VIII Fighter Command
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The VIII Fighter Command was a United States Army Air Forces unit of command above the wings and below the numbered air force. Its primary mission was command of fighter operations within the Eighth Air Force. In the World War II European Theater, its primary mission was air superiority. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe at RAF Honington,
VIII Fighter Command | |
---|---|
Active | 1942–1946 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Fighter escort |
Engagements | European Theater of Operations[1] |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Brigadier General Frank O'Driscoll Hunter Major General William Ellsworth Kepner |
Insignia | |
VIII Fighter Command emblem[note 2][1] |
It was formed at Selfridge Field, Michigan in February 1942. In May, the headquarters moved to England to conduct combat operations over Occupied Europe. After the end of the European War in May 1945, VIII Fighter Command took part in the occupation of Germany until May 1946 while simultaneously coordinating its own demobilization. It inactivated in March 1946 at RAF Honington, the last Royal Air Force station used by the USAAF to be returned to the British Air Ministry.