View source for Air Combat Command

{{Short description|Major command of the US Air Force}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Air Combat Command
| image                         = ACC Shield.svg
| caption                       = Shield of Air Combat Command
| dates                         = 21 March 1946 – present<br />({{Age in years and months|1946|03|21}})<br />{{collapsible list
| titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
| title = ''Detailed''
|1 June 1992 – present (as Air Combat Command)<br />21 March 1946 – 1 June 1992 (as [[Tactical Air Command]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acc.af.mil/About-Us/ACC-History/|title= About Us > ACC History|website=Air Combat Command |date=10 Feb 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915064748/http://www.acc.af.mil/About-Us/ACC-History/|archive-date=15 September 2017}}</ref>
}}
| country                       = {{flag|United States}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = {{Air force|USA}} (26 September 1947 – Present)<br /> [[File:Seal of the United States Department of War.png|23px]] [[United States Army]] ([[File:US Army Air Corps Hap Arnold Wings.svg|23px]] [[Army Air Forces]]; 21 March 1946 – 26 September 1947)<ref name="af.mil">{{cite web|url=https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432046/air-combat-command-usaf/|title=Air Combat Command (USAF)|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104013611/http://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432046/air-combat-command-usaf/|archive-date=4 November 2016}}</ref>
| type                          = [[List of Major Commands of the United States Air Force|Major Command]]
| role                          = Train, equip, and provide [[air force|air combat forces]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenseinnovationmarketplace.mil/resources/AirCombatCommand2014StrategicPlan.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=21 October 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318192101/http://www.defenseinnovationmarketplace.mil/resources/AirCombatCommand2014StrategicPlan.pdf |archive-date=18 March 2017 }}</ref>
| size                          = 84,850 Airmen <br /> 1,110 aircraft<ref name="airforcemag.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.airforcemag.com/magazinearchive/magazine%20documents/2017/june%202017/0617grudoallfactsfigures.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=29 November 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426002339/http://www.airforcemag.com/MagazineArchive/Magazine%20Documents/2017/June%202017/0617GrudoAllFactsFigures.pdf |archive-date=26 April 2018 }}</ref>
| command_structure             = 
| garrison                      = [[Langley Air Force Base]], [[Joint Base Langley–Eustis]], [[Virginia]], U.S.
| garrison_label                = Headquarters
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = "Global Power for America."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/acc.htm|title=Air Combat Command|first=John|last=Pike|website=globalsecurity.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019113354/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/acc.htm|archive-date=19 October 2017}}</ref>
| colors                        = 
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| battles                       = [[File:Streamer AFE.PNG|200px]]<br /> [[Invasion of Grenada|Operation Urgent Fury]]<ref name="af.mil"/>
| decorations                   = [[File:AFOEA Streamer.jpg|200px]]<br />[[Organizational Excellence Award|Air Force Organization Excellence Award]]<ref name="af.mil"/>
| anniversaries                 = 
| website                       = {{URL|www.acc.af.mil|acc.af.mil}}
<!-- Commanders -->| commander1                    = [[General (United States)|Gen]] [[Kenneth S. Wilsbach]]
| commander1_label              = Commander
| commander2                    = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lt Gen]] [[Michael Koscheski]]
| commander2_label              = Deputy Commander
| commander3                    = [[Chief Master Sergeant|CCM]] [[David R. Wolfe]]<ref name="ACC Leadership">{{cite web|url=https://www.acc.af.mil/About-Us/ACC-Leadership/|title=ACC Leadership|website=acc.af.mil|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005060743/https://www.acc.af.mil/About-Us/ACC-Leadership/|archive-date=5 October 2018}}</ref>
| commander3_label              = Command Chief
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol         = 
| identification_symbol_label   = <!-- Aircraft -->
| aircraft_attack               = [[A-10 Thunderbolt II|A-10C]], [[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130U]], [[MQ-1 Predator|MQ-1]], [[MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9]]
| aircraft_bomber               = 
| aircraft_electronic           = [[E-3 Sentry|E-3B/C/G]], [[E-8 JSTARS|E-8C]], [[Bombardier Dash 8|E-9A]], [[Bombardier Global Express|E-11A]], [[EC-130|EC-130H]]
| aircraft_fighter              = [[F-15C Eagle|F-15C/D]], [[F-15E Strike Eagle|F-15E]], [[F-16C Fighting Falcon|F-16C/D]], [[F-22 Raptor|F-22A]], [[F-35A Lightning II|F-35A]]
| aircraft_helicopter           = 
| aircraft_helicopter_attack    = 
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo     = 
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole = [[HH-60 Pave Hawk|HH-60G]]
| aircraft_helicopter_observation = 
| aircraft_helicopter_trainer   = 
| aircraft_helicopter_utility   = 
| aircraft_interceptor          = 
| aircraft_patrol               = 
| aircraft_recon                = [[Beechcraft C-12 Huron|MC-12]], [[Boeing OC-135B Open Skies|OC-135B]], [[Fairchild C-26 Metroliner|RC-26B]], [[Boeing RC-135|RC-135S/U/V/W]], [[RQ-4 Global Hawk|RQ-4]], [[Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel|RQ-170]], [[Lockheed U-2|U-2S]], [[Pilatus PC-12|U-28A]], [[Boeing WC-135 Constant Phoenix|WC-135]]
| aircraft_trainer              = [[T-38 Talon|T-38A]], [[C-135 Stratolifter|TC-135S/W]], [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|QF-4]], [[F-16 Fighting Falcon|QF-16]]
| aircraft_transport            = [[Boeing C-17|C-17A]], [[Lockheed C-130|C-130J]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nellis.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/284156/united-states-air-force-weapons-school/|title=United States Air Force Weapons School|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207140014/http://www.nellis.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/284156/united-states-air-force-weapons-school/|archive-date=7 December 2017}}</ref>
| aircraft_tanker               = [[HC-130|HC-130N/P/J]], [[KC-135|KC-135R]], [[MC-130]]
| aircraft_helicopter_transport = 
| aircraft_general              = [[LGM-30 Minuteman|LGM-30G]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nellis.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/284155/57th-wing/|title=57th Wing|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006183054/http://www.nellis.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/284155/57th-wing/|archive-date=6 October 2017}}</ref>
}}

