Fifth Air Force

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Fifth Air Force
Shield of the Fifth Air Force
Active	5 February 1942 – present (as Fifth Air Force) 5 February 1942 – 18 September 1942 (as 5 Air Force) 28 October 1941 – 5 February 1942 (Far Eastern Air Force) 16 August 1941 – 28 October 1941 (as Philippine Department Air Force) (82 years, 9 months)[1]
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Air Force (18 September 1947 – present) United States Army ( Army Air Forces, 16 August 1941 – 18 September 1947)
Type	Numbered Air Force
Role	Provide combat-ready air forces for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Forces Japan, along with serving as the air component for U.S. Forces Japan[2]
Part of	Pacific Air Forces U.S. Indo-Pacific Command U.S. Forces Japan
Headquarters	Yokota Air Base, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan
Engagements	See list World War II - Asiatic-Pacific Theater Philippines Campaign East Indies Papua New Guinea Bismark Archipelago Leyte Luzon Southern Philippines Korean War UN Defenseive UN Offensive CCF Intervention First UN Counteroffensive CCF Spring Offensive UN Summer-Fall Offensive Second Korean Winter Summer-Fall 1952 Third Korean Winter Summer-Fall 1953 [1]
Decorations	See list Distinguished Unit Citation Philippine Islands Papua Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Korean Presidential Unit Citation [1]
Website	www.5af.pacaf.af.mil
Commanders
Commander	Lt Gen Ricky N. Rupp
Deputy Commander	Brig Gen Jesse J. Friedel
Command Chief	CCM Shawn M. Aiello
Notable commanders	George Kenney Earle E. Partridge Samuel E. Anderson Richard Myers

The Fifth Air Force (5 AF) is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It is the U.S. Air Force's oldest continuously serving Numbered Air Force. The organization has provided 80 years of continuous air power to the Pacific since its establishment in September 1941.^[3]

Fifth Air Force is the Headquarters Pacific Air Forces forward element in Japan, and maximizes partnership capabilities and promotes bilateral defense cooperation. In addition, 5 AF is the air component to United States Forces Japan.^[3]

Its mission is three-fold. First, it plans, conducts, controls, and coordinates air operations assigned by the PACAF Commander. Fifth Air Force maintains a level of readiness necessary for successful completion of directed military operations. And last, but certainly not least, Fifth Air Force assists in the mutual defense of Japan and enhances regional stability by planning, exercising, and executing joint air operations in partnership with Japan. To achieve this mission, Fifth Air Force maintains its deterrent force posture to protect both U.S. and Japanese interests, and conducts appropriate air operations should deterrence fail.^[3]

Fifth Air Force is commanded by Lieutenant General Ricky Rupp.^[4]