HQ Air Command Europe was created to replace the Third Air Force and Sixteenth Air Force Numbered Air Force roles as headquarters for USAFE wings upon inactivation of Third Air Force and Sixteenth Air Force taking up its new role as the Warfighting Headquarters for USAFE. All USAFE wings were reassigned to this new Headquarters on 18 November 2005. Third Air Force was established in 1940 as the Southeast Air District to provide air defence for that part of continental United States, it also provided air defense and conducted combat training for personnel of newly formed units in World War II. After the war it served Tactical Air Command... Originated as a separate operating agency, Sixteenth Air Force has served both Strategic Air Command and United States Air Forces in Europe. ... Categories: Stub | Commands of the U.S. Air Force ...