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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders   Pacific Air ForcesRotator graphic that was created to display the name and logo of Pacific Air Forces.(U.S. Air Force design by Defense Media Activity)
                
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        Pacific Air Forces shield; fact sheet graphic. (U.S. Air Force illustration)Pacific Air Forces shield; fact sheet graphic. (U.S. Air Force illustration)
                
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 Pacific Air ForcesPacific Air Forces shield; fact sheet graphic. (U.S. Air Force illustration)

    










**Mission**PACAF's primary mission is to provide U.S. Pacific Command integrated expeditionary Air Force capabilities to defend the Homeland, promote stability, dissuade/deter aggression, and swiftly defeat enemies.The command's vision is to bring the full power of America's Air Force and the skill of its Airmen to promote peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.  PACAF's area of responsibility extends from the west coast of the United States to the east coast of Africa and from the Arctic to the Antarctic, covering more than 100 million square miles. The area is home to 50 percent of the world's population in 36 nations and over one-third of the global economic output. The unique location of the Strategic Triangle (Hawaii-Guam-Alaska) gives our nation persistent presence and options to project U.S. airpower from sovereign territory. **Personnel and Resources** The command has approximately 45,000 military and civilian personnel serving in nine strategic locations and numerous smaller facilities, primarily in Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, Guam and the Republic of Korea. Approximately 340 fighter and attack aircraft are assigned to the command with approximately 100 additional deployed aircraft rotating on Guam. PACAF will be home to three of the seven F-22 fighter squadrons currently programmed, and is already home to the only two C-17 units based outside the continental United States.Approximately 2,100 PACAF Airmen are deployed at any given time in support of the Overseas Contingency Operations, many participating in non-traditional missions such as convoy and detainee operations **Organization**PACAF's major units are 5th Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Japan; 7th Air Force, Osan AB, Republic of Korea; 11th Air Force, and Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Major units also include 3rd Wing, Elmendorf AFB; 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea; 15th Airlift Wing, Hickam AFB; 18th Wing, Kadena AB, Japan (Okinawa); 51st Fighter Wing, Osan AB; 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska; 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa AB, Japan; 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota AB; and the 36th Wing, Andersen AFB, Guam. **History**PACAF traces its roots to the activation of Far East Air Forces, Aug. 3, 1944, at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. FEAF was subordinate to the U.S. Army Forces Far East and served as the headquarters of Allied Air Forces Southwest Pacific Area. By 1945, three numbered air forces -- 5th, 7th and 13th -- were supporting operations in the Pacific. At that time, the Army Air Forces in the Pacific became part of the largest and most powerful military organization ever fielded by any country in the world.After World War II, FEAF and 5th Air Force remained in Japan, while 7th Air Force operated from Hawaii, and 13th Air Force operated from the Philippines. In the post-war years, FEAF was designated the theater air force for the Far East Command. All air forces in the Far East andSouthwest Pacific were placed under one Air Force commander for the first time.When the North Koreans crossed the 38th parallel June 25, 1950, FEAF consisted of 5th Air Force, 13th Air Force, 20th Air Force and the Far East Materiel Command. Four years after the Korean War armistice, FEAF was redesignated Pacific Air Forces and transferred its headquarters to Hickam.By 1960, PACAF maintained a combat-ready deterrent force of some 35 squadrons, operating from 10 major bases in a half-dozen countries. In the early 1960s communist military strength and firepower in Vietnam increased. As a result, PACAF began a buildup in the area with the addition of troops and better arms and equipment.Combat aircraft of PACAF flew their last strikes in Cambodia Aug. 15, 1973, writing the final chapter to the long and costly history of active American participation in the Indochina War. The post-Vietnam era found the command focusing on improving its readiness.PACAF's organizational structure saw a marked period of rapid and extensive changes. Andersen AFB was reassigned from Strategic Air Command in 1989, and 11th Air Force became a part of the command in late 1990. Following the volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Clark AB, the Philippines, was closed and 13th Air Force relocated to Andersen in 1991. In 1992, changes took place in force structure within PACAF as the command assumed control of theater-based tactical airlift wings, theater C-130 aircraft and crews, and associated theater C-130 support. PACAF also gained control of all operational support aircraft and all aeromedical airlift assets in the Pacific.Throughout its history PACAF has played a vital role in world events. In addition to its key combat role in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, PACAF units fought in Desert Storm in 1991, and they continue to deploy to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines and other locations in support of contingency operations. PACAF provided its expertise, aircraft, personnel and equipment to facilitate the new Expeditionary Air Force, especially as it applied to successful airbridge operations spanning the vast Pacific Ocean. Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, PACAF again demonstrated its intrepid spirit through its units deployed in support of operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.Since 1944, the command has participated in more than 140 humanitarian operations within its area of responsibility and beyond. In these operations PACAF personnel quickly and efficiently airlifted food, medicine and other supplies to areas devastated by storms, floods, earthquakes, volcanoes and other natural disasters.Additionally, the command supported three of the largest evacuations ever undertaken by the Air Force: the Newlife evacuation of the Vietnamese in 1975, the Fiery Vigil evacuation of Clark AB, Philippines, after the 1991 volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo, and the Pacific Haven operation to support and resettle Kurdish evacuees in 1997. Recent efforts include support of tsunami relief efforts during Operation Unified Assistance in 2006. PACAF stood up a 24/7 air operations center to organize rescue and relief flight efforts by the Air Force as well as Navy, Marine, Coast Guard and other nations. In 2008, PACAF delivered winter supplies and food to China to help victims of China's worst winter storms in more than 50 years. PACAF also delivered 2,000,000 pounds of relief supplies after China was hit by a devastating earthquake and assisted with Burma cyclone relief by preparing C-17s to transport personnel and supplies.On Sept. 28, 2012, 13th Air Force was inactivated and combined with the staff of Pacific AirForces at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.For more than five decades PACAF has served in defense of the nation. The command continually prepares to bring air power quickly and decisively to the far reaches of the Pacific. **Point of Contact**Pacific Air Forces, Public Affairs Office; (808) 448-3218 25 E Street, Suite G-108Hickam AFB, Hawaii 96853-5496(Current as of October 2015)
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        AC-130J Ghostrider
                    
