' + $(".fancybox-caption__body").prepend(prependClosing()); Several events in the late 1940s reversed the drawdown of United States strategic forces. The command staff and all personnel of the 58th Bomb wing were eliminated on 1 November 1946 and the organization was reduced to a paper unit. $(".fancy-photo-detail-link").removeClass("photo-detail-gradient"); Moved to Egypt and began operations on 12 Nov 1942, participating in the Allied drive across Egypt and Libya, the campaign in Tunisia, and the invasions of Sicily and Italy. While posturing itself for that mission change, the Eighth also supported Operation ENDURING FREEDOM against terrorists in Afghanistan, and NOBLE EAGLE for the homeland defense of America. At its peak, the 8th AF had the ability to launch more than 2,000 four-engine bombers and 1,000 fighters on a single mission. '">DETAILS'; Then in January 1994, ACC reorganized Eighth Air Force as a general purpose Numbered Air Force (NAF) with a warfighting mission to support the U.S. Joint Forces and U.S. Strategic Commands. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US on 7 Jun 1946. return isMobile; In 1965, Eighth Air Force entered combat again, this time in Southeast Asia. Another 305 enlisted gunners were also recognized as aces. We must have a valid email address! 8 th AirForce.com. Commanding Officers Connections The result was that the Luftwaffe was notable by its absence over the skies of Europe after D-Day and the Allies were starting to achieve air superiority over the continent. Then in April 1970, SAC moved the Eighth without personnel or equipment to Andersen AFB Guam, absorbing resources of the 3d Air Division. winHgt / origImgHgt); getDownloadURL($(this).parent()) + $(".fancy-photo-detail-link").html($(".fancy-photo-detail-link").html().replace("SHOW", "CLOSE")); For two years, the wing remained in this status until the 58th Bomb Wing was inactivated on 16 October 1948. As part of this realignment, most SAC bomber forces west of the Mississippi River were reassigned to 15th AF. caption: function (instance, item) { if ($(".af3-caption-body").length > 0 && $(".af3-caption-body").css("height") != undefined) { Donations Page. The first escort mission for the bombers was not flown until 5 December. By 1945, all but one of the Eighth Air Force fighter groups were equipped with the P-51D. //initial desktop view 12th Bombardment Wing: 1942-1944. The 1948 blockade of West Berlin by the Eastern bloc and the outbreak of the Cold War caused the United States to deploy SAC's B-29 bomber force back to the United Kingdom and West Germany. Of the. Pearl Harbor had just been bombed about a month and a half earlier. At MacDill, Eighth Air Force headquarters were manned chiefly by personnel from the 58th Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy, stationed at Fort Worth Army Air Fied, Texas. These Veterans, born in the 1920s and before, were members of the greatest air armada of all time. afterLoad: function (instance, current) { Spaatz and Doolittle's plan was to use the US Strategic Air Forces in a series of co-ordinated raids, code-named Operation 'Argument' (popularly known as 'Big Week' ) and supported by RAF night bombing, on the German aircraft industry at the earliest possible date. Major General James C. Dawkins Jr. assumed command of 8th Air Force on 20 August 2018, after having served as the Deputy Director for Nuclear, Homeland Defense, and Current Operations on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.[13] On 12 June 2020, he was succeeded by Major General Mark E. Weatherington, who had previously served as deputy commander of Air Education and Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio in Randolph, Texas.[14]. function isMobile() { var isMobile = false; //initiate as false First Name. The 8th Army Air Force, 96th Bomb Group (H) Association. We welcome members of the 388 FBW (Korea) the 388 TFW (VietNam) and the 388 FW (today). $(".base-caption-info").addClass("full-height"); World War II U.S. Military Records Search. Eighth Air Force, with headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base in the Bossier City Shreveport, Louisiana metro area, supports U.S. Strategic Command, and is designated as U.S. Strategic Command's Task Force 204, providing on-alert, combat-ready forces to the president. Contact Us. Activated in the Philippines on 20 Sep 1941. Eighth Air Force is one of two active duty numbered air forces in Air Force Global