II Air Support Command
Active	1941-1945
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army United States Air Force
Role	Command of tactical air support units

History

General Headquarters Air Force reorganized its four regional air districts as Numbered Air Forces in the spring of 1941. By the fall of that year, each of these had organized as a support command and three combat commands.^[1]

In the summer of 1941 GHQ AF had decided to establish commands to direct its air support mission in each numbered air force, plus one additional command reporting directly to GHQ AF. These commands would be manned from inactivating wings, and would initially control only observation squadrons, which would be transferred from the control of the corps and divisions, although they would remain attached to these ground units.^[2] 2nd Air Force organized 2nd Air Support Command at Fort Douglas, Utah in September 1941, soon moving to Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma where it drew cadre and equipment from the 20th Bombardment Wing, which was simultaneously inactivated.^[3]^[2] New observation groups were formed, with a cadre drawn from National Guard squadrons that had been mobilized in 1940 and 1941.^[2]

However, by early 1942, the command's first commander, Hume Peabody, like two of the other commanders of air support commands had moved overseas, and similar demands led GHQ AF to believe it had little more than the "remnants" of the command remaining.^[2] However, in May, the Army Air Forces (AAF) reaffirmed that each of the continental numbered air forces would have an air support command and the command's manning was brought back up.^[4]

The AAF determined that its continental air forces would specialize in their training operations and air support training would be assigned to Third Air Force.^[4] As a result, in October of 1942, AAF directed that all but one of the observation groups assigned to the command were to be reduced to 50% strength with their personnel used to form new tow target squadrons, or transferred to heavy bomber Operational Training Unit (OTU)s or Replacement Training Unit (RTU)s.^[5] Further, the command, now titled the II Air Support Command, was reassigned to Third Air Force in January 1943.^[3]

In August 1943, the command was redesignated the II Tactical Air Division with the intent that the command would engage in combined training with army ground forces.^[6]

The unit participated in various air-ground maneuvers, supported ground units in training, and put on air support demonstrations.

Lineage

Constituted as 2nd Air Support Command on 21 August 1941^{[note 1]}

Activated on 1 September 1941

Redesignated 2nd Ground Air Support Command c. 30 April 1942

Redesignated II Air Support Command c. 18 September 1942

Redesignated II Tactical Air Division on 28 August 1943^[7]

Inactivated on 22 December 1945

Disbanded on 8 October 1948^[3]

Assignments

Second Air Force, 21 August 1941^[8]
Third Air Force, 25 January 1943^[9]
III Tactical Air Command, 25 October 1945 – 22 December 1945

Components

Groups

48th Bombardment Group, 1 September 1941 – 2 May 1942^[10]
69th Observation Group (later 69th Reconnaissance Group), 7 September 1942 – 6 August 1943^[11]
71st Observation Group (later 71st Reconnaissance Group), 1 October 1941 – March 1942; August 1942 – c. 7 November 1943^[12]
72d Observation Group, 26 September 1941 – c. 18 January 1942^[13]
75th Observation Group, 12 March 1942 – c. 24 May 1942^[14]
77th Observation Group (later 77th Reconnaissance Group), 12 March – 24 May 1942; 7 September 1942 – 6 August 1943 (attached to III Ground Air Support Command [later, III Air Support Command] until 5 August 1943)^[15]
312th Bombardment Group, 15–16 March 1942
416th Bombardment Group, attached 1−22 November 1943^[16]

Squadrons

1st Observation Squadron (later 1st Reconnaissance Squadron), 1–26 Sep 1941; 24 May – 24 June 1944^[17]
2d Communications Squadron, Air Support: 1–31 May 1942^[18]
2d Composite Squadron, 8 November 1943 – 18 April 1944^[19]
3rd Observation Squadron, attached 12 August – 23 September 1942^[20]
5th Liaison Squadron, 12 October 1943 – 28 March 1944^[19]
6th Photographic Squadron, 29 March – 7 May 1942^[19]
15th Air Support Communications Squadron (later 15th Tactical Air Communications Squadron): 23 August 1943 – 20 April 1944^[21]
25th Liaison Squadron, 11 August – 19 November 1943 (attached to 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group after 15 August 1943)^[22]
30th Army Reconnaissance Squadron (later 30th Observation Squadron), 1 September 1941 – 12 March 1942^[23]
37th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 29 March – 12 Apr 1944^[24]
47th Liaison Squadron, 11 August 1943 – 4 April 1944^[25]
72d Liaison Squadron, 11 August 1943 – c. 14 June 1944^[26]
102d Observation Squadron, 1 September – 1 October 1941^[27]
108th Observation Squadron, 1–26 September 1941^[28]
110th Observation Squadron, 1 September – 1 October 1941^[29]
112th Observation Squadron, 1 September – 1 October 1941^[30]
115th Liaison Squadron, 11 August 1943 – 18 April 1944^[31]
124th Observation Squadron, 15–26 September 1941^[32]
125th Liaison Squadron, 11 August – c. 11 October 1943^[33]
128th Observation Squadron, 15 September – 1 October 1941^[34]
157th Liaison Squadron, 10 February – 18 April 1944^[35]
159th Liaison Squadron, 1 March – 18 April 1944^[36]
160th Liaison Squadron, 1–18 April 1944^[36]
162nd Liaison Squadron, 24 June 1944 – 1 September 1945^[37]
398th Fighter Squadron, 10 August – 1 September 1945^[38]

Stations

Fort Douglas, Utah, 1 September 1941
Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma, c. October 1941
Birmingham Municipal Airport, Alabama, c. 1 April 1942
Geiger Field, Washington, 26 May 1942
Reno Army Air Base, Nevada, 27 May 1942
Colorado Springs Army Air Base, Colorado, July 1942

Barksdale Field, Louisiana, 15 March 1943
DeRidder Army Air Base, Louisiana, c. 31 March 1944
Stuttgart Army Air Field, Arkansas, February 1945
Barksdale Field, Louisiana, c. 12 November 1945
Biggs Field, Texas, c. 23 November-22 December 1945^[3]

References

Notes

Explanatory notes

^ Maurer indicates unit was constituted as the "II" Air Support Command. However, the unit was constituted and activated with an arabic number in its name. The use of roman numerals to designate Army Air Forces combat commands did not begin until September 1942. "Air Force Historical Research Agency Organizational Reconds: Types of USAF Organizations". Air Force History Index. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2016.

