First Air Force

First Air Force (Air Forces Northern and Air Forces Space)
Shield of the First Air Force Shield of Continental NORAD Region - Air Forces Northern and Air Forces Space
Active	1 November 2007 - present (as First Air Force (Air Forces Northern)) 1 October 1995 – 1 November 2007 (as First Air Force (ANG)) 6 December 1985 - 1 October 1995 20 January 1966 - 31 December 1969 18 September 1942 – 23 June 1958 (as First Air Force) 26 March 1941 – 18 September 1942 (as 1 Air Force) 19 October 1940 – 26 March 1941 (as Northeast Air District) (83 years, 9 months)[1]
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Air Force (18 September 1947 - present) United States Army ( Army Air Forces, 20 June 1941 – 18 September 1947; Army Air Corps 19 October 1940 – 20 June 1941)
Type	Numbered Air Force
Role	Provide forces for Air defense of the Continental United States and serve as the air component for U.S. Northern Command and the Continental NORAD Region[2][3] As Air Forces Space (AFSPACE), provide Air Force contribution to US Space Command (USSPACECOM), including support of NASA human space flight
Size	15,000 Airmen [2]
Part of	Air Combat Command United States Northern Command Continental NORAD Region[3]
Headquarters	Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, U.S.
Engagements	World War II - American Theater[1]
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[1]
Commanders
Commander	Lt Gen Steven S. Nordhaus[4]
Deputy Commander	MGen Sean T. Boyle, RCAF
Vice Commander	Brig Gen Richard R. Dickens
Command Chief	CMSgt Denny L. Richardson

The First Air Force (Air Forces Northern & Air Forces Space; 1 AF-AFNORTH & AFSPACE) is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC). It is headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Its primary mission is the air defense of the Contiguous United States (CONUS), United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Since May 2022, it also provides the Air Force contribution to United States Space Command, as Air Forces Space (AFSPACE), including support functions for NASA human space flight.^[5]

It was one of the four original pre-World War II numbered air forces formed during the existence of the United States Army Air Corps. It was activated as the Northeast Air District on 18 December 1940, at Mitchel Field, Long Island, New York with a mission of air defense of the Northeastern United States and Great Lakes regions. Its primary mission was the organization and training of new combat units prior to their deployment overseas. It was active in 1941–42; 1942–58; 1966–69; and with minor name and function changes from 1985 to the present.

First Air Force is commanded by Lieutenant General Steven S. Nordhaus. Its Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sgt. Denny L. Richardson.

It has the responsibility for ensuring the air sovereignty and air defense of the Contiguous United States (CONUS), United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. As the CONUS NORAD Region (CONR) for North American Aerospace Defense Command, CONR provides air defense in the form of airspace surveillance and airspace control. 1AF (AFNORTH) is also the designated air component for the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). USNORTHCOM's area of responsibility includes the continental United States, Canada, and Mexico, and its air, land and maritime approaches.

With the transfer of responsibility for continental air defense from the active duty component of the Air Force to the Air National Guard, 1 AF became the first numbered air force to be made up primarily of citizen airmen. Furthermore, 1AF now has operational control (OPCON) of the Civil Air Patrol.