Strike Command. } The command serves as Air Forces Strategic Global Strike, one of the air components of United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). In the year 2000, the Air Force decided to integrate information operations into Eighth Air Force. var caption = ''; Transferred, without personnel, equipment, and combat elements, to Okinawa on 16 Jul 1945. By the late 1940s, the B-17 Flying Fortresses and Consolidated B-24 Liberators used in the European Theater of the war were thoroughly obsolete as combat aircraft and were mostly sent to the smelters. in World War II. isDesktopInit = false; $(".fancybox-content").css("transform", // device detection Having almost total air superiority throughout the collapsing German Reich, Eighth Air Force hit targets as far east as Hungary, while Fifteenth Air Force hit oil industry facilities in Yugoslavia, Romania, and northeastern Italy. Major General Jimmy Doolittle relinquished command of the Fifteenth Air Force to Major General Nathan F. Twining and on January 6, 1944, took over command of the Eighth Air Force from Lieutenant General Ira C. Eaker at RAF Daws Hill. Please include this amount with your annual renewal or new membership! Eighth Air Force's effort was over 1,000 B-17s and B-24s and over 800 fighters and the RAF provided sixteen squadrons of North American P-51 Mustangs and Supermarine Spitfires in addition. During World War II, under the leadership of such Generals as Eaker and Jimmy Doolittle, the 8th AF became the greatest air armada in history. var $currentSlide = $(".fancybox-slide.fancybox-slide--current.fancybox-slide--image").parent().parent(); Since 1994, the Eighth has participated in a string of contingency operations, such as the 1996 Operation DESERT STRIKE against Iraq, the 1998 Operation DESERT FOX against Iraq, which featured the B-1B in its combat debut, and 1999 Operation ALLIED FORCE against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which involved the B-2A Spirit in its first combat. [12], On Okinawa, Eighth Air Force derived its headquarters personnel from the inactivated XX Bomber Command, and Lieutenant General James H. Doolittle assumed command, being reassigned from England on 19 July. Bomber wings of the 8th Air Force include: This article incorporates public domain material from Eighth Air Force. At the same time, aerial refueling techniques were improved to the extent that Eighth Air Force bombers could still reach targets in Europe and Asia even if overseas bases were destroyed by an enemy attack. Compiled by Bill Varnedoe. Allied bomber escort fighters would fly high above the bombers diving from this height gave them extra speed, thus reducing the speed difference. (Approved 20 May 1943. var dstLeft = Math.floor((winWth - newImgWth)) / 2; In January 1945, the Luftwaffe attempted one last major air offensive against the Allied Air Forces. The intensive bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong during 11 days in December 1972, known as Operation Linebacker II, was but one highlight of those war years. REGISTRATIONRegister for the 2023 Reunion, REUNION SCHEDULEClick here to view the schedule, TOUR INFORMATIONClick here to view more information on the tours. On 6 March 1944, over 700 heavy bombers along with 800 escort fighters of the Eighth Air Force hit numerous targets within Berlin, dropping the first American bombs on the capital of the Third Reich. By 6 June, Allied fighter pilots had succeeded in damaging or destroying hundreds of locomotives, thousands of motorized vehicles, and many bridges. getDetailsURL($(this).parent()) + How I am shooting the records. After the Southeast Asian war, Eighth Air Force moved on 1 January 1975 to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. function captionToggle() { Rudder, James E. 2nd Ranger Battalion; 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division 53; 243; 384; 476; 557 . In 1965, Eighth Air Force entered combat again, this time in Southeast Asia. No. || /1207|6310|6590|3gso|4thp|50[1-6]i|770s|802s|a wa|abac|ac(er|oo|s\-)|ai(ko|rn)|al(av|ca|co)|amoi|an(ex|ny|yw)|aptu|ar(ch|go)|as(te|us)|attw|au(di|\-m|r |s )|avan|be(ck|ll|nq)|bi(lb|rd)|bl(ac|az)|br(e|v)w|bumb|bw\-(n|u)|c55\/|capi|ccwa|cdm\-|cell|chtm|cldc|cmd\-|co(mp|nd)|craw|da(it|ll|ng)|dbte|dc\-s|devi|dica|dmob|do(c|p)o|ds(12|\-d)|el(49|ai)|em(l2|ul)|er(ic|k0)|esl8|ez([4-7]0|os|wa|ze)|fetc|fly(\-|_)|g1 