Citations

^ Cate & Williams, p. 152, 155
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Futrell, p. 13
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 433-434
^ ^a ^b Futrell, p. 15
^ White, p. 80
^ White, p. 87
^ Futrell, p. 27
^ Ream, Margaret (9 September 2020). "Factsheet Second Air Force (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
^ Haulman, Daniel L. (4 April 2019). "Factsheet Third Air Force (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
^ Robertson, Patsy E. (7 July 2017). "Factsheet 48 Operations Group (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
^ Robertson, Patsy (10 July 2017). "Factsheet 69 Reconnaissance Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
^ Robertson, Patsy (10 June 2011). "Factsheet 71 Operations Group (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
^ Stephens, Maj Tonia (23 May 2017). "Factsheet 72 Air Base Wing (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 January 2022. (2nd Air Service Command [sic])
^ Ream, Margaret (13 May 2021). "Factsheet 75 Air Base Wing (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
^ Butler, William M. (9 January 2008). "Factsheet 77 Aeronauticall Systems Wing (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
^ Kane, Robert B. (24 March 2010). "Factsheet 416 Air Expeditionary Wing (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 191
^ Dollman, TSG David (16 June 2017). "Factsheet 2 Air Support Operations Squadron (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 40
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 24
^ Haulman, Daniel L. (27 March 2018). "Factsheet 15 Air Support Operations Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 131
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 151
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 177
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 207
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 266
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 334
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 337
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 339
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 342
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 344
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 349
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 350
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 777
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 357
^ ^a ^b Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 358
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 361-362
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 489

Bibliography

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

Cate, James L.; Williams, E. Kathleen (1948). "Prelude to War, Chapter 4, The Air Corps Prepares for War, 1939-41". In Craven, Wesley F.; Cate, James L. (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II (PDF). Vol. I, Plans and Early Operations. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. LCCN 48003657. OCLC 704158. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
Futrell, Robert F. (September 1956). "Command of Observation Aviation: A Study in Control of Tactical Airpower, USAF Historical Study No. 24" (PDF). Research Studies Institute, USAF Historical Division, Air University. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
White, Jerry (August 1949). "Combat Crew and Unit Training in the AAF 1939-1945, USAF Historical Study No. 61" (PDF). Air Historical Office, United States Air Force. Retrieved 30 January 2022.

USAAF Second Air Force in World War II

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Bombardment	2nd Bombardment 6th Bombardment 7th Bombardment 9th Bombardment 12th Bombardment 16th Bombardment 17th Bombardment 19th Bombardment 25th Bombardment 29th Bombardment 34th Bombardment 39th Bombardment 40th Bombardment 42nd Bombardment 46th Bombardment 47th Bombardment 48th Bombardment 85th Bombardment 86th Bombardment 86th Bombardment 88th Bombardment 94th Bombardment 95th Bombardment 96th Bombardment 99th Bombardment 100th Bombardment 301st Bombardment 302nd Bombardment 303rd Bombardment 304th Bombardment 305th Bombardment 306th Bombardment 307th Bombardment 308th Bombardment 312th Bombardment 330th Bombardment 331st Bombardment 333rd Bombardment 346th Bombardment 351st Bombardment 376th Bombardment 379th Bombardment 381st Bombardment 382nd Bombardment 383rd Bombardment 384th Bombardment 385th Bombardment 388th Bombardment 390th Bombardment 393rd Bombardment 395th Bombardment 396th Bombardment 398th Bombardment 399th Bombardment 400th Bombardment 401st Bombardment 407th Bombardment 415th Bombardment 418th Bombardment 444th Bombardment 445th Bombardment 446th Bombardment 447th Bombardment 448th Bombardment 449th Bombardment 450th Bombardment 451st Bombardment 452nd Bombardment 453rd Bombardment 454th Bombardment 455th Bombardment 456th Bombardment 457th Bombardment 458th Bombardment 459th Bombardment 460th Bombardment 461st Bombardment 462nd Bombardment 464th Bombardment 467th Bombardment 468th Bombardment 469th Bombardment 470th Bombardment 471st Bombardment 472nd Bombardment 484th Bombardment 485th Bombardment 486th Bombardment 487th Bombardment 488th Bombardment 489th Bombardment 490th Bombardment 491st Bombardment 493rd Bombardment 494th Bombardment 497th Bombardment 498th Bombardment 499th Bombardment 500th Bombardment 501st Bombardment 502nd Bombardment 504th Bombardment 505th Bombardment 509th Composite
Fighter	20th Fighter 54th Fighter 84th Fighter 85th Fighter 507th Fighter 508th Fighter
Reconnaissance	2nd Reconnaissance 3rd Reconnaissance 4th Reconnaissance 5th Reconnaissance 6th Reconnaissance 7th Reconnaissance 8th Reconnaissance 71st Reconnaissance 77th Reconnaissance
Troop Carrier	443nd Troop Carrier

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