III Fighter Command

GHQ Air Force (GHQ, AF) had been established with two major combat functions, to maintain a striking force against long range targets, and the air defense of the United States.Cate & Williams, p. 152 In the spring of 1941, the War Department established four strategic defense areas and GHQ, AF reorganized its Southeast Air District as 3rd Air Force with responsibility for air defense planning and organization in the southeastern.Cate & Williams, p. 154 3rd Air Force activated 3rd Interceptor Command at Drew Field, Florida in 1941, under the command of Major General Walter H. Frank.Maurer, Combat Units, p. 440 The command's initial tactical component was the 8th Pursuit Wing.{{cite web |url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10111 |author=Staff Historian|title=Factsheet 57 Air Division |date=5 October 2007|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121013204459/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10111 |archive-date=13 October 2012|access-date=2 April 2014}}

The attack on Pearl Harbor put all units on heightened alert.Goss, p. 278 The command was charged with control of "active agents" for air defense in its area of responsibility, which included interceptor aircraft, antiaircraft artillery and barrage balloons. Civilian organizations provided air raid warnings and enforced blackouts and came under the authority of the Office of Civilian Defense and the command worked "feverishly" to create a ground observer corps as elements of its Aircraft Warning Service.Goss, p. 290 However, it soon became apparent that having two commands responsible for air defense in the Eastern Theater of Operations was impractical. 1st Interceptor Command was given the mission of defending the East and Gulf coasts, while 3rd concentrated on the training mission starting early in 1942.Goss, pp. 294-295 Although the command retained responsibility for air defense on the Gulf coast west of the Apalachicola River, no "vital air defense zone" was established for this area, as it was for the Pacific and East coasts.Goss, p. 295, map p. 297

The command trained fighter organizations and personnel. By the end of 1942, the command's training consisted almost entirely of Replacement Training Units (RTU).White, p. 37

The command was inactivated in April 1946. It was transferred in inactive status to the newly-independent United States Air Force in September 1947, and was disbanded in October 1948.

• Constituted as the 3rd Interceptor Command on 26 May 1941Maurer indicates unit was constituted as the "III" Interceptor Command. However, the unit was constituted and activated with an arabic number in its name. The use of roman numerals to designate Army Air Forces combat commands did not begin until September 1942. {{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433913/types-of-usaf-organizations/ |title=Air Force Historical Research Agency Organizational Reconds: Types of USAF Organizations|date=9 January 2008|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=19 September 2016}}

: Activated 17 June 1941Maurer indicates that there is a question whether the command was activated on this date or not until about 14 July. Maurer, p. 440.

: Redesignated 3rd Fighter Command on 15 May 1942

: Redesignated III Fighter Command c. 18 September 1942

: Inactivated on 8 April 1946

: Disbanded on 8 October 1948

• 3rd Air Force (later Third Air Force), 17 June 1941{{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433565/third-air-force-usafe/ |last1=Haulman|first1=Daniel L.|title=Factsheet Third Air Force (USAFE)|date=April 4, 2019|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=December 9, 2021}}
• Fifteenth Air Force 21 March 1946 – 8 April 1946

Wings

• 8th Pursuit Wing (later 8th Fighter Wing), assigned c. 1 July – 1 November 1941; attached 28 July – c. 28 October 1942
• 19th Bombardment Wing, attached 24 July 1942 – 28 September 1942{{cite web |url= http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10072 |author=Staff historian|title=Factsheet 19 Air Division |publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121022082746/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10072 |date=4 October 2007|archive-date=22 October 2012 |access-date=6 April 2014}}
• 22d Bombardment Training Wing, 6–15 August 1943{{cite web |url= http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10075 |author=Staff historian|title=Factsheet 22 Air Division |publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024010334/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10075 |date=5 October 2007|archive-date=24 October 2012|access-date=6 April 2014}}