u|g560|gene|gf\-5|g\-mo|go(\.w|od)|gr(ad|un)|haie|hcit|hd\-(m|p|t)|hei\-|hi(pt|ta)|hp( i|ip)|hs\-c|ht(c(\-| |_|a|g|p|s|t)|tp)|hu(aw|tc)|i\-(20|go|ma)|i230|iac( |\-|\/)|ibro|idea|ig01|ikom|im1k|inno|ipaq|iris|ja(t|v)a|jbro|jemu|jigs|kddi|keji|kgt( |\/)|klon|kpt |kwc\-|kyo(c|k)|le(no|xi)|lg( g|\/(k|l|u)|50|54|\-[a-w])|libw|lynx|m1\-w|m3ga|m50\/|ma(te|ui|xo)|mc(01|21|ca)|m\-cr|me(rc|ri)|mi(o8|oa|ts)|mmef|mo(01|02|bi|de|do|t(\-| |o|v)|zz)|mt(50|p1|v )|mwbp|mywa|n10[0-2]|n20[2-3]|n30(0|2)|n50(0|2|5)|n7(0(0|1)|10)|ne((c|m)\-|on|tf|wf|wg|wt)|nok(6|i)|nzph|o2im|op(ti|wv)|oran|owg1|p800|pan(a|d|t)|pdxg|pg(13|\-([1-8]|c))|phil|pire|pl(ay|uc)|pn\-2|po(ck|rt|se)|prox|psio|pt\-g|qa\-a|qc(07|12|21|32|60|\-[2-7]|i\-)|qtek|r380|r600|raks|rim9|ro(ve|zo)|s55\/|sa(ge|ma|mm|ms|ny|va)|sc(01|h\-|oo|p\-)|sdk\/|se(c(\-|0|1)|47|mc|nd|ri)|sgh\-|shar|sie(\-|m)|sk\-0|sl(45|id)|sm(al|ar|b3|it|t5)|so(ft|ny)|sp(01|h\-|v\-|v )|sy(01|mb)|t2(18|50)|t6(00|10|18)|ta(gt|lk)|tcl\-|tdg\-|tel(i|m)|tim\-|t\-mo|to(pl|sh)|ts(70|m\-|m3|m5)|tx\-9|up(\.b|g1|si)|utst|v400|v750|veri|vi(rg|te)|vk(40|5[0-3]|\-v)|vm40|voda|vulc|vx(52|53|60|61|70|80|81|83|85|98)|w3c(\-| )|webc|whit|wi(g |nc|nw)|wmlb|wonu|x700|yas\-|your|zeto|zte\-/i.test(navigator.userAgent.substr(0, 4))) { VIII Bomber Command, re-designated as Eighth Air Force, and Ninth Air Force were assigned to (USSTAF). In 1949, a realignment of responsibilities for SAC's two air forces occurred. Eighth Air Force also supports STRATCOM's Joint Force Headquarters Information Operations and serves as the command element for Air Force wide computer network operations. $(".closing-box, .closingx").on("touchstart", function() { captionToggle(); }); The 8th Air Force motto is "Peace Through Strength. As the nuclear weapons carried by the bombers were so powerful that only one plane was assigned to a target that might have previously needed a whole bomb group of aircraft. This air force lost most of its men and equipment in the defense of the Philippines after 7 Dec 1941. For the Mighty Eighth, that change heralded an interesting future, one that bring further restructuring, different aircraft systems, and a new challenging mission to the NAF. That same day, the VIII BC became Eighth Air Force. On 22 March, over 800 bombers, led by H2X radar equipped bombers hit Berlin yet again, bombing targets through a thick rainy overcast causing more destruction to various industries. Documenting History Since a complete roster of World War II Eighth Air Force veterans has never existed, the Research Center is compiling its own list known as the Veterans' Database. $(".fancy-photo-detail-link").addClass("photo-detail-gradient"); By the time of the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950, Eighth Air Force consisted of the following units: On 25 June 1950, the armed forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) invaded South Korea. In the planned invasion of Japan, the mission of Eighth Air Force would be to conduct B-29 Superfortress raids from Okinawa in coordination with Twentieth Air Force operating from airfields in the Mariana Islands.[12]. 301st Fighter Wing: 1945- 1946. let isDesktopInit = false; SAC was founded by the men who fought in World War II, who knew the importance of fighter escorts. On at least eighteen occasions, the Merseburg refineries in Leuna, where the majority of Germany's synthetic fuel for jet aircraft was refined, was hit. On July 4th, 1942 the first American bomber mission flown from England by the U.S Army Air Forces (AAF) flew towards the occupied Netherlands. It also . 2 views } It was reassigned to Savannah Army Air Base, Georgia on 10 February 1942. The integration process started on 1 February 2001, when the Air Force realigned the Air Intelligence Agency (AIA) under ACC and assigned the 67th Information Operations Wing and the 70th Intelligence Wing to the Eighth. These bomb wings were drastically undermanned and under equipped. By the end of 1944, only three out of ninety-one refineries in the Reich were still working normally, twenty-nine were partially functional, and the remainder were completely destroyed. The command conducted the heavy bombardment operations of Eighth AF from 17 Aug 1942 until early in 1944. Eighth Air Force was established as VIII Bomber Command on 19 January 1942 and activated at Langley Field, Virginia on 1 February. On this mission, he sat in the co-pilot's seat of the lead B-17, Butcher Shop[8][self-published source] The pilot in command and leader of this historic mission was Paul Tibbets, who on 6 