As the air component of USAFRICOM, U.S. Air Forces Africa (AFAFRICA) conducts sustained security engagement and operations to promote air safety, security, and development in Africa.
USAFE-AFAFRICA Mission
U.S. Air Forces Africa, located at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is combined with U.S. Air Forces in Europe and is the air component for the Department of Defense unified command - U.S. Africa Command located at Stuttgart, Germany.
USAFE-AFAFRICA directs air operations in a theater spanning three continents, covering more than 19 million square miles, containing 105 independent states, and possessing more than a quarter of the world's population and more than a quarter of the world's Gross Domestic Product.
During the Cold War, USAFE-AFAFRICA was a fight-in-place fighter force postured for a large-scale conflict. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, it has transitioned to an Air Expeditionary Force with a mobile and deployable mix of people and resources that can simultaneously operate in multiple locations.
Its role in Europe and Africa has expanded from warfighting to include humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, as well as other non-traditional contingencies throughout its area of responsibility.
Third Air Force Mission
Third Air Force is U.S. Air Forces in Europe's component numbered air force for U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command. Based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, 3rd Air Force directs all USAFE forces engaged in contingency and wartime operations in the EUCOM and AFRICOM areas of responsibility. Along with its headquarters operations directorate, the command is comprised of 10 wings, two groups, and the 603rd Air and Space Operations Center.
Links
Official website
U.S. Air Forces Africa Fact Sheet
Third Air Force Mission Fact Sheet