The Second Air Force was constituted as Northwest Air District on 19 October, 1940, and activated on 18 December 1940. Re-designated 2nd Air Force early in 1941, it served as both an air defense and a training organization during 1941. Afterwards it was engaged chiefly in training units and replacements for heavy, and later, very heavy bombing operations.
2nd Army Air Forces Patch
Constituted as Northwest Air District on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940. Redesignated Second AF early in 1941. Served as both an air defense and a training organization in 1941. Afterward, was engaged chiefly in training units and replacements for heavy and, later, very heavy bombardment operations. Inactivated on 30 Mar 1946.
Activated on 6 Jun 1946. Assigned to Air Defense Command. Inactivated on 1 Jul 1948.
Activated on 1 Nov 1949. Assigned to Strategic Air Command.
Commands. II Air Support: 1941-1943. II Bomber: 1941-1943. II Fighter: 1941-1942. IV Air Support: 1942-1943. XX (formerly I) Bomber: 1943. XX Bomber (constituted Nov 1943): 1943-1944. XXI Bomber: 1944. XXII Bomber: 1944-1945.
Stations. McChord Field, Wash, 18 Dec 1940; Ft George Wright, Wash, 9 Jan 1941; Colorado Springs, Colo, Jun 1943-30 Mar 1946. Ft Crook, Neb, 6 Jun 1946-1 Jul 1948. Barksdale AFB, La, 1 Nov 1949-.
Commanders. Maj Gen John F Curry, 18 Dec 1940; Maj Gen Millard F Harmon, 5 Aug 1941; Brig Gen John B Brooks, 19 Dec 1941; Maj Gen Frederick L Martin, 1 Feb 1942; Maj Gen Robert Olds, 14 May 1942; Maj Gen Davenport Johnson, 25 Feb 1943; Maj Gen St Clair Streett, 9 Sep 1943; Maj Gen Uzal G Ent, 15 Jan 1944; Maj Gen Robert B Williams, 28 Oct 1944; Brig Gen Julius K Lacey, 21 Nov 1945; Maj Gen Charles B Stone III, 21 Feb 1946; Brig Gen Charles F Born, 19-30 Mar 1946. Brig Gen Walter R Peck, 6 Jun 1946; Maj Gen Frederick W Evans, 15 Jul 1946; Brig Gen Walter R Peck, 23 Jun 1947; Maj Gen Paul L Williams, 15 Sep 1947-1 Jul 1948. Brig Gen Paul T Cullen, 1 Nov 1949; Maj Gen Joseph H Atkinson, 10 Nov 1949; Maj Gen Frank A Armstrong Jr, 16 Nov 1952-.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. On a blue square, a golden orange falcon with jesses in striking attitude below a white star bearing a red disc. (Approved 16 Dec 1943. This insigne was superseded by another on 19 Oct 1954.)
Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
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