The '''Air Combat Command''' ('''ACC''') is one of nine [[List of Major Commands of the United States Air Force|Major Commands]] (MAJCOMs) in the [[United States Air Force]], reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force (HAF) at [[the Pentagon]].<ref name="multiaccws">{{cite web|url=https://www.acc.af.mil|title=Air Combat Command > Home|website=acc.af.mil|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124142317/http://www.acc.af.mil/|archive-date=24 January 2007}}</ref> It is the primary provider of air combat forces for the Air Force, and it is the direct successor to [[Tactical Air Command]]. Air Combat Command is headquartered at [[Langley Air Force Base]], [[Joint Base Langley–Eustis]], Virginia, United States.

ACC directly operates 1,110 [[fighter aircraft|fighter]], [[attack aircraft|attack]], [[Reconnaissance aircraft|reconnaissance]], [[combat search and rescue]], [[Airborne early warning and control|airborne command and control]] and [[Electronic-warfare aircraft|electronic aircraft]] along with [[Command and control|command, control, computing, communications and intelligence]] (C4I) systems, Air Force ground forces, conducts [[Information warfare|global information operations]], and controls Air Force Intelligence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104461/air-combat-command/|title=Fact Sheet Display |website=Air Combat Command|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527124923/http://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104461/air-combat-command/|archive-date=27 May 2017}}</ref> As of 6 April 2023 ACC operated 48 fighter squadrons and nine attack squadrons.<ref name= pilotShortage >Andy Love [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/patriotism-unity/with-war-potentially-approaching-a-pilot-shortage-looms-over-the-us-air-force (6 Apr 2023) With war potentially approaching, a pilot shortage looms over the US Air Force] </ref>

Air Combat Command consists of approximately 74,240 [[active duty]] Airmen and 10,610 Department of the Air Force Civilians. When mobilized, more than 49,000 additional Airmen of the [[Air Force Reserve]] and the [[Air National Guard]], along with over 700 additional aircraft, are operationally-gained and assigned to ACC, bringing total aircraft to more than 1,800 and number of Airmen to 123,240.<ref name="airforcemag.com"/>

==Mission==
Air Combat Command's mission is to provide air combat forces to the geographic [[Unified Combatant Command]]s. ACC organizes, trains, equips, and maintains combat-ready units for rapid deployment abroad while also ensuring [[air defense]] of the United States is strong enough for both peacetime and wartime needs. ACC [[Numbered Air Force]]s serve as the air components for [[United States Central Command]], [[United States Southern Command]], and [[United States Northern Command]]. ACC augments the forces of the [[United States European Command]], [[United States Africa Command]], [[United States Pacific Command]], and [[United States Strategic Command]]. 

==History==
Air Combat Command was created 1 June 1992 after the inactivation of the [[Tactical Air Command]] (TAC), [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC) and [[Military Airlift Command]] (MAC).  Upon activation, ACC assumed control of all former-TAC fighters, all [[Strategic bomber|bombers]], [[Reconnaissance|reconnaissance platforms]], battle management resources, and [[Intercontinental ballistic missile]]s (ICBMs). Furthermore, ACC had some [[KC-135]] and [[KC-10]] [[Aerial refueling|aerial refueling tankers]] and [[C-130]] tactical airlift aircraft in its composite, reconnaissance, and other combat wings.  In 1993, control of the ICBM force was transferred to the [[Air Force Space Command]] (AFSPC) until transferred again to [[Air Force Global Strike Command]] (AFGSC) on 1 December 2009.<ref name="multiacchist">{{Cite web|url=https://www.acc.af.mil/About-Us/ACC-History/|title=ACC History|publisher=Air Combat Command|access-date=2 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104014202/http://www.acc.af.mil/AboutUs/ACCHistory.aspx|archive-date=4 November 2016}}</ref>

Following the inactivation of SAC at [[Offutt AFB]], Nebraska, a new unified command, the [[United States Strategic Command]], was activated at Offutt, created to manage the combined strategic nuclear forces belonging to both the U.S. Air Force and the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]].<ref name="multiacchist"/>

Historically, Combat Command was an earlier air unit designation.  During 1941 and early 1942, the tactical air units of the [[United States Department of War|War Department]], formerly known as the GHQ Air Force, formed the Air Force Combat Command.  The AFCC was dissolved in the reorganization of the [[United States Army]], effective 9 March 1942, which created the [[United States Army Air Forces]] as a major command of the Army, which functioned as a ''de facto'' independent service branch of the Armed Forces.<ref name="multiacchist"/>

