Far East Air Force (FEAF)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF)
Background
On November 16, 1941 the Far East Air Force (FEAF) was included the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) and Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC) aircraft in the Philippines. On December 8, 1941 many FEAF bombers and fighters were destroyed on the ground or in the air. The few surviving aircraft including B-17 Flying Fortresses were withdrawn southward to Darwin in Australia. On January 5, 1942 the FEAF was under the control of U.S. Forces in Australia (USFIA) and renamed U.S. Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA) under the command of Major General George H. Brett. On January 14, 1942 the Headquarters transfers to Java to defend the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) but was withdrawn at the conclusion of the Java campaign.
On February 5, 1942 the FEAF was redesignated the 5th Air Force (5th AF) in Australia.
On June 15, 1944 the Far East Air Force (FEAF) was reformed and combined the 5th Air Force (5th AF) in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and 13th Air Force (13th AF) in the South Pacific (SOPAC) under the command of General George C. Kenney. The FEAF continues until the end of the Pacific War.
Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Lt. General George C. Kenney (September 3, 1942–December 1945)
Lt. General Ennis C. Whitehead (December 1945–March 1949)
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