the SAC reorganization, the World War II histories and honors of SAC's combat Groups were retired. The SAC wings, having been created during or after 1947, had no World War II histories or honors. Deviations from the wing-base plan by other commands, particularly ADC, had also curtailed the perpetuation of histories and honors of World War II groups.
In 1954, SAC and ADC asked HQ USAF to do something to perpetuate the histories and honors of World War II combat groups. The Ad Hoc Committee which reviewed these requests rejected the idea of redesignating combat groups as wings. Instead, the committee suggested that Combat groups and wings be maintained as separate and distinct organizations; The histories and honors of the groups be retained by the groups; But that the histories and honors of combat groups be bestowed upon the similarly designated combat wings. Although the Ad Hoc Committee's suggestion concerning bestowals ran counter to the long standing policy of the Air Force against transferring history and honors from one unit to another, HQ USAF accepted the Committee's recommendations.
In November 1954, the Department of the Air Force issued a series of AFOMO letters which bestowed upon each active combat wing the history and honors of its similarly designated combat group; e.g., SAC's 9th Bombardment Wing received, by bestowal, the history and honors of the 9th Bombardment Group. The bestowals made in November 1954 fell into two classes: Those in which the combat groups were inactive (as in SAC, for example); Those in which the combat groups were still active components of their related wings (as in TAC, for example), which meant that HQ USAF went beyond the original idea, proposed by SAC, for perpetuating in the wings, the histories and honors of inactive groups.
Since the initial bestowals in November 1954, AFOMO letters directing activations of wings have bestowed the histories and honors of groups upon similarly designated wings. In some cases the letters have re-bestowed group histories on wings which had been covered by the bestowals made in November 1954 but which had subsequently been inactivated. In other cases, the bestowals were newly made to wings which had not been active in November 1954. The Air Force has continued to regard each combat group, though inactive, as an integral part of the similarly designated combat wing.
Despite the tendency to do away with combat groups, some survived as active organizations, and from time to time inactive groups have been activated. Since about 1957, active combat groups have usually been assigned to divisions, or higher organizations, rather than to wings. The major exceptions have been in the reserve forces, where, since 1963, tactical wings usually have had two or more tactical groups (with numerical designations different from their wings), with one tactical squadron to each group.
In bestowing group histories and honors on wings, Department of the Air Force directives have not specified any conditions or limitations except to note, in AFOMO letters issued after the initial bestowals of November 1954, that such bestowals are temporary. As a result of several factors, particularly organizational developments after the initial bestowals, it became necessary to formulate definite rules to govern temporary bestowals of histories and honors.
The Dual Deputy organization was implemented by the other combat commands between 1956 and 1958. Air Force Reserve units implemented it in 1959 and Air National Guard units in mid-1974 (except for the ANG Wings on active duty with SAC when they were federalized for Korean War duty in 1952).
In the years since its implementation, bestowal has generated much confusion. Many throughout the Air Force did not understand that the group and the wing remained two separate and distinct entities. To alleviate some of the confusion, the Air Force in the 1980s consolidated some combat wings with their predecessor combat groups. These consolidations were limited to wings and groups whose period of active service did not overlap, since consolidation of organizations with overlapping active service adds confusion, violates lineage principles, and contravenes Air Force policy. By consolidation, the wing and group became one organization, eliminating the need for bestowal of group history and honors on the wing. Bestowal, continued to be the policy for the majority of active Air Force wings.
Brigade
Not in current use. Brigades were used between the world wars. Brigades were composed of two or more wings plus additional air and ground assets as required for a specific mission. Air Brigades were generally mission or equipment specific such as bombardment, airship, balloon, and training or school brigades. Twelve Air Brigades were constituted or organized in the army during this period three in the regular Army and nine in the organized reserve. Two brigades (both designated “1st”) were active during various periods in the interwar period. The first was Billy Mitchell’s 1st Air Brigade that earned some notoriety for sinking obsolete battleships off the coast of Virginia in 1921. Several of the reserve brigades were initiated as well, but all were inactivated by 1933.
Center
A Center is a named unit that performs a specialized mission. A primary characteristic is that it performs most of its mission within a large complex at one location; for example, Air Logistics Centers and Test Centers. Usually, it has only a few subordinate units.
Corollary
In June 1949, the Continental Air Command activated 152 corollary units for itself and the other major commands. Corollary units consisting of Air Force Reservists, formed in the vicinity of Regular Air Force bases, were trained and administered by Regular Air Force units of the same type, and used Regular Air Force equipment. The service was also developing a plan to use reservists on extended active duty to serve as instructors for reserve units and to staff the training center. These included light and medium bombardment, all-weather fighter, troop carrier, reconnaissance, vehicle repair, communications, pilot training, technical training, bombardment training, air weather, air transport, airways, and air communications and air rescue units. The corollary training program progressed slowly. A superficial logic to the corollary unit concept appealed to government officials responsible for designing reserve programs. It just seemed so obvious that the best and simplest way to train a reservist was to mix him in with an existing regular force unit and let him go at it. The objective of the corollary unit was to develop sufficient individual and unit proficiency to permit employment of the corollary unit personnel immediately upon mobilization as individual replacements or augmentees or as an integral unit. The avowed purpose of the program was to keep assigned personnel abreast of new policies, procedures, weapons, and techniques of the Air Force and to maintain their military proficiency.
Corollary establishments differed from active force wings in that air installation, food services, air police, and motor vehicle squadrons were omitted from their organizations, and all units were limited to 25 percent of the normally required personnel and equipment. Reservists, bound to their communities as citizens, could not accompany the deploying units for indeterminate or long training periods. This instability in corollary unit training was conducive neither to the development of proficiency nor to the maintenance of reservist good will. At the end of the first year of the new program, the Air Force Reserve corollary program included about 15,000 members who comprised an individual resource that the Air Force ultimately used. In November 1949, after five months’ experience with the program, the Headquarters Continental Air Command staff concluded that the tactical squadrons of combat wings should not be burdened with reserve corollary training responsibilities.
Consolidate
To combine two or more organizations, merging their lineage into a single line, thereby forming a single organization. Organizations with concurrent or overlapping periods of activation cannot be consolidated. Consolidation usually applies to organizations that were active at different times but have the same numerical designations or similar functions.
Constitute
After 1922, to give an official name, or number and name, to an organization and place it on the inactive Army/Air Force List.
Constitute
Provide the legal authority for a new unit by designating it in a Department of the
Air Force letter.
Demobilize
To withdraw all personnel from an active organization and remove the organization entirely from the Army List. Used 1907-1922.
Designate
To give an official name, or number and name, to an organization and place it on the inactive Army List, 1907-1922. Also to give an official name, or number and name, to a nonconstituted organization.
Designation
The name of a unit or establishment. The designation includes all parts of the name: numerical, functional, and generic. A designation also applies to named activities and certain functions.
Detachment (Det)
A Detachment is part of a unit that is separated geographically from its parent unit. Although not a unit for organizational purposes, a commissioned officer is assigned and appointed on orders as a commander. Detachments are often mistaken for units because they have commanders and are subject to some of the same organizational actions applying to units, including designation, activation, assignment, and inactivation. Because modern Detachments are not units, they have no lineage, no continuing history, and no authorized official emblem. When a specific Detachment is discontinued or inactivated, the Detachment, and its history is terminated even though a similarly designated Detachment may later be designated and manned. Because detachments are not units, they have no lineage, no continuing history, and no authorized official emblem.
Detachments are numbered in sequence, beginning with 1. A Detachment can be redesignated to another number within the same unit. The new number cannot duplicate a currently active Detachment number within that unit. The inactivation of a parent unit automatically inactivates its detachments. Any unit may have one or more Detachments, and some Air Force organizations operate primarily through Detachments. Very often, unit honors have been awarded to specific Detachments in recognition of outstanding performance or achievement by detachment personnel. Organizations that operate primarily through detachments include those involved in communications, meteorology, aerial port, aerospace rescue and recovery, and tactical air control.
Direct Reporting Unit (DRU)
A Direct Reporting Unit is a subdivision of the Air Force, directly subordinate to the Chief of Staff, US Air Force. A DRU performs a mission that does not fit into any of the MAJCOMs. A DRU has many of the same administrative and organizational responsibilities as a MAJCOM. A Direct Reporting Unit also applies to a subdivision of a MAJCOM. A MAJCOM DRU reports directly to the MAJCOM commander and performs a mission that does not fit into any of the MAJCOMS's primary subordinate units.
Disband
After 1922, to remove an inactive organization from the inactive Army/Air Force List. Shortly before and during World War II, this action was also used to withdraw all personnel from an active organization and simultaneously remove the organization from the Army List. The designation of the unit is retired and preserved in historical records. Replaced the term "demobilize."
Discontinue
To withdraw all personnel from a constituted organization, used only during period, 1959-1968. See "inactivate."
Disestablish
To terminate an establishment concurrent with disbandment of its headquarters organization, until reestablished.