===Mission Realignments===
[[File:B-2 Spirit 050404-F-1740G-001.jpg|thumb|right|A B-2 Spirit bomber from the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Missouri refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker]]
[[File:F-117-acc.jpg|thumb|right|An F-117A Nighthawk Stealth fighter from the 49th Fighter Wing, 9th Fighter Squadron "Iron Knights," from Holloman AFB, New Mexico, flies a training mission over the New Mexico desert]]
[[File:F-22-acc.jpg|thumb|right|F-22A from the 1st Fighter Wing, 27th Fighter Squadron, Langley AFB, Virginia being [[Aircraft marshalling|marshalled]] into place on the flightline]]
[[File:E-3a-acc.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Boeing E-3 Sentry]] Airborne Warning and Control System from Tinker AFB, Oklahoma]]
[[File:RQ-4 Global Hawk.jpg|thumb|right|A maintenance crew prepares an RQ-4 Global Hawk for a test at [[Beale Air Force Base]]]]

====Combat search and rescue====
Not long after activation, ACC underwent organizational and mission changes. The first such major change was the transfer of the [[combat search and rescue]] (CSAR) mission from [[Air Mobility Command]] to ACC. With the realigning of search and rescue units, ACC gained additional resources, as well as a new mission.  The formal transfer took place on 1 February 1993, when the [[Air Rescue Service]] (ARS) was assigned to ACC. On 2 July of the same year, the ARS was disestablished and rescue units became fully integrated in the same manner as other ACC units reporting to numbered air forces.  The USAF Combat Rescue School was subsequently assigned to the 57th Wing at [[Nellis AFB]], Nevada.<ref name="multiacchist"/>

====Flight training====
One of the most significant changes for Air Combat Command resulted from an overhaul of flying training responsibilities. Following its activation, ACC was responsible for aircraft-specific aircrew training, including initial weapon system and continuation training. On 1 July 1993, the 58th and 325th Fighter Wings—F-16 and F-15 training units transferred from ACC to [[Air Education and Training Command]] (AETC). Concurrently, [[Luke AFB]], Arizona, and [[Tyndall AFB]], Florida, for which those respective wings were the host units, also moved from ACC to AETC ownership.  However, on 1 October 2012, both Tyndall AFB and the 325th Fighter Wing returned to the control of ACC.<ref name="multiacchist"/>

====Tanker and airlift====
The next major organizational change resulted from a fine-tuning of [[aerial refueling]] and [[airlift]] resources. From its activation, Air Combat Command had assumed ownership of some [[C-130 Hercules]] theater airlift assets and [[KC-10 Extender]] and [[KC-135 Stratotanker]]s. Just as ownership of overseas C-130 resources had already been transferred to [[USAFE]] and [[PACAF]] commanders, it was decided that all C-130s based in the CONUS would be under the control of ACC, while at the same time, almost all KC-135 tankers would be assigned to [[Air Mobility Command]].<ref name="multiacchist"/>

There was historical precedent for the reassignment of C-130s to Air Combat Command. During the earliest days of [[Tactical Air Command]] (TAC), the command had carried out the "tactical" or combat airborne aspect of airlift operations, leaving the "strategic" or logistical mission to [[Military Air Transport Service]], later redesignated [[Military Airlift Command]] (the precursor of today's [[Air Mobility Command]]) in 1966. The tactical airlift mission included logistical airlift, airborne operations, aeromedical evacuation, and air support for special operations. This division of the airlift mission continued until 1 December 1974, when TAC transferred its CONUS-based tactical airlift units, including Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard tactical airlift units, to [[Military Airlift Command]] (MAC). MAC gained the overseas units from theater commands on 31 March 1975.<ref name="multiacchist"/>

On 1 October 1993, all Air Mobility Command C-130s with the exception of those permanently under [[United States Air Forces in Europe]] (USAFE) and [[Pacific Air Forces]] (PACAF) regions were transferred to ACC, while USAFE and PACAF assumed control of the C-130 permanently based in their respective geographic regions.  Concurrently, all KC-10 tankers and all KC-135 tankers except those at [[Mountain Home AFB]], Idaho, which supported the fighter and bomber aircraft of the composite wing stationed there, transferred to AMC. ACC also retained two KC-135s at [[Offutt AFB]] Nebraska and [[Grand Forks AFB]], North Dakota under ACC control until transferring them to AMC on 1 October 1993.  [[McConnell AFB]], Kansas; [[Fairchild AFB]], Washington; and their respective air refueling wings were also transferred to AMC in January 1994 and July 1994, respectively.<ref name="multiacchist"/>

In 1997, a subsequent USAF reorganization of ACC and AMC resulted in all CONUS-based C-130 theater airlift aircraft being reassigned from ACC back to AMC.  This change also shifted operational claimancy for all "slick" theater airlift mission C-130s in the [[Air Force Reserve]] and CONUS-based [[Air National Guard]].  [[USAFE]] and [[PACAF]] C-130 assets remained in those respective MAJCOMs to include PACAF's operational claimancy for Alaska Air National Guard C-130 and HC-130 assets.<ref>"Air Mobility: A Brief History of the American Experience" by Robert C. Owen; Potomac Books, Washington, DC, c2013; {{ISBN|978-1-59797-851-4}}</ref>