Groups

{{div col|colwidth=40em}}

• 2nd Air Commando Group: 22 April – c. 12 November 1944{{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/1055498/352-special-operations-wing-afsoc/ |last1=Haulman|first1=Daniel L.|title=Factsheet 352 Special Operations Wing (AFSOC)|date=May 18, 2017|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=January 13, 2022}}
• 3rd Air Commando Group: 1 May – c. 1 December 1944{{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/2810270/353-special-operations-wing-afsoc/ |last1=Musser|first1=James|title=Factsheet 353 Special Operations Wing (AFSOC)|date=October 14, 2021|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=January 13, 2022}}
• 31st Pursuit Group (later 31st Fighter Group): 18 April – 9 June 1942{{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/434112/31-operations-group-usafe/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy|title=Factsheet 31 Operations Group (USAFE)|date=June 27, 2017|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=December 27, 2021}}
• 48th Bombardment Group (later 48th Fighter-Bomber Group): 6 August 1943 – 31 March 1944 (attached to I Tactical Air Division 10 September 1943 – 14 January 1944){{cite web|url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433509/48-operations-group-usafe/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy E.|title=Factsheet 48 Operations Group (USAFE)|date=July 7, 2017|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=December 31, 2021}}Robertson says attachment was to I Ground Air Support Command, but the command had been redesignated a division by this time. Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 440-441
• 49th Pursuit Group: attached 9 August 1941, assigned 2 October 1941 – February 1942{{cite web|url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432679/49-operations-group-acc/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy E.|title=Factsheet 49 Operations Group (ACC)|date=July 7, 2017|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=December 31, 2021}}
• 50th Pursuit Group (later 50th Fighter Group): 2 October 1941 – 28 May 1942{{cite web|url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433467/50-operations-group-afspc/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy|title=Factsheet 50 Operations Group (AFSPC)|date=July 10, 2017|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=December 31, 2021}}
• 52nd Fighter Group: 26 November 1942 – 1 May 1944{{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/431941/52-operations-group-usafe/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy|title=Factsheet 52 Operations Group (USAFE)|date=May 7, 2013|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=January 1, 2022}}
• 54th Pursuit Group (later 54th Fighter Group), 18 April 1942 – 1 May 1944{{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/862289/54-fighter-group-aetc/ |last1=Haulman|first1=Daniel|title=Factsheet 54 Fighter Group (AETC)|date=November 25, 2018|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=January 1, 2022}}
• 56th Pursuit Group: attached 17 June 1941, assigned 2 October 1941 – 15 January 1942{{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433237/56-operations-group-aetc/ |last1=Dollman|first1=TSG David|title=Factsheet 56 Operations Group (AETC)|date=July 27, 2017|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=January 1, 2022}}
• 58th Pursuit Group (later 58th Fighter Group): 2 October 1941 – 17 October 1942{{cite web |url=https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433060/58-operations-group-aetc/ |last1=Dollman|first1=TSG David|title=Factsheet 58 Operations Group (AETC)|date=February 8, 2018|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=January 6, 2022}}
• 59th Fighter Group: by September 1943 – 1 May 1944{{cite web|url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433071/59-medical-wing-aetc/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy E.|title=Factsheet 59 Medical Wing (AETC)|date=June 21, 2017|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=December 31, 2021}}
• 80th Pursuit Group (later 80th Fighter Group): 9 February – 20 June 1942{{cite web|url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432820/80-flying-training-wing-aetc/ |last1=Haulman|first1=Daniel L.|title=Factsheet 80 Flying Training Wing (AETC)|date=July 22, 2019|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=January 10, 2022}}
• 85th Bombardment Group (later 85th Fighter-Bomber Group), 6 August 1943 – 1 May 1944{{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433508/85-group/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy|title=Factsheet 85 Group|date=September 29, 2008|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=January 10, 2022}}
• 405th Fighter-Bomber Group, 15 August 1943 – 6 March 1944{{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/862278/405-air-expeditionary-group-acc/ |last1=Hauman|first1=Daniel L.|title=Factsheet 405 Air Expeditionary Group (ACC)|date=November 21, 2014|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=January 17, 2022}}
• 408th Fighter-Bomber Group, 15 August – 10 November 1943, 12 February – 24 March 1944Lineage & Honors History of the 408 Armament Systems Group (AFMC), 15 May 2006, Air Force Historical Research Agency

{{div col end}}

Squadrons

• 32d Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter): 15 August – 1 September 1943Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 159
• 34th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter): 15 August – 1 September 1943Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 166
• 99th Fighter Squadron: attached 19 August 1942 – 24 April 1943Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 329
• 403d Fighter Squadron: 15 March – 7 August 1943Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 493
• 439th Fighter Squadron: 22 February 1943 – 1 March 1944Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 544

Other

• 555th Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion: 4 July – 8 October 1942{{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433514/521-air-mobility-operations-wing-amc/ |last1=Lacomia|first1=John M.|title=Factsheet 521 Air Mobility Operations Wing (AMC)|date=April 29, 2018|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=January 16, 2022}}

• Drew Field, Florida, 17 June 1941
• MacDill Field, Florida, c. 1 December 1945 – 8 April 1946

Explanatory notes

{{Reflist|group=note}}

Citations

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}

• {{cite book|last1=Cate|first1=James L. |last2=Williams|first2=E. Kathleen |editor=Craven, Wesley F |editor2=Cate, James L|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329898/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-005.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170218064307/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329898/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-005.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= 18 February 2017 |access-date=December 17, 2016| title=The Army Air Forces in World War II|volume=I, Plans and Early Operations|year=1948|publisher=University of Chicago Press|location=Chicago, IL|oclc=704158|lccn=48003657|chapter=Prelude to War, Chapter 4, The Air Corps Prepares for War, 1939-41}}
• {{cite book|last=Goss|first=William A.|editor=Craven, Wesley F |editor2=Cate, James L|url=http://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329898/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-005.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218064307/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329898/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-005.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 February 2017|access-date=December 17, 2016|title=The Army Air Forces in World War II|volume=I, Plans and Early Operations|year=1955|publisher=University of Chicago Press|location=Chicago, IL|lccn=48003657|chapter=Tactical Demands, Chapter 8, Air Defense of the Western Hemisphere}}
• {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Air Force Combat Units of World War II|orig-date= 1961|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |archive-url= https://archive.today/20210115181723/https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= 15 January 2021 |edition=reprint|year=1983|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-02-1|lccn=61060979}}
• {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II|orig-date=1969|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf |archive-url= https://archive.today/20230820144531/https://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= 20 August 2023 |edition= reprint|access-date= December 17, 2016|year=1982|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-405-12194-6|oclc=72556|lccn=70605402}}

{{USAAF 3d Air Force World War II}}

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