Divisions
Although the Air Force has establishments known as Divisions, a division within an establishment's headquarters, such as a personnel division, is not a unit; it is merely a part of the establishment headquarters. With other organizational entities in the Air Force, the distinction is sometimes less clear.
Element
An Air Force element is the nomenclature used to account for manpower authorizations and to identify Air Force personnel on duty with organizations outside the Air Force. Although not a unit for organizational purposes, an element may function as a unit if so designated and a commissioned officer eligible to command either assumes command or is appointed on orders as commander. The 11th wing commander exercises authority over Air Force elements not within such command or agency.
Establish
To assign a designation to an establishment concurrent with the designation or the constitution of the headquarters organization.
Establishment
A military organization at group or higher echelon composed of a headquarters organization and any other components that might be assigned. Personnel are not assigned to an establishment, but to its components. The name of the establishment is in the name of the headquarters unit. For example, Air Mobility Command (AMC) is an establishment; Hq. AMC is its headquarters. Subordinate units are assigned to the establishment and not to the headquarters unit. This enables each unit within an establishment to have a separate identity. The fact that the headquarters unit controls the establishment places the other units subordinate to it.
Establishments are assigned to higher-level ones; for example: groups to wings, wings to NAFs, NAFs to mMajor Commands (MAJCOMS), MAJCOMS to Hq USAF. This arrangement, units reporting to establishments, subordinate establishments to superior ones, sets up the chain of command, through which all control and accountability flow. A group with subordinate squadrons is generally the lowest level establishment.
An establishment is automatically created when its headquarters unit is activated. Inactivation of a headquarters unit automatically inactivates the establishment. Units assigned to the establishment automatically revert, unless otherwise directed to the next higher level.
Field Operating Agency (FOA)
A Field Operating Agency is a subdivision of the Air Force, directly subordinate to a headquarters US Air Force functional manager. A Field Operating Agency performs field activities beyond the scope of any of the major commands. The activities are specialized or associated with an Air Force-wide mission, and do not include functions performed in management headquarters, unless specifically directed by a DoD authority.
A Field Operating Agency also applies to a subdivision of a MAJCOM. A MAJCOM FOA reports directly to a MAJCOM functional manager and performs specialized field activities beyond the scope of any of the MAJCOM's primary subordinate units. The activities are specialized and are associated with MAJCOM or theater-wide missions that transcend the scope of routine wing functions.
Flight (Numbered/named)
A numbered/named flight is the lowest level unit in the Air Force. A numbered or named flight primarily incorporates smaller elements into an organized unit that is established. Its administrative characteristics, such as strength reporting, are like those of a squadron. Although smaller than a squadron, it has many squadron characteristics. AFR 26-2 describes numerically designated flight as "the lowest unit level in the Air Force and points out that it is used primarily to incorporate small elements into an organized unit. The Air Force Reserve, in particular, uses the flight echelon rather extensively.
Flights (Unnumbered/Alphabetical)
Designated Unnumbered or alphabetically designated flights, such as Flight A, 26th Tactical Fighter Squadron, or Flight C, 56th Fighter Interceptor Squadron are organizational "shredouts” of a squadron and are not units in their own right. They are used simply to distinguish several elements of a squadron having identical missions. AFR 26-2 defines an alphabetically designated flight as: part of a squadron (usually a flying squadron) made up of several elements with identical missions. Though it is the equivalent of a branch, it is not a unit, and therefore is not subject to strength reporting or other controls on organization.
Group
A Group is a level of command between Wings and Squadrons. Groups generally bring together multiple squadrons or other lower echelon units to provide a broader capability. For instance, a Mission Support Group pulls together several squadrons in a variety of areas to provide a full spectrum mission support capability. A Group is generally a tactical echelon without significant staff support. A Group usually has two or more subordinate units.
A dependent group is a mission, maintenance, mission support, medical, or large functional unit (e.g., communications) that encompasses a number of related squadrons to provide the specified capability to a parent wing. Such groups may possess small supporting staff elements, such as standardization and evaluation or quality control that are organized as sections.
An independent group has the same functions and responsibilities as a like type wing but its scope and size do not warrant wing-level designation and associated overhead costs.
Headquarters United States Air Force
Senior headquarters of the Air Force, consisting of two major entities: the secretariat (including the secretary of the Air Force and the secretary's principal staff), and the air staff, headed by the Chief of Staff.
Hobson Plan
An organizational structure established by the United States Air Force in 1948. Known as the "Wing-Base" plan, it replaced the "Base Plan" used by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), the predecessor organization of the USAF. In 1947 Headquarters USAF standardized the wing/base organization according to the Hobson Plan. Under the "Wing-Base" plan, the operational combat squadrons were assigned to a Combat Group. The support squadrons on the station were assigned to a Maintenance and Supply Group, an Airdrome Support Group, and a Medical Group. The four Groups were assigned to a Wing, a new level of Command which unified all of the components, flying and support. The Group Commanders were subordinate to the Wing Commander who was an experienced combat flying leader. The Wing would assume the historical numerical designation of the assigned Combat Group. A Base Commander was established to handle the administrative duties of the Wing Commander and to coordinate with the various Group commanders. In this plan, the support Groups and the operational flying Combat Group and the wing became one unit.
A major change implemented by the Hobson Plan was the standardization of designations. For example, the 1st Fighter Wing, established at March Air Force Base consisted of the 1st Fighter Group (it's Combat Group); the 1st Maintenance and Supply Group, the 1st Combat Support Group (to operate base facilities and services), and the 1st Medical Group. Subordinate to the groups were various squadrons. Operational flying Squadrons retained their historical designations and were assigned to the Combat Group.
Inactivate
To withdraw all personnel from a constituted organization and place the organization on the inactive list (from 1922 to 1959 and from 1968 to date). An inactive unit retains its lineage, history, and honors, and is available for activation when needed again. During the period 1959-1968 to be inactivated meant to be transferred from the active to the inactive list, after being discontinued.
Laboratory
An organization that performs a research or advanced development mission.
Lineage
The unique, official, and traceable record of actions peculiar to each Air Force organization; therefore, it is the sole determinant of an organization’s rights to history, honors, and emblems. It allows the Air Force to avoid confusing one organization with another. The lineage of permanent organizations are continuous. Neither inactivation nor disbandment terminates their lineage or heraldry. A current organization may have begun its existence with a different number, designation, echelon, or all three, but lineage traces all changes to its current designation.
The Air Force Historical Research Agency is authorized to determine official lineage and honors data for regular Air Force organizations and Air Force Reserve organizations but not for Air National Guard. The official USAF statement of lineage forms the foundation of the organization's history and governs the organization's inheritance of emblem and honors. A basic policy of the Air Force is that each organization will have a unique lineage. This policy was in effect in the War Department when military aviation was under the Army and has been continued by the United States Air Force since its inception in 1947. No two organizations can have the same lineage, although at different times in their existence they may have possessed similar or even identical designations.
Major Command (MAJCOM)
The Air Force organizes, trains, and equips Air Forces through its MAJCOMs. Major commands are directly subordinate to headquarters U.S. Air Force. MAJCOMs headquarters are management headquarters and thus have the full range of functional staff.
Major Command Controlled (MAJCON)
Temporary organizations controlled by Major Commands. The Major Commands wanted a flexible organization at the lower echelons to permit rapid adjustments in manning that short-term requirements often dictated. Because the manning of permanent organizations was judged to be too rigid, in 1948 the Air Force created a new type of temporary organization. These major command-controlled organizations were identified as "MAJCON." Using four-digit numbers allotted to each command (for example, 3900-4399 for Strategic Air Command) by Headquarters USAF, the commands could create and end MAJCON organizations as needed. When a MAJCON organization was discontinued or inactivated, its life ended, never to be revived. The number of this organization could then be reused to designate another, entirely new MAJCON organization.
Even if another MAJCON unit is formed immediately with the same designation, the same mission, and at the same base, the latter unit’s lineage is separate from the former unit. Although the original intent was to provide major command flexibility in establishing and terminating short-lived, temporary organizations, some MAJCON organizations existed more than forty years.