===Operational deployments===
In Southwest Asia, Air Combat Command provided active duty and reserve component forces for the follow-on to [[Gulf War|Operation Desert Storm and the establishment of Operation Southern Watch]] to deter Iraqi aggression. In October 1994, ACC also demonstrated its ability to react quickly to the buildup of Iraqi troops near the border of Kuwait. In addition, ACC, from its inception, has provided indispensable support to counter-drug operations, including [[E-3 Sentry|Airborne Warning and Control System]] (AWACS), [[reconnaissance]] and [[fighter aircraft]], as well as [[radar]] and connectivity assets.<ref name="multiacchist"/>

Participation in humanitarian operations has also been a recurring theme. Air Combat Command supported the humanitarian efforts of the [[United States Air Forces in Europe]] (USAFE), deploying active duty and air reserve component forces to Provide Promise and Deny Flight in Eastern Europe and Operation Provide Comfort out of [[Incirlik AB]], Turkey. Provide Promise offered humanitarian relief airlift support to the city of [[Sarajevo]], while Deny Flight enforced the "no-fly" zone against Serb air attacks on Bosnian civilians. Operation Provide Comfort, another humanitarian operation, also provided relief to Kurdish inhabitants of northern Iraq who had undergone fierce repression by the Iraqi government.<ref name="multiacchist"/>

In addition, ACC supported United States Atlantic Command's humanitarian relief to Haitian refugees associated with Operation GTMO at [[Guantanamo Bay Naval Base]], Cuba. Similarly, the command supported [[Operations Safe Haven and Safe Passage|Operation Safe Haven]] and the processing of Cuban refugees during the latter part of the summer of 1994. Across the Atlantic, Air Combat Command units participated in Operation Restore Hope, largely an [[Air Mobility Command]] humanitarian operation intended to provide food for Somalia. Also, ACC regular and ACC-gained [[Air National Guard]] C-130 units deployed to Uganda and Kenya to participate in Operation Support Hope. This operation, conducted by the [[United States European Command]], comprised part of the United Nations effort to provide humanitarian relief to victims of the civil war in Rwanda.<ref name="multiacchist"/>

In keeping with its global responsibilities, ACC initiated a series of "Global Power" missions in 1993. ACC's bomber wings are required to perform out-of-CONUS training flights to demonstrate the capability to perform their "quick reaction" worldwide mission. On one of the global power missions, two [[B-1 Lancer]] aircraft of the 28th Bomb Wing, [[Ellsworth AFB]], South Dakota, set a B-1 flying time record on the first leg of their round-the-world flight, 11–13 August 1993. The following year, two [[B-52]]s from the 2d Bomb Wing, [[Barksdale AFB]], Louisiana, circumnavigated the globe in 47.2 hours, the longest jet aircraft flight in history.<ref name="multiacchist"/>

===Global war on terrorism===
Air Combat Command units flew operational missions during the 2002 [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] – Afghanistan (OEF-A) and the 2003 invasion of Iraq, [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]].

The task of developing a comprehensive listing of ACC units present in Iraq, Afghanistan and other combat areas is particularly difficult as the events of 11 September 2001 and the [[Global War on Terrorism]] has made such an effort significantly difficult. The USAF seeks to improve operational security (OPSEC) and to deceive potential enemies as to the extent of American operations, therefore a listing of which units deploying where and when is unavailable.<ref name="multiacchist"/>

However, it is certain that ACC units are actively flying combat missions in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

===Predecessor units merged into Air Combat Command 1992===
[[File:ACCBases.jpg|thumb|upright=2|center|Air Combat Command bases {{circa|2001}}<ref name="multi1">{{cite web|url=https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/|title = Air Force Historical Research Agency|website = www.afhra.af.mil|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141217090209/http://www.afhra.af.mil/|archive-date=17 December 2014}}</ref>]]

