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Wings Over the Pacific

  • Published
  • By Maj. Kimberly Grover
  • Air Force Ball Committee President
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  During this year's Air Force Ball Sept. 19, 2009, in addition to celebrating the Air Force, we will also celebrate the creation of Pacific Air Forces and Air Force accomplishments in the Pacific. Our heritage began like this:

During the latter part of World War II and afterwards, Far East Air Forces (FEAF) in Japan was the primary Air Force command in the Pacific, and it was the air component of the Far East Command. 

"Pacific Air Force" was activated July 1, 1954, at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, under the command of Maj. Gen. Sory Smith. The unit was assigned to FEAF. Its purpose was to function primarily as the Air Force staff component and planning element of U.S. Pacific Command. 

On July 1, 1956, Headquarters FEAF (Rear) was established and Pacific Air Force was simultaneously redesignated Pacific Air Force/FEAF (Rear). General Smith continued as commander of the organization and also became Far East Air Forces deputy commander. 

FEAF headquarters moved from Japan to Hawaii July 1, 1957, and was redesignated Pacific Air Forces. Gen. Laurence Kuter, FEAF commander, assumed command of PACAF. Pacific Air Force/FEAF (Rear) was inactivated, and General Smith was subsequently appointed as the 4th Air Force commander at Hamilton AFB, Calif.