MAJCON organizational allocations
Headquarters, USAF
1000-1099, 1947
Headquarters Command, USAF
1000-1199
Air Force Technical Applications Center
1155-1157
Military Air Transport Service (Later, Military Airlift Command)
1200-2199, 6500-6999, 1099, 1100, 1185
Air Force Communications Service (Later Air Force Communications Command)
1800-2199
Air Defense Command (Later Aerospace Defense Command)
2200-2699, 4600-4799
Continental Air Command
2200-2699, 4400-4899
Air Force Reserves
2200-2699
Air Material Command (Later Air Force Logistics Command)
2700-3199
Air Proving Ground (Later, Air Proving Ground Command)
3200-3299
Air Research And Development Command (Later Air Force Systems Command)
320-3249, 4900-4999, 6500-6599, 1155-1157
Air Training Command
3250-3799, 3800-3899
Air University
3800-3899
Strategic Air Command
3900-4399
Tactical Air Command
4400-4899
Long Range Proving Ground Division
4800-4849
Aerospace Defense Center
4800-4809
Air Pictorial Service
4850-4899
Special Weapons Command
4900-4999
Alaskan Air Command
5000-5499
Caribbean Air Command (Later, USAF Southern Command)
5500-5999
Far East Air Forces (Later, Pacific Air Forces)
6000-6599
Northeast Air Command
6600-6899
USAF Security Service (Later Electronic Security Command)
6900-6999
United States Air Force in Europe
7000-7599, 1141
3 Air Division
7500-7599
Joint Us Military Group Air Administration, Spain (later 16 AF)
7600-7624
Air Force Intelligence Service
7600-7609, 7625-7649
Aeronautical Chart and Information Center
7650-7999
Reserve units of Tactical Air Command
8000-8049
Reserve units of Electronic Security Command
8075-8089
National Guard Bureau
8101-8300
Reserve units of Continental Air Command
8301-8749, 9000-9999
Reserve units of Air Force Reserve
8301-8711, 9000-9999
Reserve units of Headquarters, United States Air Force
8490-8499
Reserve units of Military Air Transport Service (Later, Military Airlift Command)
8500-8599, 8890-8899
Reserve units of Air Training Command
8600-8699
Reserve units of Special Weapons Command
8750-8799
Reserve units of Strategic Air Command
8800-8889
Reserve units of United States Air Forces in Europe
8900-8949
Reserve units of Far East Air Force (Later, Pacific Air Forces)
8950-8999
Reserve units of Air Reserve Personnel Center
9000-9999
Named Activity
A named activity is one type of functional entity very often mistaken for a unit. A named activity is a segment or part of a unit, whose mission or purpose can be directly and more adequately identified by the assignment of a definitive name. A named activity is part of a unit whose mission can be identified better by assigning it a definitive name for example, the Civil Engineer and Services School is part of a unit, the Air Force Institute of Technology. Headquarters US Air Force is responsible for administrative control of named activities.
Nonunit
An organizational entity that is not constituted by Headquarters, USAF.
Numbered Air Force (NAF)
A Numbered Air Force is a level of command directly under a MAJCOMS. NAFs are tactical echelons that provide operational leadership and supervision. They are not management headquarters and do not have complete functional staffs. Many NAFs are responsible for MAJCOMs operations in a specific geographic region or theater of operations. The operational focus of the NAFs ensures the readiness of assigned forces; prepares forces for deployment and employment; plans for bed-down of forces; and exercises operational control of assigned forces.
The NAFs consist of operational and support divisions reporting directly to a NAFs commander. These divisions are an integral part of the NAF structure and are not assigned forces. Assigned functions include safety, standardization and evaluation, staff judge advocate, and inspector general. The number of persons assigned to a NAFs headquarters varies from case to case.
During World War II, and for a short period thereafter, the Numbered Air Forces had the status now enjoyed by major commands, with each Air Force having its own subordinate commands—e.g., Fifth Air Force had the V Fighter Command, V Bomber Command, and Support Commands. Only very briefly, early in World War II, were Air Forces identified by an Arabic numeral (e.g., 1st Air Force). Beginning in 1942 the war department required Air Forces to be numbered in single series beginning with a spelled-out numeral (e.g., First Air Force).
Operating Location (OL)
An Operating Location is part of a unit that is separated geographically from its parent unit. It is used to account for personnel by location. Personnel remain assigned to the parent unit. An Operating Location has none of the administrative attributes of a unit and does not have nonjudicial punishment authority under the UCMJ. An OL is not a location separated from an installation to which personnel are transported to and from work.
Order to the Active Service
To place a Reserve or National Guard organization on active duty with the regular Air Force.
Organization
The term organization applies to units and establishments.
Organization Record AFHQ Form 0-525
Organize
To assign personnel to a designated organization (1907-1922), a non-constituted organization (1944-1968), or a constituted organization (1959-1968).
Perpetuation of unit histories, 1936
On 16 October 1936, the Army, in order to perpetuate the history and traditions of units which had served as part of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I, reconstituted many Aero Squadrons with illustrious histories and consolidated them with Active, Reserve and National Guard squadrons without wartime histories.
Perpetuation of unit histories, 1955
Air Defense Command implemented Project Arrow, which was designed to bring back on the active list the fighter units which had compiled memorable records in the world wars. Project Arrow ALSO called for fighter squadrons to be assigned to their traditional group headquarters.
Perpetuation of unit histories, 1962
Strategic Air Command, in order to perpetuate the lineage of many currently inactive bombardment units with illustrious World War II records, Headquarters SAC received authority from Headquarters USAF to discontinue its MAJCON Strategic Wings that were equipped with combat aircraft and to activate AFCON units, most of which were inactive at the time which could carry a lineage and history.
Perpetuation of unit histories, 1982/1985
The Air Force updated many organizations either by giving the organization a contemporary designation or consolidating organizations with an illustrious history with contemporary organizations with less illustrious histories.
Provisional Units
A provisional unit is a temporary unit organized to perform a specific task and is attached rather than assigned to a permanent unit, thereby establishing the necessary command relationship. A provisional unit may be assigned to a higher provisional unit.
Provisional units are temporary and once inactivated, their lineage ceases and may not be revived. Any provisional unit activated using the same nomenclature as a previous provisional unit may not claim the lineage, history, or honors of the previous unit. A provisional unit will be created when a specific organization is required and no organization exists to attach personnel. Provisional units will be organized the same as regular units. Based on Air Force policy and long-standing tradition, the history, lineage, and honors of a "provisional" unit terminates when it inactivates, and battle honors earned by the "provisional" unit are not shared with the permanent unit that provided the resources.
Lineage and heritage of provisional organizations will terminate upon inactivation.
No lineal connection exists between the expeditionary unit and the major force provider.
Honors are normally "conferred" only at the wing, group, or squadron levels.
Honors may be "conferred" only from a single expeditionary organization to a single
permanent organization. For example, honors earned by the 4th Expeditionary Fighter
Squadron may be "conferred" only on the 4th Fighter Squadron.
Expeditionary organization may borrow temporarily the major force provider's honors and
history.
Expeditionary organization may display officially approved emblem of the major force
provider with its commander's permission.
Within the MAJCON family of organizations is an offshoot called “provisional.” All provisional units and establishments are controlled by major commands (MAJCOMs) or separate operating agencies (SOAs) and have certain characteristics of regular MAJCON organizations. Provisional units and establishments arc even more temporary in nature than regular MAJCON units and establishments. Presently, provisional organizations may be named or numbered. When numbered, they are designated with a numerical suffix to avoid confusion with regular units, and the word “provisional” is included (example: Tactical Airlift Squadron Provisional, 6677th). Provisional organizations are designated by MAJCOMs or SOAs. They are then activated and personnel attached for duty. When their mission is completed, provisional units are inactivated and attached personnel revert to their permanent units. Provisional organizations cannot be revived once they are inactivated, and when a provisional organization is replaced by a regular organization, the latter has no lineal relationship with the former. Besides describing the organization of the service, this study contains the lineages of Air Force major commands, separate operating agencies, direct reporting units, and named and numbered air forces. All of these organizations are AFCON establishments.
Reconstitute
To return a disbanded or demobilized organization to the inactive Army/Air Force List, making it available for activation (1922-current).
Redesignate
To change the designation of an organization.
Reestablish
To return a previously existing establishment from disestablished status to the active list, so that it can be activated.
Region
A Region is a term sometimes used when organization is geographic.
Relieve from Active Duty
Reserve organizations are relieved from active duty with the regular Air Force upon completion of a period of active duty.
Section/Crew/Unit
Before and during World War II, many types of constituted organizations used designations, such as Detachment, Section, Crew, and Unit, which are no longer used for Air Force controlled organizations.
Separate Operating Agency (SOA)
(Not in current use) Separate Operating Agencies were major subdivisions of the Air Force directly subordinate to Hq USAF and had all of the "procedural (administrative and logistical) responsibilities" of a Major Command. In 1991, most active Separate Operating Agencies changed in status to Direct Reporting Units or Field Operating Agencies.
Squadron
The squadron is the basic unit in the Air Force. Squadrons are the building block organizations in the Air Force, providing a specific operational or support capability. A squadron may be either a mission unit, such as an operational flying squadron, or a functional unit, such as a Civil Engineer, Security Forces, or Maintenance Squadron. A squadron has a substantive mission of its own that warrants organization as a separate unit based on factors like unity of command, functional grouping and administrative control, balanced with efficient use of resources. Squadrons are broken down into flights. Through the years, squadrons have varied in size and composition according to specific needs.
The term squadron literally means a square (from the Latin quadrare, to square). In Army applications, a squadron describes a body of troops drawn into a square or arranged in formal order. For more than four centuries, western armed forces have ordered personnel and equipment in organizations known as squadrons. In navies, a squadron was a group of vessels consisting of two or more divisions of a fleet. For armies, the cavalry squadron was the most common type and it consisted of two or more elements called troops.