{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
; [[Strategic Air Command]]
: [[2d Bomb Wing]]
:: Barksdale AFB, LA
: [[5th Bomb Wing]]
:: Minot AFB, ND
: [[7th Bomb Wing]]
:: Carswell AFB, TX (Xfer to Dyess AFB, TX on 1 October 1993)
: [[9th Reconnaissance Wing]]
:: Beale AFB, CA
: [[28th Bomb Wing]]
:: Ellsworth AFB, SD
: [[42d Air Base Wing|42d Bomb Wing]]
:: Loring AFB, ME (Base and wing BRAC Inactivated, 30 September 1994)
: [[44th Missile Wing]]
:: Ellsworth AFB, SD (Xfer to Air Force Space Command, 1 July 1993)
: [[55th Wing|55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing]]
:: Offut AFB NE
: [[90th Missile Wing]]
:: F E Warren AFB, WY (Xfer to Air Force Space Command, 1 July 1993)
: [[91st Space Wing|91st Missile Wing]]
:: Minot AFB, ND (Xfer to Air Force Space Command, 1 July 1993
: [[92d Air Refueling Wing|92d Bomb Wing]]
:: Fairchild AFB WA (Xfer to Air Mobility Command, 1 July 1994)
: [[93d Air Control Wing|93d Wing]]
:: Castle AFB, CA (Base and wing BRAC Inactivated, 30 September 1995)
: [[96th Air Base Wing|96th Wing]]
:: Dyess AFB, TX (Wing only BRAC Inactivated, 1 October 1993)
: [[319th Air Refueling Wing|319th Bombardment Wing]]
:: Grand Forks AFB, ND (Xfer to Air Mobility Command as 319 ARW, 1 October 1993)
: [[321st Air Expeditionary Wing|321st Missile Wing]]
:: Grand Forks AFB, ND (Xfer to Air Force Space Command, 1 July 1993)
: [[341st Space Wing|341st Missile Wing]]
:: Malmstrom AFB, MT (Xfer to Air Force Space Command, 1 July 1993)
: [[351st Missile Wing]]
:: Whiteman AFB, MO (Xfer to Air Force Space Command, 1 July 1993)
: [[379th Air Expeditionary Wing|379th Wing]]
:: Wurtsmith AFB, MI (Base and wing BRAC Inactivated, 15 June 1993)
: [[384th Air Expeditionary Wing|384th Bomb Wing]]
:: McConnell AFB, KS (Wing only BRAC Inactivated; xfer to 384th Bomb Group, 1 October 1994)
: [[410th Bomb Wing|410th Wing]]
:: K. I. Sawyer AFB, MI (Base and wing BRAC Inactivated, 30 September 1995)
: [[416th Bomb Wing|416th Wing]]
:: Griffiss AFB, NY (Base and wing BRAC Inactivated, 30 September 1995)
: [[509th Bomb Wing|509th Bombardment Wing]]
:: Whiteman AFB, MO
; [[Military Airlift Command]]
: [[314th Airlift Wing]]
:: Little Rock AFB, AR
; [[Tactical Air Command]]
: [[1st Fighter Wing]]
:: Langley AFB, VA
: [[4th Fighter Wing]]
:: Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
: [[23d Wing|23d Fighter Wing]]
:: Base and wing BRAC Inactivated at England AFB, LA; reactivated as 23d Wing, Pope AFB, NC)
: [[27th Fighter Wing]]
:: Cannon AFB, NM
: [[31st Fighter Wing]]
:: Homestead AFB, FL (Moved WOPE<ref name="ReferenceA">WOPE – Without Personnel or Equipment</ref> to Aviano AB Italy on 1 April 1994 and assigned to USAFE)
: [[33d Fighter Wing]]
:: Eglin AFB, FL
: [[35th Fighter Wing]]
:: George AFB, CA (Base and wing BRAC Inactivated, 15 December 1992)
: [[37th Training Wing|37th Fighter Wing]]
:: Tonopah AP, NV (Wing Inactivated 8 July 1992; F-117s xfer to 49 FW, Holloman AFB, NM)
: [[49th Fighter Wing]]
:: Holloman AFB, NM
: [[53d Wing]]
:: Eglin AFB, FL
: [[56th Fighter Wing]]
:: MacDill AFB, FL (Moved WOPE<ref name="ReferenceA"/> to Luke AFB, AZ on 1 April 1994; reassigned to AETC)
: [[57th Fighter Wing]]
:: Nellis AFB, NV
: [[58th Fighter Wing]]
:: Luke AFB, AZ (Moved WOPE<ref name="ReferenceA"/> to Kirtland AFB, NM on 1 April 1994
:: Reassigned to AETC as 58th Special Operations Wing)
: [[67th Reconnaissance Wing]]
:: Bergstrom AFB, TX (Base and wing BRAC Inactivated, 30 September 1993)
: [[85th Wing]]
:: NAS Keflavik, Iceland (Wing only BRAC Inactivated, 31 May 1993)
: [[325th Fighter Wing]]
:: Tyndall AFB, FL (Reassigned to AETC 1 July 1993; rejoined ACC 1 October 2012)
: [[347th Fighter Wing]]
:: Moody AFB, GA (Reassigned to AFSOC as 347 RQW 1 October 2003; merged into ACC 23 WG, 1 October 2006)
: [[354th Fighter Wing]]
:: Myrtle Beach AFB, SC (BRAC Inactivated, 31 March 1993)
: [[355th Fighter Wing]]
:: Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
: [[363d Fighter Wing]]
:: Shaw AFB, SC (Inactivated 30 December 1993; replaced by 20th Fighter Wing, 30 December 1993)
: [[366th Fighter Wing]]
:: Mountain Home AFB, ID
: [[388th Fighter Wing]]
:: Hill AFB, UT
: [[53d Weapons Evaluation Group|475th Weapons Evaluation Group]]
:: Tyndall AFB, FL
: 507th Air Control Wing
:: Shaw AFB, SC (Wing only BRAC Inactivated, 12 June 1993)
: [[552d Air Control Wing]]
:: Tinker AFB OK
: 602d Air Control Wing
:: Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ (Wing only BRAC Inactivated, 15 June 1992)
{{Col-end}}

==Wings and groups==
{{As of|2020}}, Air Combat Command consisted of the following units:<ref name="multiaccws"/>
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* [[United States Air Force Warfare Center]] (USAFWC)
:: HQ: [[Nellis AFB]], Nevada
: [[53d Wing]], [[Eglin AFB]], Florida
:: Includes [[53d Test and Evaluation Group]], [[Nellis AFB]], Nevada
:: and [[53d Weapons Evaluation Group]], [[Tyndall AFB]], Florida
: [[57th Wing]], [[Nellis AFB]], Nevada
: [[Nevada Test and Training Range]], [[Nellis AFB]], Nevada
: [[Utah Test and Training Range]], [[Hill AFB]], Utah
: [[99th Air Base Wing]], [[Nellis AFB]], Nevada
: [[505th Command and Control Wing]], [[Hurlburt Field]], Florida

