The Eighth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) is a numbered air force (NAF) of the United States Air Force's Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. The command serves as Air Forces Strategic – Global Strike, one of the air components of United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). The Eighth Air Force includes the heart of America's heavy bomber force: the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, the Rockwell B-1 Lancer supersonic bomber, and the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress heavy bomber aircraft.
B-17 Flying Fortresses over Eastern Europe during World War II
B-17 Flying Fortresses from the 398th Air Expeditionary Group fly a bombing run to Neumünster, Germany, on 13 April 1945; three weeks later, on 8 May, Nazi Germany surrendered, and Victory in Europe Day was declared.
Aircraft and ground crew of the B-17 Flying Fortress of the 358th Bombardment Squadron and 303rd Bombardment Group, RAF Molesworth, known as the "Hell's Angels". This was the first B-17 to complete 25 combat missions in the Eighth Air Force, on 13 May 1943; after completing 48 missions, the aircraft returned to the United States on 20 January 1944, for a publicity tour.
North American P-51 Mustangs from the 375th Fighter Squadron and 361st Fighter Squadron during World War II in July 1944
A Numbered Air Force (NAF) is a type of organization in the United States Air Force that is subordinate to a major command (MAJCOM) and has assigned to it operational units such as wings, squadrons, and groups. A Component Numbered Air Force (C-NAF) has the additional role as an Air Force Component Command exercising command and control over air and space forces supporting a Unified Combatant Command. Unlike MAJCOMs, which have a management role, a NAF is a tactical organization with an operational focus, and does not have the same functional staff as a MAJCOM. Numbered air forces are typically commanded by a major general or a lieutenant general.
World War II Air Districts and Numbered Air Forces.
Image: Sixth Air Force Emblem (World War II)
Image: 25th Air Force Shield
Image: Eastern Air Defense Force patch