When the time came to form tactical aviation organizations, most military planners simply adapted the cavalry squadron organization to their purposes. Like cavalry squadrons, the new aero squadrons were administrative and tactical units, which usually consisted of two or more elements. It was the smallest administrative organization practically universally accepted for air units. Initially, US aero squadrons consisted of two elements called companies. By the time the United States entered World War I, they contained two or more elements called flights. The squadron has existed exclusively as the working level air unit since the designation of the 1 Aero Squadron in 1913.
Squadron Section
A squadron section is a function responsible for the administrative control of all members assigned to a unit. A squadron section is created by appointing a squadron section commander on special orders. Squadron sections will be established with the office symbol “CCQ” and office title “orderly room.” Squadron sections are also sometimes confused with units. For example, Headquarters Squadron Section, Medical Squadron Section, and Patient Squadron Section, although they may include squadron in their designation, are not units; like detachments, they are merely segments of units. A headquarters squadron section, for example, is a section of an establishment's headquarters unit. Many establishments have squadron sections as part of their headquarters unit. Squadron sections date to 18 July 1951, when AFL 20-5 required the discontinuance of the generic designation "headquarters and headquarters squadron." and substituted the designation "headquarters." This change, made to eliminate confusion over the "headquarters squadron portion of the designation.
Unit
A unit is a military organization constituted by HQ USAF. Units can be either a numbered squadron, flight or named organization. A unit provides for an unbroken chain of command since military personnel must be assigned to a unit at all times. Normally, a unit having military members will have an officer designated as its commander. A civilian may lead a unit in approved circumstances and provide supervision to military and civilian personnel in the unit.
Wing
A wing is a level of command below the Numbered Air Force. A wing has a distinct mission and is usually composed of a primary mission group (e.g., operations, training) and the necessary supporting groups. By pulling together the mission and support elements, a wing provides a significant capability under a single commander. A wing may be either an operational wing, an air base wing, or a specialized mission wing. An Operational Wing is a wing that has an Operations Group and related operational mission activity assigned to it. When an Operational Wing performs the primary mission of the base, it usually maintains and operates the base. In addition, an operational wing is capable of self-support in functional areas like maintenance, supply, and munitions, as needed. When an operational wing is a tenant organization, the host command provides it with varying degrees of base and logistics support. An Air Base Wing is a wing that performs a support rather than an operational mission. It maintains and operates a base. An air base wing sometimes provides functional support to a MAJCOM headquarters. A specialized mission wing is a wing that performs a specialized mission and usually does not have aircraft or missiles assigned to it. For example, Intelligence Wing, Training Wing, and so on. This wing may be either a host wing or a tenant wing, depending on whether it maintains and operates the base.
The Army Air Service/Air Corps/Army Air Force Wings that existed before 1947 are not comparable with the modern Wings of the United States Air Force. In July 1918, the American Expeditionary Forces of the U.S. Army organized in France the 1st Pursuit Wing. Although this wing did not survive post-World War I demobilization, new Wings were created in the 1920s and 1930s. World War II Wings were very large administrative and operational organizations that usually controlled several combat groups and numerous service organizations, often located at widely scattered locations. Many of the World War II Wings were redesignated as Air Divisions after the war.
Modern Wings began their existence with a service test of combat Wings in 1947. These Wings were initially temporary table of distribution (t/d) organizations. In 1948, at the end of the service test, Hq USAF replaced these t/d Wings with permanent constituted combat Wings each having a Combat Group, an Air Base Group, a Maintenance and Supply Group, and a Medical Group. In most cases, the numerical designation of the wing came from the Combat Group which preceded it and became an integral part of the post-World War II Wing. When the 14th Fighter Wing (later, 14th Flying Training Wing) came into existence, it received the "14th" numerical designation from the 14th Fighter Group which had already existed for a number of years and which became the Wing's combat component. At the same time, the other component establishments, and units of these establishments, also received the "14th" numerical designations, aligning each of them directly to the 14th Wing. The tactical squadrons of the Combat Group retained their separate and distinct numerical designations.
Activate
To bring into physical existence by assignment of personnel, from 1922-1959, and again after 1968. During the period 1959-1968, activate meant to place on the active list, available to be organized.
Air Division
Not in current use. Prior to World War II, Air Divisions were composed of two or more air brigades. These commands were tailored for specific missions such as aerial defense of a given geographic area and thus had no standardized organization. During World War II, Air Divisions were an echelon between a Wing and a Numbered Air Force. After World War II, Divisions evolved from Wings. Eventually in an effort to encourage rapid decision-making, and to create flat structures without intermediate levels, Headquarters, USAF gradually inactivated or redesignated the Air Divisions.
Air Force Controlled (AFCON)
The term AFCON applies to all establishments and units under the direct control of Headquarters, USAF for organizational actions. The Air Force reserves the numbers 1 through 999 for these permanent organizations, with the numbers 101 through 300 allotted to the Air National Guard. Among AFCON organizations, AFCON units are always constituted by HQ USAF and assigned to major commands or separate operating agencies for activation. For lineage purposes, an AFCON unit’s existence commences with its constitution and continues, whether active or inactive, through all redesignations until such time as it is disbanded. A disbanded AFCON unit can be reconstituted and activated, thereby continuing its lineage and history. An AFCON unit can be consolidated with one or more AFCON units to form a single unit.
The lineage terms that apply to AFCON establishments differ from those of AFCON units. The life of an AFCON establishment begins with its establishment (either active or inactive) and continues, whether active or inactive, through redesignations, until such time as it is disestablished. It can be reestablished (either active or inactive). An AFCON establishment may also be consolidated with one or more AFCON establishments to form a single establishment.
Air Force Reserve
The Air Force Reserve is a reserve component of the Air Force created by congress to provide a reserve for active duty. It consists of the members of the officers' section of the Air Force Reserve and of the enlisted section of the Air Force reserve. It includes all reserves of the Air Force who are not members of the Air National Guard. The purpose of the Air Force Reserve is to provide trained units and qualified persons available for active duty in the united states Air Force, in time of war or national emergency, and at such other times as the national security may require, to fill the needs of the armed forces whenever more units and persons are needed than are in the regular components. Whenever Congress determines that more organizations are needed for the national security than are in the regular components of the Air Force, components of the Air Force Reserves shall be ordered to active duty and retained as long as needed.
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard is administered by the National Guard Bureau, a joint bureau of the departments of the army and Air Force. The Air National Guard has both a federal and state mission. The dual mission, a provision of the United States of America Constitution and the United States of America Code of Laws, results in each guardsman holding membership in the National Guard of his/her state and in the National Guard of the United States of America. The Air National Guard’s federal mission is to maintain well-trained, well-equipped units available for prompt mobilization during war and provide assistance during national emergencies (such as natural disasters or civil disturbances). During peacetime, the combat-ready units and support units are assigned to Air Force major commands to carry out missions compatible with training, mobilization readiness, and contingency operations. When Air National Guard units are not mobilized or under federal control, they report to the governor of their respective state, territory or the commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard.
Each of the 54 Air National Guard organizations is supervised by the adjutant general of the state or territory. Under state law, the Air National Guard provides protection of life, property and preserves peace, order and public safety. These missions are accomplished through emergency relief support during natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and forest fires; search and rescue operations; support to civil defense authorities; maintenance of vital public services and counterdrug operations. The primary sources of full-time support for Air National Guard units are the dual-status military technicians/guardsmen on active duty. These personnel perform day-to-day management, administration and maintenance. By law, dual-status military technicians are civil service employees of the federal government who must be military members of the unit that employs them. Technicians train with the unit and are mobilized with it when it’s activated.
Army Air Fields
As part of the United States Army, the USAAF operated from facilities known as Army Air Fields. They consisted of a ground station, which consisted of streets, buildings, barracks and the support facilities and organizations. The airfield consisted of the runways, taxiways, hangars, and other facilities used to support flight operations at the airfield. The Station Commander commanded the station organizations and was responsible for the facilities. There was a Quartermaster Group; Service Group; Headquarters Group, and a Combat Group. There was no uniformity in unit designations. In an administrative reorganization by HQ Army Air Force, on 1 May 1944 the station units were re-organized into Army Air Force Base Units (AAFBU), which gave organization to the units under the Station Commander.
Rapid demobilization after September 1945 meant that a new Air Force had to be built with the remnants of the wartime Army Air Forces. Initially, the Army Air Fields retained as permanent bases were assumed by the USAF were renamed as "Air Force Bases", and the Army's organizational structure was carried over into the new service with "Air Force Base Units" replacing the AAFBU. This resulted, into an awkward circumstance where the Combat Group commander was reporting to a Base Commander who may or may not had flying experience. Once the United States Air Force became operational as a separate department, Carl Spaatz, the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force established a policy where, "No tactical commander should be subordinate to the station commander."
