12th Air Force, US Air Force

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12TH AIR FORCE, US AIR FORCE

History: Established as Twelfth Air Force, and activated, on 20 August 1942. Inactivated on 31 August 1945. Activated on 17 May 1946. Discontinued on 1 July 1950. Organized on 21 January 1951. Redesignated as Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) on 29 February 2008. Moved to England for training in late 1942 and participated in the invasion of North Africa. It engaged in tactical operations for the remainder of the war in the Mediterranean. The Twelfth Air Force has subsequently served both in Europe and later the United States. Beginning in 1987, Twelfth Air Force took on the added responsibility of managing all AF assets in US Southern Command Air Forces (USSOUTHAF). From 1993-2002, managed the strategic reconnaissance assets for the Air Force. Participated in Operations Just Cause, 20 December 1989-31 January 1990 and Promote Liberty, 1990-1991. Provided fighter and reconnaissance aircraft and support to US Central Command Air Forces for operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, 1990-1991. Supported operations Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom in Iraq by ensuring force protection measures at home and abroad. It continued to support the Global War on Terror while at the same time conducting its mission as the Air Force component of the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) by participating in its exercise program. From 2003, Twelfth Air Force led the way in bringing the Air Force’s Warfighting Headquarters (WFHQ) concept to life, establishing a command and control element, an Air Force Forces (AFFOR) staff, and an Air Operations Center. (AOC).

Official blazon
English	(wanted)

Origin/meaning

The Emblem was approved on 1 December 1943; newest rendition approved on 22 June 1994; AFSOUTH air component emblem approved on 3 October 1990; newest rendition on 3 June 2008.