* [[First Air Force|First Air Force (AFNORTH)]]
:: HQ: [[Tyndall AFB]], Florida
: [[Eastern Air Defense Sector]], [[Rome, New York]] (former [[Griffiss AFB]])
: [[Western Air Defense Sector]], [[McChord Air Force Base|McChord AFB]], Washington
: 701st Air Defense Squadron, [[Tyndall Air Force Base|Tyndall AFB]], Florida
: 702d Computer Systems Squadron, [[Tyndall Air Force Base|Tyndall AFB]], Florida
: 722d Air Control Squadron, [[CFB North Bay|North Bay (CFB North Bay)]], Canada

* [[United States Air Forces Central Command|Ninth Air Force (AFCENT)]]
:: HQ: [[Shaw AFB]], South Carolina

* [[Twelfth Air Force|Twelfth Air Force (AFSOUTH)]]
:: HQ: [[Davis–Monthan AFB]], Arizona

* [[Fifteenth Air Force]]
:: HQ: [[Shaw AFB]], South Carolina
: [[1st Fighter Wing]] (F-22A, T-38A), [[Langley AFB]], Virginia
: [[4th Fighter Wing]] (F-15E), [[Seymour Johnson AFB]], North Carolina
: [[20th Fighter Wing]] (F-16C/D), [[Shaw AFB]], South Carolina
:: Includes Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, South Carolina
: [[23d Wing]] (HH-60, HC-130J, A/OA-10C), [[Moody AFB]], Georgia
:: Includes Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
: [[93d Air Ground Operations Wing]], Moody AFB, Georgia
: [[325th Fighter Wing]] (F-22A, T-38A), [[Tyndall AFB]], Florida
: [[355th Fighter Wing]] (A/OA-10C), [[Davis-Monthan AFB]], Arizona
: [[366th Fighter Wing]] (F-15E), [[Mountain Home AFB]], Idaho
: [[388th Fighter Wing]] (F-35A), [[Hill AFB]], Utah
: [[432d Wing]] (MQ-1, MQ-9), [[Creech AFB]], Nevada
: [[461st Air Control Wing]] (E-8C), [[Robins AFB]], Georgia
: [[552d Air Control Wing]] (E-3B/C), [[Tinker AFB]], Oklahoma
: [[633d Air Base Wing]], [[Langley AFB]], Virginia
: [[495th Fighter Group]], [[Shaw AFB]], South Carolina

* [[Sixteenth Air Force]]
:: HQ: [[Lackland AFB]], Texas
: [[9th Reconnaissance Wing]] (U-2S, RQ-4, MC-12), [[Beale AFB]], California
: [[55th Wing]] (EC/OC/WC/RC-135), [[Offutt AFB]], Nebraska
:: Includes [[55th Electronic Combat Group]] (EC-130H), [[Davis-Monthan AFB]], Arizona
: [[67th Cyberspace Wing]], [[Lackland Air Force Base|Lackland AFB]], Texas
:: Includes [[567th Cyberspace Operations Group]], [[Scott Air Force Base|Scott AFB]], Illinois
: [[70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing]], [[Fort George G. Meade|Fort Meade]], Maryland
: [[319th Reconnaissance Wing]], [[Grand Forks AFB]], North Dakota
: [[363d Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing]], Langley AFB, Virginia
: [[480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing]], Langley AFB, Virginia
: [[557th Weather Wing]], [[Offutt AFB]], Nebraska
: [[616th Operations Center]], [[Lackland Air Force Base|Lackland AFB]], Texas
: [[688th Cyberspace Wing]], [[Lackland Air Force Base|Lackland AFB]], Texas
:: Includes [[5th Combat Communications Group]], [[Robins Air Force Base|Robins AFB]], Georgia
:: Also includes 38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group, [[Tinker Air Force Base|Tinker AFB]], Oklahoma
: [[Air Force Technical Applications Center]], [[Patrick Space Force Base]], Florida
{{Col-end}}

In 2009, responsibility for nuclear-capable bombers, specifically the [[B-2 Spirit]] and the [[B-52 Stratofortress]], along with their associated units, bases and personnel, were transferred from ACC to the newly established [[Air Force Global Strike Command]] ([[AFGSC]]). 

On 1 February 2010, the [[Eighth Air Force]] transferred to the [[Air Force Global Strike Command]].  The [[7th Bomb Wing]] at [[Dyess Air Force Base]], and the [[28th Bomb Wing]] at [[Ellsworth Air Force Base]] also transferred to [[AFGSC]] on 1 October 2015, thus, ending 23 years of operational bomber service in ACC.

In October 2019 units from Twenty-Fourth Air Force and Twenty-Fifth Air Force were merged into the reactivated [[Sixteenth Air Force]]. Sixteenth Air Force headquarters is based at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Rachel S. |date=18 September 2019 |title=USAF's New Info Warfare Group Coming into Focus |url=http://airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2019/September%202019/USAFs-New-Info-Warfare-Group-Coming-Into-Focus.aspx |work=Air Force Magazine |access-date=21 September 2019 }}</ref>

In August 2020 units from Ninth Air Force and Twelfth Air Force were realigned under the reactivated [[Fifteenth Air Force]]. Fifteenth Air Force headquarters is based at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.

In addition, units from [[Air Force Reserve Command]]'s [[Tenth Air Force]], and numerous other state and District of Columbia [[Air National Guard]] units are allocated to Air Combat Command when activated to federal service.