Associate
The Associate Unit is distinctly different from the typical Reserve flying unit. They do not possess their own organic aircraft but rather share aircraft, training equipment, aerospace ground equipment, facilities, and spares with the active duty wing. Augmentation by these Reserve Associate units will ensure full utilization of aircraft under full mobilization. The objective of the Air Force Reserve associate program is to provide trained personnel to be the initial and primary source of augmentation of the active forces in any emergency requiring rapid and sustaining expansion of the strategic airlift and air refueling capabilities. Additionally, the Air Force Reserve associate units perform peacetime missions as an adjunct to, or corollary of, training. AMC and AFRC, respectively, must ensure that the active duty host and Air Force Reserve associate units are indoctrinated and trained to achieve this objective. Under the associate concept, reservists fly the same missions, accomplish the same training requirements and maintain the same professional standards as their active duty counterparts.
Attach
To place one military organization temporarily with another for operational control and other purposes, including administration and logistical support. An attached organization is one that is temporarily serving away from the establishment to which it is assigned. It is usually attached to another establishment.
Authorize
To designate an organization and place it on the inactive Army list. Used during the middle and late 1920s and early 1930s in place of "constitute," particularly for organizations held for an emergency and not scheduled for immediate activation.
Base Units (Army Air Forces/Air Force)
In February 1944, a War Department letter authorized the U.S. based commands, air forces, and centers of the AAF to designate and organize AAF Base Units, one for each base in the United States, with separate additional base units to provide personnel overhead for wings, regions, and higher echelons. Although controlling functional "squadrons," the base units had no headquarters as such and thus were miscellaneous units rather than establishments. To the basic numerical designation and the AAFBU designation, the new units could have a parenthetical suffix that indicated the unit function, for example, 999th AAFBU (Bombardier School)."
AAF Base Units were authorized lettered squadrons as functional components, but these squadrons were not units. Each squadron (Squadron A, Squadron B, etc.) had a specific function such as maintenance, supply', or motor pool. The parenthetical suffix to the base unit designation could be changed whenever the unit's functions changed, but the numerical portion could not be changed. In September 1947, upon establishment of the United States Air Force, all AAF Base Units were redesignated as Air Force Base Units (AFBUs); but by mid-1948 the remaining base units were discontinued or redesignated into a new type of four-digit unit, the direct predecessor of the MAJCON system.
AAF BASE ORGANIZATIOANL ALLOCATIONS
Headquaters, Army Air Forces
1-99
First Air Force
100-199
Second Air Force
200-299
Third Air Force
300-399
Fourth Air Force
400-499
Air Transport Command (in the US)
500-599, 8,33,36,62
AAF Proving Ground Command
600-699
AAF Materiel Command
700-799
I Troop Carrier Command
800-899
AAF Tactical Center (Later, AAF Proving Ground
Command; Air Proving Ground
900-999, 600-699
AAF Redistribution Command
1100-1599
Air Transport Command (overseas)
1100-1599
Air Training Command
2000-3999, 106, 463,467
Service Command; Air Technical Service Command; Air Materiel Command
4000-4999, 600-699, 900-915, 917-999
AAF School (Later, Air University)
27, 41-49, 308
AAF Weather Wing (later, AAF Weather Service; Air Weather Service)
65-74
Army Airways and Communications Systems (Later Airways and Air Communications Service
75-99, 700-799
Air Defense Command (Later, Aerospace Defense
Command)
9-10, 12, 32, 61, 100-199, 306, 314-315, 331,
400-499, 916, 4101, 4103, 4122, 4131, 4159,
4161, 4163, 4169, 4204, 4211
Bolling Field Command (later HQ Command)
1, 3-7, 35
Continental Air Forces (later Strategic Air Command
1, 2, 35, 36, 39, 60-64, 100-499, 800-899, 1077, 4118, 4166, 4188
Military Air Transport Service (Later, MAC)
33, 62, 65-99, 500-599, 700-799, 1100-1599
Tactical Air Command
300-399, 414, 800-899, 2002
Bestowed history
Combat squadrons of the Army Air Forces during World War II were normally organized into combat groups, with three or four squadrons to each group, and with the group serving as the basic combat element of the AAF. In many commands (although the practice was not uniform), two or more combat groups formed wings for administrative and operational control. This organization of combat elements changed in 1947 when the U.S. Air Force adopted a wing-base plan. Under the new plan, each combat wing was assigned one combat group (the group having three or four combat squadrons) and three support groups: an airdrome (later, air base or combat support) group; a maintenance and supply group; and a medical group.
All of these organizations except the combat group were new organizations without a previous history. For the most part, wings that had existed during World War II were either inactivated or redesignated as air divisions. Those organizations comprising a new wing carried the same numerical designations. using the numerical designation of the already existing combat group. Thus, the 1st Fighter Group of World War II gave its number, 1st, to the newly formed 1st Fighter Wing and to the 1st Airdrome (later, Air Base) Group, 1st Maintenance and Supply Group, and 1st Station Medical Group. In all cases, the functional designation of the combat group and the combat wing remained the same; a fighter wing had a fighter group, a bombardment wing had a bombardment group, a troop carrier wing had a troop carrier group. and a reconnaissance wing had a reconnaissance group.
On 16 June 1952, SAC with the approval of HQ USAF, inactivated the headquarters of its combat groups (which had remained active under token manning) and assigned the combat squadrons to the wings. As a result of the SAC reorganization, the World War II histories and honors of SAC's combat Groups were retired. The SAC wings, having been created during or after 1947, had no World War II histories or honors. Deviations from the wing-base plan by other commands, particularly ADC, had also curtailed the perpetuation of histories and honors of World War II groups.
In 1954, SAC and ADC asked HQ USAF to do something to perpetuate the histories and honors of World War II combat groups. The Ad Hoc Committee which reviewed these requests rejected the idea of redesignating combat groups as wings. Instead, the committee suggested that Combat groups and wings be maintained as separate and distinct organizations; The histories and honors of the groups be retained by the groups; But that the histories and honors of combat groups be bestowed upon the similarly designated combat wings. Although the Ad Hoc Committee's suggestion concerning bestowals ran counter to the long standing policy of the Air Force against transferring history and honors from one unit to another, HQ USAF accepted the Committee's recommendations.
In November 1954, the Department of the Air Force issued a series of AFOMO letters which bestowed upon each active combat wing the history and honors of its similarly designated combat group; e.g., SAC's 9th Bombardment Wing received, by bestowal, the history and honors of the 9th Bombardment Group. The bestowals made in November 1954 fell into two classes: Those in which the combat groups were inactive (as in SAC, for example); Those in which the combat groups were still active components of their related wings (as in TAC, for example), which meant that HQ USAF went beyond the original idea, proposed by SAC, for perpetuating in the wings, the histories and honors of inactive groups.
Since the initial bestowals in November 1954, AFOMO letters directing activations of wings have bestowed the histories and honors of groups upon similarly designated wings. In some cases the letters have re-bestowed group histories on wings which had been covered by the bestowals made in November 1954 but which had subsequently been inactivated. In other cases, the bestowals were newly made to wings which had not been active in November 1954. The Air Force has continued to regard each combat group, though inactive, as an integral part of the similarly designated combat wing.
Despite the tendency to do away with combat groups, some survived as active organizations, and from time to time inactive groups have been activated. Since about 1957, active combat groups have usually been assigned to divisions, or higher organizations, rather than to wings. The major exceptions have been in the reserve forces, where, since 1963, tactical wings usually have had two or more tactical groups (with numerical designations different from their wings), with one tactical squadron to each group.
In bestowing group histories and honors on wings, Department of the Air Force directives have not specified any conditions or limitations except to note, in AFOMO letters issued after the initial bestowals of November 1954, that such bestowals are temporary. As a result of several factors, particularly organizational developments after the initial bestowals, it became necessary to formulate definite rules to govern temporary bestowals of histories and honors.
The Dual Deputy organization was implemented by the other combat commands between 1956 and 1958. Air Force Reserve units implemented it in 1959 and Air National Guard units in mid-1974 (except for the ANG Wings on active duty with SAC when they were federalized for Korean War duty in 1952).
In the years since its implementation, bestowal has generated much confusion. Many throughout the Air Force did not understand that the group and the wing remained two separate and distinct entities. To alleviate some of the confusion, the Air Force in the 1980s consolidated some combat wings with their predecessor combat groups. These consolidations were limited to wings and groups whose period of active service did not overlap, since consolidation of organizations with overlapping active service adds confusion, violates lineage principles, and contravenes Air Force policy. By consolidation, the wing and group became one organization, eliminating the need for bestowal of group history and honors on the wing. Bestowal, continued to be the policy for the majority of active Air Force wings.
Brigade
Not in current use. Brigades were used between the world wars. Brigades were composed of two or more wings plus additional air and ground assets as required for a specific mission. Air Brigades were generally mission or equipment specific such as bombardment, airship, balloon, and training or school brigades. Twelve Air Brigades were constituted or organized in the army during this period three in the regular Army and nine in the organized reserve. Two brigades (both designated “1st”) were active during various periods in the interwar period. The first was Billy Mitchell’s 1st Air Brigade that earned some notoriety for sinking obsolete battleships off the coast of Virginia in 1921. Several of the reserve brigades were initiated as well, but all were inactivated by 1933.