                    AC-130J Ghostrider
                
                AC-130W Stinger II
                    
                    AC-130W Stinger II
                
                C-32
                    
                    C-32
                
                CV22
                    
                    CV-22 Osprey
                
                C-40C
                    
                    C-40B/C
                
                A U.S. Air Force C-37 taxis after landing
                    
                    C-37A/B
                
                C-130 Hercules
                    
                    C-130 Hercules
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    Major Commands
        Air Force Special Operations Command Rotator
                    
                    Air Force Special Operations Command
                
                Air Force Global Strike Command Rotator
                    
                    Air Force Global Strike Command
                
                Air Combat Command Rotator
                    
                    Air Combat Command
                
                Air Force Materiel Command Rotator
                    
                    Air Force Materiel Command
                
                Air Education and Training Command Rotator
                    
                    Air Education and Training Command
                
                Air Mobility Command Rotator
                    
                    Air Mobility Command
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    Weapons
        The Air Force Distributed Common Ground System (AF DCGS), also referred to as the AN/GSQ-272 SENTINEL weapon system, is the Air Force’s primary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) collection, processing, exploitation, analysis and dissemination (CPAD) system. 
(U.S. Air Force photo)
                    
                    Air Force Distributed Common Ground System
                
                LGM-30G Minuteman III
                    
                    LGM-30G Minuteman III
                
                Sniper Pod
                    
                    Sniper Pod
                
                LITENING ADVANCE TARGETING
                    
                    LITENING ADVANCE TARGETING
                
                Guardian Angel
                
                Massive Ordnance Penetrator
                
                The AN/ASQ-236 Radar Pod contains synthetic aperture radar that provides detailed maps for surveillance, coordinate generation and bomb impact assessment purposes.  It will be operational on the F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo)
                    
                    AN/ASQ-236 Radar Pod
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