The VIII Air Force Composite Command was a subordinate command of
Eighth Air Force. It was originally responsible for combat training of
aircrews arriving from the United States, a mission it continued until near the end of the war, when the
air divisions began the training. Starting in late winter of 1944, the command took over special operations missions, including night leaflet dropping, infiltration of agents behind enemy lines and supplying resistance forces in occupied countries. As
Allied forces advanced across Europe, most of its personnel were used to form provisional disarmament units. The command was disbanded in October 1948, when the United States Air Force decided it would have no future need for a level of command between major commands and air divisions.
History
This section is empty. You can help by
adding to it. (March 2024)
Lineage
Established as 8th Air Force Composite Command[note 2]
Activated c. 4 July 1942
Redesignated VIII Air Force Composite Command on 18 September 1942
2900th Combat Crew Replacement Center Group (Provisional), 16 August – 14 November 1943
2901st Combat Crew Replacement Center Group (Provisional), 20 August – 12 November 1943
2902d Combat Crew Replacement Center Group (Provisional), 23 August – 21 November 1943
2915th Combat Crew Replacement Center Group (Provisional), 16 August – 12 November 1943
Squadrons
36th Bombardment Squadron, 26 February – 1 October 1944 (attached to 328th Service Group, 27 February 1944; 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional), 28 March 1944 – 4 August 1944)[6]
406th Bombardment Squadron, 26 February – 1 October 1944 (attached to 328th Service Group, 27 February 1944; 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional), 28 March 1944 – 4 August 1944)[7]
The VIII Air Force Composite Command was a subordinate command of
Eighth Air Force. It was originally responsible for combat training of
aircrews arriving from the United States, a mission it continued until near the end of the war, when the
air divisions began the training. Starting in late winter of 1944, the command took over special operations missions, including night leaflet dropping, infiltration of agents behind enemy lines and supplying resistance forces in occupied countries. As
Allied forces advanced across Europe, most of its personnel were used to form provisional disarmament units. The command was disbanded in October 1948, when the United States Air Force decided it would have no future need for a level of command between major commands and air divisions.
History
This section is empty. You can help by
adding to it. (March 2024)
Lineage
Established as 8th Air Force Composite Command[note 2]
Activated c. 4 July 1942
Redesignated VIII Air Force Composite Command on 18 September 1942
2900th Combat Crew Replacement Center Group (Provisional), 16 August – 14 November 1943
2901st Combat Crew Replacement Center Group (Provisional), 20 August – 12 November 1943
2902d Combat Crew Replacement Center Group (Provisional), 23 August – 21 November 1943
2915th Combat Crew Replacement Center Group (Provisional), 16 August – 12 November 1943
Squadrons
36th Bombardment Squadron, 26 February – 1 October 1944 (attached to 328th Service Group, 27 February 1944; 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional), 28 March 1944 – 4 August 1944)[6]
406th Bombardment Squadron, 26 February – 1 October 1944 (attached to 328th Service Group, 27 February 1944; 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional), 28 March 1944 – 4 August 1944)[7]