Center
A Center is a named unit that performs a specialized mission. A primary characteristic is that it performs most of its mission within a large complex at one location; for example, Air Logistics Centers and Test Centers. Usually, it has only a few subordinate units.
Corollary
In June 1949, the Continental Air Command activated 152 corollary units for itself and the other major commands. Corollary units consisting of Air Force Reservists, formed in the vicinity of Regular Air Force bases, were trained and administered by Regular Air Force units of the same type, and used Regular Air Force equipment. The service was also developing a plan to use reservists on extended active duty to serve as instructors for reserve units and to staff the training center. These included light and medium bombardment, all-weather fighter, troop carrier, reconnaissance, vehicle repair, communications, pilot training, technical training, bombardment training, air weather, air transport, airways, and air communications and air rescue units. The corollary training program progressed slowly. A superficial logic to the corollary unit concept appealed to government officials responsible for designing reserve programs. It just seemed so obvious that the best and simplest way to train a reservist was to mix him in with an existing regular force unit and let him go at it. The objective of the corollary unit was to develop sufficient individual and unit proficiency to permit employment of the corollary unit personnel immediately upon mobilization as individual replacements or augmentees or as an integral unit. The avowed purpose of the program was to keep assigned personnel abreast of new policies, procedures, weapons, and techniques of the Air Force and to maintain their military proficiency.
Corollary establishments differed from active force wings in that air installation, food services, air police, and motor vehicle squadrons were omitted from their organizations, and all units were limited to 25 percent of the normally required personnel and equipment. Reservists, bound to their communities as citizens, could not accompany the deploying units for indeterminate or long training periods. This instability in corollary unit training was conducive neither to the development of proficiency nor to the maintenance of reservist good will. At the end of the first year of the new program, the Air Force Reserve corollary program included about 15,000 members who comprised an individual resource that the Air Force ultimately used. In November 1949, after five months’ experience with the program, the Headquarters Continental Air Command staff concluded that the tactical squadrons of combat wings should not be burdened with reserve corollary training responsibilities.
Consolidate
To combine two or more organizations, merging their lineage into a single line, thereby forming a single organization. Organizations with concurrent or overlapping periods of activation cannot be consolidated. Consolidation usually applies to organizations that were active at different times but have the same numerical designations or similar functions.
Constitute
After 1922, to give an official name, or number and name, to an organization and place it on the inactive Army/Air Force List.
Constitute
Provide the legal authority for a new unit by designating it in a Department of the
Air Force letter.
Demobilize
To withdraw all personnel from an active organization and remove the organization entirely from the Army List. Used 1907-1922.
Designate
To give an official name, or number and name, to an organization and place it on the inactive Army List, 1907-1922. Also to give an official name, or number and name, to a nonconstituted organization.
Designation
The name of a unit or establishment. The designation includes all parts of the name: numerical, functional, and generic. A designation also applies to named activities and certain functions.
Detachment (Det)
A Detachment is part of a unit that is separated geographically from its parent unit. Although not a unit for organizational purposes, a commissioned officer is assigned and appointed on orders as a commander. Detachments are often mistaken for units because they have commanders and are subject to some of the same organizational actions applying to units, including designation, activation, assignment, and inactivation. Because modern Detachments are not units, they have no lineage, no continuing history, and no authorized official emblem. When a specific Detachment is discontinued or inactivated, the Detachment, and its history is terminated even though a similarly designated Detachment may later be designated and manned. Because detachments are not units, they have no lineage, no continuing history, and no authorized official emblem.
Detachments are numbered in sequence, beginning with 1. A Detachment can be redesignated to another number within the same unit. The new number cannot duplicate a currently active Detachment number within that unit. The inactivation of a parent unit automatically inactivates its detachments. Any unit may have one or more Detachments, and some Air Force organizations operate primarily through Detachments. Very often, unit honors have been awarded to specific Detachments in recognition of outstanding performance or achievement by detachment personnel. Organizations that operate primarily through detachments include those involved in communications, meteorology, aerial port, aerospace rescue and recovery, and tactical air control.
Direct Reporting Unit (DRU)
A Direct Reporting Unit is a subdivision of the Air Force, directly subordinate to the Chief of Staff, US Air Force. A DRU performs a mission that does not fit into any of the MAJCOMs. A DRU has many of the same administrative and organizational responsibilities as a MAJCOM. A Direct Reporting Unit also applies to a subdivision of a MAJCOM. A MAJCOM DRU reports directly to the MAJCOM commander and performs a mission that does not fit into any of the MAJCOMS's primary subordinate units.
Disband
After 1922, to remove an inactive organization from the inactive Army/Air Force List. Shortly before and during World War II, this action was also used to withdraw all personnel from an active organization and simultaneously remove the organization from the Army List. The designation of the unit is retired and preserved in historical records. Replaced the term "demobilize."
Discontinue
To withdraw all personnel from a constituted organization, used only during period, 1959-1968. See "inactivate."
Disestablish
To terminate an establishment concurrent with disbandment of its headquarters organization, until reestablished.
Divisions
Although the Air Force has establishments known as Divisions, a division within an establishment's headquarters, such as a personnel division, is not a unit; it is merely a part of the establishment headquarters. With other organizational entities in the Air Force, the distinction is sometimes less clear.
Element
An Air Force element is the nomenclature used to account for manpower authorizations and to identify Air Force personnel on duty with organizations outside the Air Force. Although not a unit for organizational purposes, an element may function as a unit if so designated and a commissioned officer eligible to command either assumes command or is appointed on orders as commander. The 11th wing commander exercises authority over Air Force elements not within such command or agency.
Establish
To assign a designation to an establishment concurrent with the designation or the constitution of the headquarters organization.
Establishment
A military organization at group or higher echelon composed of a headquarters organization and any other components that might be assigned. Personnel are not assigned to an establishment, but to its components. The name of the establishment is in the name of the headquarters unit. For example, Air Mobility Command (AMC) is an establishment; Hq. AMC is its headquarters. Subordinate units are assigned to the establishment and not to the headquarters unit. This enables each unit within an establishment to have a separate identity. The fact that the headquarters unit controls the establishment places the other units subordinate to it.
Establishments are assigned to higher-level ones; for example: groups to wings, wings to NAFs, NAFs to mMajor Commands (MAJCOMS), MAJCOMS to Hq USAF. This arrangement, units reporting to establishments, subordinate establishments to superior ones, sets up the chain of command, through which all control and accountability flow. A group with subordinate squadrons is generally the lowest level establishment.
An establishment is automatically created when its headquarters unit is activated. Inactivation of a headquarters unit automatically inactivates the establishment. Units assigned to the establishment automatically revert, unless otherwise directed to the next higher level.
Field Operating Agency (FOA)
A Field Operating Agency is a subdivision of the Air Force, directly subordinate to a headquarters US Air Force functional manager. A Field Operating Agency performs field activities beyond the scope of any of the major commands. The activities are specialized or associated with an Air Force-wide mission, and do not include functions performed in management headquarters, unless specifically directed by a DoD authority.
A Field Operating Agency also applies to a subdivision of a MAJCOM. A MAJCOM FOA reports directly to a MAJCOM functional manager and performs specialized field activities beyond the scope of any of the MAJCOM's primary subordinate units. The activities are specialized and are associated with MAJCOM or theater-wide missions that transcend the scope of routine wing functions.
Flight (Numbered/named)
A numbered/named flight is the lowest level unit in the Air Force. A numbered or named flight primarily incorporates smaller elements into an organized unit that is established. Its administrative characteristics, such as strength reporting, are like those of a squadron. Although smaller than a squadron, it has many squadron characteristics. AFR 26-2 describes numerically designated flight as "the lowest unit level in the Air Force and points out that it is used primarily to incorporate small elements into an organized unit. The Air Force Reserve, in particular, uses the flight echelon rather extensively.
Flights (Unnumbered/Alphabetical)
Designated Unnumbered or alphabetically designated flights, such as Flight A, 26th Tactical Fighter Squadron, or Flight C, 56th Fighter Interceptor Squadron are organizational "shredouts” of a squadron and are not units in their own right. They are used simply to distinguish several elements of a squadron having identical missions. AFR 26-2 defines an alphabetically designated flight as: part of a squadron (usually a flying squadron) made up of several elements with identical missions. Though it is the equivalent of a branch, it is not a unit, and therefore is not subject to strength reporting or other controls on organization.
Group
A Group is a level of command between Wings and Squadrons. Groups generally bring together multiple squadrons or other lower echelon units to provide a broader capability. For instance, a Mission Support Group pulls together several squadrons in a variety of areas to provide a full spectrum mission support capability. A Group is generally a tactical echelon without significant staff support. A Group usually has two or more subordinate units.
A dependent group is a mission, maintenance, mission support, medical, or large functional unit (e.g., communications) that encompasses a number of related squadrons to provide the specified capability to a parent wing. Such groups may possess small supporting staff elements, such as standardization and evaluation or quality control that are organized as sections.
