Continental Air Forces (CAF) was a major command of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) established during World II to coordinate the defense of the continental United States and to oversee the training and organization of bomber units destined for overseas deployment.
Formation and Mission
- Date of establishment: 13 February 1944, as a provisional organization, and formally activated on 1 March 1944.
- Headquarters: Initially at Andrews Field, Maryland; later moved to Bolling Field, Washington, D.C.
- Primary responsibilities:
- Training and readiness of heavy‑bombardment groups (B‑17, B‑24, and later B‑29).
- Development of air defense tactics and coordination with the Army Ground Forces for the protection of the continental United States.
- Administration of several numbered air forces that operated within the United States, including the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Air Forces.
Organizational Structure
Continental Air Forces supervised multiple numbered air forces and related training, logistical, and support units. Notable subordinate commands included:
| Numbered Air Force | Headquarters (1944‑1945) | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|
| Second Air Force | Colorado Springs, CO | Heavy‑bombardment training (B‑17/B‑24). |
| Fourth Air Force | Sacramento, CA | Air defense and fighter training for the western United States. |
| Fifth Air Force | Tucson, AZ (later Hawaii) | Early Pacific‑theater operations; later reassigned. |
| Sixth Air Force (later Caribbean Air Command) | Miami, FL | Anti‑submarine and Caribbean defense. |
Transition to Strategic Air Command
- Redesignation: On 21 March 1946, Continental Air Forces was redesignated Strategic Air Command (SAC), reflecting a shift from a primarily training and continental defense focus to a strategic deterrence role in the emerging Cold War.
- Legacy: The organizational framework, personnel, and many of the aircraft under CAF formed the nucleus of SAC, which would become the United States’ principal nuclear‑armed aerial force throughout the Cold War.
Historical Significance
Continental Air Forces played a crucial role in preparing the United States’ heavy‑bombardment capability for the final phases of World II and in establishing the command and control structures that underpinned post‑war strategic air power. Its conversion to Strategic Air Command marked one of the most significant organizational transformations in U.S. military aviation history.
References
- United States Army Air Forces, Historical Summary of the Continental Air Forces, Office of the Chief of Staff, 1945.
- Maurer, Maurer. Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Washington, D.C.: Office of Air Force History, 1961.
- Futrell, Robert F. The United States Air Force: A Chronology of the Continental Air Forces, 1944‑1946. Air University Press, 1975.
