Allied Air Forces
Allied Air Forces

The air war was conducted by a number of different Allied Air Forces including:

  • The U.S. Army Air Force (AAF) was the largest individual air component deployed against the Japanese and included the 5th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 13th, and 20th Air Forces.  By August 1945 the AAF had deployed 69 air groups in the Pacific.
  • The U.S. Navy's (USN) Fast Carrier Task Force was typically deployed in Task Groups of 3-5 carriers each.  By August 1945 the unit had grown to and on line force of 11 heavy carrier air groups and 7 light carriers air groups with 1300 aircraft assigned. 
  • For invasions, anti-submarine warfare, and convoy escort, this force was supplemented by about 20 USN escort aircraft carriers with 630 additional carrier based aircraft.
  • The Royal Australian Air Force deployed both the RAAF Command in defense of Australia and mobile tactical air forces, ultimately the 1st Australian Tactical Air Force, in support of the reconquest of New Guinea and the Netherlands East Indies.
  • The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) deployed four tactical air wings throughout the Pacific.
  • The U.S. Navy deployed six Fleet Air Wings (FAW) on sea control missions throughout the Pacific.
  • The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) deployed combat units in the Solomons.
  • The Royal Navy's 1st Carrier Squadron maintained four carrier air groups on line during the naval campaigns of 1945.
  • The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) deployed several squadrons with the U.S. 11th Air Force in the North Pacific Area and was preparing a major effort for Operation Olympic.
  • The Royal Air Force (RAF) contributed to the defense of Australia and was preparing a major effort for Operation Olympic.
  • The Netherlands East Indies Air Forces (NEIAF) was slowly rebuilt as a semi-independent component of the RAAF.
  • The Mexican Air Force made a single squadron contribution to the 5th Air Force.