An independent group has the same functions and responsibilities as a like type wing but its scope and size do not warrant wing-level designation and associated overhead costs.
Headquarters United States Air Force
Senior headquarters of the Air Force, consisting of two major entities: the secretariat (including the secretary of the Air Force and the secretary's principal staff), and the air staff, headed by the Chief of Staff.
Hobson Plan
An organizational structure established by the United States Air Force in 1948. Known as the "Wing-Base" plan, it replaced the "Base Plan" used by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), the predecessor organization of the USAF. In 1947 Headquarters USAF standardized the wing/base organization according to the Hobson Plan. Under the "Wing-Base" plan, the operational combat squadrons were assigned to a Combat Group. The support squadrons on the station were assigned to a Maintenance and Supply Group, an Airdrome Support Group, and a Medical Group. The four Groups were assigned to a Wing, a new level of Command which unified all of the components, flying and support. The Group Commanders were subordinate to the Wing Commander who was an experienced combat flying leader. The Wing would assume the historical numerical designation of the assigned Combat Group. A Base Commander was established to handle the administrative duties of the Wing Commander and to coordinate with the various Group commanders. In this plan, the support Groups and the operational flying Combat Group and the wing became one unit.
A major change implemented by the Hobson Plan was the standardization of designations. For example, the 1st Fighter Wing, established at March Air Force Base consisted of the 1st Fighter Group (it's Combat Group); the 1st Maintenance and Supply Group, the 1st Combat Support Group (to operate base facilities and services), and the 1st Medical Group. Subordinate to the groups were various squadrons. Operational flying Squadrons retained their historical designations and were assigned to the Combat Group.
Inactivate
To withdraw all personnel from a constituted organization and place the organization on the inactive list (from 1922 to 1959 and from 1968 to date). An inactive unit retains its lineage, history, and honors, and is available for activation when needed again. During the period 1959-1968 to be inactivated meant to be transferred from the active to the inactive list, after being discontinued.
Laboratory
An organization that performs a research or advanced development mission.
Lineage
The unique, official, and traceable record of actions peculiar to each Air Force organization; therefore, it is the sole determinant of an organization’s rights to history, honors, and emblems. It allows the Air Force to avoid confusing one organization with another. The lineage of permanent organizations are continuous. Neither inactivation nor disbandment terminates their lineage or heraldry. A current organization may have begun its existence with a different number, designation, echelon, or all three, but lineage traces all changes to its current designation.
The Air Force Historical Research Agency is authorized to determine official lineage and honors data for regular Air Force organizations and Air Force Reserve organizations but not for Air National Guard. The official USAF statement of lineage forms the foundation of the organization's history and governs the organization's inheritance of emblem and honors. A basic policy of the Air Force is that each organization will have a unique lineage. This policy was in effect in the War Department when military aviation was under the Army and has been continued by the United States Air Force since its inception in 1947. No two organizations can have the same lineage, although at different times in their existence they may have possessed similar or even identical designations.
Major Command (MAJCOM)
The Air Force organizes, trains, and equips Air Forces through its MAJCOMs. Major commands are directly subordinate to headquarters U.S. Air Force. MAJCOMs headquarters are management headquarters and thus have the full range of functional staff.
Major Command Controlled (MAJCON)
Temporary organizations controlled by Major Commands. The Major Commands wanted a flexible organization at the lower echelons to permit rapid adjustments in manning that short-term requirements often dictated. Because the manning of permanent organizations was judged to be too rigid, in 1948 the Air Force created a new type of temporary organization. These major command-controlled organizations were identified as "MAJCON." Using four-digit numbers allotted to each command (for example, 3900-4399 for Strategic Air Command) by Headquarters USAF, the commands could create and end MAJCON organizations as needed. When a MAJCON organization was discontinued or inactivated, its life ended, never to be revived. The number of this organization could then be reused to designate another, entirely new MAJCON organization.
Even if another MAJCON unit is formed immediately with the same designation, the same mission, and at the same base, the latter unit’s lineage is separate from the former unit. Although the original intent was to provide major command flexibility in establishing and terminating short-lived, temporary organizations, some MAJCON organizations existed more than forty years.
MAJCON organizational allocations
Headquarters, USAF
1000-1099, 1947
Headquarters Command, USAF
1000-1199
Air Force Technical Applications Center
1155-1157
Military Air Transport Service (Later, Military Airlift Command)
1200-2199, 6500-6999, 1099, 1100, 1185
Air Force Communications Service (Later Air Force Communications Command)
1800-2199
Air Defense Command (Later Aerospace Defense Command)
2200-2699, 4600-4799
Continental Air Command
2200-2699, 4400-4899
Air Force Reserves
2200-2699
Air Material Command (Later Air Force Logistics Command)
2700-3199
Air Proving Ground (Later, Air Proving Ground Command)
3200-3299
Air Research And Development Command (Later Air Force Systems Command)
320-3249, 4900-4999, 6500-6599, 1155-1157
Air Training Command
3250-3799, 3800-3899
Air University
3800-3899
Strategic Air Command
3900-4399
Tactical Air Command
4400-4899
Long Range Proving Ground Division
4800-4849
Aerospace Defense Center
4800-4809
Air Pictorial Service
4850-4899
Special Weapons Command
4900-4999
Alaskan Air Command
5000-5499
Caribbean Air Command (Later, USAF Southern Command)
5500-5999
Far East Air Forces (Later, Pacific Air Forces)
6000-6599
Northeast Air Command
6600-6899
USAF Security Service (Later Electronic Security Command)
6900-6999
United States Air Force in Europe
7000-7599, 1141
3 Air Division
7500-7599
Joint Us Military Group Air Administration, Spain (later 16 AF)
7600-7624
Air Force Intelligence Service
7600-7609, 7625-7649
Aeronautical Chart and Information Center
7650-7999
Reserve units of Tactical Air Command
8000-8049
Reserve units of Electronic Security Command
8075-8089
National Guard Bureau
8101-8300
Reserve units of Continental Air Command
8301-8749, 9000-9999
Reserve units of Air Force Reserve
8301-8711, 9000-9999
Reserve units of Headquarters, United States Air Force
8490-8499
Reserve units of Military Air Transport Service (Later, Military Airlift Command)
8500-8599, 8890-8899
Reserve units of Air Training Command
8600-8699
Reserve units of Special Weapons Command
8750-8799
Reserve units of Strategic Air Command
8800-8889
Reserve units of United States Air Forces in Europe
8900-8949
Reserve units of Far East Air Force (Later, Pacific Air Forces)
8950-8999
Reserve units of Air Reserve Personnel Center
9000-9999
Named Activity
A named activity is one type of functional entity very often mistaken for a unit. A named activity is a segment or part of a unit, whose mission or purpose can be directly and more adequately identified by the assignment of a definitive name. A named activity is part of a unit whose mission can be identified better by assigning it a definitive name for example, the Civil Engineer and Services School is part of a unit, the Air Force Institute of Technology. Headquarters US Air Force is responsible for administrative control of named activities.
Nonunit
An organizational entity that is not constituted by Headquarters, USAF.
Numbered Air Force (NAF)
A Numbered Air Force is a level of command directly under a MAJCOMS. NAFs are tactical echelons that provide operational leadership and supervision. They are not management headquarters and do not have complete functional staffs. Many NAFs are responsible for MAJCOMs operations in a specific geographic region or theater of operations. The operational focus of the NAFs ensures the readiness of assigned forces; prepares forces for deployment and employment; plans for bed-down of forces; and exercises operational control of assigned forces.
The NAFs consist of operational and support divisions reporting directly to a NAFs commander. These divisions are an integral part of the NAF structure and are not assigned forces. Assigned functions include safety, standardization and evaluation, staff judge advocate, and inspector general. The number of persons assigned to a NAFs headquarters varies from case to case.
During World War II, and for a short period thereafter, the Numbered Air Forces had the status now enjoyed by major commands, with each Air Force having its own subordinate commands—e.g., Fifth Air Force had the V Fighter Command, V Bomber Command, and Support Commands. Only very briefly, early in World War II, were Air Forces identified by an Arabic numeral (e.g., 1st Air Force). Beginning in 1942 the war department required Air Forces to be numbered in single series beginning with a spelled-out numeral (e.g., First Air Force).
Operating Location (OL)
An Operating Location is part of a unit that is separated geographically from its parent unit. It is used to account for personnel by location. Personnel remain assigned to the parent unit. An Operating Location has none of the administrative attributes of a unit and does not have nonjudicial punishment authority under the UCMJ. An OL is not a location separated from an installation to which personnel are transported to and from work.
Order to the Active Service
To place a Reserve or National Guard organization on active duty with the regular Air Force.
Organization
The term organization applies to units and establishments.
Organization Record AFHQ Form 0-525
Organize
To assign personnel to a designated organization (1907-1922), a non-constituted organization (1944-1968), or a constituted organization (1959-1968).
