HQ Air Combat Command

• Formation and Purpose: HQ Air Combat Command (ACC) was activated on 1 June 1992, following the inactivation of Tactical Air Command (TAC) and Strategic Air Command (SAC), to consolidate the U.S. Air Force’s combat forces under a single command. • Headquarters Location: ACC is headquartered at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, a site with a rich aviation history dating back to World War I. • Primary Mission: ACC is responsible for organizing, training, equipping, and maintaining combat-ready forces for rapid deployment and employment across the globe. • Size and Scope: ACC is the primary provider of air combat forces to America’s warfighting commands, controlling more than 1,300 aircraft and 34 wings at one point, and over 94,000 active-duty and civilian personnel. • Global Reach: ACC units have participated in nearly every major U.S. military operation since its inception, including Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. • Modernization Efforts: ACC leads Air Force efforts in modernizing air combat capabilities, including the integration of fifth-generation fighters like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. • Cyber and ISR Capabilities: Beyond traditional airpower, ACC also commands cyber operations and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets, reflecting the growing importance of information warfare. • Red Flag Exercises: ACC organizes the famous “Red Flag” exercises at Nellis Air Force Base, providing realistic combat training for U.S. and allied aircrews and enhancing coalition interoperability. • U-2 and RQ-4 Missions: ACC operates high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft such as the U-2 Dragon Lady and RQ-4 Global Hawk, vital for strategic ISR missions around the globe. • Heritage and Legacy: ACC traces its lineage and traditions to both SAC and TAC, inheriting a proud legacy of airpower excellence from World War II strategic bombing to Cold War deterrence and modern precision warfare.