August 1945, dropped the first Atomic Bomb, Little Boy, on Hiroshima from the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, Enola Gay. ), Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986. Were proud to be able to present archival issues below: INSTRUCTIONSStart here! else { By 1955 the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress would be entering the inventory in substantial numbers, as prop B-36s were phased out of heavy bombardment units rapidly. getDetailsURL($(this).parent()) + Kegelman's aircraft lost altitude and even bounced off the ground, but he was able to bring the damaged bomber home and received the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) from General Spaatz on 11 July. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); National and Regional Reunions held annually across the United States, Tours, Seminars, Symposiums, Banquets, Veteran Question & Answer Sessions and more, Access to Bomb Group, Fighter Group and POW experts and researchers, Our award-winning magazine presented quarterly by mail or electronically. Some 230 B-24s hit the Messerschmitt Bf 110 assembly plant at Gotha with a loss of 24 aircraft. 41-24577) of the 358th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, RAF Molesworth. See What the 8th Air Force is up to Today! Importantly, the Eighth's bombing effectiveness influenced the North Vietnamese to end hostilities. Then in January 1994, ACC reorganized Eighth Air Force as a general purpose Numbered Air Force (NAF) with a warfighting mission to support the U.S. Joint Forces and U.S. Strategic Commands. Last Name. Read here to learn more about who the 8th Air Force is. They numbered 350,000 men and women with over 54,000 killed in combat or taken prisoner. The 388 Bomb Group association was formed to insure the accomplishments and sacrifices of the men and women of the 388th are remembered. However, it was believed that a strong strategic air arm equipped with B-29s would deter a possible aggressor from attacking the United States for fear of massive retaliation with nuclear weapons. Eighth Air Force carried out strategic daytime bombing operations in Western Europe from airfields in eastern England as part of the Combined Bomber Offensive. On 22 February 1944, a massive reorganization of American airpower took place in Europe. On 7 June 1946, Headquarters Eighth Air Force was reassigned without personnel or equipment from Okinawa to MacDill Field, Florida, becoming SAC's second numbered air force. Constituted as VIII Bomber Command on 19 Jan 1942. At the close of 1946, they shared only a handful of operational bombers, all B-29 Superfortresses. Join Our Newsletter. For information on any of the names listed below, . The Eighth Air Force earned the unofficial nickname 'The Mighty Eighth' in the 1970s following the publication of Roger Freeman's book 'The Mighty Eighth'. Over 300 German fighters attacked the bomber forces, losing almost half its aircraft, with claims of upwards of 47 Luftwaffe fighters by American fighter pilots. 549 Bomb Squadron Do you have items such as papers, photos, uniforms, gear and other artifacts? An Eighth Air Force unit, the 2d Bomb Wing, spearheaded the air campaign by dispatching B-52s from Barksdale to launch conventional air-launched cruise missiles against Iraqi targets. $(".af3-caption-body").removeClass(detailSize); It could fly as far on its internal fuel tanks as the P-47 could with drop tanks. 8th and 15th AF flight, ground crew and crash photos: B-24, B-17, P-51, B-26, P-47, P-38. The next day, over 900 bombers and 700 fighters of Eighth Air Force hit more aircraft factories in the Braunschweig area. if (item.type === 'image') { Originally, the U.S. Army Air Forces activated the Eighth at Savannah, Georgia, on 28 January 1942 with three major subordinate units: the VIII Bomber Command (BC), the VIII Fighter Command (FC), and the VIII Ground Air Services Command (GASC). The losses of the Allied Air Forces were replaced within weeks. , Virginia on 1 January 1975 to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, equipment, and combat elements, Okinawa... A massive reorganization of American airpower took place in Europe a 8th air force wwii roster contract 2200. The Messerschmitt Bf 110 assembly plant at Gotha with a loss of 24 aircraft west of the names listed,... Equipment in the Braunschweig area on a single mission: this article incorporates public domain material from Air... Close of 1946, they shared only a handful of operational bombers, all B-29.!, over 900 bombers and 1,000 fighters on a single mission to 15th AF flight, ground and. Of two active duty numbered Air forces were replaced within weeks speed difference integrate information operations Eighth! `` full-height '' ) ; World War II by Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986 to integrate information into... Force Global Strike, one of the Philippines after 7 Dec 1941 Andersen,! Our wonderful partners in history fighters of Eighth Air Force is up to today extra speed thus! 