| Eighth Air Force The initial Eighth Air Force became the United States Air Forces in Europe. The present Eighth Air Force began its existence as VIII Bomber Command and received its current designation when the original Eighth Air Force redesignated to United States Strategic Air Forces (USSTAF). It engaged in combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II and moved to the Pacific Theater in the final months of the war. Eighth Air Force served Strategic Air Command (SAC) after the war, both in the United States and overseas until SAC inactivated, then served Air Combat Command since June 1, 1992. - Lineage
- Established as VIII Bomber Command on January 19, 1942. Activated on February 1, 1942, at Langley Field, Virginia, and assigned to Air Force Combat Command. Moved to Savannah, Georgia, about February 10, 1942. Moved later in February to Daws Hill, England, joining Eighth Air Force. Moved to High Wycombe, England, on May 15, 1942. Redesignated Eighth Air Force on February 22, 1944. Moved without personnel or equipment to Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on July 16, 1945, with assignment to U.S. Army Strategic Air Forces. Moved without personnel or equipment to MacDill Field, Florida, on June 7, 1946, joining Strategic Air Command. Moved to Fort Worth Army Airfield (later, Griffiss AFB [briefly]; Carswell AFB), Texas, in November 1946 and to Westover AFB, Massachusetts, in June 1955. Moved without personnel or equipment to Andersen AFB, Guam, on April 1, 1970, absorbing resources of 3d Air Division. Moved without personnel or equipment to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, on January 1, 1975, absorbing resources of Second Air Force. Relieved from assignment to Strategic Air Command and assigned to Air Combat Command on June 1, 1992.
- The preceding web-site text was obtained from the Air Force Historical Agency. The text layout has been modified to conform to this webpage and for ease of reading.
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