==Aircraft==
{{As of|2015}}:
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* Attack
** [[Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II]]
** [[MQ-1 Predator|General Atomics MQ-1 Predator]]
** [[MQ-9 Reaper|General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper]]
* Fighters
** [[F-15 Eagle|McDonnell Douglas F-15C/D Eagle]]
** [[F-15E Strike Eagle|McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle]]
** [[F-16 Fighting Falcon|General Dynamics F-16C/D Fighting Falcon]]
** [[F-22 Raptor|Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor]]
** [[F-35 Lightning II|Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II]]
* Combat Search and Rescue
** [[HC-130|Lockheed HC-130P Combat King and HC-130J Combat King II]]
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* Electronic Attack & Command and Control
** [[E-3B, E-3C and E-3G Sentry]]
** [[E-4B Nightwatch]]
** [[E-8C JSTARS]]
** [[E-9A Widget]]
** [[E-11A]]
** [[EC-130H Compass Call]]
** [[EC-130J Commando Solo]]
** [[EQ-4B Global Hawk]]
* Reconnaissance
** [[C-135 Stratolifter|Boeing OC-135;RC-135S/U/V/W;TC-135;WC-135]]
** [[RQ-4 Global Hawk|Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk]]
** [[Lockheed U-2|Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady]]
** [[MC-12 Liberty|Beechcraft MC-12 Liberty]]
** [[Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel]]
* Helicopter
** [[HH-60 Pave Hawk|Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk]]
* Trainer
** [[T-38A Talon|Northrop T-38A, AT-38B and T-38C Talon]]
{{Col-end}}

==Lineage==
* Constituted as Air Combat Command and activated on 1 June 1992
* Consolidated with Tactical Air Command on 26 September 2016<ref>DAF/A1M Letter 694t:, Consolidation of Tactical Air Command and Air Combat Command, 7 September 2016</ref>

===Assignments===
* [[Headquarters, United States Air Force]], 1 June 1992 – present

===Stations===
* [[Langley Air Force Base]], Hampton, Virginia, 1 June 1992 – present<ref name="bases">Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 USAF Reference Series, Office of Air Force History, United States Air Force, Washington, D.C., 1989</ref>

===Major components===
; Air Forces
: '''[[First Air Force]]''': 1 June 1992 – present
: [[Second Air Force]]: 1 June 1992 – 1 July 1993
:: Transferred to Air Education and Training Command
: [[Eighth Air Force]]: 1 June 1992 – 2009
:: Transferred to Air Force Global Strike Command, 2009
: '''[[Ninth Air Force]]''': 1 June 1992 – present
: '''[[Twelfth Air Force]]''': 1 June 1992 – present
: '''[[Fifteenth Air Force]]''': 20 August 2020 – present
: '''[[Sixteenth Air Force]]''': 11 October 2019 – present
: [[Twentieth Air Force]]: 1 June 1992 – 1 July 1993
:: Transferred to Air Force Space Command, 1993
:: Transferred to Air Force Global Strike Command, 2009
: [[Twenty-Fourth Air Force]]: 17 July 2018 – 11 October 2019
: [[Twenty-Fifth Air Force]]: 29 September 2014 – 11 October 2019
; Centers
: Air & Space Expeditionary Force Center: 1 October 2002 – 29 August 2006
: Aerospace Command and Control & Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (later, Air Force Command and Control & Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) Center (see Agencies below): 29 July 1997 – 30 April 2002.  On 17 June 2010, the GCIC was officially redesignated the Air Force Command and Control Integration Center or AFC2IC as a direct reporting unit to Air Combat Command (ACC).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.afc2ic.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-090728-083.pdf |title=AFC2IC's History |publisher=Air Force Command and Control Integration Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216210503/http://www.afc2ic.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-090728-083.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2013 |access-date=2 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
: '''Air Force Contingency Supply Support Office (later, Air Force Contingency Supply Squadron; ACC Regional Supply Squadron; Combat Air Forces Logistics Support Center)''': 12 June 1992 – 1 July 1994; 1 December 1998 – present
: '''Air Warfare Center (later, [[United States Air Force Warfare Center|USAF Warfare Center]])''': 1 June 1992 – present
: '''[[Air Force Network Integration Center]]''': 17 July 2018 – present
: '''[[Air Force Spectrum Management Office]]''': 17 July 2018 – present
; Agencies
: Air and Space Command and Control Agency (later, Aerospace Command and Control Agency; Aerospace Command and Control & Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center; Air Force Command and Control & Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center): 29 July 1997 – 30 April 2002.
: Air Intelligence Agency: 1 February 2001 – 8 August 2006
; Groups
: Air Combat Command (ACC) Air Force Targeting Center: 2008–present
: Air Combat Command (ACC) Communications Group: 1 June 1992 – present
: Air Combat Command (ACC) Logistics Support Group: 1 July 1994 – 16 September 1999.

