The Twenty-First Air Force is an inactive numbered air force of the United States Air Force. It was last active as the 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, stationed at the McGuire AFB entity of Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst until its inactivation in 2012. In this capacity, it was subordinate to Air Mobility Command's Eighteenth Air Force.
A 6th Air Mobility Wing KC-135 Stratotanker takes off from the flightline at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
A 315th Airlift Wing C-17 Globemaster II flying over the new Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.
Routes of the Eastern Transport Air Force, 1964
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