Perpetuation of unit histories, 1936
On 16 October 1936, the Army, in order to perpetuate the history and traditions of units which had served as part of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I, reconstituted many Aero Squadrons with illustrious histories and consolidated them with Active, Reserve and National Guard squadrons without wartime histories.
Perpetuation of unit histories, 1955
Air Defense Command implemented Project Arrow, which was designed to bring back on the active list the fighter units which had compiled memorable records in the world wars. Project Arrow ALSO called for fighter squadrons to be assigned to their traditional group headquarters.
Perpetuation of unit histories, 1962
Strategic Air Command, in order to perpetuate the lineage of many currently inactive bombardment units with illustrious World War II records, Headquarters SAC received authority from Headquarters USAF to discontinue its MAJCON Strategic Wings that were equipped with combat aircraft and to activate AFCON units, most of which were inactive at the time which could carry a lineage and history.
Perpetuation of unit histories, 1982/1985
The Air Force updated many organizations either by giving the organization a contemporary designation or consolidating organizations with an illustrious history with contemporary organizations with less illustrious histories.
Provisional Units
A provisional unit is a temporary unit organized to perform a specific task and is attached rather than assigned to a permanent unit, thereby establishing the necessary command relationship. A provisional unit may be assigned to a higher provisional unit.
Provisional units are temporary and once inactivated, their lineage ceases and may not be revived. Any provisional unit activated using the same nomenclature as a previous provisional unit may not claim the lineage, history, or honors of the previous unit. A provisional unit will be created when a specific organization is required and no organization exists to attach personnel. Provisional units will be organized the same as regular units. Based on Air Force policy and long-standing tradition, the history, lineage, and honors of a "provisional" unit terminates when it inactivates, and battle honors earned by the "provisional" unit are not shared with the permanent unit that provided the resources.
Lineage and heritage of provisional organizations will terminate upon inactivation.
No lineal connection exists between the expeditionary unit and the major force provider.
Honors are normally "conferred" only at the wing, group, or squadron levels.
Honors may be "conferred" only from a single expeditionary organization to a single
permanent organization. For example, honors earned by the 4th Expeditionary Fighter
Squadron may be "conferred" only on the 4th Fighter Squadron.
Expeditionary organization may borrow temporarily the major force provider's honors and
history.
Expeditionary organization may display officially approved emblem of the major force
provider with its commander's permission.
Within the MAJCON family of organizations is an offshoot called “provisional.” All provisional units and establishments are controlled by major commands (MAJCOMs) or separate operating agencies (SOAs) and have certain characteristics of regular MAJCON organizations. Provisional units and establishments arc even more temporary in nature than regular MAJCON units and establishments. Presently, provisional organizations may be named or numbered. When numbered, they are designated with a numerical suffix to avoid confusion with regular units, and the word “provisional” is included (example: Tactical Airlift Squadron Provisional, 6677th). Provisional organizations are designated by MAJCOMs or SOAs. They are then activated and personnel attached for duty. When their mission is completed, provisional units are inactivated and attached personnel revert to their permanent units. Provisional organizations cannot be revived once they are inactivated, and when a provisional organization is replaced by a regular organization, the latter has no lineal relationship with the former. Besides describing the organization of the service, this study contains the lineages of Air Force major commands, separate operating agencies, direct reporting units, and named and numbered air forces. All of these organizations are AFCON establishments.
Reconstitute
To return a disbanded or demobilized organization to the inactive Army/Air Force List, making it available for activation (1922-current).
Redesignate
To change the designation of an organization.
Reestablish
To return a previously existing establishment from disestablished status to the active list, so that it can be activated.
Region
A Region is a term sometimes used when organization is geographic.
Relieve from Active Duty
Reserve organizations are relieved from active duty with the regular Air Force upon completion of a period of active duty.
Section/Crew/Unit
Before and during World War II, many types of constituted organizations used designations, such as Detachment, Section, Crew, and Unit, which are no longer used for Air Force controlled organizations.
Separate Operating Agency (SOA)
(Not in current use) Separate Operating Agencies were major subdivisions of the Air Force directly subordinate to Hq USAF and had all of the "procedural (administrative and logistical) responsibilities" of a Major Command. In 1991, most active Separate Operating Agencies changed in status to Direct Reporting Units or Field Operating Agencies.
Squadron
The squadron is the basic unit in the Air Force. Squadrons are the building block organizations in the Air Force, providing a specific operational or support capability. A squadron may be either a mission unit, such as an operational flying squadron, or a functional unit, such as a Civil Engineer, Security Forces, or Maintenance Squadron. A squadron has a substantive mission of its own that warrants organization as a separate unit based on factors like unity of command, functional grouping and administrative control, balanced with efficient use of resources. Squadrons are broken down into flights. Through the years, squadrons have varied in size and composition according to specific needs.
The term squadron literally means a square (from the Latin quadrare, to square). In Army applications, a squadron describes a body of troops drawn into a square or arranged in formal order. For more than four centuries, western armed forces have ordered personnel and equipment in organizations known as squadrons. In navies, a squadron was a group of vessels consisting of two or more divisions of a fleet. For armies, the cavalry squadron was the most common type and it consisted of two or more elements called troops.
When the time came to form tactical aviation organizations, most military planners simply adapted the cavalry squadron organization to their purposes. Like cavalry squadrons, the new aero squadrons were administrative and tactical units, which usually consisted of two or more elements. It was the smallest administrative organization practically universally accepted for air units. Initially, US aero squadrons consisted of two elements called companies. By the time the United States entered World War I, they contained two or more elements called flights. The squadron has existed exclusively as the working level air unit since the designation of the 1 Aero Squadron in 1913.
Squadron Section
A squadron section is a function responsible for the administrative control of all members assigned to a unit. A squadron section is created by appointing a squadron section commander on special orders. Squadron sections will be established with the office symbol “CCQ” and office title “orderly room.” Squadron sections are also sometimes confused with units. For example, Headquarters Squadron Section, Medical Squadron Section, and Patient Squadron Section, although they may include squadron in their designation, are not units; like detachments, they are merely segments of units. A headquarters squadron section, for example, is a section of an establishment's headquarters unit. Many establishments have squadron sections as part of their headquarters unit. Squadron sections date to 18 July 1951, when AFL 20-5 required the discontinuance of the generic designation "headquarters and headquarters squadron." and substituted the designation "headquarters." This change, made to eliminate confusion over the "headquarters squadron portion of the designation.
Unit
A unit is a military organization constituted by HQ USAF. Units can be either a numbered squadron, flight or named organization. A unit provides for an unbroken chain of command since military personnel must be assigned to a unit at all times. Normally, a unit having military members will have an officer designated as its commander. A civilian may lead a unit in approved circumstances and provide supervision to military and civilian personnel in the unit.
Wing
A wing is a level of command below the Numbered Air Force. A wing has a distinct mission and is usually composed of a primary mission group (e.g., operations, training) and the necessary supporting groups. By pulling together the mission and support elements, a wing provides a significant capability under a single commander. A wing may be either an operational wing, an air base wing, or a specialized mission wing. An Operational Wing is a wing that has an Operations Group and related operational mission activity assigned to it. When an Operational Wing performs the primary mission of the base, it usually maintains and operates the base. In addition, an operational wing is capable of self-support in functional areas like maintenance, supply, and munitions, as needed. When an operational wing is a tenant organization, the host command provides it with varying degrees of base and logistics support. An Air Base Wing is a wing that performs a support rather than an operational mission. It maintains and operates a base. An air base wing sometimes provides functional support to a MAJCOM headquarters. A specialized mission wing is a wing that performs a specialized mission and usually does not have aircraft or missiles assigned to it. For example, Intelligence Wing, Training Wing, and so on. This wing may be either a host wing or a tenant wing, depending on whether it maintains and operates the base.
The Army Air Service/Air Corps/Army Air Force Wings that existed before 1947 are not comparable with the modern Wings of the United States Air Force. In July 1918, the American Expeditionary Forces of the U.S. Army organized in France the 1st Pursuit Wing. Although this wing did not survive post-World War I demobilization, new Wings were created in the 1920s and 1930s. World War II Wings were very large administrative and operational organizations that usually controlled several combat groups and numerous service organizations, often located at widely scattered locations. Many of the World War II Wings were redesignated as Air Divisions after the war.
Modern Wings began their existence with a service test of combat Wings in 1947. These Wings were initially temporary table of distribution (t/d) organizations. In 1948, at the end of the service test, Hq USAF replaced these t/d Wings with permanent constituted combat Wings each having a Combat Group, an Air Base Group, a Maintenance and Supply Group, and a Medical Group. In most cases, the numerical designation of the wing came from the Combat Group which preceded it and became an integral part of the post-World War II Wing. When the 14th Fighter Wing (later, 14th Flying Training Wing) came into existence, it received the "14th" numerical designation from the 14th Fighter Group which had already existed for a number of years and which became the Wing's combat component. At the same time, the other component establishments, and units of these establishments, also received the "14th" numerical designations, aligning each of them directly to the 14th Wing. The tactical squadrons of the Combat Group retained their separate and distinct numerical designations.