<small>source for lineage, assignments, stations, components</small><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432046/air-combat-command-usaf/|title=Air Combat Command (USAF)|last=Bailey|first=Carl E.|date=7 October 2016|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=2 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104013611/http://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432046/air-combat-command-usaf/|archive-date=4 November 2016}}</ref>

== List of commanders ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!rowspan=2|{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!colspan=2|Commander
!colspan=3|Term
|-
!Portrait
!Name
!Took office
!Left office
!Term length
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 1
| military_rank     = General
| image             = Gen John Michael Loh.jpg
| officeholder      = [[John M. Loh]]
| officeholder_sort = Loh, John M.
| born_year         = 1938
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 1 June 1992
| term_end          = 23 June 1995
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 June 1992|23 June 1995}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 2
| military_rank     = General
| image             = Joseph Ralston, official military photo.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Joseph Ralston]]
| officeholder_sort = Ralston, Joseph
| born_year         = 1943
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 23 June 1995
| term_end          = 28 February 1996
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|23 June 1995|28 February 1996}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = Lt._Gen._Brett_Dula.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Brett M. Dula]]
| officeholder_sort = Dula, Brett M.
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 28 February 1996
| term_end          = 5 April 1996
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|28 February 1996|5 April 1996}}
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 3
| military_rank     = General
| image             = Richard E Hawley.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Richard E. Hawley]]
| officeholder_sort = Hawley, Richard E.
| born_year         = 1942
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 5 April 1996
| term_end          = 11 June 1999
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|5 April 1996|11 June 1999}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 4
| military_rank     = General
| image             = Ralph E Eberhart, CINCSPACE & CINCNORAD.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Ralph Eberhart]]
| officeholder_sort = Eberhart, Ralph E.
| born_year         = 1946
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 11 June 1999
| term_end          = 8 February 2000
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|11 June 1999|8 February 2000}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 5
| military_rank     = General
| image             = Gen John P. Jumper (2).jpg
| officeholder      = [[John P. Jumper]]
| officeholder_sort = Jumper, John P.
| born_year         = 1945
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 8 February 2000
| term_end          = 25 August 2001
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|8 February 2000|25 August 2001}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = Lt Gen Donald G. Cook.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Donald G. Cook]]
| officeholder_sort = Cook, Donald G.
| born_year         = 1946
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 25 August 2001
| term_end          = 14 November 2001
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|25 August 2001|14 November 2001}}
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 6
| military_rank     = General
| image             = Hal M Hornburg.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Hal M. Hornburg]]
| officeholder_sort = Hornburg, Hal M.
| born_year         = 1945
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 14 November 2001
| term_end          = 17 November 2004
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|14 November 2001|17 November 2004}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = Lt Gen Bruce A. Wright.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Bruce A. Wright]]
| officeholder_sort = Wright, Bruce A.
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 17 November 2004
| term_end          = 3 February 2005
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|17 November 2004|3 February 2005}}
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = William M. Fraser III LtGen.jpg
| officeholder      = [[William M. Fraser III]]
| officeholder_sort = Fraser, William M. III
| born_year         = 1952
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 3 February 2005
| term_end          = 27 May 2005
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|3 February 2005|27 May 2005}}
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 7
| military_rank     = General
| image             = Gen Ronald E. Keys (2).jpg
| officeholder      = [[Ronald Keys]]
| officeholder_sort = Keys, Ronald
| born_year         = 1945
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 27 May 2005
| term_end          = 2 October 2007
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|27 May 2005|2 October 2007}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 8
| military_rank     = General
| image             = General John Corley, official Air Force photo.jpg
| officeholder      = [[John D. W. Corley]]
| officeholder_sort = Corley, John D. W.
| born_year         = 1951
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 2 October 2007
| term_end          = 10 September 2009
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2 October 2007|10 September 2009}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 9
| military_rank     = General
| image             = General William M. Fraser III.jpg
| officeholder      = [[William M. Fraser III]]
| officeholder_sort = Fraser, William M. III
| born_year         = 1952
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 10 September 2009
| term_end          = 13 September 2011
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|10 September 2009|13 September 2011}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 10
| military_rank     = General
| image             = General Gilmary M. Hostage III.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Gilmary M. Hostage III]]
| officeholder_sort = Hostage, Gilmary M. III
| born_year         = 1955
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 13 September 2011
| term_end          = 4 November 2014
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|13 September 2011|4 November 2014}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 11
| military_rank     = General
| image             = Carlisle 2015.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Herbert J. Carlisle]]
| officeholder_sort = Carlisle, Herbert J.
| born_year         = 1957
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 4 November 2014
| term_end          = 10 March 2017
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|4 November 2014|10 March 2017}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 12
| military_rank     = General
| image             = Holmes ACC 2017.jpg
| officeholder      = [[James M. Holmes]]
| officeholder_sort = Holmes, James M.
| born_year         = 1957
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 10 March 2017
| term_end          = 28 August 2020
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|10 March 2017|28 August 2020}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 13
| military_rank     = General
| image             = Gen_Mark_D._Kelly_ACC.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Mark D. Kelly]]
| officeholder_sort = Kelly, Mark D.
| born_year         = 1962
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 28 August 2020
| term_end          = 29 February 2024
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|28 August 2020|29 February 2024}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 14
| military_rank     = General
| image             = Gen Kenneth S. Wilsbach (2).jpg
| officeholder      = [[Kenneth S. Wilsbach]]
| officeholder_sort = Wilsbach, Kenneth S.
| born_year         = {{circa|1963}}
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 29 February 2024
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|29 February 2024|}}
}}
|}

==See also==
'''U.S. Armed Forces operations commands'''
* [[United States Army Forces Command]] 
* [[United States Marine Corps Forces Command]]
* [[United States Fleet Forces Command]]
* [[Space Operations Command]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.acc.af.mil/ Air Combat Command website]
* [https://www.ang.af.mil Air National Guard website]
* [https://www.10af.afrc.af.mil Tenth Air Force website]

{{US Air Force navbox}}
{{Air Combat Command}}
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Major commands of the United States Air Force]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Virginia]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1992]]