Ninth Air Force (2009–2020)

The Ninth Air Force (9 AF) was a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command (ACC). It was headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, from activation on 5 August 2009 until it was replaced by Fifteenth Air Force on 20 August 2020. The prior and current Ninth Air Force is known as United States Air Forces Central (USAFCENT). On 20 August 2020, USAFCENT was again designated Ninth Air Force in addition to United States Air Forces Central.[2]

Ninth Air Force
Shield of the Ninth Air Force
Active5 August 2009 – 20 August 2020
(11 years)
Country United States of America
Branch United States Air Force
TypeNumbered Air Force
RoleProvide combat-ready air forces to Air Combat Command[1]
Part of Air Combat Command
HeadquartersShaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, U.S.
Commanders
Last commanderMaj Gen Chad Franks[2]

Until August 2009, the Ninth Air Force shared its commander with USAFCENT.[3] In a complicated transfer of lineage, the Second World War-and-after heritage of the Ninth Air Force was bestowed solely on United States Air Forces Central, and a totally new Ninth Air Force, was activated on the U.S. East Coast, where it is responsible for a variety of Air Combat Command units.[1]

All Ninth Air Force units, as well as units of Twelfth Air Force, were consolidated into Fifteenth Air Force on 20 August 2020 and Ninth Air Force was inactivated.[2]

Lineage

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  • Established as Ninth Air Force on 4 August 2009
Activated on 5 August 2009[4]
Inactivated on 20 August 2020[2]
Disbanded on 5 October 2020[5]

Assignments

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Major components

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The command was responsible for operational readiness for eight active duty wings and two direct reporting units. These eight wings were:

Assigned non-flying direct reporting units included:

The Ninth Air Force was also responsible for overseeing the operational readiness of 30 designated units of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.[citation needed]

List of commanders

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Commander, Ninth Air Force

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No. Commander Term
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
1Major General
William L. Holland
5 August 200917 August 2010[4]1 year, 12 days
2Major General
Stephen L. Hoog
17 August 201017 October 2011[4]1 year, 61 days
3Major General
Lawrence L. Wells
17 October 201131 May 20131 year, 226 days
4Major General
Jake Polumbo
31 May 201331 July 20152 years, 61 days
5Major General
Mark D. Kelly
31 July 201517 May 2016291 days
6Major General
Scott J. Zobrist
17 May 201613 June 20193 years, 27 days
7Major General
Chad P. Franks
13 June 201920 August 20201 year, 68 days

References

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  1. ^ a b "Ninth Air Force". GlobalSecurity.org. 4 June 2013. Archived from the original on 4 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Fifteenth Air Force activates, consolidates ACC's conventional forces". United States Air Force. 20 August 2020. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  3. ^ "New leaders take command of redesignated AFCENT, 9th Air Force". United States Air Force. 6 August 2009. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2022.New leaders take command of redesignated AFCENT, 9th Air Force, 6 August 2009, Air Force News Service
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Robertson, Patsy (23 February 2012). "Ninth Air Force (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  5. ^ a b Musser, James (1 September 2022). "Factsheet 800 RED HORSE Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  6. ^ Bailey, Carl E. (July 2014). "93 Air Ground Operations Wing (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  7. ^ Haulman, Daniel (18 May 2015). "325 Fighter Wing (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  8. ^ Currier, Amanda (11 March 2013). "Shaw stands up new total force fighter group". Air Force Reserve Command. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  9. ^ Haulman, Daniel L. (5 March 2019). "633 Air Base Wing (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
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