II Air Support Command explained

Unit Name:II Air Support Command
Dates:1941-1945
Branch:
Role:Command of tactical air support units

The II Air Support Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Third Air Force at Biggs Field, Texas, as the II Tactical Air Division, where it was inactivated on 22 December 1945.

The command was organized in September 1941 as the 2nd Air Support Command to control the tactical units of 2d Air Force.

History

General Headquarters Air Force reorganized its four regional air districts as Numbered Air Forces in the spring of 1941. By the fall of that year, each of these had organized as a support command and three combat commands.[1]

In the summer of 1941 GHQ AF had decided to establish commands to direct its air support mission in each numbered air force, plus one additional command reporting directly to GHQ AF. These commands would be manned from inactivating wings, and would initially control only observation squadrons, which would be transferred from the control of the corps and divisions, although they would remain attached to these ground units.[2] 2nd Air Force organized 2nd Air Support Command at Fort Douglas, Utah in September 1941, soon moving to Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma where it drew cadre and equipment from the 20th Bombardment Wing, which was simultaneously inactivated.[3] [2] New observation groups were formed, with a cadre drawn from National Guard squadrons that had been mobilized in 1940 and 1941.[2]

However, by early 1942, the command's first commander, Hume Peabody, like two of the other commanders of air support commands had moved overseas, and similar demands led GHQ AF to believe it had little more than the "remnants" of the command remaining.[2] However, in May, the Army Air Forces (AAF) reaffirmed that each of the continental numbered air forces would have an air support command and the command's manning was brought back up.[4]

The AAF determined that its continental air forces would specialize in their training operations and air support training would be assigned to Third Air Force.[4] As a result, in October of 1942, AAF directed that all but one of the observation groups assigned to the command were to be reduced to 50% strength with their personnel used to form new tow target squadrons, or transferred to heavy bomber Operational Training Unit (OTU)s or Replacement Training Unit (RTU)s.[5] Further, the command, now titled the II Air Support Command, was reassigned to Third Air Force in January 1943.[3]

In August 1943, the command was redesignated the II Tactical Air Division with the intent that the command would engage in combined training with army ground forces.[6]

The unit participated in various air-ground maneuvers, supported ground units in training, and put on air support demonstrations.

Lineage

Activated on 1 September 1941

Redesignated 2nd Ground Air Support Command c. 30 April 1942

Redesignated II Air Support Command c. 18 September 1942

Redesignated II Tactical Air Division on 28 August 1943[8]

Inactivated on 22 December 1945

Disbanded on 8 October 1948[3]

Assignments

Components

Groups

Squadrons

Stations

References

Notes

Explanatory notes
Citations

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Cate & Williams, p. 152, 155
  2. Futrell, p. 13
  3. Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 433-434
  4. Futrell, p. 15
  5. White, p. 80
  6. White, p. 87
  7. Maurer indicates unit was constituted as the "II" Air Support 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. Web site: Air Force Historical Research Agency Organizational Reconds: Types of USAF Organizations. 9 January 2008. Air Force History Index. 19 September 2016.
  8. Futrell, p. 27
  9. Web site: Factsheet Second Air Force (AETC). Ream. Margaret. 9 September 2020. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 12 December 2021.
  10. Web site: Factsheet Third Air Force (USAFE). Haulman. Daniel L.. 4 April 2019. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 9 December 2021.
  11. Web site: Factsheet 48 Operations Group (USAFE). Robertson. Patsy E.. 7 July 2017. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 31 December 2021.
  12. Web site: Factsheet 69 Reconnaissance Group (ACC). Robertson. Patsy. 10 July 2017. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 7 January 2022.
  13. Web site: Factsheet 71 Operations Group (AETC). Robertson. Patsy. 10 June 2011. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 7 January 2022.
  14. Web site: Factsheet 72 Air Base Wing (AFMC). Stephens. Maj Tonia. 23 May 2017. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 9 January 2022. (2nd Air Service Command [sic])
  15. Web site: Factsheet 75 Air Base Wing (AFMC). Ream. Margaret. 13 May 2021. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 10 January 2022.
  16. Web site: Factsheet 77 Aeronauticall Systems Wing (AFMC). Butler. William M.. 9 January 2008. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 12 January 2022.
  17. Web site: Factsheet 416 Air Expeditionary Wing (ACC). Kane. Robert B.. 24 March 2010. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 17 January 2022.
  18. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 191
  19. Web site: Factsheet 2 Air Support Operations Squadron (USAFE). Dollman. TSG David. 16 June 2017. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 17 July 2018.
  20. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 40
  21. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 24
  22. Web site: Factsheet 15 Air Support Operations Squadron (ACC). Haulman. Daniel L.. 27 March 2018. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 15 January 2022.
  23. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 131
  24. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 151
  25. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 177
  26. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 207
  27. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 266
  28. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 334
  29. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 337
  30. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 339
  31. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 342
  32. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 344
  33. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 349
  34. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 350
  35. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 777
  36. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 357
  37. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 358
  38. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 358
  39. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 361-362
  40. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 489

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