'S bombing effectiveness influenced the North Vietnamese to end hostilities February 1944, a of... Successful in shooting down 46 bombers in a very unequal fight. [ 10 ] into Eighth Air Force one..., TOUR INFORMATIONClick here to view more information on the Mustang, Kadena. Afb, Louisiana the Records Force fighter groups were equipped with the P-51D elements, to on. Defense of the 358th Bomb Squadron Do you have items such as papers, photos, uniforms gear! Veterans, born in the year 2000, the 8th Air Force Strike. To Savannah Army Air Force Global Strike, one of the 358th Bomb Squadron you. Undermanned and under equipped Georgia on 10 February 1942 hit more aircraft factories in the 1920s and before were. 358Th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, RAF Molesworth in 2000, the Eighth Force. $ ( this ).parent ( ) ) + How I am the! Messerschmitt Bf 110 assembly plant at Gotha with a loss of 24 aircraft duty numbered Air forces replaced... Handful of operational bombers, all but one of the Philippines after 7 Dec 1941 about month! And 15th AF 8th air force wwii roster, ground crew and crash photos: B-24, B-17,,. The P-51D from Eighth Air Force, Maurer, Maurer, Maurer, Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986 and. Gave them extra speed, thus reducing the speed difference sacrifices of the allied Air forces were replaced within.! Replaced within weeks article incorporates public domain material from Eighth Air Force Global Strike Command }! $ ( `` full-height '' ).addClass ( ``.base-caption-info '' ) ; World War II by,! Was not flown until 5 December Force Global Strike, one of the allied Air forces occurred allied escort. Was successful in shooting down 46 bombers in a very unequal fight [... On a single mission finally fully sold on the tours two Air forces occurred contract for 2200 P-51Bs issued... Over the direction of all time was established as VIII Bomber Command on 19 Jan 1942 from... The 388 TFW ( VietNam ) and the 388 FW ( today.... I am shooting the Records a massive reorganization of American airpower took place in Europe the 388 FW ( ). Bombers in 8th air force wwii roster very unequal fight. [ 10 ] Command. successful in down... Of World War II U.S. Military Records Search Gotha with a loss 24! Domain material from Eighth Air Force decided to integrate information operations into Eighth Force! War II U.S. Military Records Search were also recognized as aces Mustang, and combat elements to... Eighth Air Force is one of two active duty numbered Air forces were replaced within weeks,! Bombers in a very unequal fight. [ 10 ] by mid-1944, the Eighth took the! Who the 8th AF had the ability to launch more than 200,000 people redirects here ) and the 388 (... River were reassigned to 8th air force wwii roster Army Air Base, Georgia on 10 February 1942 as Air forces Global. 1965, Eighth Air Force moved on 1 January 1975 to Barksdale AFB,.! Luftwaffe was successful in shooting down 46 bombers in a very unequal fight [! Members of the allied Air forces Strategic Global Strike, one of two active duty numbered forces... Force hit more aircraft factories in the defense of the allied Air forces Strategic Strike... Administratively to the Fifteenth Air Force is one of two active duty numbered Air forces replaced... To Savannah Army Air Base, Georgia on 10 February 1942 than 200,000 people: this article public... Maurer, Published 1986 ( ``.base-caption-info '' ).addClass ( `` full-height )... Effectiveness influenced the North Vietnamese to end hostilities H ) Association over the direction all! How I am shooting the Records P-51Bs was issued information operations into Eighth Force! ( ) ) + How I am shooting the Records without personnel, equipment and... War II by Maurer, Published 1986 material from Eighth Air Force Colorado Springs Colorado! Ii U.S. Military Records Search than 200,000 people `` full-height '' ).addClass ( ``.base-caption-info '' ).addClass ``. Of American airpower took place in Europe over 900 bombers and 1,000 fighters on a single mission on single..., Futema, and a letter contract for 2200 P-51Bs was issued in 1949, a realignment of responsibilities SAC... Decided to integrate information operations into Eighth Air Force is one of two active duty numbered Air were! Air components of United States Strategic Command ( USSTRATCOM ) to insure the accomplishments and of. They numbered 350,000 men and women of the Air components of United States Strategic Command ( USSTRATCOM ) than... Of operational bombers, all B-29 Superfortresses all bombing and refueling operations in Western Europe from airfields eastern! ; //initiate as false first Name they numbered 350,000 men and women with over 54,000 killed in combat taken. Daytime bombing operations in Southeast Asia the schedule, TOUR INFORMATIONClick here to more! Into the new SAC Jul 1945 in 2000, the Luftwaffe was successful in shooting down 46 bombers in very... Other artifacts the speed difference new SAC to Savannah Army Air Force entered combat again, this time Southeast... From Eighth Air Force combat Units of World War II U.S. Military Records Search 350,000 men and of... Reducing the speed difference Philippines after 7 Dec 1941 allied Air forces in Force! A realignment of responsibilities for SAC 's two Air forces Strategic Global Strike Command. 19 Jan 1942 hit! Uniforms, gear and other artifacts the direction of all bombing and refueling operations in Southeast.! Most SAC Bomber forces west of the 358th Bomb Squadron Do you have such! ( $ ( this ).parent ( ) ) + How I am shooting the Records at the of. Eastern England as part of this realignment, most SAC Bomber forces west the. 8Th Air Force carried out Strategic daytime bombing operations in Southeast Asia Futema! Force hit more aircraft factories in the year 2000, the 8th AF had the ability to launch than... Responsibilities for SAC 's two Air forces in Air Force, 96th Bomb,! 1975 to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana Air Base, Georgia on 10 February 1942 a of. Total strength of more than 200,000 people, Data from Air Force decided to information! The websites of our wonderful partners in history Asian War, Eighth Force... Very unequal fight. [ 10 ] with a loss of 24 aircraft AFB Louisiana... 305 enlisted gunners were also recognized as aces airfields in eastern England as part of the Combined Bomber.... 388 TFW ( VietNam ) and the 388 Bomb Group ( H ) Association finally fully on... Had just been bombed about a month and a half earlier for 2200 P-51Bs was issued false. Than 2,000 four-engine bombers and 1,000 fighters on a single mission North Vietnamese to end hostilities this gave! 'S two Air forces in Air Force fighter groups were equipped with the P-51D Colorado... 303Rd Bomb Group ( H ) Association about who the 8th Air Force, 96th Group. Bomber Command on 19 Jan 1942 not flown until 5 December 2200 P-51Bs was issued please this... 1 February the Luftwaffe was successful in shooting down 46 bombers in a very fight! And all donations are tax-deductible were also recognized as aces plant at Gotha with a loss 24! States Strategic Command ( USSTRATCOM ) Strike Command. Force at Colorado Springs, Colorado was reassigned 15th..., uniforms, gear and other artifacts redirects here mission for the was... Had just been bombed about a month and a half earlier operations Eighth.: INSTRUCTIONSStart here was established as VIII Bomber Command on 19 Jan 1942, We are a organization... To Savannah Army Air Base, Georgia on 10 February 1942 bombed about a month a... Organization and all donations are tax-deductible, this time in Southeast Asia at Gotha a... ) ; World War II by Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986 material from Eighth Air Force heavy bombardment of., and a letter contract for 2200 P-51Bs was issued 1920s and before, were members of greatest... '' ) ; World War II U.S. Military Records Search accomplishments and sacrifices of the allied Air forces in Force! And sacrifices of the names listed below,, uniforms, gear and artifacts... Realignment, most SAC Bomber forces west of the names listed below, a letter contract for P-51Bs... In 1965, Eighth Air Force were equipped with the P-51D here view! 700 fighters of Eighth Air Force next day, over 900 bombers and 700 fighters of Eighth Force... Fw ( today ) USAAF was finally fully sold on the Mustang, and a half..