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{{Infobox Military Unit
⚫
The '''United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe''' (USSTAF) was the command body of the American strategic bomber forces in [[Europe]] during [[World War II]]. It was formed on [[22 February]] [[1944]] by the redesignation of the [[Eighth Air Force]]. A replacement Eighth was formed from [[Bomber Command#VIII Bomber Command|VIII Bomber Command]] and came under the command of USSTAF. USSTAF also exercised command over the [[Fifteenth Air Force]] based in [[Italy]].
|unit_name= United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe
|image=[[Image:Usstaf-emblem.jpg|200px]]
|caption= United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe emblem
|dates= 22 Feburary 1944 - 7 August 1945
|country= [[United States of America]]
|allegiance=
|branch= [[United States Army Air Forces]] (1944–1945)
|type=
|role= Command and Control
|size=
|command_structure=
|current_commander=
|garrison=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname=
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles= [[Image:World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Image:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg|60px]]<BR>World War II Victory Medal<BR>European Campaign (1944-1945)
|notable_commanders= [[General]] [[Carl Spaatz]]
|anniversaries=
}}
[[Image:Usstaf-area-map.jpg|thumb|Area of operations, United States Strategic Air Forces 1944 - 1945]]
⚫
The '''United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe''' (USSTAF) was a command body of the American strategic bomber forces in [[Europe]] during [[World War II]]. On 22 Feburary 1944 a massive reorganization of American airpower took place in [[Europe]]. The VIII Bomber Command along with VIII Fighter Command, VIII Air Support Command and [[Ninth Air Force]] were brought under control of centralized headquarters,'''[[United States Strategic Air Forces]]''' (USSTAF).

USSTAF was a redesignation of Eighth Air Force, and the VIII Bomber Command was redesignated as Eighth Air Force, with VIII Fighter and VIII Air Support Commands being brought under the command of the redesignated Eighth Air Force. VIII Bomber Command was inactivated. USSTAF also controlled the operations of [[Ninth Air Force]], and to an extent, the operations of [[Twelfth Air Force|Twelfth]] and [[Fifteenth Air Force]]s in the [[Mediterranean Theater of Operations]]. USSTAF was the functional equivalent in [[Europe]] of the new [[PACAF|United States Far East Air Forces]] in the [[Pacific Theater of Operations]].

==== Formation of USAFE ====
{{details|United States Air Forces in Europe}}
[[Image:Usafe-patch-1946.jpg|100px|left]]
⚫
Shortly after [[Victory in Europe Day|VE-Day]], the United States Army and Army Air Forces began to demobilze in Europe. In May 1945, USSTAF consisted of about 17,000 aircraft and about 500,000 personnel. In Europe the aim was to maintain a small USAAF organization, exclusively for communication and transport purposes. On [[August 7]], 1945, the United States Strategic Air Forces (USSTAF) was redesignated as the '''[[United States Air Forces in Europe]]''' (USAFE) and headquarters USAFE was relocated to [[Wiesbaden]], Germany, on 28 Sep 1945.

USAFE was planned to be a small organization in Europe, exclusively for communication and transport purposes. By the end of 1946, the American Air Force in Europe was reduced drastically, comprising of around 75,000 personnel and less than 2,000 aircraft.


⚫
With the end of World War II, the United States began to demobilize most of the Air Force which it created in the United Kingdom. The aim was to maintain a small USAAF organization, exclusively for communication and transport purposes. On [[August 7]], [[1945]], the word ''Strategic'' was removed from USAFE, and the [[United States Air Forces in Europe]] (USAFE) was established.


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
{{User:NDCompuGeek/templates/Template:AFHRA}}
{{reflist}}
* {{cite book |last= Office of Air Force History |editor= Maurer, Maurer |title= Air Force Combat Units of World War II |origdate= 1961 |origyear= 1961 |origmonth= |url= http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/af_combat_units_wwii.pdf |format= PDF |accessdate= 2007-10-04 |year= 1983 |publisher= U.S. Govt. Print. Off |location= Washington, D.C. |language= |isbn= 0-912799-02-1 |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= }}
{{refimprove|date=August 2007}}
* Cees Steijger (1991), "A History of USAFE", Voyageur, ISBN: 1853100757
*[http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/major_commands.html United States Air Forces in Europe] at [[Air Force Historical Research Agency]] (AFHRA)
Maxwell AFB, Alabama


{{WWII-stub}}
{{WWII-stub}}

Revision as of 23:23, 12 August 2008

United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe
United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe emblem
Active22 Feburary 1944 - 7 August 1945
CountryUnited States of America
BranchUnited States Army Air Forces (1944–1945)
RoleCommand and Control
Engagements  
World War II Victory Medal
European Campaign (1944-1945)
Commanders
Notable
commanders		General Carl Spaatz
Area of operations, United States Strategic Air Forces 1944 - 1945

The United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe (USSTAF) was a command body of the American strategic bomber forces in Europe during World War II. On 22 Feburary 1944 a massive reorganization of American airpower took place in Europe. The VIII Bomber Command along with VIII Fighter Command, VIII Air Support Command and Ninth Air Force were brought under control of centralized headquarters,United States Strategic Air Forces (USSTAF).

USSTAF was a redesignation of Eighth Air Force, and the VIII Bomber Command was redesignated as Eighth Air Force, with VIII Fighter and VIII Air Support Commands being brought under the command of the redesignated Eighth Air Force. VIII Bomber Command was inactivated. USSTAF also controlled the operations of Ninth Air Force, and to an extent, the operations of Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Forces in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. USSTAF was the functional equivalent in Europe of the new United States Far East Air Forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

Formation of USAFE

Further information: United States Air Forces in Europe

Shortly after VE-Day, the United States Army and Army Air Forces began to demobilze in Europe. In May 1945, USSTAF consisted of about 17,000 aircraft and about 500,000 personnel. In Europe the aim was to maintain a small USAAF organization, exclusively for communication and transport purposes. On August 7, 1945, the United States Strategic Air Forces (USSTAF) was redesignated as the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and headquarters USAFE was relocated to Wiesbaden, Germany, on 28 Sep 1945.

USAFE was planned to be a small organization in Europe, exclusively for communication and transport purposes. By the end of 1946, the American Air Force in Europe was reduced drastically, comprising of around 75,000 personnel and less than 2,000 aircraft.


See also

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  • Office of Air Force History (1983) [1961]. Maurer, Maurer (ed.). Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Govt. Print. Off. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. Retrieved 2007-10-04. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |origmonth= and |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |origdate= ignored (|orig-date= suggested) (help)
  • Cees Steijger (1991), "A History of USAFE", Voyageur, ISBN: 1853100757

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