Constituted as Northeast Air District on 19 Oct 1940.
Activated on 18 Dec 1940. Redesignated First AF early in 1941. Trained new
organizations and, later, replacements for combat units. Also provided air
defense for the eastern US until 1943. Assigned to Air Defense Command in Mar
1946 and to Continental Air Command in Dec 1948, being concerned primarily with
air defense until 1949 and with reserve and national guard activities
thereafter.
Commands. I Bomber (later assigned to Second AF and redesignated XX Bomber
Command): 1941-1942. I Bomber (Antisubmarine Command prior to assignment to
First AF): 1943-1946. I Fighter: 1941-1946. I Ground Air Support: 1941-1942.
Stations. Mitchel Field, NY, 18 Dec 1940; Ft Slocom, NY, 3 Jun 1946; Mitchel
AFB, NY, 17 Oct 1949-.
Commanders. Maj Gen James E Chaney, 18 Dec 1940; Maj Gen Herbert A Dargue, 24
Jun 1941; Brig Gen Arnold N Krogstad, 10 Dec 1941; Maj Gen Follett Bradley, 5
Mar 1942; Maj Gen James E Chaney, 23 Jul 1942; Maj Gen Ralph Royce, 18 Apr 1943;
Maj Gen Frank O'D Hunter, 17 Sep 1943; Maj Gen Robert W Douglass Jr, 20 OCt
1945; Maj Gen Robert M Webster, 16 Jul 1947; Maj Gen Glenn O Barcus, 1 Sep 1949;
Maj Gen Willis H Hale, 17 Jul 1950; Maj Gen James P Hodges, 27 Feb 1951; Col
Joseph A Bulger, 1 Sep 1951; Maj Gen Howard M Turner, 9 Aug 1952; Maj Gen Roger
J Browne, May 1954-.
Campaigns. American Theater.
Decorations. None.
Insigne. A white star charged with a red disc in the center and with golden
orange stylized wings below the Arabic number "I" in white, all on a
blue disc. (Approved 18 Jan 1944.)